Regarding the Delta 200/201 flights, both my business partner as well as Art Lambert and Charlie Austin's rifles were misdirected and did not arrive in JoBurg. My buddy's double didn't get to JoBurg for 1 1/2 days (they actually sent the rifle from KC, MO to London on British Airways who then sent the rifle back to KC which was then sent on to Atlanta then to JoBurg). We were taking a group of 14 clients (only 2 of which had been to Africa before) so he had to stay for a full day in the Afton Guest House while we went on to Serapa. He had to have the additional transport cost to the concession.
In speaking with Art, he had a similar situation but didn't get his rifle for 2+ days and fortunately they (he and Charlie) were at Pawprint Safaris which is only about 2 hours from JoBurg airport I guess so had to make a few back and forth trips there while on safari. I guess Charlie didn't get his for like 4 days- I may be misquoting the exact amount of days however. But needless to say, this was a cluster. So if your final hunting destination is far from O.R. Tambo, you may be in for some trouble. This was my business partner's 27th trip hunting in Africa (he and Jacques Spamer are J-S Worldwide Hunting, LLC) and he will now NEVER fly Delta again- he hardly ever does anyway but a few of the clients did not want to fly Emirates to Dubai secondary to the whole religious customs (or threat of terrorism thing)- one had his 17 year old son with him and this was his FIRST airplane flight(s) in his life!
I will say that MY rifles both made it to and from on the trip. So I don't want to speak for allcomers. I usually never have a problem flying Delta when not carrying a firearm. The 2 clients with bows only had no problems either.
Hope this info helps and doesn't stir up a bunch of anxiety- may call Delta customer service in adavance (but I'm not sure how much that'd help anyway).
Good luck!-Nathan
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