To : Linda Schrader / FALCON TRAVEL

Here’s some very recent feedback, mostly about the taking your own gun part, and logistics.
None of this is by way of complaint. Your notes and care were superb. However, this updated report on the process might help other clients.

1. It’s an iPhone world, and taking along photos of all the paperwork helped fill gaps that occurred. Having them as back-up allowed personnel to decide questions in our favor.
For example, Pamela and I found ourselves in two lines at U.S. Customs. I had my old 4457’s in my traveler’s neck bag; she had the newest laminated forms in her bag, and
I had copies of those inside the gun case. We had to re-check and re-TSA even though all were bar coded through to IAH, including separate ammo box, required starting on the Jo’burg to P.E. leg. My iPhone pics of rifles with serial numbers, accompanying Form 4457’s and so on allowed the officer to switch from beast mode to asking about the trip, agreeing with “happy wife, happy life”, and so on. Courtesy works!
After customs, TSA had to do their thing all over again, porter included. I had to get the gun case and ammo box to check-in, get rescanned, then find the train to departure terminal/gate. That guy couldn’t operate a key and lock, yet he had to X-ray and hand inspect the insides of the gun case, holding me and the porter hostage while showing his authority. He finally asked for my help. Sigh! “Yes, sir” and “Yes, ma’am” helps a bunch.
I barely made it, running at points -- CHI St. Luke’s cardio rehab was for the airports, not the mountains!! Pamela had them waiting for me, but they were giving us the old “run home’ third base coach arm wind milling thing. Next flight was 2 1/2 hours wait and it just wouldn’t have been pleasant. Guess I am saying it takes longer than two hours to make your connection if it involves your own sports equipment. Atlanta might be smoother than Dulles, but maybe it is worse? Anyhow, with God’s help, my Amharic connection and an Ethiopian porter (who absolutely saved my bacon!) plus the notes on your paperwork, it worked.

2. O.R. Tambo is designed with tipping opportunities at every point, anticipated and actually expected. Afton House, despite that slick video, succeeds because of their veteran staff/ownership experience and contacts inside the airport. Freddie handles incoming, Mr. X is part of both incoming and outgoing aspects, all of it coordinated with driver Maurius. They know which room is for what, and the constant change-up that is the new process. First room is the lady who verifies, hand documents in a ledger that your boarding pass(es) and claim tickets match up. Then you have to find the room where the temporary permit and inspection happens, etc. Next comes driving to Afton House -- quite nice! Freddie gets a tip for smoothing out transfer through customs, and there’s chatting up both clients and airport buddies all along the way. The required overnight stay, when making an internal flight after Jo’burg, means you reverse the process the next day, checking guns back in and shipping ammo in a required separate crate (in my case I already had it packed in the luggage that way the day before.) They have to be received and you go through the rigmarole at P.E. Their expected tip is jokingly in the form of returning with a springbok leg for them, as they explain how the safari return to Jo’burg process works.

3. Returning to international from domestic is designed to confuse and “shake you up”. Every next step is another terminal and/or floor level away, the routes in between long and convoluted. Even people with SAA uniforms are prepped to sell you off to one of the orange vest guys, who’d started in with “It’s my job to help you.” People WOULD tell you where “next” was, and we did have wheels on the gun case, plus a trolley for carry-ons. Our other main luggage was already forwarded to IAD/IAH, so we weren’t toting them. Yet, a porter was eventually unavoidable. But, hey. Maybe I saved ten bucks attempting to handle it ourselves.
Guess I am saying the process is driving using rental rifles rather than taking your own. Less a problem if you aren’t accompanying family / caring for the safety of someone other than a hunting buddy. I got quite exhausted. But, Pamela had a splendid time, and I have a happy wife to go with a powerful experience of my own. (That’s later, called UNRAVELING and in process at this point.) You made it possible, too, Linda. The heart operation thing and delay made it unique, and we needed all your expertise to still “make it happen.”

Again, outstanding work! (Uitstekend!) Gig ‘em!

Barry Nagel

from a "Thank you" email sent a week ago, FYI.

I travel to and around South Africa quite a bit and haven't had those issues. I find travelling ( flying) with guns easier in SA then here at home.

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I found the Jo'burg Airport experience during my Sep 2016 hunt much less of a hassle than the trips I made back in 2002 and 2003.

Back then, you couldn't keep the porters from grabbing your luggage if your life depended upon it.

But in most 3rd world countries, travelers have to be wary and expect that "tipping" in order to grease the skids is almost mandatory.

That how I know I am having an adventure. LOL

BH63

I look at tips as fees of convenience...they make my life easier. I'm okay with that. Truthfully, North Americans are to blame for the overseas tipping culture. Afton House makes things pretty simple and it's not like you need to tip anyone excessively. If you want your eyes opened try one of the "stan" countries! But good report and feedback for sure for those that aren't used to this type of international travel...it's a good heads up about the tipping culture! Joberg is a breeze though!