I read an account in the hunter report about United Airlines refusing to check through to international destinations with guns. I am going to Zimbabwe in August Starting from SF through JFK to Bulawayo. transferring in JFK to SA air Has any one had a problem getting guns checked through to international destinations with United?

http://www.huntingreport.com/w...te.cfm?articleid=606


United Airlines Refuses to Check Through Firearms to International Destinations

(posted June 25, 2012)

Hunters on their way overseas from the US should be aware of a problem that has developed with United Airlines. We know of two hunters now who recently experienced trouble checking their hunting firearms through to their final destinations.

In the first case, the hunter was flying from Indianapolis to Dulles where he was to connect to a South African Airways flight to South Africa. The United Airlines check-in agents and supervisors in Indianapolis refused to check his firearm, citing a policy change regarding second carriers but not fully explaining the problem. Officials at South African Airways say they have resolved the problem as far as connections with their airline goes. Unfortunately, they were too late to save the hunter's trip.
The second hunter we know about was checked only as far as Chicago. He was forced to claim his baggage and recheck it with Lufthansa for his international flight. When the hunter questioned agents they blamed a new TSA requirement that supposedly went into effect March 1st.

The Hunting Report has inquired with TSA's public information department regarding any new regulations that would affect traveling hunters and will report the agency's response and continuing developments. In the meantime, be aware that this airline may cause you serious delays in your international travel this hunting season. Either plan enough time between connecting flights to claim and recheck your hunting firearms or consider booking with a different airline if you can.

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Folks,

I honestly think receiving your luggage from your domestic flight and physically checking it onto the international flight is the best way to go anyway. Knowing what flight your luggage was actually checked onto can be invaluable in the case that your kit gets lost.

Mark

Well, 3 months ago, in April....I was flying from Abq. to Dulles, then connecting onto SAA to Jo-burg, then onto Maun. My guns made it, BUT, my ammo which was in a locked case inside my luggage did not! So the guns made it the luggage didn't. IT WAS TOTALLY UNITEDS' FAULT. I was checking all along the way to make sure everything was staying with us. But United screwed it up from the get go in Albuquerque. What a night-mare. My PH's wife saved the day by scrounging up some .416 Rigby out of thin air in Maun.

Oh, wonderful. I'm doing a similar flight in a month. Albuquerque - Joburg - Bulawayo.

Any thoughts on how to prevent a similar occurence? Cable the ammo box to the inside of your suitcase?

United has screwed up my luggage several times over the years. International trips, but it fell apart here in the states. Now the Continental flight crews are wearing buttons that say "Proud to be a Continental crew member" until their contract expires. This is not going to go well.