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I went through London to Namibia in 2008 and since United had a baggage handling agreement with SA Airlines I could check my guns in at LAX straight through to Windhoek. I assume that the same rules apply now going to South Africa via Heathrow, Correct? Frank "I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money." - Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953 NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite | ||
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Flew BA from Canada through London. Gracy Travel had said it would cost $60 for the gun charges. It ended up being $300 one way home and $230 there through London with the gun case as extra baggage and the fees they tacked on. It was a little more than the $60 one way I expected. No longer will I fly BA and would look for other options before I go through London again. Probably the last time I use someone to help with travel as well! | |||
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This might be of interest if you're travelling with ex-military calibres such as .308 or 30.06 etc. | |||
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I believe a knowledgeable travel agent can be a BIG help; apparently Gracy Travel didn't help you as they should have. You might try Kathi Klimes next time. As far as going through London is concerned, I've never done it but have seen a number of bad things posted about the experience. I've flown with South African Airways and with Air France (via Paris) to South Africa. Regarding firearms, South African Airways was the least trouble but Air France wasn't bad but they're pretty picky about their rules. | |||
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I've never flown BA through London due to all the problems I've read about others having when traveling with guns on that route. Why ask for problems when there are other alternatives? Nube got screwed out of over $500 by BA. Fly Delta or SA and avoid all the potential problems with that anti-gun country and airline. Tom Z NRA Life Member | |||
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I'm flying United over to London and South African Airlines from London to Jo'berg Frank "I don't know what there is about buffalo that frightens me so.....He looks like he hates you personally. He looks like you owe him money." - Robert Ruark, Horn of the Hunter, 1953 NRA Life, SAF Life, CRPA Life, DRSS lite | |||
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Frank, Check with United and get the info first hand. If you do your part London is very gun friendly regardless of what rumors you've heard. Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
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Never had a problem with BA or transiting London. Had to pay 50 pounds for rifle case and ammo case but that info is clearly stated on BA's website so it should not be a surprise especially for someone using Gracy. One reason I would never use Gracy. They gave me false information concerning Alaska Air and a mileage ticket back in 2010. ______________________ DRSS ______________________ Hunt Reports 2015 His & Her Leopards with Derek Littleton of Luwire Safaris - http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/2971090112 2015 Trophy Bull Elephant with CMS http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/1651069012 DIY Brooks Range Sheep Hunt 2013 - http://forums.accuratereloadin...901038191#9901038191 Zambia June/July 2012 with Andrew Baldry - Royal Kafue http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7971064771 Zambia Sept 2010- Muchinga Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4211096141 Namibia Sept 2010 - ARUB Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6781076141 | |||
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I am not sure what 50 pounds equals to Frostbite but I would think you got a deal. Gracy told me it would be a lot less than what it was. I could have flown to Mexico and back for the price I paid to take my gun through London on a BA flight is all I know. I am not usre if you want to call my personal experience Rumour Mark but that is what happened! If you want Deadeye who posts on here to get his take on it I am sure he would be happy to chime in as well. | |||
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I think you'll find that many airlines charge a handling fee for firearms nowadays and certainly those that do have it on their websites. These might be of help: http://www.shakariconnection.c...l-with-firearms.html http://www.shakariconnection.c...rms-regulations.html http://www.shakariconnection.c...g-with-firearms.html | |||
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It's 50 pounds for rifle case and 50 pounds for ammo case each way that would be $326 USD round trip today. BA's Website..... Handling Charge Each case containing firearms and/or ammunition is subject to a £50 each way charge at check-in. Firearms and ammunition are handled by a specialist third party agent on our behalf; this charge covers their costs. ______________________ DRSS ______________________ Hunt Reports 2015 His & Her Leopards with Derek Littleton of Luwire Safaris - http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/2971090112 2015 Trophy Bull Elephant with CMS http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/1651069012 DIY Brooks Range Sheep Hunt 2013 - http://forums.accuratereloadin...901038191#9901038191 Zambia June/July 2012 with Andrew Baldry - Royal Kafue http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7971064771 Zambia Sept 2010- Muchinga Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4211096141 Namibia Sept 2010 - ARUB Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6781076141 | |||
