The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting Travel Forum Short layover in Addis AbabaGo | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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| One of Us |
What has everyone’s experience been with this short layover? | ||
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| One of Us |
I did it two weeks ago and it was awful; I won’t do it again. On the way there it was a frantic rush, they did meet me on the jet bridge with my name on a sign, but from there it was literally running through the terminal and then trying to find a vehicle to take us to the inspection area. On the way back we deplaned on the tarmac and got on buses, as soon as I got to the terminal I started telling Ethiopian Air employees that I was traveling with rifles, they directed me through security and to the gates. I explained this was not what happened when I arrived, but three separate employees told me it would all be handled at the gates. I got upstairs and told the first employee I saw (thankfully I did not go to the gate) what was going on, she took me back downstairs to the same people who had sent me upstairs. They then contacted security, it is now about 30 minutes before my flight is scheduled to depart. Security takes me to the inspection area and they can’t find my rifles. After about ten minutes they find them, I move to unlock the case and they stop me and tell me it must be x-rayed first. The x-ray guy shows up five minutes later. I could go on, but I think you can see where this is going. I did make my flight, but they had to hold it and I didn’t make it on board until 10 minutes after the scheduled departure. I certainly don’t recommend this route if traveling with firearms. ____________________________________________ "Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life." Terry Pratchett. | |||
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| One of Us |
Damn…  I’m sure you can make it work.Karl Evans | |||
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| One of Us |
I do not think I would have made the flight if I was not flying business class. A few different people asked me if I was business class before talking on the radio or making a phone call. ____________________________________________ "Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life." Terry Pratchett. | |||
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One of Us |
I went through this fire drill in December of 2019. They held the plane until I arrived, which meant we departed about 30-40 minutes late. We were flying economy class and my understanding is everyone who goes through Addis with guns has to have their guns checked there, no matter that they were already checked before. They hold the flight for you. | |||
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| One of Us |
Thanks all. I was booked on this flight but somehow missed the short layover. I cancelled . | |||
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| Administrator |
I do not like short lay overs. A very good chance to loose your connection. | |||
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| One of Us |
100% agree my friend. | |||
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One of Us |
Larry, Wise choice. When I transited through Addis last Nov. nobody was waiting the the bottom of the jet bridge like I had been told there would be. Got into the terminal and found the first Ethiopian employee (a very helpful young lady) and told her I was travelling with firearms. 20 min later she comes back and we go to find a vehicle to take us to the inspection area. A male bus driver started giving her a hard time about using his bus to make the drive. This little firecracker was having none of his shit and we jumped on with her yelling at him to get going. She made him wait while the guns were inspected and then back to security where she escorted me all the way through and then took me right to my gate. I still had an hour wait but she said the people at Dulles should have sent them a notification that I had guns and someone would have been waiting for me. Not sure how true that is but I would love to take that employee out for a nice dinner just as a "thank you" for her persistence. I would never do a short layover in Addis. | |||
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| One of Us |
Could the more experience Africa hands please define what constitutes a "short layover" on this route? I'm booked on flights for July with a 2:10 minute layover going and 1:45 coming back. I knew about the gun check goat rope in advance, but figured this would be enough time to execute that maneuver. Is this a mistake? ___________________________ | |||
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| One of Us |
The one that concerned me was about 1 hour. | |||
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| One of Us |
That is what mine were supposed to be, but flight delays greatly compressed the layover times ____________________________________________ "Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life." Terry Pratchett. | |||
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| One of Us |
I would think 2 hour 10 min should be ok if they are ready and waiting for you at the jet stairs, if not, or a flight delay might make things a bit sporty. If your flying business there is a very nice lounge at the airport. If your flying cattle class then there not much to do in a very hot airport. If you see an Ethiopian employee that looks just like Hallie Berry grab her, she is the one who got my problem sorted. | |||
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| One of Us |
Anyone had any issues taking broad heads and archery equipment? Thanks, Arjun | |||
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| one of us |
Went through Addis on Saturday no major issues. They are not efficient and had to remove the bags from the flight and bring them into the baggage sorting area. Then X-ray them before bringing them to an area to be opened. One guy did have bow and broad heads. They wanted a 4457 but understood it is not required. He was done quickly but they did not place his bag on the cart to go back to the plan. We caught that and flagged down the cart and it made it no problem. Be patient, the plane from Washington was late and the bags were delayed being collected. We left an hour late and arrived on time. At no time were we in danger of being left behind. Pilot announced he was waiting for a party to arrive. The accents are heavy so listen carefully. Have your 4457 and passport ready. Watch your bag and make sure it’s back on the cart that goes directly to the plane. You get off the plane and at the top of the jetway is someone with names of all that have firearms or bows. Get in line behind him. I would use them again. | |||
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| One of Us |
Went thru twice a few weeks ago. No issues. It is way too short of a layover (even if not traveling with firearms), but was booked by Gracy for me. On the way over they had an agent at the gate that flagged all the hunters down and shepherded us through / under / back through the airport. Took a bit but they held the plane. The agent was a pro and repeatedly assured the newbies that their guns would make it and so would we. The way back there was no agent but I knew the drill and kept asking agents until one knew what to do. Same drill in reverse. Only complaint is that it requires running all over the place with no break to be 30 minutes late to the next flight. Bathroom break and a snack/drink would have been nice. I've flown domestically and internationally quite a bit but this was my first time on Ethiopian. Would not hesitate to fly again. Professional all around. Even had a dedicated supervisor in Dulles see my gun case and move me up in the line. | |||
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| One of Us |
Thanks for sharing your experiences. Was ammunition packed with the rifle case, or separately in checked luggage? If in checked luggage, did this require an Addis connection inspection process like the rifles? | |||
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| One of Us |
Spey, When I went through in Nov. 2020 my ammo was in my checked bag, not in the gun case. They did inspect both the rifle and the ammo so my gun case was there along with my checked bag when I got to the inspection area. | |||
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One of Us |
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting Travel Forum Short layover in Addis Ababa
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