Sunday airport departure

[Alan r]

Four of us arrived at the airport at 10:00 am for a 1:45 departure on southwest. Walked strait up to the ticket counter. We arrived at our gate in 45minutes. 15 minutes of that was at counter since our daughter and boyfriend were flying as our companions and we upgraded our boarding positions, took the nice gal at the counter little extra time to do all that. Also I was tagged for random screening at security checkpoints, which slowed us down. Funniest part was this was first time my wife and I used Global Entry, and our daughter and boyfriend who didn't have it beat us through US customs!

[LisaGrn]

The airport in Aruba is always an adventure of one kind or another! Hope you had a wonderful vacation!

Four of us arrived at the airport at 10:00 am for a 1:45 departure on southwest. Walked strait up to the ticket counter. We arrived at our gate in 45minutes. 15 minutes of that was at counter since our daughter and boyfriend were flying as our companions and we upgraded our boarding positions, took the nice gal at the counter little extra time to do all that. Also I was tagged for random screening at security checkpoints, which slowed us down. Funniest part was this was first time my wife and I used Global Entry, and our daughter and boyfriend who didn't have it beat us through US customs!

[Andrea J.]

excellent!
I am smiling at the thought of your daughter and her friend beating you thru US Customs.
hahahahahaha
glad it was all easy peasy.

Four of us arrived at the airport at 10:00 am for a 1:45 departure on southwest. Walked strait up to the ticket counter. We arrived at our gate in 45minutes. 15 minutes of that was at counter since our daughter and boyfriend were flying as our companions and we upgraded our boarding positions, took the nice gal at the counter little extra time to do all that. Also I was tagged for random screening at security checkpoints, which slowed us down. Funniest part was this was first time my wife and I used Global Entry, and our daughter and boyfriend who didn't have it beat us through US customs!

[Colette M]

Great to hear! From what I’ve been reading I believe the weekend departure experience is better than pre-COVID. I truly believe it is the result of many canceling late summer when cases were sky high along with the fear of testing positive prior to leaving Aruba. The island is much less crowded than normal. Let’s see what happens in a few months. Fingers crossed.

[Alan r]

Our daughter and boyfriend after customs asked- Why'd we get here so early and you paid $100 each for that? All I could say is you never know how things are going to go in Aruba. Their first time in Aruba, and our first time staying at our newly acquired Oasis condo. They loved it. We moved to the Hilton for 3 days on thursday since we all had some Hilton free night awards and points to burn. It gave them the chance to experience Palm Beach as well as eagle beach. A little off topic, but that was a crazy storm Friday afternoon. Very close lightening strike near divi phoenix - never saw so many swimmers clear out of the ocean that fast! You would of thought there was a great white shark spotted. A parasailer went by that area just 4-5 minutes before that strike- they were sooo lucky. There were also numerous waterspouts on the other side of the island and some tourists even got video of one one the beach! Google " Aruba tornado" if you haven't seen it.

[Andrea J.]

a friend of mine sent me a text during the Friday storm and told me that she could not believe her eyes.
she saw 2 waterspouts at the same time.

thanks for sharing your experiences. weather and airport!!! who woulda thunk?

Our daughter and boyfriend after customs asked- Why'd we get here so early and you paid $100 each for that? All I could say is you never know how things are going to go in Aruba. Their first time in Aruba, and our first time staying at our newly acquired Oasis condo. They loved it. We moved to the Hilton for 3 days on thursday since we all had some Hilton free night awards and points to burn. It gave them the chance to experience Palm Beach as well as eagle beach. A little off topic, but that was a crazy storm Friday afternoon. Very close lightening strike near divi phoenix - never saw so many swimmers clear out of the ocean that fast! You would of thought there was a great white shark spotted. A parasailer went by that area just 4-5 minutes before that strike- they were sooo lucky. There were also numerous waterspouts on the other side of the island and some tourists even got video of one one the beach! Google " Aruba tornado" if you haven't seen it.

[schexc]

We've seen water spouts on the island before, but nothing with sand in the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8O_YeGLNGU

[cpjones]

The airport in Aruba is always an adventure of one kind or another!

We always get there within the recommended time and always end up with 1 1/2 to 2 hours to kill at the gate...... but I know if we try to cut it close.... things will change and we'll miss the flight.... just sayin'.....

[bhoffdhoff]

We always plan to arrive at the airport within the recommended time. This year it was 4 hrs. I try to always get a wheelchair as my back hurts. I can only stand for short periods and can only walk short distances without my cane. I can walk a little further with my cane. Sometimes we get right thru and have plenty of time to spare. Sometimes we only have a little time. I always err on the side of caution.