Guys,

Be warned that BA are currently refusing to carry rifles in .308 because they consider them to be 'weapons of war' - The fact they carried the entire UK shooting team to SA with umpteen 308s recently and that they have carried loads of them from London to Scotland for the last 40 years or so seems unimportant............ Honestly, what a load of bollocks!

I wonder what they'll do in 2012 when the UK hosts the Olympics..........

Refuse 308's and eat strawberries and cream

Do they shoot 308's in the Olympics? I thought that everything was now 22LR?
Peter.

I understand the UK team were shooting 308s here in SA recently and assume it's the same for the Olympics........... but as I try very hard not to watch the Olympics, I'm not 100% sure.

Just tell the idiot ticket adgent that is not a .308- its a 7.62MM

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana1:
Just tell the idiot ticket adgent that is not a .308- its a 7.62MM

I think thats the root of the problem: the idiots now realise the .308win is essentially a 7.62 Nato and there for must be a "weapon of war"

The root cause is a long standing EU directive that prohibits any EU airline carrying "weapons of war" as check in cargo...True to form, the Brits government is enforcing this to the letter while over EU countries and carriers take a more common sense approach..

Is it only the .308 Win or is it any cartridge with a .308 diameter?

Had the same problem in 05. They repeatedly protested my wifes .308 and were doubly offended that it was a "Mauser" to boot! Imagine!!!

I swore (to, although I did swear at them under my breath) up and down it was a "sporting rifle" but still had to open the case to show them (again!!!) and sign an additional waiver before they'd load it (on the plane). It gets (much) worse though. When I claimed the guns in S.A. the latches on the case with the .308 were cut off, not the locks but the latches!!! The case traveled either from London or possibly all the way from Baltimore (U.S.) merely taped shut. Amazingly everything was intact and unhurt. I only assume it was the first case they looked in for the .308 and dread to think if they'd checked the other one with my 7X64 and shotgun first.
Took some tricky packing but I was able to get both rifles and the shotgun back into the on "two gun case" for the trip home, which incidentially went without a hitch. I contacted BA as soon as I got home but because I didn't report it at the airport as soon as I became aware, they refused to compensate me for the case.

It seems they had both .308 AND Mauser listed as "weapons of war." I think the interpretation may depend a lot on the agent handling the check-in. Maybe not but that was the impression I got since after a considerable run around they finally sent a young woman who was VERY understanding and even knew a thing or two about firearms - and asked a million questions about or trip, what we were hunting, how long we were going, the accomodations, etc... I still cringe when I think about the unlocked rifle case traveling who knows how far in the hands of the baggage apes not to mention the possibility for theft.

Since by SKB has field replacable latches, I might order some now so they will be on hand for my next trip.
Robert

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:

Be warned that BA are currently refusing to carry rifles in .308 because they consider them to be
'weapons of war'

What a bunch of pommie fruit cakes.

Not a new developement with British Airways. A group of 3 of us had a helluva time convincing the BA agent in Capetown to let us onto a London bound plane with firearms in 1993. This after we had just flown THE SAME ROUTE WITH BA on the way over. Screw British Airways, they're my absolute last choice.

Ignorant counter staff can put a crimp in any travel with any airline. As for BA the only problems I have had with them have been here in the States and that was with the counter people.

I've used KLM, Air France, Air Namibia, SAA and BA for all or parts of my flying to and from Africa. Overall BA has been the best and the guns and luggage have always arrived. With this kind of consistent service over 15 years the fact I cannot bring a 308 seems mute to me.

Mark

It's not just the counter staff - this was confirmed by very senior security management.

Shows you how little they know.

Screw BA. Out of the dozens of airlines that I have flown with they would have to be the worst in every aspect.

Seriously ugly and rude hosties as well.

There are far better choices.

Steve,

I'm not disputing anything you said. I just would not put them out of the running for Afrca travel because they would not take a 308.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Steve,

I'm not disputing anything you said. I just would not put them out of the running for Afrca travel because they would not take a 308.

Mark

Well Mark, that's not my only reason for not flying them again, it's not even close! The flight and staff (other than the check-in trouble with the rifle) were pleasant. The plane was as comfortable as any in coach and more so than many (spelled S-A-A!). However as we were leaving Heathrow on the flight home no more than 500 ft. off the ground the plane was struck by lightening. With typical brit wryness, the Capt. announced the strike and that everything appeared normal and we continued on to the states.