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Phil, Easy now! Franks was not asking about BA. I wrote to Frank saying London is gun friendly if you do your part. I did not say anyhing to invalidate your personal experience with the BA counter folks that obviously did not know what they were doing but these problems where in Canada and Africa not London. Correct? These problems are not unique to BA. The proper protocal for handling guns seems to be the last thing that the counter folks are oriented on. Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
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Mark, I had to go through Vancouver on BA the last trip and it was a cluster with the RCMP. I did my research, being anal, and had all my forms in quadruplicate already completed from their website and ended up with three different Canadian "officers" arguing over who was right. Since it was right before their lunch break they ended up just escorting us and our rifle cases to the BA counter to be checked back in for the trip on to London. It was commical but only because I had all the time in the world thanks to the long layover. ______________________ DRSS ______________________ Hunt Reports 2015 His & Her Leopards with Derek Littleton of Luwire Safaris - http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/2971090112 2015 Trophy Bull Elephant with CMS http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/1651069012 DIY Brooks Range Sheep Hunt 2013 - http://forums.accuratereloadin...901038191#9901038191 Zambia June/July 2012 with Andrew Baldry - Royal Kafue http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7971064771 Zambia Sept 2010- Muchinga Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4211096141 Namibia Sept 2010 - ARUB Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6781076141 | |||
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Sorry Mark, you are right. London was easy enough to get through but as you can tell it is a very sore spot with me still that i am out of pocket a lot more tha was expected. It costs a ton to go with BA and I will not ever use them again if I can get away with it. I feel I was either not paying attention or Gracy was giving information that was not correct because if I would have known I was going to pay that much to get my gun there I would have borrowed one or taken a different flight. | |||
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BA used to "only" charge for the rifle case. They added the ammo charge because now the ammo is secured by the same service as the rifle case. Thus if you put your locked ammo in your regular suitcase both the rifle case and your suitcase will be handled separately from the regular luggage. It's a small concilation but the added cost makes the delivery of your guncase and ammo all but guaranteed. ______________________ DRSS ______________________ Hunt Reports 2015 His & Her Leopards with Derek Littleton of Luwire Safaris - http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/2971090112 2015 Trophy Bull Elephant with CMS http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/1651069012 DIY Brooks Range Sheep Hunt 2013 - http://forums.accuratereloadin...901038191#9901038191 Zambia June/July 2012 with Andrew Baldry - Royal Kafue http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7971064771 Zambia Sept 2010- Muchinga Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4211096141 Namibia Sept 2010 - ARUB Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6781076141 | |||
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The BA service was good once they made up their own rules on what to charge you for the gun and ammo. It seemed completly discretionary to the people behind the counter. Paid something like 350 extra on the way there and 250 extra on the way back for the same luggage. They know they have you, you arent in any position to argue as your "locked and loaded" for Africa... Nube, at least BA seated the 21 yr old south african lingerie super model between us for the 11 hr flight back to london... I like how our dead leopards came up in conversation as "leopard print"!  | |||
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last time we flew from Paris to Montreal via London it was in 2006 (yes i know long time ago ...) we had 5 rifles and 2 metal boxes of ammo and the bill was less than expected by far maybe it was because we had a bunch and the clerk had no clues about firearms ... my only advice in London Airport is be sure that your rifles are in the plane with you and it took me 35 min to be sure that they were with us. Security wont like it, company neither but its your gun. | |||
