Travel to Zim and RSA...watch your bags

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Hooked Now

AH enthusiast
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All,
Just got back from a wonderful trip to Zim. Went into JNB and then on to VFA. No problems outbound. Used Gracy Travel and between them and Delta our bags got checked all the way through.

Coming home my checked bag and my buddy's bag were clearly entered. I got away clean, but someone ravaged my buddy's bag. Took several clothing items and one more expensive piece. So remember to keep your nice items in your checked bag or gun case. Consider your checked luggage as a target.

Also, we had our ammo boxes in our checked luggage both outbound and coming home. My understanding pre-trip was that Zim preferred to have the ammo boxes fly separately, but that rule seems to have changed.

Airlink does charge you 575 rand to ship the guns from JNB to VFA. They charge another $40 at the desk when checking in to head back to JNB on the other end. You end up paying at a separate office but the process starts at check in.

All in all a great trip but just a few logistical tips to help others along.
 
I think anyone flying through JNB with luggage that zips shut will always be a target. The zipper is always the problem, doesn’t matter how it’s locked.

I’m flying through JNB on my way to Beira later this year. Luggage is a bit complicated as our Mozambique charter company only wants duffle bags for our charter flights into camp. My solution is that I’ll pack my duffle bag inside my Pelican Air case for travel all the way to Beira, then leave the Pelican and my Tuffpak with air charter company and fly with just the duffle and soft guns cases on our charter.

If there is luggage that’s JNB thief proof, it’s the Pelican Air Case.
 
I stopped putting a lock on my checked luggage as I have nothing of any value in checked. The only time that it's my bag has gone through was at JNB. That airport it's SOP for the baggage handler to open and help themselves. Special shirt or pants, go in carryon along with any valuables.
 
The clothing in my checked bag is as normal and well-worn as the bag itself. Boots nearly worn out, fleece jacket definitely worn out, etc. The stuff doesn't stink but it sure looks like it should! I'm not the least worried someone will steal anything from that bag. People who travel with designer luggage, especially safari look designer luggage, are just asking for trouble in my opinion. I just do not see any dumbass baggage ape risking his job rifling through my dumpy ragged soft bag luggage. Try to attract attention and you may just get it. There are advantages to melting in with the unwashed peasantry when traveling. No one's going to rob me of my Rolex ... because I'm not dumb enough to own one. :D
 
Hyde Hunter said:
you meant to keep your nice items in your carry on right? not checked.
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Yes, you are correct. Still adjusting from travel fatigue when I wrote that. One of the nice items that walked away and did have to stay in checked was a knife. We coukd have prevented some of the risk exposure, but also I think it should be a fair assumption that security and airline employees won't pillage your bad. I know...I know...and here's a bridge i can be sold.
 
Hooked Now said:
Yes, you are correct. Still adjusting from travel fatigue when I wrote that. One of the nice items that walked away and did have to stay in checked was a knife. We coukd have prevented some of the risk exposure, but also I think it should be a fair assumption that security and airline employees won't pillage your bad. I know...I know...and here's a bridge i can be sold.
Click to expand...
Another good reason not to take a knife on safari. Can't bring it in carryon (for obvious reasons) and it's likely to get legs in checked bag. Put it in the gun case if hunter feels he just can't live without one.
 
Thank you on the warning.

I find it strange however, I’ve flown all over Africa, multiple countries for 40yrs in & out of South Africa/Joburg for 10yrs straight & never had my bags rifled through, except by the Military or Airport staff while I’m standing there !
 
@Hooked Now - Appreciate the heads up and sorry to hear about your buddy’s luggage being ravaged.

When we travel, the luggage we use for our checked bags is the Pelican Protector series. We each have a 1560 along with a 1200 inside one of them for ammo. 1560’s get TSA locks regardless of destination. The 1200 has non-TSA locks along with the 1700 rifle case (if we take one). Even our carry-on bags are Pelican hard cases.

We also carry extra locks in the event one gets damaged. The reason for this is to make it more difficult to get into our bag than somebody else’s. These locks won’t prevent someone with even a little motivation, but there are sure to be easier targets.

Of course the obvious way for them to get in is to steal the entire bag, but we do have AirTags in each of them to help with this.

Lock your bags…every single time. Be a hard target.
 
The initial investment in Pelican luggage is not cheap, but you get what you pay for. The Protector series is all I will trust with baggage handlers. I’ve seen too many Pelican Air cases with their wheels bashed in to risk it.

Many time you can find lightly used Pelican cases on eBay for pennies on the dollar vs buying new.

We travel several times a year and have friends who do the same. Watching them buy another piece of luggage in the airport because theirs was severely damaged has solidified my confidence in the Pelicans.
 
@BeeMaa, all true. The zipper is the weak point on any bag. A 20 cent ball point pen and 10 seconds are all that is needed to get in and very easy to cover tracks. The Africa path is one where we learn along the way. It may be that a new bag is in my future.
 
Everyone has their own methods and they work. My option is I never put anything in a checked bag that I can't buy at or near my destination. Zip ties or cheap TSA locks in a zippered bag? They can have my old underwear and well used extra clothes. Necessary equipment and a set of hunting clothes go in the carry on or in the gun case. Any more, I leave the hunting clothes and suitcase. Homebound is carry on and gun case. Started flying commercial in '74, never had a bag rifled. Over the years, hotels and temporary abodes are another story.
 
I didn't think it mattered if it was a pelican, a gun case or any other lockable case. Everything is required to have a TSA lock and everyone behind the Curtin has a key, so if they want in they will get in. Also most of the smart travelers don't use designer luggage and purposely make it look old or used, and they know that to.
 
Not trying to sound like a jerk (tone gets lost in text) but travel anywhere in the world and watch your bags. This is not just an "Africa" thing.
 
Expensive stuff stays in my carry on bag or padlocked gun case.

I've always travelled with Samsonite clamshell hard luggage with hinges and clasps rather than zippers. Not 100% entry-proof (to anyone with a TSA key), but much flower to get into than a zipper bag with a ballpoint pen.
 
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