Now of course none of this is terribly unusual and could happen on any flight but my wife was terrified the whole way home. She (unreasonably perhaps) blames BA and refuses to patronize them again!
Here is the info from the BA website but it mentions nothing about caliber restrictions. I'd highly suggest specificly mentioning it when you make "advance notification." As I recall I was provided a pamphlet listing the restrictions by Gracy Travel. Time permitting I'll check and see if it's still in my files.

Passengers can take a sporting gun on British Airways mainline flights, subject to the following guidelines:

The gun must be unloaded, dismantled and packed securely in a storage case to go in the aircraft hold (any locks should be fastened, however please ensure that you have the keys with you for any security inspections).
Passengers must carry any shotgun/firearm certificates that they have.
Sporting guns are defined as such guns as air rifles, safari rifles, hunting rifles, etc. Personal protection handguns are classified as restricted articles and are unable to be carried.

Please Note:

Passengers travelling with firearms must be at check in at least 2 hours before their flight, to enable sufficient time to process the necessary paperwork prior to clearing security.
If you wish to take a sporting gun on your journey with you, you will need to inform your local British Airways office via telephone, at least 72 hours before your travel date. They will need to know the make, model & calibre of the weapon(s).
There are certain destinations that British Airways cannot carry weapons to, from the UK (both originating and transferring) as a result of UK & EU legislation. This is why we require advance notification so that you can be advised if there is an embargo in advance of your travel date.

Your local British Airways office telephone numbers can be found if you click here.

Any ammunition to be carried must be for sporting purposes only, and the maximum gross weight must not exceed 5kgs per passenger.
All ammunition must be securely boxed and preferably stored inside a suitcase.
Any suitcases/carry cases/boxes containing ammunition must not bear an 'explosives' label.
Currently, there is no bonded baggage service between London Heathrow and London Gatwick Airports. All firearms that need to travel between these two airport must be transported by a licensed dealer. Passengers must make arrangements prior to travel with the dealer. This applies to passengers who do not hold a valid UK Firearms Certificate.

Just tell them you are a (freedom fighter) with an AK and it will waltz through .... Tell them you are (fighting for the freedom) to bring in rifles of your own choice (-:

Cheers, Peter

Mark,

My intention wasn't to start a debate on the merits of individual airlines. I like travelling BA myself. It was to warn anyone that might be travelling BA to Africa with a 308 via that the airline won't carry that particular calibre.

Oupa,

Whilst lightning strikes on aircraft are scary they're also unavoidable and you shouldn't worry about them too much as they're a fairly common occurrance and the aircraft is protected by various natural effects and lots of specialist equipment .......... see links below.

http://www.physlink.com/Education/AskExperts/ae568.cfm

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=what-happens-when-lightni

time to dig out some of the more obscure calibers

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Smith:
time to dig out some of the more obscure calibers

When, in the years to come, someone wonders what resurrected the .318WR in the early 21st century, this thread shalt be excavated!

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:

I wonder what they'll do in 2012 when the UK hosts the Olympics..........

Yeah, that's going to really freak them out when they've got 50 countries bringing guns into theirs. Pretty bass-ackward if you ask me.

I wonder what we did in the US when we hosted the olympics. As I understand the US is one of the toughest countries for a foreigner to enter with a gun.

Shakari, not a problem. While it was "interesting" to say the least I understand it's usually no big deal. Unfortunately as I said before, my wife isn't ready to accept that! She hates thunder storms even at home. Likewise telling her it happens to all planes doesn't help. Some things are best left unargued!

As for those thinking of taking another caliber, get the list from BA as soon as possible. Any caliber EVER chambered in a military rifle is on there I think to include 30-06, 7X57, 8X57, 303, maybe even 45-70! While it's obvious they regularly carry rifles on this list, all it takes to ruin your day is one dolt who knows only what he/she reads in the company regs. and makes a literal interpretation. Better to address it and get it in writting long before departure day. Again, other than the gun and case mishap I was personally pleased with BA's treatment AND their prices was cheaper at the time.