Begging your pardon all, but I'm going to duplicate some of what I said earlier in my hunting report and what Mark Young noted here in this forum.

At the advise of M. Young I used Gracy Travel for the plane ride to Zim and Air 2000 for the gun permit services in RSA. Other than the normal "Sit up straight," "Respect your elders or betters," "Keep your elbows off the table," "Don't talk with your mouth full," this was the best advise I have ever been given! For those of you that have made the excursion thru the airport in Johannesburg you are I'm sure familiar with the slightly confusing and intimidating process of figgering where you are and what your supposed to do. As I am a little slower than most, this was especially the case for me.

While following the herd off the plane and down the hallway I eventually found myself in the correct Customs line and wondering to myself "what next," As I filed along like a good little pack animal I noticed a clean looking, nattily attired gentleman standing on the other side of Customs holding a small sign that read "Scott King" I thought to myself, "Hey! that could be for me since thats my name!" I signaled to him and he waved in reply as if to indicate that he was indeed looking for a Scott King such as myself. I proceeded along with the herd thru the Customs booth without incident and ran from the booth to the consoling company of my babysitter/ Air 2000 rep.

Much to my suprise and great happiness, when I made the company of the Air 2000 rep, I found that I had not one, but two gentlemen assisting me in addition to Bruce from Gracy Travel. Yes, thats right, Gracy Travel correctly assumed that I wasn't capable of fending for myself in this foreign environment, and had sent Bruce, one of their RSA reps to assist me in and out of the British Airways/ South African Airways obstacles.

The gun permitting was a breeze with the Air 2000 rep's doing all the talking with the airport police, and me standing off to the side with my usual blank expression on my face. All the paper work was in order and ready for the cops, so I was in the police office a few short minutes. I think we spent more time walking to the office than in it. At the conclusion of the permitting, the two rep's bid me farewell, and Bruce took the reigns.

After the gun permitting, I mentioned to Bruce that a cigarrette sounded really good about now, so without blinking Bruce wheeled our cart of luggage and gun right out the front door for the two of us to stand and chat a few minutes over the cancer sticks.

The addiction having been assuaged, we headed to check in for the SAA to Harare flight. Over at the check in line, there were easily 3-400 people in line ahead of me. With no hesitation, Bruce wheeled the cart around the que and all the people to the head of the line, (I wasn't making eye contact with anybody,) and the next available agent quickly checked me in and took my luggage with no trouble. Again, other than providing my passport and ticket I didn't really say much, but quite a bit of what sounded like buttering up was coming from Bruce.

That was it! time to say goodbye to Bruce and head thru security and to my gate! Unbelievable! I really didn't think that it would be nearly so easy to navigate the bureaucracy even with their help.

I hope that in the next couple of years I am able to return to Africa to hunt again, and when I go, I wouldn't think of doing anything different than using Air 2000 and Gracy Travel. The small fees that both charged were nominal compare to the peace of mind and ease of transfer they provided.

Bruce, if you read this, when next we meet we're hugging!

know just what you mean - we had a bunch of excess weight in school supplies that we were bringing over. SA wanted to charge a bunch extra for them but by the time bruce was done talking to them they went for free. plus he just kinda walks you to the head of all the lines.

We met Bruce in June this year, and yes that little guy is a whiz! I wish I had a "Bruce" in every airport. I WILL use Gracey again.

you know I had the same experiance with gracy and bruce but I used riflepermits.com instead of air 2000 glad to know its the same for all but I dont feel special any more

Crusher,

What in the world do you mean you had the same experience?!?!?!

The Air 2000 fellas and Bruce all told me that this was a special service just for me and they'd never ever go so far above and beyond the call for anyone other than me!

And here I was thinking that I was special.

Oh yeah, I remember,

Special Ed.

I know here I was thinkin they thought I was some kinda rockstar or somethin and now I find out it is only graft coruption and buddy deals that get this kind of treatment damn. I am glad it works this way all the time but I have this sort of hollow feeling now that im not getting special treatment.

I reckon if you bribe enough people and pay enough money, you too can bypass all the regular folks and go to the head of the line. Try that in my Alaska and you might get your ass kicked.

Nice TJ, real nice.

Keep in mind you'll have to cut in front of the 300 people in line between me and you to do it. By the time your done fighting with them I may well be off to my gate. In your Alaska you'll end up in jail.

For the record I paid $140.00 for the Air 2000 service. I tipped Bruce $20.00 for his help. Gracy Travel might have charged me for his service but I was un aware of it.

Bruce must be a very busy guy and travel between the USA and RSA from the above comments. I always had problems with weight when checking in.

quote:

Originally posted by TJ:
I reckon if you bribe enough people and pay enough money, you too can bypass all the regular folks and go to the head of the line. Try that in my Alaska and you might get your ass kicked.

if some dickhed know all alaskan wants to kick my ass, then I guess I did not bribe enough people or pay enough mony.

Crusher:
Before you comment, you might sober up, or use spell checker. I had a problem understanding your response.
I think you called me a "dickhed", but I'm not sure.
I not sure about "peole", is that mexican for People?
My point...If you pay money to "bust" a line, some of the folks in that line may get a bit irritated. I know a few very large Oil Field Roughnecks who would take offense at that practice. They will happily kick your ass.
If the Terminal has two lines, one for "completed paperwork" and one for "incomplete paperwork", no problem. Just follow the yellow line, depending on which category you fit in.
Is that plain enough?

TJ said "I know some really big guys"

Goodness me.

I did not call you a dickhead. I dont know you. you may be a prince of a guy.

I believe anyone who wants to start a fistfight in an airport is a dickhead.If that is you my apologies.

your roughneck friends can lick each others ass for all I care. The best they can guarantee is starting a fight in an airport. that should land your dumb ass in jail even in alaska."no offence meant to the tatooed fuckwitt neandertall oilfield workers for whom I have the highest regard"

I do understand your point that jumping line is poor form that was not my intention. I hired a company to help me clear the mountan of paperwork in a 3rd world country. The way that worked seemed to be hand the man your pasport and tickets and he walked you to the correct place to check your bags this also seemed to skip a whole bunch of waiting in line. i am not sure why.

I feel no need to use a service like this inside the u.s. as the language is somewhat familiar and all. alaska is still in the u.s. ?


The whole point of this thread was to say how happy we were with man who made a worrysome task hassle free and fast.

plain enough indeed thanks.

Crusher:
Way to go! Either you sobered up, or you learned how to use spell checker. Your spelling of "dickhead" is correct now.

My friend and I both used gracy's travel (2006)and everything worked out fine. This was our first trip to South Africa. We had an opportunity to meet Bruce who was a great help. He zipped us here and there and we were on our way. I've met one hunter (before going to Africa) and he said he would never go through Jo'burg again because its a mess and all the criminal elements are around. However, I found that out to be false as we were in the company (Bruce) of individuals who were familiar with the elements. I tried tipping Bruce for his assistance, but he refused and said give it to his friend who was also pushing our luggage. He's a great guy and I'll be seeing him again in 2008, this time I'll bring him a very special gift.