Flying from Harare to Joberg on to Amsterdam no stopover does SAA require ammo box outside of luggage?

Our flight home,Harare, Johannesburg, to Atlanta all ammo was in our checked luggage the entire way.

Change of planes in JNB? If change of planes is the flight to JNB on Airlink or SAA metal?

SAA HRE>JNB . KLM JNB>AMS>MSP

International with SAA it goes in luggage and domestic it must be separate....usually! Put ammo in a container that can be pulled out and shipped separately if requested. Ensure it can be locked. We use a pistol case.

Just returned from Zim. From Denver, BA allowed us to put our ammo Container in a checked bag. However, the security folks in Heathrow said it had to be outside. So they tagged my ammo can (which is locked) and here is the ringer, pulled my buddys ammo out of his bag, let him put it in a small duffel bag he had and secured it with "red security tape" and checked it back in separately, no locks.

Now, in Joberg heading to Harare, the SAA agent had us pull it out ( we had placed it back in our bags) and do the same thing with my ammo can, BUT, not my buddy's.

Just go with the flow, be prepared with a locking ammo can and just do what the airline agents or security says and it works out. What we found was that very few actually new the rules or there was no consistency.

Guys,

There's no way in my experience and the experience of my clients to get it right in every circumstance every time. As Rob says just do whatever they tell you and don't give anyone any attitude. We are out of our element when traveling with guns.

Mark

Guys , SAA has made me check it separately the last 6 years.
I flew them last week Jberg to Windhoek.
This is now the norm

quote:

Originally posted by 2PIPE:
Guys , SAA has made me check it separately the last 6 years.
I flew them last week Jberg to Windhoek.
This is now the norm

That wasn't the norm when I flew last year.

I agree with Mark. I don't think there is a "norm" with ammo on airlines.

It really depends on the originating airline IME.

Air france had no problem with my ammo in my luggage from the US- but they insisted it had to be outside the luggage back- and included the weight of the lock and box in your 5kg.

SAA wanted it out of the luggage in flights originating there 3/4 of the time.

It really does not work to try and explain the air rules to some of these guys- they know what they know- but usually a supervisior knows the actual rules.

As Mark said, go with the flow. Fortunately for me, all my issues have been on the return leg, and if my ammo doesn't get home with me, oh well.

Last year my ammo traveled in my Checked bag to Namibia. I flew SAA out of J.F.K. Next week I Fly Emirates Seattle to Johannesburg then transfer to S.A.A final destination is Bulawayo. I guess I will find out?

Regulations have been consistent when leaving and intering the USA, but always take a copy of the airlines regulations..Put ammo in your luggage, and in factory boxes or factory type boxes with the seperators..Its always worked for me for the last 40 plus years of African travel...If you want to put the ammo in a box or can, that's fine, but adds weight and bulk.

Once in Africa, go with the flow, acting stupid like your confused is the way to go and being polite at the same time will buy you a lot less grief. The indigenous of Africa are polite people by nature but don't tolerate smart asses, and if you ever see the inside of an African jail. You will not make the same mistakes twice!

I got a call one night and a client and his wife were in hysteria in jail for loud talk and tossing a $20 on the table and started moving on..not smart..

I called an official I know and got him out, but only with the option that he never return..He got lucky that night. you can bribe in Africa but you had better know how to do it..they have a system, and its not all that bad, it gets things done without all the BS we have in the USA, at least up to a point, but that's another thread I suspect. your in their country, act accordingly, and that works in any country.

quote:

If you want to put the ammo in a box or can, that's fine, but adds weight and bulk.

Ray,

All your ammo needs to be in a locked container in factory or similar boxes so that if you are required to take the ammo out and check it as a separate item it will be in an appropriate container to be a checked piece of luggage.

Mark

Ive never done that, its only in the last few years Ive put ammo in a plastic snap closed box in factory type boxes with seperators,all within my luggage checked from my town of departure to the town of my destination. In Tanzania my stuff is picked up and delivered to the Sea Clift by a friend of mine who lives there. Ive never had a problem.

Perhaps since I check all my luggage sans carry on all the way both going and returning?? I know most do not do this, but it makes getting in and out of Jo Berg or wherever easier, if I overnight in say Jo Berg, they vault it and I don't have to check it in or out..This gives my gun case and luggage time to catch up for the last leg of the trip Im convienced..

I don't know why anyone would take ammo out of their luggage and ship it seperatey...your right they would not normally allow me to do that! maybe if I taped it shut and bought their wives some hats or tea!!