This time it is Air France, when my clients checked in late yesterday afternoon, the check in lady advised them that their bows and arrows may not be in the same case. It took a lot of talking/explaining and getting the head of the security to sort out the problem. I can only think this is due to a lack of proper training by the airlines. My clients was very stressed and was at the point asking me to ship it out to the States for them. I advised against it as it would have cost them a lot of money which would have been totally unnecessary.

Problems like the above s why I personally pick up my clients from the airport and I do not leave the airport before they are checked in and through to the boarding area.

They were also 4kg overweight on one bag and could fix the problem by moving stuff from the one bag to a bag that was underweight. They decided to pay for the excess. I could not believe the process that they had to go through to pay for it. The computer kept on rejecting the transaction as the check in lady was still working on the check in screen. It was also a very time consuming effort to go through all the screens that needed to be completed.

The whole process is ridicules, the combined weight for the 2 was below the combined weight of their luggage.

All of this just add to unnecessary stress to clients.

quote:

The whole process is ridicules, the combined weight for the 2 was below the combined weight of their luggage.

Weight limitation on baggage pertains to each piece of luggage and not the combined weight of 2 pieces.

If it is an airline regulation, stick to it!

Their only option was to transfer the excess to the lighter bag, or pay the surcharge on overweight.

It was obviously too bothersome and preferred to pay instead so they shouldn't have anything to bitch about seeing it was their choice.

quote:

Originally posted by fujotupu:

quote:

The whole process is ridicules, the combined weight for the 2 was below the combined weight of their luggage.

Weight limitation on baggage pertains to each piece of luggage and not the combined weight of 2 pieces.

If it is an airline regulation, stick to it!

Their only option was to transfer the excess to the lighter bag, or pay the surcharge on overweight.

It was obviously too bothersome and preferred to pay instead so they shouldn't have anything to bitch about seeing it was their choice.

I was referring to the process of paying for the extra weight. The were more than prepared to pay for it but the time it took was totally unacceptable for me.

I still think it is a stupid rule if you travel as a family or a group.

quote:

I still think it is a stupid rule if you travel as a family or a group.

It may appear stupid to you but it was imposed for a reason and a good one.

I agree that 1Kg may not make that much of a difference but there are people who would, and prior to the rule being established,load even 10 Kg over the permitted weight allowance.

Think of the baggage handler who has to load and unload this crap from and to the container and conveyor belt.

Its time people learned to programme their baggage weight at the time of packing and weighing on the bathroom scales and not get create an unnecessary shitstorm at the check-in counter! ...... just sayin.

Air travel is becoming an ever increasing PITA!

Gents:
I have found smaller airports are much easier to check in with guns and ammo rather than the larger metro airports. The rules to fly are the same but is the more gun friendly atmosphere in smaller rural airports the reason that I have experienced no problems in the US?
Just wondering your experiences in small vs. large airports.
Cal

I've never had a single problem checking guns and ammo at small airports. I have had some issues at bigger airports but nothing that I couldn't work out with logic and an easy tone.

quote:

Originally posted by bwanajay:
I've never had a single problem checking guns and ammo at small airports. I have had some issues at bigger airports but nothing that I couldn't work out with logic and an easy tone.

You hit the nail on its head, it does not help to become impatient or rude. I had a nice chat with the lady and the security guard. I still think it is a training problem. All the personnel was very friendly, it is about clients becoming stressed, they are in a foreign country and they are not sure what will happen next. I cannot blame any foreigner to get stressed out in a place that they are not familiar with.

KLM and Air France ARE not overly gun friendly and the pattern you describe is pervasive thru their system. I have had multiple problems with clients in Chicago and have a suit pending against them for lost revenues. AS to baggage handlers being overworked they should have stayed in school or if you prefer the world needs ditch diggers too!! Baggage allowances have been reduced to make room for more passengers/frieght not to save the backs of employees much as seat width and size has been cut as well all to maximize profits not maximize customer service!!

quote:

Originally posted by fujotupu:

quote:

I still think it is a stupid rule if you travel as a family or a group.

It may appear stupid to you but it was imposed for a reason and a good one.

I agree that 1Kg may not make that much of a difference but there are people who would, and prior to the rule being established,load even 10 Kg over the permitted weight allowance.

Think of the baggage handler who has to load and unload this crap from and to the container and conveyor belt.

Its time people learned to programme their baggage weight at the time of packing and weighing on the bathroom scales and not get create an unnecessary shitstorm at the check-in counter! ...... just sayin.

No one is against following the 'rules', but some rules are indeed stupid.

The 50# limit was imposed to make money. It used to be 70#. Trust me, the airlines weren't worried about the health and well being of the baggage handler when they dropped the allowable weights. Lighter planes burn less fuel, and are more profitable. And, extra fees have become a huge source of revenue for the airlines.

