Luggage Woes at OR Tambo

21 May 2007, 18:39

Pete Millan

It appears that the X-Ray machines at Dulles are not fast enough to keep up. Yesterday's SA208 arrived and around 50 people did not get all or part of their luggage. This is from an SAA employee who filled us in on what is happening, apparently the Dulles flight is a big problem. A whole container of luggage did not make it onto the flight.

I was waiting outside when JJHack came out with only his carry-on hand luggage - no guns, no suitcases, no ammo - NOTHING!!

We are anxiously waiting whether his luggage made it in today- if so it will be couriered to him in Ellisras tomorrow. But if it carries on there is going to be a backlog building up surely?

On the bright side the SAPS system seems to work pretty smoothly - there is a seperate line for those who have pre-filled in forms. There are now other service providers apart from Air2000 and Optima who will sort you out with this service - www.riflepermits.com is one. It certainly seems to work well.

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22 May 2007, 01:29

L. David Keith

This was going on at Dulles in February. My flight to Dulles was delayed twice due to bad weather. Finally, on the third delay, I went to the desk and told the agent if I wasn't on this flight (it was full) to Dulles, my people would be leaving Dulles on SA 208 without me, and this would present big problems. United announced anyone willing to bump this flight would receive comp tickets, so we had six run up to the desk. I made the flight (had to walk outside to the plane as the door was closed, thus I made it by the last minute) but my baggage/guns didn't. I spent two days in Zim without guns or hunting clothes. Same deal going home: no guns or check in bag. United delivered to my home within two hours. Don't mind the "late getting home" routine, but "no guns in the bush" sucks. United has been helpful during stressed times, but as most of you know: no one is in a hurry at Tambo International airport. I feel lucky just to get my guns. If your PH isn't meeting you, hire a "meet and greet." They are worth every cent. And it doesn't hurt to tip the guys a few $ LDK

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22 May 2007, 20:03

LHowell

It would not surprise me if this continues into the summer,
They are flying nonstop now so the passenger load and temperature may prevent them from loading enough fuel.

To avoid the fuel stop they will likely leave baggage behind.

I seems that someone here mentioned that SAA has the ability to determine whether your bags are on the airplane. Can anyone confirm this? How does one get that information?

Les

22 May 2007, 20:17

Bill C

quote:
I seems that someone here mentioned that SAA has the ability to determine whether your bags are on the airplane. Can anyone confirm this? How does one get that information?

Les, I gave the SAA agents at the terminal desk the luggage claim forms about 30min before boarding, they punch it in the computer and can advise how many pieces have been loaded. Great piece of mind before jumping on the plane. Ditto in Joburg for a connecting flight, although this can be a bit more chaotic and not as easy, but worth a try.

Dulles in early March was a piece of cake, no doubt "peak season" travel is more stersssful although even then the SAA plane was completely full w/people on standby.

22 May 2007, 20:25

shakari

Since the Pan Am/Lockerbie bombing, most countries require the airlines using their airspace to compile a computer or manually generated manifest of bags and passengers on board every flight. This is done usually by computer and ties the passenger name, baggage tag and seat number with the bar code on the baggage tag which is auto and manually scanned. Some airlines allow check in staff to access this info, some restrict it to security staff........ All the correctly authorised person has to do is access the programme and enter either the passengers name or bag tag number and the computer will tell him if it's been loaded onto the aircraft or not.