Airport procedures

I'm sure this is on this forum somewhere, but I can't find it! I despise looking stupid, so I ask a lot of questions :) Here's another....

Since I've NEVER been out of the USA, I would like to know the procedure when I get to Sangster, or what can I expect to do? I have looked at the airport website, but I really don't see any good info.

Thank you all for the advice you have given me thus far! I don't think I could do this trip...without stress... without you Boardies! :D

Much Respect,
Stephanie

On the plane ride down they will hand out a arrival/departure slip to fill out. When you land you take that to immigrations and they will
approve it and give you the stub (do not lose the stub because you need to present it when you leave). Then you get your bags and go
to another line for customs. They ask what you are bringing in, they want you to declare any gifts or expensive items.
That's it then you head out the doors on the left and either go to one of the tour desks for your ride and off you go.

Hope I explained that right ?!

When you get off the plane just following the crowd until you reach IMMIGRATION.

At the bottom of the ramp there will be employees that will check your documents that you filled out on the plane, if your form is correct they will tell you to proceed to the immigration line. If your form has is any incorrect information or not filled out properly they will tell you to step to the side and correct what needs to be corrected and then you proceed to the immigration line.

Next you will proceed through a short walkway into another large area where you will retrieve your luggage.

Next you will proceed to the CUSTOMS area, use the GREEN lines. The RED lines are for Jamaicans and items to declare.

After clearing Customs proceed out the doors to your left where there will be employees asking you where do you need to go. If you have a driver waiting for you, you will proceed through the doors to your RIGHT. If you are staying at a resort...such as Superclubs you will proceed to the proper tour desk and they will take your information and escort you where you need to be.

That is PERFECT information Luvsdaislands just gave you.....nice job!

The only thing I will add is to be sure to bring a pen on the plane so you can fill out your form, they never have pens to give out. Also, be sure to read the form carefully, newbies always seem to make mistakes and then sometimes they don't have extra forms to give you if you have maken a mistake
Other than that....follow Luvs directions above, they are spot on!
Have fun!!!!!

Well, so I thought.... "I bet I can find this form on my airline website!" Low and behold.. there it is! Not the form itself, but an example of how to fill it out. Yay.. no mistakes for this newbie!

Thanks for the info everyone!

Chooch got the 10,000 foot view of it covered. Here's a little more about each.
One thing - until you leave the controlled areas of immigration/customs - no cell phone or camera use is allowed.

First Immigration - make sure to have your form filled out completely. Otherwise a form checker will have you get out of line and go to a side area to complete it.
They will ask you your departure date and where you will be staying, not much more. The stub Chooch mentioned they will put in your passport - good place to keep it.

Soon as you leave Immigration, on way to baggage carrousel - there are restrooms and a Currency Exchange window.
The exchange rate there is significantly less than at cambios/banks elsewhere - so just get enough cash to hold you until town, if any at all.
The Transfer companies will all take $US. Many will stop once along the way for a break - food/drink/restroom - but they will also take $US, but you get better deal if you have $JA, but not so much better it is worth the airport exchange rate.

For Customs - there are 2 groups of lines. Red lines for people with something to declare - Green lines for people with nothing to declare.
The customs form is pretty good about telling you what you should declare - certain plants/fruits, meats, cigarettes above a certain number, gifts, tools, etc.
If you can travel without declarable items so you can go thru Green lines, it will save you some time.

Once you leave Customs you are no longer in Controlled area and can use cell/cameras again. You then come into the Ground Transportation area.
If you are staying at a big AI - they have areas for check-in to collect your bags and direct you to their buses.
The JUTA desk - for a cheap, but shared, transfer to your hotel is also here - to make arrangements with.
If you use one of these services, they will direct you to one exit (directly opposite the customs hallway) - that is a more controlled-area for arriving passengers with these type Transfers.

If you have made your own Transfer arrangements (like with Clive or many others mentioned here), you instead use the exit to the right (when leaving the customs hallway).
This area is open to the public and way more busy with ride providers of all kinds looking for business.
Tell whoever approaches you who you have arranged your Transfer with and they will hook you up with them.
If a friend is meeting you, this is where you would meet them.

It's not as bad as it sounds. I find if you don't worry about hurrying - and get into mindset that vacation has started so let's slow down - you start enjoying JA sooner.

10,000 foot view !!! HAHHAHA
that's too much typing for me !!