I do agree folks should invest in a small luggage scale to avoid easily preventable problems at checkin.

quote:

Originally posted by Duckear:

quote:

Originally posted by fujotupu:

quote:

I still think it is a stupid rule if you travel as a family or a group.

It may appear stupid to you but it was imposed for a reason and a good one.

I agree that 1Kg may not make that much of a difference but there are people who would, and prior to the rule being established,load even 10 Kg over the permitted weight allowance.

Think of the baggage handler who has to load and unload this crap from and to the container and conveyor belt.

Its time people learned to programme their baggage weight at the time of packing and weighing on the bathroom scales and not get create an unnecessary shitstorm at the check-in counter! ...... just sayin.

No one is against following the 'rules', but some rules are indeed stupid.

The 50# limit was imposed to make money. It used to be 70#. Trust me, the airlines weren't worried about the health and well being of the baggage handler when they dropped the allowable weights. Lighter planes burn less fuel, and are more profitable. And, extra fees have become a huge source of revenue for the airlines.

I do agree folks should invest in a small luggage scale to avoid easily preventable problems at checkin.

I am sure some of it has to do with WC insurance premiums.

Another piece of advice to travelling hunters:

Evidently US passengers are told / allowed to pack their ammo in a locked ammo case in their checked luggage when checking in in the USA.

At OR Tambo; they will not allow you to have ammo in checked luggage. It needs to be checked separately.

Being aware of this will save you the frustration and inconvenience of having to remove your ammo boxes from checked luggage at the check-in counter.

Best,

quote:

Originally posted by ChrisTroskie:
Another piece of advice to travelling hunters:

Evidently US passengers are told / allowed to pack their ammo in a locked ammo case in their checked luggage when checking in in the USA.

At OR Tambo; they will not allow you to have ammo in checked luggage. It needs to be checked separately.

Being aware of this will save you the frustration and inconvenience of having to remove your ammo boxes from checked luggage at the check-in counter.

Best,

I don't know if this rule is always followed.

In April I checked into Tambo for a flight to Bulawayo with a Tuffpak, duffel and carryon. Inside the duffel was a locked box with my ammo. The lady at the counter asked if I had ammo in my duffel. I said yes it was in a locked box. She asked if it weighed under 5kg. I said yes. She said fine and the ammo box stayed in the duffel for the trip.

The same thing happened on the return trip from Tambo to Hartsfield.

quote:

Originally posted by AilsaWheels:

quote:

Originally posted by ChrisTroskie:
Another piece of advice to travelling hunters:

Evidently US passengers are told / allowed to pack their ammo in a locked ammo case in their checked luggage when checking in in the USA.

At OR Tambo; they will not allow you to have ammo in checked luggage. It needs to be checked separately.

Being aware of this will save you the frustration and inconvenience of having to remove your ammo boxes from checked luggage at the check-in counter.

Best,

I don't know if this rule is always followed.

In April I checked into Tambo for a flight to Bulawayo with a Tuffpak, duffel and carryon. Inside the duffel was a locked box with my ammo. The lady at the counter asked if I had ammo in my duffel. I said yes it was in a locked box. She asked if it weighed under 5kg. I said yes. She said fine and the ammo box stayed in the duffel for the trip.

The same thing happened on the return trip from Tambo to Hartsfield.

A client last year did not listen to my advise and packed his ammo in his rifle case. The day we left I asked everybody to make sure that their magazines were empty. When they checked his firearms they told him to remove his ammo from the rifle case and pack it separately, which he could not do as he did not have an ammo box with him. The next thing they asked him was to remove the magazine from his rifle and guess what, he did not take the ammo out of the magazine. They wanted to arrest him and when I tried to explain that he made a honest mistake they told me to keep quiet and leave the office or I will be arrested. It took a lot of pleading and explaining to sort out the situation.

Some policemen are very understanding and will help you, some are really trying to intimidate you and show their authority. It serves no purpose to try and take shortcuts.

I weigh my luggage at home and stay under the 50lb we are allotted.

One bag with rifle will weight right 48.5 pounds and that is what the airline scales read also.

my second bag with ammo will come in at 34 pounds.

At Joberg the check-in person has asks me to remove the locked ammo case and weigh it. then i can put the ammo case back in the bag and lock the bag also. (2times now)

If i am traveling through a new airport i will have the airline regulations printed off for use if need be.

My only issue i had was flying out of Seattle, through the Netherlands and the airline check in person and supervisor wanted the original paperwork for my rifle permit. What i had was a e mailed copy of the permit that i printed and had a long. (i had extra copies as it seamed every one wanted a copy of my permit). That did take me 30+ minutes and only was addressed when we had the next supervisor up come and review the paperwork.

I also had issues with my ammo on the Seattle flight as i had extra room and i had put in ear protection in the case. Again it was ok, TSA was going on a binge about the ear plugs in the case. I said if it was an issue just take them out of the case.

quote:

Originally posted by AnotherAZWriter:

quote:

Originally posted by Duckear:

quote:

Originally posted by fujotupu:

quote:

I still think it is a stupid rule if you travel as a family or a group.

