Checked bag issues?

[Jasper99]

I was planning on taking my Boundary Waters duffle bag as my checked bag until I saw the below post on another site. Thoughts?

"If you fly through Jo-Berg with sided zippered or soft luggage, you might as well attach a sign that reads "I'm a rich white American please help yourself to my stuff". With a beat up and securely locked old Samsonite, no self respecting native thief will give your bag a glance. Been there, done that."

 

[JimP]

I'm taking a zippered duffel on my first trip to SA this May and am not going to worry a bit about what is inside it. If you are really worried and if your duffel has double zippers on the openings you can always use a TSA approved lock where they can access the insides but will keep prying hands out.

You have to figure that if a crook wants to get into your luggage they are going to get into your luggage and even a old Samsonite locked suitcase is not going to stop them. The same can be said on your gun case. All locks are going to do is slow them down.

I plan on taking my 2 cameras, binoculars, and a complete change of clothes with me in my backpack as a carry on. The only thing that I would really need that is going into my duffel is going to by my ammo, but if that disappears then I guess that I'll have to rent one of my PH's rifles.

I am actually more worried about the duffel and gun case getting miss directed in one of my airline transfers.

 

[jeff]

TSA locks are only good in the USA and its territory's, other countries simply cut them off.

 

[JimP]

TSA locks are only good in the USA and its territory's, other countries simply cut them off.

I agree, the TSA locks would just be for the US side of the inspections, but they would be on the duffel as it goes through Johannesburg.

For the return trip it would be up in the air on weather or not they would cut them off for inspection.

 

[JGRaider]

I got a tip from a seasoned Africa traveler last year and put it to good use. You can go down to the Salvation Army resell shop, or Goodwill resell shop (most bigger towns have one) and buy an old hard sided suitcase for $10 or so. Screw a couple of lock hasps on each end near the latches and you're good to go. It's cheap, ugly, and no zippers to hack.

 

[Wheels]

It is my understanding that this video is required viewing to obtain a job as a baggage handler at OR Tambo. Having said that I have never had a problem with theft in any African airport.

The tip that JGRaider gives is one I have heard also. Probably very good advise.


Three weeks ago when I was at baggage claim at Hartsfield I saw a guy with one of the Pelicans shown below. He said they were indestructible. I don't care for the price but when my existing wheeled duffel bites the dust, this is probably what I will be getting.

http://www.pelicancases.com/luggage-a/262.htm

I have never been a big fan of hard sided luggage but I figure one of these will probably last me the rest of my life.

 

[lcq]

I got a tip from a seasoned Africa traveler last year and put it to good use. You can go down to the Salvation Army resell shop, or Goodwill resell shop (most bigger towns have one) and buy an old hard sided suitcase for $10 or so. Screw a couple of lock hasps on each end near the latches and you're good to go. It's cheap, ugly, and no zippers to hack.

I got a tip to bring extra locks in case they were cut off. Cliffy (he should know) stated that you "should not used" TSA locks on your gun case.

 

[JimP]

As they say "locks are for honest people"

 

[BRICKBURN]

The green duffle bag.
My secret weapon
Zero locks
Nothing Stolen.
If someone really wants my socks or power converter they can have it.

Anything of actual value on the street is in the soft briefcase, camera bag (never leave my person) or gun case (locked like Fort Knox).

 

[Red Leg]

Exactly - anything in my soft side is easily replaced - to include the boots. My carry-ons (2) have everything of value (cameras, binos, Ipad, etc) and no one touches them but me. I always include a hunting shirt and pants in the carry-on and wear boots that I could use hunting. The rifle and scope are in a really well secured rifle case.

 

[ActionBob]

In OR Tambo they were wrapping bags in shrink wrap to deter theft. Sure it does no good on the way in though. I've not had any problems yet in two trips but as mentioned, valuables, a change of clothes, and paperwork in carry on's.. Wear a set of suitable boots or shoes and pack extras as well as cloths, ammo and candy/gifts for the trackers.

 

[lcq]

I have only been once and all valuables were in the carry on. Bringing a rifle this time which means ammo in the checked and I don't want to lose it so I am on the hunt for a non zippered hardside. I will bring one set of hunting clothes, scope, backup scope and binos in carry on and I will be wearing a pair of hikers.

 

[James.Grage]

My
Some travel locations recommend that you put high viable straps or marking on your bag for easy spotting.
We purchased some Green, Purple and various strap that are lockable to put around your bag. Boy does that make it easier to spot your luggage at pickup. Red or Pink ribbon also works. This appears to help keep from braking into your luggage.

Checked bag is a roller soft side that i put a lockable strap around and all that is in there is clothing, shaving kit, shoes, and ammunition case.

Carry on bag, has my cameras (charging unit), change of clothing and optics (binoculars and rangefinder), flashlight (torch) and batteries.

Rifle case, has a soft sided case and rifle, knive(s) and jacket and some gifts to reach 48.5 pounds.

It is recommended that you wear your vest (inside pocket for money and passport), hunting shoes, cap or hat on the airplane.

 

[JimP]

How do those straps work in foreign airports with the TSA locks on them? Or do foreign airport security workers also have a key for them?

 

[James.Grage]

no keys only a combination.

Never been called or checked to have some one look inside.

 

[JGRaider]

I've read the replies and there are lots of good ones. One in particular caught my attention.....the subject of a spare scope. I'd like to bring one too. Is it advised to just put in in the gun case, or store it in my carryon with the binocs, cameras, etc?

 

[lcq]

I've read the replies and there are lots of good ones. One in particular caught my attention.....the subject of a spare scope. I'd like to bring one too. Is it advised to just put in in the gun case, or store it in my carryon with the binocs, cameras, etc?

Both of mine are going in the carry on. The thought of very reduced pressure 35,000ft and -60C for 16 hours convinced me not to take any chances

 

[Royal27]

Nothing new here, but nothing but clothes in my checked bag, plus maybe some shoes. I do put my ammo in there, in a separate locked case of course. Since I have a tuffpak everything else of "value" goes in there. But, that is really just knives and a whetstone, or stuff like that.

All of real value goes in my carryon backpack - camera, binos, etc....

 

[Huntin Africa]

We always recommend our clients wrapping their bags in shrink wrap. It is not expensive. Maybe this will not stop theft but the thieves will rather take bags that can open easier than taking bags that will take a lot of time. And guys closing your bags with a lock DOES NOT help at all. They open those bags, take what they want and close it again.
Travel SAFE!!! Africa is not for SISSIES!

 

[Jasper99]

We always recommend our clients wrapping their bags in shrink wrap. It is not expensive. Maybe this will not stop theft but the thieves will rather take bags that can open easier than taking bags that will take a lot of time. And guys closing your bags with a lock DOES NOT help at all. They open those bags, take what they want and close it again.
Travel SAFE!!! Africa is not for SISSIES!

So you just buy a roll on shrink wrap and do it yourself before you go to the airport? Thanks