Made it through security in Anchorage. TSA was a hoot with the rifle and ammo. My Tuffpak (looking like a large plastic golf club case instead of a rifle case) confused the little TSA maiden. She then instructed me to put my locked ammo case in with the rifle, which I politely declined, explaining that NO airline allows that and they would pull my case from the belt should we comply with her wishes.

She called her supervisor and things looked a bit tense with her rolling her eyes.

She then conceded defeat and swiped both cases and dropped, key word dropped, the case on her belt.

TSA = thousands standing around.

Hope you have a great time buddy but hope you won't mind my correcting you slightly in that some airlines do currently permit and actually require ammo to be packed in with the rifle.

These things change from time to time but (for example) BA have recently changed their requirements to that effect.

Wouldn't it be nice if they all agreed one set of rules and stuck to 'em!

I believe if you check BA's website and you are flying into RSA you have to have the ammo in a separate locked case.

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:
Hope you have a great time buddy but hope you won't mind my correcting you slightly in that some airlines do currently permit and actually require ammo to be packed in with the rifle.

These things change from time to time but (for example) BA have recently changed their requirements to that effect.

Wouldn't it be nice if they all agreed one set of rules and stuck to 'em!

Frostbit in Alaska.

Need I say more?

What you hunting mate?

FFFFFFFFlippin 'eck,

Yeah, you're right. A few weeks ago they changed their site to say they wanted ammo in the rifle case.

Now they've changed it again to say ammo in a separate compartment in the riflecase but in the case of SA in a separate container.

I also see there's a surcharge of UKP50 each way that I hadn't noticed before.

No bloody wonder the staff don't know the requirements.

http://www.britishairways.com/...agsport/public/en_gb

Notify us before you fly
All firearms (including replica and decommissioned) and ammunition are restricted under UK law and you must notify us at least 72 hours before you travel to ensure compliance with UK government (or other local government) embargoes and restrictions. You must ensure you have the required documentation and licences for your firearms and ammunition. This includes export/import licences and authorisation from local and national authorities.

Check-in time
When you travel with firearms you must be at check-in at least 2 hours before your flight, to allow sufficient time to process the paperwork prior to clearing security.

Transferring through London
If you are transferring through London you require a minimum connecting time of 3 hours.

Handling charge
Each case containing firearms is subject to a £50 each way charge at check-in. Firearms are handled by a specialist third party agent on our behalf, this charge covers their costs.

Packing firearms
Firearms will be accepted provided they are packed in an appropriate carriage case, or if this is not possible, packed securely inside a suitcase.

Note when travelling to/from South Africa
If you are travelling to or from South Africa you cannot pack your firearms or ammunition in your checked baggage with your personal effects. The firearm and ammunition must be packed in separate locked bags or containers. You will not be charged for the extra bag.

Preparing firearms for travel:

*
each firearm carried must be accompanied by the appropriate firearms certificate
*
the firearm must be unloaded
*
if possible the firearm should be dismantled
* the total weight of the ammunition (including shell) must not exceed the allowance of 5kg (11lbs) per passenger per bag
*
sharing weight allowance between passengers is not allowed
*
there will be no additional cost for ammunition packed in your checked baggage, or in a separate compartment in the gun case
*
if ammunition is carried separately you will be charged for the extra bag
*
the Heavy Bag Charge will apply to all bags over 23kgs
* ammunition must be packed in either its original packaging or in a suitable container that prevents movement between shells or cartridges, i.e. loose ammunition is not permitted
*
bags with ammunition must not bear 'explosives' labels

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Frostbit in Alaska.

Need I say more?

What you hunting mate?

Andrew,
He's going through Namibia on to the Valley for Buff with Johnny.
Steve

quote:

Originally posted by Nganga:

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Frostbit in Alaska.

Need I say more?

What you hunting mate?

Andrew,
He's going through Namibia on to the Valley for Buff with Johnny.
Steve

Steve,

OK thanks. Seems along way round to get to the Luangwa? Surely he could have gone direct?

He's spending a week in Namibia, then some other place I can't remember, then a 7 day with Johnny, don't worry I warned him about Abie

Steve

The adventure begins with Abie.

And what the duck is a Daisy Red Rider?

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
The adventure begins with Abie.

