Aruba Airport very busy.

[Eagle Beach Boy]

While in Aruba before you check out, check with your Airline. Especially if the weather is bad back home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chaos at the airport
ORANJESTAD – The enormous flood of passengers in the airport’s departure hall for American destinations caused chaotic situations last Saturday. Due to the immigration department being understaffed, the travelers were forced to queue up outside the terminal. According to reports, some of the employees are on vacation and are not allowed to claim overtime. The personnel of the airline companies and handling services did their utmost to get the passengers at the gates on time. They are very worried about the coming weekends, especially the Christmas and New Year ones that traditionally are the busiest periods at the airport.

[Andrea J.]

YES great advice
and check with your airline before you check out of your resort.
if you check out and then get to the airport and find flight is cancelled or delayed for a long period you may be outta luck on accomodations.

if you check with airline first, find it cancelled, your resort may be able to accomodate you all without leaving and then coming back.

it never hurts to be proactive

Originally Posted by Eagle Beach Boy

While in Aruba before you check out, check with your Airline. Especially if the weather is bad back home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chaos at the airport
ORANJESTAD – The enormous flood of passengers in the airport’s departure hall for American destinations caused chaotic situations last Saturday. Due to the immigration department being understaffed, the travelers were forced to queue up outside the terminal. According to reports, some of the employees are on vacation and are not allowed to claim overtime. The personnel of the airline companies and handling services did their utmost to get the passengers at the gates on time. They are very worried about the coming weekends, especially the Christmas and New Year ones that traditionally are the busiest periods at the airport.

[donsullivan]

Every time we have been through the airport, there is typically some chaotic event that occurs. Usually, computers crashing and the staff (United) manually having to check everyone in. Seat assignment lost etc.. This has happened on 4 occasions. I would definitely arrive 3 hours prior to departure

[paulandnan]

Long line @ AA on Sun. 12/09, but took only about 35 mins. to get checked in and boarding pass. Had plenty of time to walk around in shops. Arrived at airport about 2 hr. and 15 mins. prior to departure.

[EdnaSmith]

The new area where the duty free shops are located is beautiful and they have added many shops to buy souveniers. That's also where you buy perfume, booze and cigarettes.

[Andrea J.]

last time we were in aruba
we stopped by the airport on our day of departure
and checked in early (8 am) and got our boarding passes.
went back to lacabana
swam and lounged by the pool and enjoyed every last moment of sun, took showers and then went back to the airport at 12:30, dropped off our rental car and sailed thru immigration and security.

i think this only works if:
you are traveling with only carry on items
and
if the airline you are taking has an early flight departing and their counter is manned. (our airline was american)


we were lucky to be able to bypass the aa check in line.
try it, you'll like it.

Originally Posted by paulandnan

Long line @ AA on Sun. 12/09, but took only about 35 mins. to get checked in and boarding pass. Had plenty of time to walk around in shops. Arrived at airport about 2 hr. and 15 mins. prior to departure.

[Bernie157]

We will try to follow suggestions in this thread. We are going down to Aruba next Monday and returning the following Saturday.

Bernie

[janlel]

Andrea, what a fabulous idea...however...I would NEVER make it to Aruba with carry-on luggage. I just went to Orlando for 4 nights with my daughter, went the carry-on route and I wasn't a happy camper having to haul everything through the airport.

What you did is a great way to enjoy every last minute of sunshine!