We (wife and I) recently returned from a buffalo hunting trip with CMS in Zimbabwe, flying out of DFW. We booked business class tickets, and with that class ticket Emirates offers a "chauffeur drive" service, basically, if you are within 50 mles of DFW, they provide a driver to pick you up and deliver you to the check in door. This is very, very nice. Unfortunately, we recently moved to one of our places that is beyond the 50 mile limit. However;my wife found a section on their website where one can pay a nominal per mile fee to be picked up beyond the 50 mile limit, we did this and it proved to be less expensive than parking for 16 days at DFW and no worries about my truck being broken into or damaged!Check into this if flying Emirates from DFW. We had sent all relevant info concerning firearms carriage to Emirates in their proscribed time frame and we received carriage approval within 3 days from Emirates Group Security.
Day of departure, we arrived at DFW pretty early and went to the Emirates counter, where a new employee proceeded to assist us, to his credit, he wasn't sure how to proceed and called for assistance, No less than 3 supervisors showed up and we were sorted out in record time, good for them as they had the new guy handle everything.
Very nice flight to Dubai, cabin crew very professional as always. Arrival in Dubai is always very easy for US citizens, they have a "smart" immigration system where you simply scan your passport and you are done with immigration. Each time I scanned my passport the device directed me to an immigration officer...maybe because I checked a firearm? No big deal. We were able to visit some friends who happened to be in Dubai, definitely a bonus.
Flight to Harare was uneventful, arrival in Harare was pretty smooth except having to wait for police for about 45 minutes. Off to where we spent the night and to smaller airport for charter to camp.
Return to Harare was pretty uneventful until firearms check, no less than 5 different police (?) officials wanted to check firearm serial umber and count ammo and...WANTED COPY OF OUTFITTER INVITE LETTER! Luckily, my wife takes several copies of all paperwork,so we were good.
Then, Emirates has contracted with a third party for check in at Harare (cant blame them for one flight several times per week) and the guy that checked us in had no idea how to deal with a firearm. I patiently explained that I was required to place a firearms declaration in my gun case, made no difference. So, all checked in and boarded, we asked for and were given the cabin supervisor, she listened and understood our concerns and went to the cockpit to speak with the Captain (we saw her talking to him), they together looked at some paperwork and she came back and told us that the captain had approved carriage and the firearm was on board, Pretty good service! Nice, very long flight after that!
Those going to Zim would be well served to carry copies of all paperwork, just in case.

Karl

Did you fly into Charles Prince from outside of Zim? Thought you hunted in Aim.

So my question why did you need the firearms check?

Haven't experienced that yet when flying within Zim.

We flew Emirates into Harare, firearm permit obtained on arrival, rifle checked, photo taken of passport and outfitter invite letter taken. Next morning chartered out of Charles Prince, police checked rifle and permit there.
On way home chartered into Harare, rifle and permit checked there (ammo counted 3 times) and police asked for invite letter, again.

Karl,
I live in Denton and frequently fly in/out of DFW (42 miles 1- way). If I go anywhere for more than 5-7 days, I take Uber to/from the airport. WAYYYY cheaper than parking at the airport, even the remote lot. And quite frankly, a whole lot simpler, especially when returning from long flights.

I've not said anything about this event but believe now is a good time to bring it up.

When Austin and I returned from our CMS hunt back in October of last year, we had an issue with the contract ticket agent Emirates hired at the Harare airport as well. In short, Austin was to be an observer so I had the rifle and ammo permits under my name. No problem going over.

On the way back, the contract ticket agent in Harare created a real issue for us upon arrival in Dubai. We presented our bags, passports, and tickets together in Harare, as that's the way he asked for our info ... together. The contract ticket agent placed our name stickers on each bag. However, without us knowing, he put Austin's name on MY BAG (with the ammo) and my name on the Starlink we traveled with.

When we got to Dubai, we now had a bag with my son's name on it, containing spent ammo, and no ammo permits ... MY BAG. It didn't matter that the ammo was only empty brass. We ended up missing our connection home as we spent several hours in the Dubai police office inside the airport, trying to explain the mix up to no avail.

