Cayman airline connection logistics

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

I tried to book the Meet and Greet for December 28th arrival and Cayman Airport said they are all booked up and cannot accommodate.

I have 2 hours to do the airport shuffle and make connection to Brac, so I think I will be ok?
 
Two hours should be enough time even during the busy Christmas week. The only snag might be if your flight(s) from the US are delayed and you arrive on GC late. If that happens, try to grab the attention of an airport employee in the Customs and Immigration area and tell him/her that you are in-transit and traveling on to Cayman Brac and that you are in danger of missing your flight on Cayman Airlines to Brac. They should bump you up in the line.

If you can't flag down an employee in C&I, you might try going straight to the resident's line - which is usually shorter and quicker - and explaining your situation to them and asking for help.

After you get through C&I you have to go to the Cayman Air ticketing desk to check in and recheck luggage. That used to be a bit problematic but now it is much easier with the new airport - it's all indoors and not very far away now, and you will find free luggage carts in C&I that you can use - unless they are all snatched up quickly during Christmas week - try to snag a cart.

If you get to ticketing lounge and find that there are long lines at CA, look for the automated kiosks you can use to check in and check luggage. You could also grab a skycap and tell him of your situation and he may be able to bump you up in line. Be sure to tip him well!

If you are bringing any duty-free liquor in with you, purchased at the last airport before you leave the US, remember to pack it carefully inside your checked luggage before re-checking, because you will have to go through Security and you cannot take large volume liquids through Security. Amazon sells some re-usable padded bags for alcohol.

The Security Lines usually move pretty fast in the new airport because they have added more lanes and staff, but again, if you are running against the clock, speak up and ask for help. Things get hectic on Saturdays between around 12 pm and 3 pm and especially during the busy season.

Have a great trip!
 
Basically came here to say the same thing. I think your odds are good. The passport control line is the worst choke point. I was one of the first people off my flight and ran into a huge line of passengers from other flights. (Meet and greet skips all of that - saved me an hour or so.)

My only worry would be that if they’re so busy they don’t have meet and greet availability the airport could be seriously nuts.

Also it seems like Cayman Air stands a good chance of being late anyway...
 
Basically came here to say the same thing. I think your odds are good. The passport control line is the worst choke point. I was one of the first people off my flight and ran into a huge line of passengers from other flights. (Meet and greet skips all of that - saved me an hour or so.)

My only worry would be that if they’re so busy they don’t have meet and greet availability the airport could be seriously nuts.

Also it seems like Cayman Air stands a good chance of being late anyway...

FYI. They will give you a little card in immigration that certifies your visitor status. It doesn't look like much but be sure to hang on to that little card because you will need it to exit the country later.
 
I am a resident and get the same little card I did when I was a visitor. You just leave it in your passport. There are now greeters at the airport and you cannot miss them. Tell them if you are running late. Going on the Residents Line when you are not a Resident may end up costing you more time the same as if Residents jump on the Caymanians Line. Just speak to the greeters if you have a solid time concern or use the meet and greet service.
 
Thanks for the good advice-

All I can do is hope for the best- I am near the front of plane on inbound flight from Atlanta, so hopefully that helps.

I will keep checking to see if they have any other meet & greet available!
 
Thanks for the good advice-

All I can do is hope for the best- I am near the front of plane on inbound flight from Atlanta, so hopefully that helps.

I will keep checking to see if they have any other meet & greet available!

You probably won't have any problems, two hours should be enough time even during a busy week - but we all know that unexpected things can happen at an airport, even with the best of plans.

I mentioned that little immigration card because it was a problem for me during our recent trip. In all the years we have been traveling to Cayman I've just kept the card in my passport and surrendered it when we left without incident.

During our recent trip, when we experienced delays and diversions when traveling to Little Cayman, I had to show my ID at least 7 times, on different days and at all 3 Cayman airports. At the end of our trip, when we were heading home, I realized that my immigration card had disappeared and I had to get a replacement in order to exit the country. My passport was stamped and I could prove when I had legally entered the country so I was able to get a replacement, but it was a bit of a hassle - and who needs more stress when you are traveling? So now I have more respect for the importance of that little card and I plan to keep better track of it during future trips!
 
For those of you that have not taken the puddle-jumper from GC to LC or CB, here's a sneak peak. Please note the ABSENCE of overhead storage, reclining seats, TVs, soft cushions and lots of space to store your giant camera rig underneath your seat.

58895620091__C80CA9A1-6D08-44A7-A21C-ADF04813A36F.JPG
 
Not roomy but bigger than puddle jumpers we took to BVI or even Boston to Martha’s Vineyard. My daughter sat on the luggage on a flight in Australia! All part of the adventure. Best so far has been sea planes and believe me the ones have been barely had room for your legs!! Luggage came by boat the next day.
 

Back
Top Bottom