And what the duck is a Daisy Red Rider?

I seem to remember Chapstick was quackers enough to write about them.

http://www.daisy.com/history.html

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
The adventure begins with Abie.

And what the duck is a Daisy Red Rider?

Andrew,
It is the first firearm most youngsters employe, a simple single spring acting lever BB gun. It's meant to be a joke.

Steve

A Daisy Red Rider is what every boy in America treasured.

What young American boy doesn't remember getting one for Christmas, pulling it off the cardboard backing, then searching the remaining gifts for that telltale round tube of bronze goodness.

500 BB's.....you carefully poured them in, making sure not to spill even one.

Those things even had a good smell to them.

Steve

www.daisy.com check it out

quote:

Originally posted by fairgame:
Frostbit in Alaska.

Need I say more?

What you hunting mate?

HI Andrew,

Steve filled you in. 7 day self tour in Namibia. Ranch hunt in Namibia, then on to the Valley with Johnny for Buffalo and other targets of opportunity.

We are flying the world tour on the way over because we used Alaska Air miles on British Air. Should be sipping their 18 year old single malt in 1st class.

Made it to Seattle, have to re-check rifle with British.

Finally relaxing in the lounge in Seattle. It took a full hour to run the gauntlet of disinformation at the British Air counter. "Oh........you have a rifle"

"Yes I have sporting arms"

"Where is your ammunition"?

"In a locked case weighing less than 5kg. as directed"

"Well that has to be checked with your rifle"

"Well it's already inspected by TSA and checked through to Jo-berg"

"That won't do, it needs to be cleared by customs here in Seattle before being checked, same as your rifle".

I smiled (took a deep breath and repressed my Philly tude). "I'm willing to do whatever you wish but my understanding is that customs only needs to check my rifle on return to the USA since I have already had it checked by customs in Anchorage and I am holding this valid form 4457".

"No, no, that's not the way we do it. I will have your ammo case located and brought here and then the customs agent will need to inspect it. This may take awhile and you owe us $80 for the firearm transport".

Smile (deep breath) "OK".

45 minutes later Ammo case shows up and new boarding passes are issued. She then called the customs agent. He arrived 10 minutes later. I already had my 4457 waiting. He walked up looked at the 4457 and asked, "Why did you call me?"

I smiled and said, "I didn't".

He leaned over and quietly said, "I have tried to explain to them before there is no need to call us but they always do. I don't think these agents like guns."

I smiled!!

So here I sit sipping a 15 year old Glenlivet in the lounge on BA's dime.

Honestly, if any of you really knew me you would wonder if I had been possessed by some benevolent spirit. It's not in my nature to be patient with incompetence.

I am practicing rolling with it. NOTHING is going to bother me on this trip.

Good excuse for a second whiskey.

Just think how much more shit they'd have given you if you'd been flying cattle class!

Just woke up from a nice nap (code word for sleeping off the Champagne, Scotch, and Port from 1st class) in our "cabana" in Heathrow's airport. Dang the shower was nice as well. Three hours until we jump on the leg to Jo-berg.

Tah tah for now.

Jim

last year they charged us 50 for the ammo and 50 for the rifles. wrote a letter when we got back and they did refund the 50 for ammo. couple of the BA women in london gave us some chit about hunting, but were quite cordial otherwise. it was quite evident that they had the riot act read to them about giving hunters a bad time

best of luck!

Jim,

These minor problems you had are the things that an agent will prompt you on before your travel. I've flown through Seattle to London numerous times and originated in Anchorage on several of those flights. You always have to claim your luggage and recheck it to London and onward. The guns and luggage containing ammo are stowed in a hold on the airplane seperate from the rest of the luggage so your gun and ammo did have to be rechecked together. As to BA having US Custom check your guns it is routine for BA to call Customs to make sure all is in order. It takes some extra time to do this but the unaware could be saved a lot hassle upon return to the States.

"Well it's already inspected by TSA and checked through to Jo-berg"

The Anchorage ticket agent should not have (this was incompetent) checked you through to JNB and issued boarding passes for all the legs. It is BA's standard policy to issue its own boarding passes. This facilitates luggage tracking. The result of this policy is reflected in their unmatched record of luggage arriving with their passengers.