I don't think we were in danger of spending time in the local pokie, but they definitely wanted us both to sign an affidavit saying we would never travel through Dubai again with ammo, either with or without a permit. We really didn't want to go that route because we both like the Emirates service. Luckily, I know this very influential fellow in Dubai that got us out of hot water and got things straightened out without a black mark on our UAE records!!

Bottom line is, make DAMN SURE when you check in that the proper bags get tagged correctly. That applies to whatever airline out of whatever airport. I passed this info on to Lynn who works for CMS and helps with check in for the return trip. This caught us completely by surprise and it can easily happen to someone else if you're not aware.

Todd, the contract agent in Harare is pretty clueless. We were afraid that we might have an issue in Dubai with the rifle case not having declaration, but the flight attendant supervisor got with the Captain and apparently got it sorted. I would hate to call the influential guy in Dubai, I’m pretty sure he would help, but I’m sure I’d hear about it for quite a while! Besides, we arrived in Dubai on Saturday morning and he was likely dragging some kids around the desert on his flying carpet and would ignore the call

I didn't know Emirates contracts check-in agents in Harare but suspect I struck one such person when checking in last year. Arriving at the counter I immediately informed him I was checking in a rifle and had ammo in my main bag. His attitude was aggressive and he immediately demanded proof that I had paid the "firearms fee". I was a bit thrown by his question and said it was all part of the original ticket price I paid ( if such a fee even exists ) and I told him Emirates doesn't charge for carriage of sporting goods anyway. The situation might quickly have become ugly but Lynn was there to help and she called up Grace, the very helpful young lady I met earlier on arriving in Harare, who arrived and talked the agent round. Anyway, we semi checked in then went off for the Police inspection ( involved about ten people ), returned to check-in and completed everything smoothly. Without Lynn and Grace on hand I don't think I could have navigated that circus with civil composure.

I keep thinking of other small things that some might find of interest, Dubai has a very efficient immigration entry system for those arriving from countries that do not require a visa. One simply enters a “stall”, places passport on small receptacle (open to photo page) and looks at a camera, takes all of 15 seconds…unless the recognition system doesn’t work as is what happened each way thru Dubai, had to go to immigration counter which took all of two minutes, I wonder if carrying a firearm had anything to do with it?
Also, upon arrival in Dubai at the immigration counter, after passport was stamped, it was returned to me and included a SIM card for use in Dubai, pretty nice touch.
We went to Dubai Mall and bought a few things, the clerks at each shop were very quick to let us know we could recover the VAT charges at the airport, which we did (15%, I think) and it took maybe 5 minutes.

The more I read of these fiascos, the happier I am using camp rifles…. International travel is enough of a pain in the ass without looking for trouble..

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:
I keep thinking of other small things that some might find of interest, Dubai has a very efficient immigration entry system for those arriving from countries that do not require a visa. One simply enters a “stall”, places passport on small receptacle (open to photo page) and looks at a camera, takes all of 15 seconds…unless the recognition system doesn’t work as is what happened each way thru Dubai, had to go to immigration counter which took all of two minutes, I wonder if carrying a firearm had anything to do with it?
Also, upon arrival in Dubai at the immigration counter, after passport was stamped, it was returned to me and included a SIM card for use in Dubai, pretty nice touch.
We went to Dubai Mall and bought a few things, the clerks at each shop were very quick to let us know we could recover the VAT charges at the airport, which we did (15%, I think) and it took maybe 5 minutes.

VAT is 5%.

quote:

VAT is 5%.

Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:
Todd, the contract agent in Harare is pretty clueless. We were afraid that we might have an issue in Dubai with the rifle case not having declaration, but the flight attendant supervisor got with the Captain and apparently got it sorted. I would hate to call the influential guy in Dubai, I’m pretty sure he would help, but I’m sure I’d hear about it for quite a while! Besides, we arrived in Dubai on Saturday morning and he was likely dragging some kids around the desert on his flying carpet and would ignore the call

quote:

Originally posted by DLS:

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:
Todd, the contract agent in Harare is pretty clueless. We were afraid that we might have an issue in Dubai with the rifle case not having declaration, but the flight attendant supervisor got with the Captain and apparently got it sorted. I would hate to call the influential guy in Dubai, I’m pretty sure he would help, but I’m sure I’d hear about it for quite a while! Besides, we arrived in Dubai on Saturday morning and he was likely dragging some kids around the desert on his flying carpet and would ignore the call

I wish it was only kids!

