Sept 10th- It took us over an hour and a half to get the guns checked through to Port Elizabeth by United Airlines in San Francisco.

Neither the ticket agent nor her supervisor had a clue what to do. They were reading their company rules and requirements as they were trying to check us in. They wanted proof that we had South African gun permits and I had to explain to them that you don’t get the permit until you get in country, having sent the application in last month. They then asked for proof that we had submitted the applications 21 days previously, then at the last minute wanted to know if we had permits to transfer our guns through London (our first stop). I spent an hour and a half teaching them how to check guns through and they actually called the South African Airlines counters in London and Johannesburg to try to confirm everything.



And to top it all off, we had business class tickets so we relaxed in the United Lounge and found out that they now charge for alcohol at the bar there. (This actually started the day we flew).

I had the same problem with United when flying to Zambia in 2011. Not too much drama but they certainly were not accustomed to checking firearms. They were happy with a copy of my application. Ethiopian Airways was a different story. I was told that the bagage handler would not transport it from United to Ethiopian unless I had my permit in hand. I had Andrew email it to me while I was waiting only to learn they loaded without question. Coming home though they wanted to see my Zambian permit despite the fact I had already left Zambia and was waiting in Addis Ababa for connecting flight home.

I have resolved to always keep copies of permits when possible from door to door.

Man, UAL didn't treat you to the Friendly Skies!!!

The problems I've had at SFO check-in have been with the private security companies used in some terminals rather than TSA. They don't know their ass from the rifle bolt! Last May 31 it took 1 hour, lugging the guns to and fro repeatedly before someone could/would actually check them in for the flight. This wasn't our carriers (Lufthansa) fault as they had an agent accompanying us and their frustration was as great as ours, although they can't show it because they have to work with these idiots daily. Some of the people inspecting firearms don't know the trigger from the magazine.

SFO is the only major U.S. airport I am aware of that uses private security v. TSA for gun clearance at some of the terminals. This goes all the way back to 2001 and is a typical San Francisco labor issue. While I am no fan of TSA and have had my issues with their agents, ask yourself who works for the private security companies? Those who can't get hired by the TSA would be the answer. Now that's really scary, considering the idiots that TSA hires!!!

BTW, I always advise my airline via telephone that I will be traveling with firearms and request an email confirmation from them that I have met all their pre-flight requirements. Perhaps you did this but it didn't help?

Charging for alcohol in the Business lounge? Outrageous!! Time to re-think your choice of airlines.

so a $4500 ticket doesn't entitle you to $15-20 worth of booze in the departure lounge???? absurd. then again, NOTHING that happens in San Fransisco would ever surprise me. what would you expect in the granola bowl?

Hey Jerry,

I think you should switch your tickets to UAL out of SFO so you can determine if UAL has fixed this. And after getting your rifle cleared you can relax with a $10.00 drink in the lounge!

It is amazing how badly those counter people who have not a clue can f@#k up your day. Doing everything right does not insulate you against ignorance.

Mark

I fly in and out of SFO all the time and I'm sure you know that you had better have a long gap between flights to cover weather delays.
Ive been screwed up there so many times it is unbelievable. I think they have the worst record nationally for on time departures.

quote:

Originally posted by LionHunter:
Hey Jerry,

I think you should switch your tickets to UAL out of SFO so you can determine if UAL has fixed this. And after getting your rifle cleared you can relax with a $10.00 drink in the lounge!

i avoid SF in general and SFO in particular. as long as BA/AA can get me to Heathrow from Fresno via LAX or AA can get me from Fresno to DFW to Heathrow, i will continue to avoid the fruit bowl. and drinks are free

quote:

Originally posted by chuck5656:
I fly in and out of SFO all the time and I'm sure you know that you had better have a long gap between flights to cover weather delays.
Ive been screwed up there so many times it is unbelievable. I think they have the worst record nationally for on time departures.

I'd put money on Ohare for number 1.

