At Georgia SCI last weekend, one of the Zim exhibitors said I had ought to hire one of the VIP services to ensure that my guns and luggage get transferred to the Bulawayo plane when I pass through Jo'berg next month.

I really don't know what he is talking about. Can someone on the forum educate me?

The company is called Optima travel service. Perhaps a google search will turn them up.

GAHUNTER,

Send Kathi an email, she will get you all hooked up.

Next question:

Since I'm just passing through with less than a two hour layover, do I need them?

GAHunter

You are at the mercy of the elements ... One can never predict if a flight will arrive early on time or late so who knows how much time you will in fact have between connect flights ... my theory in life is plan for the worst and wish for the best ...

Essentially if you are overnighting before connect then Louis & Annelise Bekker of the comfortable Afton Guest House on email: < aftongh@netactive.co.za > only 5- minutes from the airport are your best option as they will do all the rifles red tape help and transfers on your behalf [ provided you are overnighting with them ]

If you dont overnight and just want meet greet and assist then contact Jaco Botha Optima Business Services at email < vipassist@optimahandling.co.za >

Good luck, Peter

GAHUNTER,

We found Air 2000 to be extremely helpful. They met us as we left the plane, swisked us through the gun bussiness and then delivered us to Garry Kelly who was waiting for us. I'm sure a transfer to another flight would be as easy and you'd be sure of getting your guns.

Regards,

Mark

Information for Optima Service



INSTRUCTIONS
Meet the clients upon arrival .

Assist the client to connecting flight .

Ensure that the clients’ baggage and firearm is loaded on the Aircraft. (Standard Service)

Confirm with client that his firearm and baggage had been loaded. (Standard Service)

Assist client to the boarding area when boarding commences. (Standard Service)

Meet the client upon arrival at Johannesburg International.

Assist the client to connect to ATL

Ensure that the client’s baggage and firearm is loaded on the Aircraft. (Standard Service)

Confirm with client that his firearm and baggage had been loaded. (Standard Service)

Assist client to the boarding area when boarding commences. (Standard Service)



COST:
US$ 60-00 per hunter (Return)

Total: US$ 60-00

Form of payment: Cash or Travellers Cheque



Service guarantee: We guarantee our service and if we did not provide the service to the satisfaction of the client we will give the client a full refund. This ensures that our clients will keep on getting a First Class Service.



Contact numbers: 27 11 921-6060 or 27 11 921-6143 for our Call Centre

Fax number: 27 11 390-3443

E-mail address: vipassist.optima@tiscali.co.za

Please look for the signboard with your name on when you disembark at Johannesburg International Airport. A person from Optima VIP Services will meet you at the plane, or gate when you enter the Terminal buildings.

Leon:

The Optima guy met me before I even got off of the jetway with my name printed on a card. He took me to the VIP lounge and took my baggage information. The then went on the ramp AND WATCHED MY BAGS GET LOADED on the Vic Falls airplane. He then returned and gave me the numbers for the luggage container upon which they were loaded, signed with his name that he actually witnessed them go aboard.

Several people who post here have had their bags lost when time is tight between transfers... I'd spend the bucks again gladly!

GAHUNTER

Definitely use the transfer service, the ones mentioned do a good job. So easy to get your guns and or baggage misplaced or worse and end up in camp having to borrow a rifle.

CFA

put me on board with the others in favor. I seem to recall that the meet & greet that I used was Optima (not totally sure, weak memory).
A well spent $50.00 to be whisked through & around the lines of people waiting, delivered with assurance to the correct terminal & have the sign off showing that my shooter & bag were witnessed being loaded onto my flight to Bulawayo. Having a "local expert" that knows the ins & outs, lingo, personalities involved & so forth, smoothing the transfer out takes a large item of concern off of my mind.

Mike

Just be sure to stay in the "IN TRANSIT" area to avoid having to do all of the SA paperwork. I am not sure you need either service mentioned above since you are transferring and leaving the country within a couple of hours but maybe it would be worth the extra cost for the peace of mind in knowing your guns made on your next plane.

John

Even if you are only in transit, there is a good possibility that things will get screwed up.

When we flew to Zim in 1998, my rifle case arrived several days late. It had been left in Johannesburg even though we were in transit. One other bag ended up in Island, but that's another story...

Thus, I will be trying Optima this June.

We used Optima in Sept/04 to get us through Joburg and on to PE, at that time it was $35 US. It was a service I think was worth more. Its a sure bet they do too if they charge $60 now, even at that its a bargin.

Thanks for the "education." Sounds like this service may be sixty bucks well spent, if for nothing else than the peace of mind it affords.

Of course, there is nothing they can do if my bags and guns are sitting on the tarmak in Atlanta, God forbid!