The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting Travel Forum VIP Meet and Greet for Transiting OR TamboGo | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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One of Us |
On our way to Botswana, we will be transiting Johannesburg. Not leaving the airport, just changing airlines. I will have two rifles with me. I’ve never used the VIP meet and greet service before, but now, during these COVID testing days, I think it might be a good idea. Has anyone done this, and do you recommend it? Thanks. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | ||
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| Administrator |
Mike, We did. And it was well worth it. We were not hunting. But were catching another flight out. We were collected and got through both immigration and customs in record time. In fact we were the only ones in our line. Others were packed. Had the same thing going through airports in Canada. Again, we were the only ones through our desks. I understand the US does not allow these sort of services at their airports??!! | |||
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| One of Us |
The old way that has been done in the past for the VIP service is not quite what is done now. With COVID, the moving to the front of the line has been taken away so all people go through the same immigration line as everyone else. I'm not sure how much quicker it is for guns and that side of things but it's definitely not worth the cost right now if you're just trying to speed up the immigration side of things. We had booked this a while back knowing that it could be chaotic when we land. We were asked by Africa Sky if we still wanted the service after explaining the issues and we still chose to use it. That was a big waste of money. This was just a couple days ago when we landed in Johannesburg when we used it. The better option right now would be to throw elbows, knock down the elderly and children and just run right to immigration the moment the flight lands. | |||
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This is not what I have seen. The VIP services have a dedicated counter they go through. And instead of having to stand in line with literally thousands - I saw that in Toronto - ours had no one but us. Exactly the same was at Johannesburg airport. | |||
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| One of Us |
I'm sure it will go back to normal at some point but currently, there is no going into the dedicated lane for VIP. Maybe it is open at times and we just missed it for when our arrival took place? That was not what we were told though so I don't have any idea if we just missed out? What we were told is it's because of the covid screening that they are doing at the airport. Basically the process was to stand in line, give your covid questionnaire to the staff while they take your temp with a FLIR gun, and then you go through the same line to the immigration counter. This was just a couple days ago when we arrived in South Africa. | |||
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| One of Us |
If you are merely “in transit” and not leaving the secured area, you will go to the left down a different corridor prior to immigration, where there are two or three immigration stations with two or three disinterested immigration officers. It takes about 30 seconds to work your way thru, then into the hall where you receive your onward boarding passes (assuming you are changing airlines). From there upstairs, thru security and into the departure terminal. If luggage is checked all the way thru and you have already gotten a SAPS transit permit, you should be good to go. A service like Air 2000 Hunter Support, or others, is well worth the money. They can obtain the in transit permit, email you a copy to have with you and escort you through immigration, getting boarding passes and then thru security. There are other companies providing these services but we’ve had the best service and least trouble with the company mentioned. We used a different service this past March and all didn’t go as planned as they had my rifles pulled from the transit area and taken to the SAPS office, which required me to leave the secured area, go they the long immigration line, go to SAPS, go to connecting airline (and pay a “transfer” fee), then go back thru the Covid document check area, go thru security, then go back thru immigration and into the departure hall. We didn’t have this problem on or return flights, luggage including rifles, went thru as planned (had the same escort on the way home). Karl Evans | |||
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One of Us |
Hi Mike, It sounds like you will arrive in Joberg and then catch a flight to Botswana the same day. I have before Covid did the same only traveling to Zimbabwe. I used Gracy VIP service for my connection. This is what I went through. 1. I was met at the deplaning of our airline and wisked to the diplomatic entry to South Africa. 2. My luggage was being corralled by the time I made the luggage carousel. 3. I was handed off to the Gracy personal that wisked me to firearms. 4. I was at the head of the line in firearms. (others were looking at me, like who the heck was he) 5. I was walked up to re check in, firearms was taken to checking. 6. I was walked back to passport for catching my flight. 7. Gracy personal waited for me to clear passport control before leaving. 8. Gracy personal provide their contact number in case any additional assistance was needed. 9. I walked to my gate and waited for boarding. 10. I had a few minutes to shop looking for items as fists while waiting. My wife thought that was the best money spent on the entire trip. Smooth and efficient. >>>>>>>>>>>>>> "You've got the strongest hand in the world. That's right. Your hand. The hand that marks the ballot. The hand that pulls the voting lever. Use it, will you" John Wayne | |||
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| One of Us |
Karl, very good point on if your luggage was checked all the way through. My luggage was not, however it was returning. >>>>>>>>>>>>>> "You've got the strongest hand in the world. That's right. Your hand. The hand that marks the ballot. The hand that pulls the voting lever. Use it, will you" John Wayne | |||
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| One of Us |
Steve Turner and Co. are recommending an outfit called riflepermits.com. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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| one of us |