Mommies and daddies love riding our Magic Carpet!

And try their best to out do each other.

Dan, you are very welcome to ride next time you are here.

Maktoum will drive you.

Two weeks ago he managed to dislocate someone's shoulder!

HE did not get the blame.

The man blames his WIFE who was riding with him.

He said she pushed him!

That did not stop their kids from asking to ride again, and again!

We are considering tying a parachute at the end of the carpet.

In my calculations, the parachute will be able to lift it off the ground at 12 kilometers per hour.

This is still under study, as the man in charge of the paramotors had an unfortune accident.

He was practicing for the World Champions paramotor slalom championship in Qatar.

They fly paramotors at insane speeds, through obstacles made up of air filled markers anchored in a lake.

They do this because lots of them crash, and crashing in water prevents them serious injury.

Well, our prospective world champion left no doubt in anyone mind that he is very brave, but lacks anything between his ears.

The parachutes they use are relatively very small, for maneuverability.

And the engines are very powerful.

The parachutes have additional control lines attached to the front.

These are controlled by the pilot's feet!!??

What happened was he tried practicing early in the morning over sand dunes.

One day he got too close to the ground, and completely forgetting that sand dunes are higher than level ground, he smacked into one!

Remember me mentioning that he lacked certain functions humans are supposed to have?

He ended up with an expected close encounter with the sand dune.

Results of which was 2 broken hips.

He has recovered fully now, and back flying.

But apparently he is hesitating in giving us one of his parachutes to try on our Magic Carpet.

He keeps telling people that when he woke up from his operation, and looked at his phone.

He found lots of massages wishing him well.

But the one that made him laugh was "remember what I told you. When the brain is DEAD! The body SUFFERS!"

You know, it might be a great idea Dan, if you will be the first one to try our magic carpet with the parachute??

You can choose who drives you, me or Maktoum!

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by DLS:

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:
Todd, the contract agent in Harare is pretty clueless. We were afraid that we might have an issue in Dubai with the rifle case not having declaration, but the flight attendant supervisor got with the Captain and apparently got it sorted. I would hate to call the influential guy in Dubai, I’m pretty sure he would help, but I’m sure I’d hear about it for quite a while! Besides, we arrived in Dubai on Saturday morning and he was likely dragging some kids around the desert on his flying carpet and would ignore the call

I wish it was only kids!

Mommies and daddies love riding our Magic Carpet!

And try their best to out do each other.

Dan, you are very welcome to ride next time you are here.

Maktoum will drive you.

Two weeks ago he managed to dislocate someone's shoulder!

HE did not get the blame.

The man blames his WIFE who was riding with him.

He said she pushed him!

That did not stop their kids from asking to ride again, and again!

We are considering tying a parachute at the end of the carpet.

In my calculations, the parachute will be able to lift it off the ground at 12 kilometers per hour.

This is still under study, as the man in charge of the paramotors had an unfortune accident.

He was practicing for the World Champions paramotor slalom championship in Qatar.

They fly paramotors at insane speeds, through obstacles made up of air filled markers anchored in a lake.

They do this because lots of them crash, and crashing in water prevents them serious injury.

Well, our prospective world champion left no doubt in anyone mind that he is very brave, but lacks anything between his ears.

The parachutes they use are relatively very small, for maneuverability.

And the engines are very powerful.

The parachutes have additional control lines attached to the front.

These are controlled by the pilot's feet!!??

What happened was he tried practicing early in the morning over sand dunes.

One day he got too close to the ground, and completely forgetting that sand dunes are higher than level ground, he smacked into one!

Remember me mentioning that he lacked certain functions humans are supposed to have?

He ended up with an expected close encounter with the sand dune.

Results of which was 2 broken hips.

He has recovered fully now, and back flying.

But apparently he is hesitating in giving us one of his parachutes to try on our Magic Carpet.

He keeps telling people that when he woke up from his operation, and looked at his phone.

He found lots of massages wishing him well.

But the one that made him laugh was "remember what I told you. When the brain is DEAD! The body SUFFERS!"

You know, it might be a great idea Dan, if you will be the first one to try our magic carpet with the parachute??