Internatinal travel with guns is always a challenge and I learn something new everytime I go to Africa.

Mark

Well frostbit, sounds like your adventure started. I'll probbaly have to go thru the same "funny" business with BA this coming Wed, 8 Sept. when I start my travel legs, also from the Seattle airport on BA flights. Course I won't have to retrieve anything since thats where I start, and yeah the "I gotta call customs about my departing with guns " comment from the ticket agents is crazy, customs ONLY cares when we come back. Oh well, I'll take lots of patience and smile, tho doesn't look like I'll get to use those nice BA lounges, especially in London (with shower opportunity). Good luck on your hunt(s) and shoot straight. Can't wait util I start my trip.
Willi

Made it to Windhoek. Here's the "adventure" in between. When we got to Jo-berg the Tuffpak, and ammo case made it, our two checked bags did not. Joyce's checked bag came on the next flight an hour later so that was not a problem. Mine is still AWOL. I did pack some clothes in the bottom of the tuffpak so I'm not missing anything that's going to screw the trip.

We have two nights in Windhoek so I am hoping British gets my bag in tomorrow and ships it here to me.

Beautiful and warm here today.

Forgot the best part. We are sitting in first class on the ground in Heathrow and I changed into my jammies. The plane is loaded and about to depart when a guy with an orange vest comes up to me and asks if I have firearms? I said I'm traveling with a rifle if that is what you mean......

"Could you come with me sir?"

I follow him, in my jammies and slippers, through a security door and out to the tarmac.

"Could you identify that this is your rifle case and ammo case?"

I identified them and he then said that for some reason the tags would not scan and they wanted me to ID them. I thanked him and headed back on board with him. My theory on the scanning problem is that the BA check in woman put about ten staples in the stick on tag and I bet the staples screwed up the barcode.

Its all good!! Part of the fun.

quote:

What young American boy doesn't remember getting one for Christmas, pulling it off the cardboard backing, then searching the remaining gifts for that telltale round tube of bronze goodness.

500 BB's.....you carefully poured them in, making sure not to spill even one.

Ahh...the good ole days. When you did wrong...you got @$$ busted and went on about your business and most kids at 8 did not have a beer belly.

I am sure the Obama care bill has a clause against any kid owning a BB gun and getting health insurance!

Great stuff Jim! I'm looking forward to hearing your stories!!! See you when you get back! This time I'll bring the Scotch!

Brett

quote:

Originally posted by Brett Adam Barringer:
Great stuff Jim! I'm looking forward to hearing your stories!!! See you when you get back! This time I'll bring the Scotch!

Brett

You're on Buddy!! The .375 made it intact so life is good.

Due to be reunited with my missing bag today in the afternoon according to British Air. Life is good. Nice and warm here. Not at all like the 32 straight days of rain I left in Anchorage.

Yo Steve..... it's not hot here at all.

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Jim,

These minor problems you had are the things that an agent will prompt you on before your travel.
Mark

It's all good Mark. I booked the two night in Windhoek just in case something like this happened. I'm also jet lagged much more than I would have thought so a couple days lounging helps. Bag is being delivered as we speak.

Had dinner at Joe's with a friend of Malans. Apparently whoever is hunting there at present shot an absolute monster Kudu. If I get any other details I'll let you know.

Thanks for the report-Keep them coming as often as you can.Have a great trip!

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
Due to be reunited with my missing bag today in the afternoon according to British Air. Life is good. Nice and warm here. Not at all like the 32 straight days of rain I left in Anchorage.

Yo Steve..... it's not hot here at all.

I just spoke to Laura duPlooy, she's turned the heat up for you.

quote:

Originally posted by Nganga:

quote:

Originally posted by Frostbit:
Due to be reunited with my missing bag today in the afternoon according to British Air. Life is good. Nice and warm here. Not at all like the 32 straight days of rain I left in Anchorage.

Yo Steve..... it's not hot here at all.

I just spoke to Laura duPlooy, she's turned the heat up for you.

That's almost two weeks away. I'll be a sun bunny by then. Only thing I need here is an oxygen bottle. I think Windhoek has about half the oxygen as Anchorage.

Just got off the phone with Barista, the wife of my Namibian PH. The Kudu the present hunter took taped out at 62 inches. She said her husband was quite excited considering they had so much trouble with rabies the last couple of years. Saw a couple others that may guess at 55 inches.

