FYI

There has been alot of talk on forum about all the trouble and delays people have had at JIA recently. There have been reports of people who had used a service such as Optima and AIR 2000 not getting through the airport any quicker than people that hadn't had their paperwork filled out ahead. I spoke with Garry Kelly this AM and he said all of his clients to date have spent no more than 40-50 minutes from the time they were met by AIR 2000 on the jetway until they met their ride from the airport to hunting area.

It would seem that the people using AIR 2000 are still far ahead of the guy arriving cold with no SAP form.

What kind of a safari operation or agent doesn't at least give the client the option of using a service like this? 3-4 hours in a line waiting for officials to move on Africa time is insane when you could spend a few dollars and be through in less than an hour.

Regards,

Mark

Just goes to show how many fly by nights and half assed cowboys there are in the industry. There's absolutely no excuse except for ineffeciency on the part of outfitters for a hunter to be delayed. The new requirements have been in force for almost a year now so how can hunters still be arriving without the correct paperwork or knowing whats needed?

Even without the aid of campanies such as Air 2K hunters should be through the system reasonably quickly IF everyone knows what's required and has all the correct paperwork filled out before arrival.

The good news is that the firearms office is being re-located to a larger area which should speed things up a bit.

The problem there isn't space it is insufecient staff to handle more then one person at a time, too much hand data entry and tooooo many forms to complete and check and enter and sign...ad nauseum!

465H&H

quote:

Even without the aid of campanies such as Air 2K hunters should be through the system reasonably quickly IF everyone knows what's required and has all the correct paperwork filled out before arrival.

Mark & Steve

IMHO you guys are both talking good sense ...

BUT there are some whom will persist and argue against using a paid service, mostly on principle not on cost ... HEY we are living in a free world, good luck to them I respect their view but I dont agree .... It is no good arguing and saying the authorities should be efficient and treat all as equal, that is a theoretical world, we live in a real world of tips and triks so done have your blinkers on ..

From all I read and what my close associates tell me the facts seems to be VERY CLEAR to me ... The paid service works better than going it alone in most cases ...

Now YES as Steve points out if a hunter has his paper work prepared and 100U% correct then he might have a better chance than those with incorrect paper work .... AGAIN that is why I say USE a professional TRAVEL AGENT whom is used to dealing with hunters and rifles as they know the ropes and which forms are the latest and what the requireements are ... Kathi & Gracy are just two of theose T/A that have the knowledge and I believe they will also be the first to recommend consideration to usind a PAID service in Joburg to mimimise delays and blood pressure readings going higher than the price of OIL

Peter

Sorry, but I stand by what I posted earlier. Those who were represented did not fare any better than I did on April 30. I was there. You can say what you want about how wonderful the SAP service is and how wonderful the expiditing services are, but it won't change what I witnessed.

Having said that, I totally agree that clients whose outfitters prepare them for the experience and help with getting the paperwork filled out correctly ahead of time are doing much better. Also, as I stated, I will probably use one of the expiditing services if I ever take a firearm to South Africa again. Further, other countries are much more friendly to us hunters, so my business and money will probably be going to them in the future.

Regardless of how you dress up this monkey, it still is a horribly inefficient and time-consuming process. If it continues to be done in the same way, expect the number of hunters who are willing to put up with this to decrease.

Patrkyhntr,

I just requested information from Air2000 on services and prices. It appears that they offer one level of service where they obtain the import permit ahead of your arrival. They quoted R750.00 for this "meet and greet" level (which also included help with immigration, baggage, and getting to the next flight, etc.).

You can also elect another option of this "meet and greet" service where you get the permit at the airport where the cost drops a little bit to R550.00.

What may have happened in what you observed with the hunters you saw waiting in line being escorted by a service is that the hunters could have went for the lower cost plan B (i.e. obtaining the permit at the airport).

In either case, I think the fees that are being charged for this "meet and greet" service are excessive! I think I am going to take a chance and do it on my own. I can't justify spending $110 (plus tip????) for this service.

doug

I am leaving in three weeks and have chosen to use Optima. I was told by Shawn Brigance at Gracy travel that the cost is $60 per traveler. They are getting my business and I have booked them for the 19th of June. I'll report back on my experience sometime in July when I return. I plan,(as I always have) to have the SAP paperwork all filled out and ready BEFORE I leave.

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
I am leaving in three weeks and have chosen to use Optima. snip... I plan,(as I always have) to have the SAP paperwork all filled out and ready BEFORE I leave.

UEG,

It sounds like you will actually obtain the import permit upon arrival in SA. Does Optima have an option that would allow you to obtain the permit ahead of time? Note, Air2000 offers this and you have to mail out all of the documents well ahead of time to allow them to get the permit prior to your arrival.

Doug

This topic has been beat to death a few times. I don't remember reading anywhere what exactally the Meet and Greet folks do to expedite your arrival in RSA.
Do they supervise unloading from the plane of your guns?
Do they supervise the reloading of your guns on the connecting plane?
Do they take you to the front of the SAP line?
Do they hold your hand while you go through customs?
They provide the correct SAP forms, but they are available all over the internet.
The prefilled out forms are not worth much, unless you can "bust" the line and go to the head of it.
As stated above, the prefilled forms were worthless last year, the SAP officers had to hand enter all the info again.
This poor old Okie boy needs help here, before I spend money, I want to know if it is necessary.
I want to help the economy of RSA, but I need a reason.
Thanks.

I have used Optima this past April and found it to be like given the red carpet treatment, was met as soon as I got off the plane. As I was waiting for my baggage the Optima man asked for my forms to look them over and found all in order. He then proceeded to find my Firearms with the baggage checks, so when I retreived my bages, Mr. Optima was at the SAPS office with my guns and forms and he took me to the front of the line, which he told me latter he arranged.

He seemed to know all the SAPS officers so all went smooth, he told me he would meet me here at JNB tomorrow morn for my flight out to Zim., which he did, but the best part that I liked was before I boarded that plane Mr. Optima verified that my guns were loaded on the plane. Verified by a comp. readout.

I have done this a few times myself with no problems but that was before the new gun permits.
I have only relayed to you what my own experience has been with Optima, it's a no brainer just follow the man and do as he says.....Bob