I'm surprised I never lost that stub...yet

when you leave the airport....your mind will be greeted by sights, sounds and smells you have never experienced....enjoy it...it will be one of your life's
wonderful memories you will have forever, no matter how many times you return, and you will....there will NEVER be a FIRST Time again!.....after a lot of trips we wish we could redo our first................welcome:)

Rambo you are so right , that first time is a memory never forgotten. wow

Make sure you use blue or BLACK ink!!! One time it was so funny (o.k.funny to me) Jim had a pen with GREEN ink. When he got to the lady she looks him up and says " Mr. JIM why did you use the green ink?" (irriated look here) he looked like a little boy getting scolded. LOL "Go do it again" LOL O.K. at the time, not so funny. you had to be there.

We always seem to forget every time we go that the airlines (Canadian). Tell and give us only one to fill out .there's a space provided that you can put spouse or kids, but you need a separate one for each person. Haven't lost the departure slip yet, what happens if you do?

One per HOUSEHOLD - also there is a trick question where its easy to check "resident" - over next to it is "visitor" so watch that.

Don't use red ink, either. My daughter is a teacher and had been grading papers and filled her form out with red ink ---- yep, they made her redo it.

If it's one per household, how do you need a separate one for each person?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rambo

when you leave the airport....your mind will be greeted by sights, sounds and smells you have never experienced....enjoy it...it will be one of your life's
wonderful memories you will have forever, no matter how many times you return, and you will....there will NEVER be a FIRST Time again!.....after a lot of trips we wish we could redo our first................welcome:)

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Thank you Rambo... what a great thought! Smells & sounds are a great reminder of times in my life... in fact I have a lotion I've never used before that I am saving for my trip, that way when I get home I can put it on & think of JA (Bath & Bodyworks.. Dark Kisses) :o I will be sure & take it all in. If I could bottle it up for you, I would!

Also, thanks to everyone else for your help! I can walk w/o looking like a fool... cuz I know where I'm going! ;)

Bring pens to fill out form handed out on plane and don't forget to fallout front And back

Hmmm thought it was one per household maybe I am wrong. Negril1990? or are you talking about re-entering Canada?

You need one per person entering Jamaica. I followed a suggestion on TA to print off a blank form at home and fill it out with all our info. You could highlight the applicable questions as well. Then just have in your bag (along with your blue/black pen!). That way, all you have to do is copy your info onto the official form on the plane. You don't have to fumble through your passport and itinerary/other papers on the plane...in cramped quarters....and you may be tired and not as sharp as usual. I thought it worked great!

"The exchange rate there is significantly less than at cambios/banks elsewhere"

I thought the exchange at the airport was higher than at the cambios/banks?

It depends on which way you are converting whether you call it a lower or higher rate.

Since we are discussing people arriving in JA, people are exchanging their currency for $JA and GET a lower rate.
At cambios/banks, currently they give you about $84JA for each $1US you give them.
The airport cambio will be less - I don't know exactly now, but they will give you something like only $80JA for each $1US you give them.

But when leaving JA, people are turning in $JA for their home currency. You are right that then they have to PAY a higher rate.
At cambios/banks, you will have to give them about $87JA for them to give you $1US.
At the airport, you will have to give them something like $90JA or more for them to give you $1US.

How about we just call it a worse rate at the airport - accurate either way. :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Melody

You need one per person entering Jamaica. I followed a suggestion on TA to print off a blank form at home and fill it out with all our info. You could highlight the applicable questions as well. Then just have in your bag (along with your blue/black pen!). That way, all you have to do is copy your info onto the official form on the plane. You don't have to fumble through your passport and itinerary/other papers on the plane...in cramped quarters....and you may be tired and not as sharp as usual. I thought it worked great!

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Excellent idea Melody... I found the form on the JA gov't website.

Hear is the link: http://www.jacustoms.gov.jm/home_tem...nce&group_id=1

My only advice is to bring a black/blue ink pen because there are never enough to go around, and if you don't have one and have to wait, you might be filling out the paperwork after the plane has landed. Also, like others have probably mentioned, don't lose that form as you'll need it when leaving Jamaica. Otherwise, just enjoy the trip to/from Negril. It's one of the most beautiful and interesting drives I've ever taken.

Stephanie, you won't have a problem figuring out where to go...just follow the crowd racing to the lines! LOL

Honestly, that would be my advice. Wear some shoes that are comfortable to walk quickly in. If you mess around and walk slowly you'll end up at the end of the line.