We flew out of SFO in April and did not have any problems with our rifles etc.
The problem we had was when they went thru our check in bags when we returned from South Africa and they stole my Rand money I was bringing home and my Bushnell Backtracker I should of had in my carry on bag. They did not get checked when we landed in DC but when we got to the last stop they checked them "by mistake". So much for protecting us from bombs etc.

Fjold & guys:

Right with you on all of your previous hassles. Went through the same crap. Also heaven help you if you are bringing back hunting trophys. They could be cut to pieces.

JDK

Fly out of Austin TX -- they will ask if you have pictures of your hunts--and occasionally discuss calibers with you.

It's been a few years since I flew with guns out of SFO but I have always been impressed with how nice the airline and TSA folks were. Haven't had any hassles but of course I always have their baggage regs with me. Sorry you had a hassle Frank.
We will find out how the LAX folks are in March.

quote:

Originally posted by Blacktailer:
It's been a few years since I flew with guns out of SFO but I have always been impressed with how nice the airline and TSA folks were. Haven't had any hassles but of course I always have their baggage regs with me. Sorry you had a hassle Frank.
We will find out how the LAX folks are in March.

Back in 2008 it took United at LAX 2.5 hours to check my rifles in and I had printouts of all their baggage handling procedures with me. I almost missed my flight to Namibia.

In 2011 at LAX again, it took United all of 10 minutes and everything went smooth as silk.

I have checked firearms out of SF on 5 different occasions on 3 different airlines including last May with no problems. Leaving on 24 October expect no problems

KLM has been just the opposite in my experience. Never had a problem in years past, but this last year they went above and beyond.

When I showed up with a guncase and ammunition for the trip over, they called for a young lady who had experience with those issues and she knew what she was doing. Everything on the trip over went swimmingly. Then, on the trip back, by the time I cleared customs, they had a KLM representative at the baggage area. She had already arranged a porter and collected my gun case. Once we had my other bag, she escorted me, unnecessarily, through the remaider of the process. I think it helped streamline the process and in any event her presence was not unwelcome as other than the stewardesses on the flight over, I hadn't seen an attractive woman in some time.

Great service from KLM.

In August 2011 I flew out of Boise, to SLC then Alanta then to Jberg.

From the time I set the rifle case on the ticket counter, in Boise, until it was cleared by TSA was less than 10 minutes. They did not even open the case up!

At Tulsa the counter guy wanted to know where i was going hunting then asked me for contact details for guys i know in africa he call security over to walk my rifle to the plane SO it would be on time. the cop as in Tulsa police wanted to know how they could get to hunt in africa and talked baout hunting in general. wanted to knwo f=rifle calibers etc etc etc took 45 mins because we where all having a good time. Dallas and Austin were about the same very friendly get you chacked through no hassels not just good service and nice people

quote:

Originally posted by Sean Russell:
Fly out of Austin TX -- they will ask if you have pictures of your hunts--and occasionally discuss calibers with you.

Well, I've had pretty decent luck flying with guns from Austin, but it all depends on the individual agents you happen to get. The last time I flew from Austin the young woman at the Delta counter was clearly nervous and inexperienced with checking a rifle, but she was courteous and followed procedures properly, so there was no problem. When I carried the rifle over to the TSA agent I placed it on his table and started to wrap strapping tape around the body of the case and its latches/locks. He interrupted me and offered to do it for me with official TSA strapping tape which was imprinted "INSPECTED TSA". That was great, and made me feel as if there was less chance of someone monkeying with it, either officially or unofficially, while it was in transit.

democraps are all over, even in Texas and especially Austin, so female and democrap, perfect storm for gun issues, so San Francisco is expected...

Here in Texas, the counter lady wanted to hold the gun and asked what brand and caliber, then had the TSA wonk pass it through. Took 5 minutes max and got upgraded to first class too!!

Departing from Montana, TSA "where are you going hunting". Me, africa. TSA "Wow that is a beautiful rifle, what caliber". Me, 450 nitro. TSA "Everything is fine, Have a great time".
Me silently to myself, God I love this place!