I decided to try Delta across the water for last month's Zambezi Valley hunt. Mostly, I wanted their Economy Comfort class, with its four extra inches of leg room. At 6'3", it was a blessing.
However, several problems must be noted.

First, I found out at check in at MSP that Delta is now only allowing one checked bag on the international flight. When I told the guy I should get two, I was told "only to Asia." Apparently, this is new since I bought my seats last summer, and is not being uniformly enforced. That extra bag full of school supplies I bring over now carries a charge.

Second, also new since buying my seats, Delta will no longer check through to SAA for the Harare flight, and rather than take a chance on the 2 1/2 hour connection, we overnighted in Joberg. Another added expense, plus now deciding to charter to camp to avoid losing a hunting day.

Flying home, although SAA was willing to check all our bags through to our final destination, (and not charge extra for a second checked bag) they wouldn't issue boarding passes on the connecting flight from Joberg and on home to MSP. The people from Delta at the gate in Joberg were not very helpful, as we had told them of our need for boarding passes as soon as they appeared at the gate. We were told "give us 10 minutes." Forty five minutes later, we were directed to leave the gate area and line up for an additional security check. When I shouted to the agent that we still didn't have boarding passes, she motioned us up and quickly printed them. Just before boarding, we were quickly called up to the desk and asked if there were rifle cases in our checked baggage. They needed to look at our baggage stubs before loading them??!!??
You guessed it, no rifles at Atlanta. We were informed they were still in Joberg. Delta managed to get them loaded and back to MSP, but of course, we hadn't been able to clear them through customs. My buddy drove 200 miles to Minneapolis the next day to get his rifle. I live 300 miles from Minneapolis, but fortuitously was flying though MSP last weekend, where customs opened their office for me on Sunday, looked at my 4457's, and released my Tuff Pack, so Delta could fly it home to the Aberdeen, SD airport for my wife to pick up in my absence. The Delta people in Minneapolis really tried to help, as did customs.

Quite frankly, even though the legroom was wonderful, I'm not sure the additional expense and hassle factor can be justified. I thought I should fire a warning shot across everyone's bow about this.

Thanks for the headsup on this. I really liked the part about them needing to see the baggage stubs before "loading them". I assume they were talking about the putting them on the plane and not actually "loading them" up right there?

Glad you did finally get everything back. Oh, by the way, how did the hunt go???

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

Larry-

http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/9401096881

I am liking the decision to fly Emirates more and more.

Thanks Marty for the link direction. Seems I don't always have a look at the Hunt Reports as much these days.

Congrats on a great trip and excellent pics.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by Marty:
Larry-

http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/9401096881

SCI's blue bag program will help you get around the additional charges for taking humanitarian supplies. We took 150 pounds of school supplies on our last trip in blue bags with no charge. You need to inform the airline in advance but it seems all will honour it.