It may appear stupid to you but it was imposed for a reason and a good one.

I agree that 1Kg may not make that much of a difference but there are people who would, and prior to the rule being established,load even 10 Kg over the permitted weight allowance.

Think of the baggage handler who has to load and unload this crap from and to the container and conveyor belt.

Its time people learned to programme their baggage weight at the time of packing and weighing on the bathroom scales and not get create an unnecessary shitstorm at the check-in counter! ...... just sayin.

No one is against following the 'rules', but some rules are indeed stupid.

The 50# limit was imposed to make money. It used to be 70#. Trust me, the airlines weren't worried about the health and well being of the baggage handler when they dropped the allowable weights. Lighter planes burn less fuel, and are more profitable. And, extra fees have become a huge source of revenue for the airlines.

I do agree folks should invest in a small luggage scale to avoid easily preventable problems at checkin.

I am sure some of it has to do with WC insurance premiums.

Bingo! AnotherAZWriter has it right. I am very familiar with the airline industry, and believe me, airlines DO care about the health and well being of their employees. There is a huge difference between lifting 50# bags all day and 70# bags all day. They also care about Workers Comp insurance premiums. LOTS more WC injuries with the 70# bags, I guarantee you. If you can't arrange all of your hunting gear into two 50# bags, and weigh them at home before you go to the airport, then maybe you should travel to Africa by ship?

But wait, if you fly first class don't you get the 70# bags?. . . . . .

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
But wait, if you fly first class don't you get the 70# bags?. . . . . .

If you pay the airlines enough then the health of their employees is expendable.

Baggage allowances have come down also because many people are FAT. Tickets should be priced by the pound.

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
But wait, if you fly first class don't you get the 70# bags?. . . . . .

I don't know all of the other airline's rules, but on Delta, yes, in First Class (domestic) and Business Class (international) you get 70# on your bags. Non-First Class medallions no longer get 70# on their international itineraries - only 50# now. On all domestic-only itineraries, First Class, plus Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond levels all still get 70# on their bags. Still, there are far fewer passengers allowed 70# bags than there used to be, therefore fewer of these heavy bags are lifted by the airline employees.

One thing to do right before you travel is go to the airline's website and print their rules and regulations pertaining to firearms, ammo, and weight limits. Do the same for the TSA. Have some familiarity with the laws and airline rules. Then if there is a problem and you get a difficult agent, show them what their own airline says about the problem and if you still have any issues ask for a supervisor.

Actually, it all boils down to the angel - or idiot - behind the counter you have to deal with.

I travel a lot, First or Business Class, and I sometimes come across utter idiots I have no idea how they even got a job!

I have always stood my ground, and asked for a supervisor to sort things out when some nitwit thinks the buck stops at his desk.

Last year I was flying from Munich on Lufthansa back to Dubai.

The flight was supposed to leave at around 9 in the evening.

We boarded the plane, and sat there for almost 2 hours before they told us the flight was cancelled!!

They had a technical problem with the plane.

We all went back to the airport, and Lufthansa had all their desks manned to deal with the passengers to provide them with hotel accommodation and alternative flights for the next day. Because the airport is closed at that time.

First thing I noticed was that all alternative flights are being booked on airlines that are members of the STAR ALLIANCE.

A lady ahead of me was being routed in such s convoluted route, and the man behind the desk had a could not careless attitude about it.

Basically he was telling her that was her choice, take it or leave it.

My turn came, and I told him I need to be in Dubai by next day, and I most definitely will NOT fly any STAR ALLIANCE member airlines. And if he is not able to get me a seat on Emirates next morning, I will do it myself, and get a refund from Lufthansa back in Dubai.

His jaw dropped, and he went quiet.

He looked at my ticket, got onto his computer, and said "I can get you onto Emirates from Frankfort tomorrow, will that be OK?"

I said fine and he gave me a ticket and a voucher to a hotel and taxi.

I went out, and as the airport was closed, there were no taxis. There was a very large crowd waiting, and the taxis were coming one every 5-10 minutes.

It was raining, so I just stood under some cover, and did not bother with the line for the taxis.

Then German logic came up.

There were families of five, who had only one taxis voucher.

The taxi will not accept them, because they are not allowed to carry more than four.

Then there were families with small children. Who could not get into a taxi because the taxi has no child seat1

There was absolute bedlam.

A lady from Lufthansa came out, saw me standing and asked why I have not gone to the hotel yet?

She knew I had a First Class ticket.

She asked what hotel I was going to, and immediately announced that the next taxi is going to that hotel.

I got that taxi, and as no one was going to that hotel, I had a ride on my own.

I only had 4 hours at the hotel, then back to the airport, took a short flight to Frankfort, and hopped on Emirates back to Dubai.

Emirates allows 40Kgs - 88 pounds on Business and 50Kgs - 110 pounds on First Class.