We had a situation in Addis Ababa last night where KLM refused to take a clients rifles even though they brought them in. Seems he was using his "miles" and KLM was a partner that accepted them. I had warned him about the transit permit for Amsterdam and he had that. Trouble is that they had him routed home on a small partner carrier from Amsterdam to Brussells that won't transport firearms(maybe isn't licensed?) Never mind he booked months ago and told them then that he was traveling with firearms. It was in his records. We try to discourage using any airlines for hunters traveling to Ethiopia other than Ethiopian Airlines or (if one must) Lufthansa because we know these work with Firearms okay. Anyway, Jason Roussos (an American citizen) will be traveling to the USA in August. I'm assuming that if he were to have the original # 4457's in the clients name he could bring them back into the USA with him. Any imput appreciated.
Rich ELliott

Not that you could get an answer, or a valid answer, but this seems to be a question for US Customs.

I think that BillC went thru a not dissimilar situation and just had his rifles shipped home, meeting "them" at the US airport. But I forget the details. PM Bill.

I think Wendell had to have his brought home as well when he had malaria -- you might check with him.

I brought Wendell's guns home with me, as well as my own.

Rich;
Getting to be a real hassel with our guns!! I have been told by customs inspectors when issuing 4457's, never volunteer them only produce them if asked. Jason might be lucky with a US passport, and if he gets questioned state the facts, he might get through on a good day...guns could be seized if he is not lucky!! Then you have to go to next step... Probably the best is to prepare the ATF F6, the Application for Importation of Fireatms, and other stuff... This is the form that one obtains the license to bring in a gun from outside the Country or that any non-citizen uses to obtain a license to bring his gun into the country for shows, to hunt, etc...whether in the name of the owner or Jason it will work...takes 6-8 weeks to turn around. Good luck!!

The guy is coming back to hunt again in March and we have permission from the Ethiopian authorities to keep them for him. He has rifles to use in the meanwhile so it all worked out....this time.
Rich Elliott

Phew, that was good fortune. Seems like some common sense from the (perhaps) least expected corner...

It is sad these days, that even airlines and airports in the most devloped and organized parts of the world have become a true nuisance and irresponsible partners in the services they offer for a living. KLM and Amsterdam Airport (Schipol) are sad examples, as is BA and Heathrow Airport in London. Incomprehensible red tape and a thinly veiled anti-gun attitude coupled with inexplicable disappearance of gun related luggage seems to be the order of the day. I know it might be difficult on some destinations, but these carriers and airports really don't deserve our business as travelling sportsmen.

- mike

This is our Achilles heel

I have always held the position that with air travel restrictions we will stand or fall as travelling hunters.

Flying as it is has become a very unpleasant experience and with restrictions long duration travel has also become a drag. With the new baggage weight limits it really becomes a challenge if you have to take a lot of extra stuff that is needed to conduct your safari. 50 pounds per bag hardly allows you much of anything !

quote:

Originally posted by ALF:
This is our Achilles heel

I have always held the position that with air travel restrictions we will stand or fall as travelling hunters.

Flying as it is has become a very unpleasant experience and with restrictions long duration travel has also become a drag. With the new baggage weight limits it really becomes a challenge if you have to take a lot of extra stuff that is needed to conduct your safari. 50 pounds per bag hardly allows you much of anything !

I too fear hunting internationally will get harder and harder with airlines and border controls the cause.

It will be sad if the only way we can hunt in another country is to borrow an outfitters' loan firearms.