visiting this weekend - what to expect at STT?

Just like you would at any other airport.
Arrive, at least, an hour and a half prior to departure.
Going thru Customs is just like stateside.
There is a restaurant after you go thru customs but the food is expensive - $9.50 for a hot dog and fries, $3-$4 for bottled water which since they have no water fountains at all once you've passed customs to fill an empty, so you're forced to pay the price.

Just like stateside except for the random cavity search.

He's kidding!

Sorry. I couldn't resist.

At least it's not like the airport on Beef Island where they have two lines.
Belongers and Non-belongers.

Never even been through customs. What to expect?

Follow the posted rules. No fruits, food, guns, etc. Complete the Customs form the agent gives you. Have proper ID. Don't tape your boxes or suitcase shut.

You'll have to empty pockets and take off shoes going thru metal detector. Belt buckles will trigger detector so have to remove if wearing one. They'll want to see your passport or ID and your already filled out customs declaration form. Can't take water bottle with water in it thru customs. I've gone thru with an empty and filled afterwards except in STT as there are no water fountains once thru customs but you can purchase an over priced bottle to fly with.
Check this link about what you can and can't take on plane in carry on or checked luggage.

http://www.airsafe.com/danger.htm

You don't go thru customs on arrival in STT, just on departure
You'll go thru customs when departing US for STT hence the need to be there 2hrs. prior to flight to check in, etc.

I always fly with a sandwich and piece of fruit.
The only time I've had to dispose of anything was when I arrived in NZ.

As long as you aren't secretly traveling with my wife you should have no problem. My wife is stopped at TSA every time for either her being a buffoon with her packing or for a random search. On departure customs is SLOW. get there early. I would say they are generally slow not because of employees but because people going through lines do not follow directions.

Thank you!

If you place a lock on checked luggage it has to be a TSA approved lock or they will cut it off if they want to inspect your bags.

I've never gone thru customs when leaving the U.S. coming to St Croix

Do you have US passports?

Maybe it wasn't customs but the TSA checkpoints where they scan you and everything, remove shoes, etc.

Yup done that.

jane: You go through Customs and Immigration as you LEAVE the VI, also agricultural inspection.

Yes I know that. I said I've never gone thru customs coming home from the states. Alana had referenced going thru customs when coming home

"You'll go thru customs when departing US for STT hence the need to be there 2hrs. prior to flight to check in, etc"

I never went through customs when leaving the states to come back to the VI.

Come on, you guys! Can't you see from the context that she made a little oopsie syntax mix-up?

"You don't go thru customs on arrival in STT, just on departure
You'll go thru customs when departing US for STT hence the need to be there 2hrs. prior to flight to check in, etc."

Lawd,send help....

Mea culpa!;)

(tu)

Come on, you guys! Can't you see from the context that she made a little oopsie syntax mix-up?

"You don't go thru customs on arrival in STT, just on departure
You'll go thru customs when departing US for STT hence the need to be there 2hrs. prior to flight to check in, etc."

Lawd,send help....

Huh?

Bring a pen or have your customs paperwork filled out before you get to the airport when you're going back home. They never have pens. Hour and half if enough time. Its pretty basic and pretty easy. Don't try to take sand, shells or coral home.

I have a bunch of customs forms saved up. I always grab as many as I can when no one is looking. ~sneaky~

I've brought food in my checked luggage. It is packaged food that I've bought at Cost-U-Less, etc., which I or my family likes to eat. I declare it, the TSA officer asks me what it is, I tell s/he, no problems at all.