You can choose who drives you, me or Maktoum!

I would ride the majic carpet…it looks like fun! You only go around once

An AR member came here with his family.

His mom is 90 years old, and she insisted on a ride on the paramotor!

She did, and had an absolute blast!

I would sooner ride a rabid starving camel!

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
I would sooner ride a rabid starving camel!

Your four legged girlfriends miss you!

The double entendre of Michael riding his camel girlfriends is too good to resist. At least it is only female camels. Nothing queer about old Michael!

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by DLS:

quote:

Originally posted by K Evans:
Todd, the contract agent in Harare is pretty clueless. We were afraid that we might have an issue in Dubai with the rifle case not having declaration, but the flight attendant supervisor got with the Captain and apparently got it sorted. I would hate to call the influential guy in Dubai, I’m pretty sure he would help, but I’m sure I’d hear about it for quite a while! Besides, we arrived in Dubai on Saturday morning and he was likely dragging some kids around the desert on his flying carpet and would ignore the call

I wish it was only kids!

Mommies and daddies love riding our Magic Carpet!

And try their best to out do each other.

Dan, you are very welcome to ride next time you are here.

Maktoum will drive you.

Two weeks ago he managed to dislocate someone's shoulder!

HE did not get the blame.

The man blames his WIFE who was riding with him.

He said she pushed him!

That did not stop their kids from asking to ride again, and again!

We are considering tying a parachute at the end of the carpet.

In my calculations, the parachute will be able to lift it off the ground at 12 kilometers per hour.

This is still under study, as the man in charge of the paramotors had an unfortune accident.

He was practicing for the World Champions paramotor slalom championship in Qatar.

They fly paramotors at insane speeds, through obstacles made up of air filled markers anchored in a lake.

They do this because lots of them crash, and crashing in water prevents them serious injury.

Well, our prospective world champion left no doubt in anyone mind that he is very brave, but lacks anything between his ears.

The parachutes they use are relatively very small, for maneuverability.

And the engines are very powerful.

The parachutes have additional control lines attached to the front.

These are controlled by the pilot's feet!!??

What happened was he tried practicing early in the morning over sand dunes.

One day he got too close to the ground, and completely forgetting that sand dunes are higher than level ground, he smacked into one!

Remember me mentioning that he lacked certain functions humans are supposed to have?

He ended up with an expected close encounter with the sand dune.

Results of which was 2 broken hips.

He has recovered fully now, and back flying.

But apparently he is hesitating in giving us one of his parachutes to try on our Magic Carpet.

He keeps telling people that when he woke up from his operation, and looked at his phone.

He found lots of massages wishing him well.

But the one that made him laugh was "remember what I told you. When the brain is DEAD! The body SUFFERS!"

You know, it might be a great idea Dan, if you will be the first one to try our magic carpet with the parachute??

You can choose who drives you, me or Maktoum!

Saeed, I’ll take you when the time comes. Maktoum is too young to have the wisdom (as in fear) that comes with age and experience. Speaking of which, I do need to get back over there next year.

OK, I've missed the "flying carpet" video apparently. Link please. Might be all it takes to get Joyce back there.

I on the other hand have an issue with heights that developed when an old man started looking back at me in the mirror.

I will post pictures and videos as soon as work is finished on our server.

Meantime Jim, check your WhatsApp.

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
I would sooner ride a rabid starving camel!

Your four legged girlfriends miss you!

Hah! I’m sure the camels find other men just as attractive, as long as they hand out plenty of fresh carrots!

quote:

Originally posted by Saeed:
I will post pictures and videos as soon as work is finished on our server.

Meantime Jim, check your WhatsApp.

Got it. Thank you. That looks like fun. We are in if we ever make it back to Dubai.

All the best
J&J

Our Magic Carpet is just as the name says.

It IS MAGIC!

A carpet with wheels we have assembled here, for the pleasure of the adventurous.


It was a development of people being towed on kneeboards.

The more people on the object being towed the better!

Here are a few pictures for your enjoyment.

Thats hilarious!

Saeed's cosmetic dentistry practice!

Nothing whitens teeth faster than a mouth full of sand!

I have started adding videos on the link I posted above on the Photo Forum.

First I posted is of ballon’s flying g over the desert and one landing.

More like controlled crash!