I told you I saw some real good ones when I was there. Hopefully you will get a poke at one - it's on your list isn't it???

I'm really enjoying your postings - takes me back to my trip in May. Can't believe how laid back you've been about all the incompetence. Glad you were able to experience Joe's Beer house. Will eagerly await your postings from the ranch.

quote:

Originally posted by harvey stern:
I told you I saw some real good ones when I was there. Hopefully you will get a poke at one - it's on your list isn't it???

I'm really enjoying your postings - takes me back to my trip in May. Can't believe how laid back you've been about all the incompetence. Glad you were able to experience Joe's Beer house. Will eagerly await your postings from the ranch.

Hi Harvey,

I'll tell Malan and Barista hi for you on the 13th.

Kudu's on the wishlist, as well as Hartman's Zebra, Gemsbok, Springbok, Maybe Red Hartebeest, Warti, and maybe Black Wildebeest.

Basically, what ever presents itself.

Well we survived my first stint of driving on the left of the road in a right hand drive car. We made the 5 hour drive from Windhoek up to Mushara Lodge. This place is magnificent. They greeted us with fresh juice of a fruit I didn't recognize by flavor. The closest I could guess would be passion fruit. The drive was a bit frightening. One lane each way, no shoulder, and 120 - 140 kph.

After the fruit juice we were shown to our chalet and told that critters will walk through on a regular basis. We are 8 km. outside Etosha. The warning was that the Lions do not respect park boundaries so at night stay on the walkways to and from your chalet to the lodge. I wonder why the Lions would stop at nailing you on the walkway?
Mushara Lodge


BTW Steve, Laura must have listened to you and called over here. It's HOT!!

They won't!

Jim;

Great to hear about your travels thus far.
Keep it coming!

We had a similar experience with BA. When my husband and I checked in with BA in LAX a few weeks ago, they had to summon a Supervisor to handle our check in with firearms. When he arrived I could tell he was already stressed. He said, "This is going to take at least 45 minutes". (I have now learned to take a Zanax before checking in with firearms!!!!)

So I calmly replied, "We're used to it".

Then they made us remove all clothing (ie boots, jackets, bulky stuff)from our Tuffpaks. The Supervisor said the rifle cases couldn't contain any type of clothing. However, it was OK to put the little locked ammo boxes in with the rifles inside the Tuffpaks, rather than in the separate Pelican case I had brought along for that purpose. I was sure this wasn't correct, but didn't want to argue with them. We sent the Pelican case home with the friend who drove us to the airport.

So our 2 Tuffpaks, each with one rifle and one locked ammo box, went through TSA and off we went to the lounge. After a couple glasses of champagne, I was paged to the BA lounge desk. They put me on the phone to the check-in counter. The gal tells me that the ammo and rifles cannot be in the same case. (DUH! That's what I tried to explain....when I checked in, but they were worried about the clothes!)

I returned to the check-in counter and put the 2 rifles in one Tuffpak and the two lonely little ammo boxes in the other Tuffpak and returned to the TSA counter. The guy asked me what I was doing back. I explained BA wanted things changed. He just rolled his eyes.

So I went through the long screening processing (removing my shoes etc) and returned to the lounge...where I swilled several more glasses of champagne before departure.

I felt as if I was in Africa already!!!!

Best regards, D. Nelson

Xanax!! Good idea.

Couldn't update you all the last couple of days and it wasn't because of any Lion getting us on the walkways at Mushara Lodge.

Spent two nights inside Etosha at Halali and Okaukuejo. Amazing number of critters. Loads of Elephant and Black Rhino. Similar feeling with the Lions in that they warn you to never leave your car yet they have "restrooms" in the middle of nowhere that you have to leave your car to use.

That was actually one of the best Elephant sighting of the trip. They were waiting for us when we got out of the restroom and headed for the car.

After a hot drive across what seemed like a desert we are now in Swakopmund at the Stiltz . The cool air from the Atlantic feels great.

More later if I get a chance.

I noticed a woman pulling leaves from a tree and stripping them though her teeth. Here's a pic of what she was eating. I tried it.....very sweet and tasty. Anybody know what this is?