Community Forum

hstvns · 11-23-2011, 10:32 AM

I have been meaning to ask this question everytime I return home. Does anyone know why there are two security checkpoints at the airport? Thanks.

H

*Arubalisa* · 11-23-2011, 10:59 AM

Yes, there are two: one for the Aruban government and one for the U.S. government.

As detailed here

Entering & Departing Aruba

http://www.airportaruba.com/images/Maps/Ground%20Floor%20MCA%20New.JPG

Procedure for Aruba departures at Reina Beatrix Airport:

Check in at your airline
Enter the main building and go through Aruba immigration
Go through Aruba Security/xray checkpoint
Duty free shopping
Retrieve you luggage
Take your luggage and go through US Immigration
US Customs- may or may not approach you to examine luggage
Once cleared by US Customs, you will place your luggage onto the conveyor belt to be placed on the airplane
Then proceed through the second security/xray checkpoint (see map link above) which is the US TSA checkpoint

hstvns · 11-23-2011, 01:35 PM

It just seems kind of redundant. Once you pass through the first security check, it's not like you can leave and re-enter the airport. Just a comment.

H

gaby · 11-23-2011, 02:41 PM

the good thing about it is when you get back home, you don't have to go through customs. so once you get off the plane in the usa, you're home free....and its not that bad. maybe its easier for us because we have only carry on but I love once we land in the usa, we just walk out the door...

John T · 11-23-2011, 03:27 PM

Not so crazy when you think about it. When you collect your suitcase to go through customs you could remove a weapon from the suitcase. Bingo second screening for weapons.

*Arubalisa* · 11-23-2011, 03:30 PM

It is like trying to explain when departing Aruba, once you have passed through US Immigrations and Customs, you are officially back in the U.S.

Everyone has their own set of laws and regulations.

As Gaby stated no need to pass through Customs upon arrival at your U.S. gate. Even more handy if you have a connecting flight.

Eagle Beach Boy · 11-23-2011, 03:43 PM

It has been explained why yhe US Customs.

The Aruba one is for all the other airlines not flying to the USA

hstvns · 11-23-2011, 03:46 PM

I agree. Nothing worse than arriving back in the US and spending another two hours at customs and immigration. Would be nice if more destinations folowed suit.

*Andrea J.* · 11-23-2011, 04:54 PM

it is what it is and we are inconvenienced slightly more in aruba but we are safer as a result and do not have to pass thru US customs back in the usa.

*Arubalisa* · 11-23-2011, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hstvns

Would be nice if more destinations folowed suit.

It is the choice of U.S. Department of Homeland Security where to place the preclearance facilities in cooperation with the countries of departure.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/...08132002_2.xml

11-23-2011, 10:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
hstvns Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 130	Security Checkpoints in AUA I have been meaning to ask this question everytime I return home. Does anyone know why there are two security checkpoints at the airport? Thanks. H Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook Andrea J. likes this. __________________ hstvns49

ADVERTISMENT

11-23-2011, 10:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
Arubalisa Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boca Catalina Posts: 10,685 Images: 174	Yes, there are two: one for the Aruban government and one for the U.S. government. As detailed here Entering & Departing Aruba http://www.airportaruba.com/images/Maps/Ground%20Floor%20MCA%20New.JPG Procedure for Aruba departures at Reina Beatrix Airport: Check in at your airline Enter the main building and go through Aruba immigration Go through Aruba Security/xray checkpoint Duty free shopping Retrieve you luggage Take your luggage and go through US Immigration US Customs- may or may not approach you to examine luggage Once cleared by US Customs, you will place your luggage onto the conveyor belt to be placed on the airplane Then proceed through the second security/xray checkpoint (see map link above) which is the US TSA checkpoint Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Aruba Bound! ~ Blogging to Aruba ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Pictures of Aruba Last edited by Arubalisa; 11-23-2011 at 11:01 AM.

11-23-2011, 01:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
hstvns Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 130	It just seems kind of redundant. Once you pass through the first security check, it's not like you can leave and re-enter the airport. Just a comment. H Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ hstvns49

11-23-2011, 02:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
gaby Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 486	the good thing about it is when you get back home, you don't have to go through customs. so once you get off the plane in the usa, you're home free....and its not that bad. maybe its easier for us because we have only carry on but I love once we land in the usa, we just walk out the door... Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________

11-23-2011, 03:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
John T Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 20	Not so crazy when you think about it. When you collect your suitcase to go through customs you could remove a weapon from the suitcase. Bingo second screening for weapons. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

11-23-2011, 03:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
Arubalisa Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boca Catalina Posts: 10,685 Images: 174	It is like trying to explain when departing Aruba, once you have passed through US Immigrations and Customs, you are officially back in the U.S. Everyone has their own set of laws and regulations. As Gaby stated no need to pass through Customs upon arrival at your U.S. gate. Even more handy if you have a connecting flight. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook gaby likes this. __________________ Aruba Bound! ~ Blogging to Aruba ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Pictures of Aruba

11-23-2011, 03:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
Eagle Beach Boy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Eagle Beach Posts: 480	It has been explained why yhe US Customs. The Aruba one is for all the other airlines not flying to the USA Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ "El Muchacho De Eagle Beach" *Eagle Beach Boy* *Ontario, Canada*

11-23-2011, 03:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
hstvns Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 130	I agree. Nothing worse than arriving back in the US and spending another two hours at customs and immigration. Would be nice if more destinations folowed suit. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ hstvns49

11-23-2011, 04:54 PM	#9 (permalink)
Andrea J. Aruba since 1979 Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: renaissance island, eagle beach, amsterdam manor/passions beach bar, Hung Paradis, alto vista chapel, madam janettes, big porch at B55 Posts: 13,258 Images: 80	it is what it is and we are inconvenienced slightly more in aruba but we are safer as a result and do not have to pass thru US customs back in the usa. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Please, I'll have a Grande' decaf Mocha Latte' with a shot of liquid tranquilizer.