As I prepare for our hunt in RSA, I have a quandry. I have been paying closer attention to the weight of our luggage. Since we are flying SAA the weight restriction for checked baggage(if I am reading properly is 40lbs). I even borrowed my friends bathroom scale to weigh all our bags prior to our flight.

Ok, so my American Tourister hardsided, gorilla proof(or nearly) weighs 17 pounds empty. Once I put my ammo box in there and my boots, couple small clothing items and I reach the 40lb limit.

My question is can I pack my ammo in a softsided, but heavy duty, duffle bag for transport? My wifes duffle which is very large, all stuffed with everything she needs comes in at less then 30lbs.

Any input here would be greatly appreciated.

Put your ammo in your wife's duffle.

It all depends on the airline you'll be travelling with.

Under international aviation law (as opposed to company regulations), yes you can but some airlines have additional regulations that forbid that pracice.

You need to check the exact requirements of the airline you'll be travelling with and I'd recommend you only do that just a few days before you travel because some airlines appear to be changing their regulations at the moment.

quote:

Originally posted by Hollis Perkins:
Put your ammo in your wife's duffle.

Flights originating or terminating in the USA follow the "Piece Concept" rules. The following was taken from the SAA web site SAA Baggage Allowance

"Free Checked Baggage Allowance - Piece Concept

First & Business Class:

2 pieces with 32 kg (70lb) each and maximum dimensions of 158 cm (62 inches).

Economy Class:

2 pieces with 23 kg (50lb) each and maximum dimensions of 158 cm (62 inches) each;

"Maximum Baggage Weight per Piece for the Passenger (Weight and Piece Concept): Please note, that more than 32kg (70lb) per piece is not accepted as excess baggage. If exceeding 32kg (70lb) where required, the piece of baggage must be checked as air cargo at specified cargo rates."

Last year i flew SAA and had my ammo in a locked box inside a soft duffel. No problems,but as Steve says they could change the rules, better check with the airline directly.

I've now got so sick of every check in agent having their own set of rules, I now put the ammo into a small lockable box and then I ask what they want me to do with the ammo.

If they want it in the rifle case, the MTM boxes go in there and the empty lockable box goes in my bag.

If they want it in the bag, then that's where it goes.

If they want it as a separate item, then that's what the get.

We have always used duffles - precisely because of the weight issues. As you say, hard sided luggage weighs too much.

We have put the ammunition in hard boxes inside the duffles and that has never been a problem anywhere (including RSA).

We used to lock the ammo boxes, but after TSA (or their foreign counterparts) cut the locks one time we stopped doing that.

Thank you all for your replys. We leave Wednesday for two weeks, can't wait.