I have a lock on my Carry On. If they ask to check it in I can lock it real quick. They asked to check it on a SA commuter flight this year.

Was the plane Air Namibia or SA? This might show that wearing a jacket with big pockets might be a good idea. The good stuff, and the absolute necessary stuff, is in the carry-on, which is why they probably had you check it.

I think being a crook is genetic.

Thanks for the heads up re the carry on. Sorry to hear about the hunt, as I am going to Vaughans in 5 weeks for Leopard (bait) and some other incendental game. The Leopard is top priority, but would not pass on a lion if the oppotunity arose. Apparently he has had many lion on the consession this year. Was your lion chase on a PAC lion? I am glad I decided (based on posts here) to go the northern route. I am going via British Air thru London to Jberg on to Windhoek. I had org tried to go thru Frankfort but could not get back out of Windhoek within my time limits (5 days) for returning. I assume you were on the consession next to Etosha. How many days were you in camp? Well this does give you a reason to return, eh.

I wonder if the rquirement to check your carry-on bag was just a ruse to steal something. Was it crowded on board that flight?



Are not the do-gooders good for nothing?



As to the expired passport? NO COMMENT!

Will, you may be right because there was room for my carry-on. I was already on the stairs up to the plane when they called me back to check it and I didn't even think to put some stuff in my pockets.

Mike

Will, the flight was SA. I was wearing my hunting boots and had two sets of hunting clothes packed. The bag fits in nearly every overhead storage available.

Die Ou Jagter, I was at his concession bordering Etosha for 11 days and saw leopard tracks every day.

Mike

Mike

Let me begin by saying some of my problems were my fault and if it wasn't for Barb at International Journeys it would have been much worse.

I arrived at Atlanta no problem and proceeded to the gate for the SAA flight. I went to the desk and the gentlemen asked "Mr. Lindsay do you have another passport?" I replied no and he said "You are not getting on this flight your passport is expired!" Sure enough it had expired March 2004. Luckily I had my cell phone called Barb and told her the wonderful news. I stood there at the desk while everyone boarded the plane. Barb talked to the SAA employee and had them hold my luggage for the flight the next day. Barb then rebooked me on that SAA flight, arranged a cheap flight to Washington D.C. and got me to the main passport office. I arrived at 2:05 and the office closed at 3:00, met with a office worker and explained my delima. He said there was a possibilty to receive the passport quickly but I would have to prove I had a flight the next day. Another call to Barb, she faxed him my new itenerary and by 3:40 had a brand new passport!! I flew back to Atlanta where Barb had made a reservation for me at a hotel close to the airport. I flew to Joburg the next day on a pitiful excuse for a plane the Airbus about which I will talk about later. My luggage was checked through to Windhoek so I did not have to deal with the new gun laws. I went to the Transit hotel in the airport and took a shower for a fee of 40 rand. Just as I was boarding the flight to Windhoek the SAA employee said I would have to check my carry-on bag because of a lack of space. I deplane in Windhoek pick up my carry-on and enter the airport full of excitement until I find out my luggage,including my gun case, did not get on the plane along with about 30 other people. I have to fill out all kinds of paper work and while doing this I find out luggage is missing from the previous 2 flights from Jo-burg. Vaughan meets me outside and I give him the wonderful news but we contact a friend that can have my bags delivered to a tourist lodge near his concession.

We finally arrive at camp in the early morning hours and get ready to start hunting. I have clothes to wear because my carry-on is full of the basic necessities however, I find that my carry-on had been ransacked when I had to check it and my new digital camera, cell phone a some cash is missing! Man when it rains it pours!

The hunt was unsuccessful for lion but I saw lots of game that I had taken before and always enjoy my time with Vaughan.

Now to the Airbus, if the economy section is not the most uncomfortable of any plane flying I would be surprised. The seats are small, the video control box under the seats is stupid, there is no personal air vents and the video screen is very hard to see when the seat it is attached to is reclined and the overhead storage space is much smaller than a 747. Overall the Airbus is a piece of crap! Next year I am going to try and find an option through Europe flying a Boeing.

Mike