For those that have done it. Say you fly Atlanta/JHB, overnite then fly SAA to Harare. Upon your return, do you have to collect your luggage from SAA in JHB, then check them in at Delta, or when leaving Harare, can you check them straight thru to home[Indianapolis].

If you do collect them in JHB, do you go out of security, meaning you have to screw with SAPS, again?

Mad Dog

When we did the Vic Falls to DFW route in 2008, we had to go to SAPS because all of the firearms were taken there upon arrival. I believe we just went in and pointed out my gun case, showed the officer my permit and went to the departure area where one of the firearms handlers took my gun case and permit and put the case on a baggage cart for loading. We flew Delta from DFW to Jo burg, SAA from Joburg to Vic Falls and return.

Just fly SAA all the way and avoid the entire issue!

Les

I checked mine straight thru from HRE to ATL, but I did not spend the night in JNB o the way in. I connected on the same day and spent the night in Harare.

quote:

Originally posted by LHowell:
Just fly SAA all the way and avoid the entire issue!

Les

Got some big air miles to use on Delta.

Mad Dog

Last September we checked our bags all the way from Albuquerque, NM to Beira, Moz. We overnighted in JBerg at the Afton house, did not pick up our guns or other checked luggage as the 11:30AM flight the next morning was the first scheduled flight to Beira. This was considered a simple continuation of our schedule. The key to doing this is that you can check the bags all the way to final destination if you take the next available flight from JBerg to your final. If you don't do this then you need to pick up and check your guns into RSA for the overnight.

When arriving we went to the SAPS office to verify that our guns had made the flight in, they did, and SAPS said the guns would be held in their security area and would be taken to the Beira flight the next morning for us, they were. No problem, no hassel, worked great.

I would think this would work the same for the continuing to Harare as well as long as you took the next available flight to that destination? Your travel Agent should be able to confirm this for you?

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

I just re read my OP, and don't think I made myself clear. We would fly from the states to JHB, on Delta, because my son has a ton of frequent flyer miles, and essentially the flight is free. However, when we get to JHB, we'd have to fly SAA[or some other airline] to get to Harare. SAA and Delta don't have a partnership agreement, so I assume we can't ship our guns/luggage from home to Harare and Harare to home directly. Rather having to collect them, going and coming in JHB. If we indeed do, do we have to go thru SAPS/immigration, both ways, or are you still in security, doing the procedure?

This may be as clear as mud, or maybe I am making a wrong assumption on luggage transfers in JHB amoungst the airlines.

maddog

quote:

Originally posted by LHowell:
Just fly SAA all the way and avoid the entire issue!

Les

i would swim before i would fly SAA again. better yet, fly another carrier, or go somewhere else. SSA screwed me once and will never get that chance again.