Mike, I've used Riflepermits and they were fine but they only handled the gun part of transiting ORT. I think it will be worth it to engage a VIP service additionally but ask them what they actually provide. When I have used Gracy's VIP at ORT it has taken all the angst out of transiting the airport and catching our next flight. Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
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| One of Us |
Mike: That is the company we had problems with. TWG recommended them and arranged the permit application for us. All of that went perfect, not so much the firearms transfer stuff. We used TWG for an upcoming trip to Moz with an itinerary much like yours. We will have a meet and greet and preapproved transit permit, but this permit service company will not be handling it. Our experience might have been a fluke (don’t think so, I believe they figure the average dumb American hunter hasn’t read the rules andddoesnt know the difference)but they cost me 2 1/2 hours of our 3 1/2 hour layover and R350. If you are connecting on SAairlink and your firearms aren’t checked thru and transferred internally, they will charge you R350 (cash) for a transfer fee, might take some Rand…I didn’t. Karl Evans | |||
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| One of Us |
Thanks for the info. I am going to check into Gracy. Brian IHMSA BC Provincial Champion and Perfect 40 Score, Unlimited Category, AAA Class. | |||
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| One of Us |
All, thanks for the information. Much appreciated. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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| One of Us |
I have had Excellent results using RiflePermits.com. Everything goes off without a hitch. Would highly recommend. Guns and hunting | |||
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One of Us |
I used riflepermits and they did a great job. I was delayed and missed my connection to Port Elizabeth. Their agent arranged with SAA for a ride and hotel on them. I doubt SAA would’ve done so without the agent facilitating everything. However, this was 2008. I’m sure things are much different now. I meant to be DSC Member...bad typing skills. Marcus Cady DRSS | |||
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| One of Us |
Good morning Mike, My last trip was in 2019. I was traveling to Namibia. I used Gracy vip service, a companion used another service. Here is how it went down. I was met at the gate departing the airline. We walked briskly to passport entry. I was moved to the diplomatic line. VIP ahead of other flyers. Walked to luggage, we beat the luggage handlers and had to wait about 3 to 4 minutes for my bag. I was wicked to SA Gun control, and was placed 1st in line. my riffle bag had not arrived, yet. I waited about 1 minute for it to be brought off the cart. Signed and was wicked out the door. My companion on the other hand, transited the line to clear customs, had to find his luggage at the carousel, make his way to the SA gun control area and wait in line for his firearms service to assist him. I was taken to the city lodge motel and checked in and deposited my items in my room and walked back to the SA gun control room to help my companion carry his luggage to the motel. The next mooring Gracy walked us both through checkin and firearms and then to customs. My companion was impressed, however will do his own thing for future travel. There are different business that provide the service, however Gracy VIP is the best I have used. Plus, visiting with other hunting travelers it was better than what they received. >>>>>>>>>>>>>> "You've got the strongest hand in the world. That's right. Your hand. The hand that marks the ballot. The hand that pulls the voting lever. Use it, will you" John Wayne | |||
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| one of us |
I used Anne at Air 2000 on many trips. On this one she not only put me and son through but a week later the family. She is a real go getter and gets things done even arranging the COVID testing and handing you completed paperwork if you are making a flight the next day. At the very least talk with her you won’t be disappointed. | |||
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| one of us |
I've used Ann for many years as well, and would not think of going thru JNB without her help, regardless if I have a firearm or not. Remember, forgivness is easier to get than permission. | |||
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| One of Us |
I think I will go with Air 2000. Thanks, again, for this helpful information. AR at its best! Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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| one of us |
Just coming back today and Anne took care of Us once again. Fastjet would transfer bags so Anne’s crew was there to make it smooth. Waiting on United flight to leave. | |||
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| one of us |
Am I missing something here ... transiting, bags checked through, not leaving secure area ... what's to do? You don't need a rifle permit unless you are taking possession of your bags and leaving the secured area. Russ Gould - Whitworth Arms LLC BigfiveHQ.com, Large Calibers and African Safaris Doublegunhq.com, Fine English, American and German Double Rifles and Shotguns VH2Q.com, Varmint Rifles and Gear | |||
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| One of Us |
Changed my mind and went with riflepermits. I’ll report back as to how it goes. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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| Administrator |
You never know with South Africa and their stupid laws. They can spring things up on you in a heart beat. Years ago I used to ship my rifles to Zimbabwe ahead of me. For years, they went without any hassle. Then one year they started asking for a re-export permit, which one has to get from them, and pay for. Had to go through all sorts of hassle to get that done in time for our hunt. That was the last time I did it. | |||
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| One of Us |
The difficulty these days is with the notion that baggage can be checked through to one’s ultimate destination. The South Africans often ignore that nicety, especially when one changes airlines. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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| Administrator |
More reasons to avoid going through South Africa! | |||
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| One of Us |
Agreed, Saeed. Unfortunately, for this route, I had no choice. Mike Wilderness is my cathedral, and hunting is my prayer. | |||
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