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As Mark said, if you do your homework, London is not all that hard. For those of us who live here, we kinda have to make it work. My "west country" (California) accent and US passport does even less to help convince the officials that I know what I am talking about but it does work. The only piece of advice that I would tell anybody coming through London is to NEVER, EVER, x100 million, try to transfer from Heathrow - Gatwick. Not for any reason and ESPECIALLY not with guns!  Good travels! H. Cole Stage III, FRGS ISC(PJ), USN (Ret) "You do not have a right to an opinion. An opinion should be the result of careful thought, not an excuse for it." Harlan Ellison " War is God's way to teach Americans geography." Ambrose Bierce | |||
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Phil and Ron, You guys should have been charged 100 pounds or about $160 US each way. Your info packet from Gracy Travel should have had the costs for your guns and ammo printed on your itinerary for each leg of the travel. Personally I'd contact BA and get a refund. I'd also contact Gracy again and tell the person that said it would cost $60 what you actually paid and that your not happy. I always recommend Gracy but I will tell you that all agents there are not all equal in knowledge. Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
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Regardless of what airline you use it is most important to have the current print out of their individual regulations and fee schedule with you at check in. Just in case you get a counter person with an "agenda". ______________________ DRSS ______________________ Hunt Reports 2015 His & Her Leopards with Derek Littleton of Luwire Safaris - http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/2971090112 2015 Trophy Bull Elephant with CMS http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/1651069012 DIY Brooks Range Sheep Hunt 2013 - http://forums.accuratereloadin...901038191#9901038191 Zambia June/July 2012 with Andrew Baldry - Royal Kafue http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7971064771 Zambia Sept 2010- Muchinga Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4211096141 Namibia Sept 2010 - ARUB Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6781076141 | |||
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Jim, I think often times it's more like the counter folks are just clueless and or nervous about guns rather than them having a particualr anti agenda. I'm not saying it doesn't occur that a counter person does have an anti agenda but it has never happened to me and only one client has ever reported to me that they got any grief about the fact they were going on a hunt. Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
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Then make that two clients now. In 2010 a BA counter person in Seattle kept asking me why I don't "just take pictures". I stopped explaining it after the third go round. That was the same trip that I had to exit first class with an escort to verify my ammo and rifle case on the tarmac in Heathrow before flying on to Jo-Berg. The reason..... The counter chick in Seattle put about twinty staples through both bar codes. Coincidence? It was a slight inconvience but also showed how well BA's gun carry service works and why you pay extra to have one person in charge of your guns and ammo and not regular rampers. Cheers Jim ______________________ DRSS ______________________ Hunt Reports 2015 His & Her Leopards with Derek Littleton of Luwire Safaris - http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/2971090112 2015 Trophy Bull Elephant with CMS http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/1651069012 DIY Brooks Range Sheep Hunt 2013 - http://forums.accuratereloadin...901038191#9901038191 Zambia June/July 2012 with Andrew Baldry - Royal Kafue http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7971064771 Zambia Sept 2010- Muchinga Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4211096141 Namibia Sept 2010 - ARUB Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6781076141 | |||
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Mark, our info on the trip was sent to Gracy and nothing was said. I don't remember 100% but I had thought in their main booklet that it was going to be $60 or 60 pounds not over $500. Also I have a real problem with BA charging me for my ammo when they FORCE you to put it in a seperate container for transport. Other airlines let you take it in your checked bag the last time I went without problems. It was cheaper for me to leave my $80 a box ammo in ZIM than it was to bring it home. | |||
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Im going to take a boat next time...  | |||
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Phil, The booklet states 50 pounds but obviously is out of date as it does not talk about the ammo but as I said the itinerary does have the charges written on it for each leg of the trip. Phil I wouldn't let this go. You were overcharged. I'm sure it will take some work but if you persist I'm sure you'll get some money back. I think one thing you've missed here is that as Frostbit said the gun fee is not just to gather extra revenue but virtually guartees the arrival of your kit as it is stowed seperately away from the other luggage and is not hamdled by the baggage apes. I've had several clients fly on other airlines and loose their luggage. It can put a huge damper on the safari. I've never had a client nor have I personally lost any luggage on BA. Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
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Jim, To bad you had not taken down that women's name and reported her. Airlines don't like having their customers harrassed. Mark MARK H. YOUNG MARK'S EXCLUSIVE ADVENTURES 7094 Oakleigh Dr. Las Vegas, NV 89110 Office 702-848-1693 Cell, Whats App, Signal 307-250-1156 PREFERRED E-mail markttc@msn.com Website: myexclusiveadventures.com Skype: markhyhunter Check us out on https://www.facebook.com/pages...ures/627027353990716 | |||
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First trip Mark. I was high as a kite on the experience and she didn't have the power to burst that bubble. I didn't realize she did the staple sabotage until Heathrow but it made for a good story having to go down on the tarmac in my 1st class (mileage ticket) jammies. Cheers Jim BTW, I still would not hesitate to use BA. Even paying for the priviledge they take very good care of your rifle and ammo. When I look at the overall cost of a Safari it's pretty hard to gripe about $326 that all but guarantees that my rifle and ammo make it there. If you leave your ammo for the PH then it's $80 less since you are headed home with no ammo. ______________________ DRSS ______________________ Hunt Reports 2015 His & Her Leopards with Derek Littleton of Luwire Safaris - http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/2971090112 2015 Trophy Bull Elephant with CMS http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/1651069012 DIY Brooks Range Sheep Hunt 2013 - http://forums.accuratereloadin...901038191#9901038191 Zambia June/July 2012 with Andrew Baldry - Royal Kafue http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7971064771 Zambia Sept 2010- Muchinga Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4211096141 Namibia Sept 2010 - ARUB Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6781076141 | |||
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Problem is Frostbit it might not only be $326 like in my case. I would have been glad to only pay the 50 pounds Mark. I expected that. If the paperwork is outdated then that is not my fault and Gracy should be on top of that. That is their job to make sure you know what is going to be charged. It is too late now to fight about it or ask for any refunds. We gave BA as rough enough time as we could and got it discounted a $150 off of what we did pay. They wanted to charge us that much more and it would have been well over $600 if we paid their asking price. Like I said I don't mind paying for service but to be charged the price of a flight to Mexico ticks me off and the reason I used a travel agent was to steer me clear of issues like this. Along with the $300+ fees that Gracy charged me and the more expensive flights they put me on that I could have got for less I would hope you would understand how I felt to then be charged the amount I did for the guns. The one thing I was told the whole way through that at least was correct was that my guns would get there and back with BA and they did which I am greatful for but I also could have bought a cheap rifle by the time I got home for the cost that I incurred to make sure I got them there. It is a lesson in the end to me and next time I will look at my options a little better and do some of my own research is all. No point in worrying about it now. I just hope all that read this will be better educated to what could happen. | |||
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nube, I hear what you are saying. In 2010 I called Gracy before booking my trip and since I was using mileage they were not very interested in helping and if they did it was quite a bit of money. They also gave me false information about booking with Alaska Air that I had already verified with the Alaska Air partner desk personally. I ended up doing my own booking and Kathi Klimes helped me with logistics. The last trip I booked myself again with mileage and used Steve Turner as a logistics source and drop back and punt bail out number if something went wrong. He did this for a very very reasonable fee far less than Gracy wanted for their non-help. As far as BA is concerned, I have already stated what the fee is and that I will happily pay it. I wasn't charged for the ammo case in 2010 but the rules changed before my trip this year. The side benefit though, as I already pointed out, was that my locked ammo case was in my luggage so my luggage case also got the special handling. That peace of mind will always be worth the 50 pounds to me. Cheers Jim ______________________ DRSS ______________________ Hunt Reports 2015 His & Her Leopards with Derek Littleton of Luwire Safaris - http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/2971090112 2015 Trophy Bull Elephant with CMS http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/1651069012 DIY Brooks Range Sheep Hunt 2013 - http://forums.accuratereloadin...901038191#9901038191 Zambia June/July 2012 with Andrew Baldry - Royal Kafue http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/7971064771 Zambia Sept 2010- Muchinga Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4211096141 Namibia Sept 2010 - ARUB Safaris http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/6781076141 | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting Travel Forum Travelling via London any gun troubles?
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