How is Newark lately?

[Hogpatrol]

Launching out of Newark this evening for Joberg on United. Any recent experiences since they've gotten their act together? Firearm issues at check in? Do they check them in your presence? Philly is always a goat rope with gun check in.

 

[cknwax]

I just went through there going and coming. It was my connecting flight from Dallas to Joberg. Landed back two days ago and had no issues. They had their act together and it was pretty seamless.

 

[Labman]

No experience myself but would you please let us know what the procedure is in Newark for checking guns on the flight to Joberg?

 

[cknwax]

Can only speak for coming back as I checked my bags through to Joberg from Dallas. Coming back when we land in Newark I picks up my checked bag and then went to the area where they check your rifle. They unloaded it there off the plane. They had me open the gun case and they checked the serial number to my 4457 form. They then took it to an area nearby and swabbed it. They then took it to the be loads on the plane. Got back to DFW and it was there at baggage claim. No issues at all. Good luck on your trip.

 

[Hogpatrol]

No experience myself but would you please let us know what the procedure is in Newark for checking guns on the flight to Joberg?

Roger that.

 

[R.M.C.]

I'm doing that route in August, thanks for the info

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Can only speak for coming back as I checked my bags through to Joberg from Dallas. Coming back when we land in Newark I picks up my checked bag and then went to the area where they check your rifle. They unloaded it there off the plane. They had me open the gun case and they checked the serial number to my 4457 form. They then took it to an area nearby and swabbed it. They then took it to the be loads on the plane. Got back to DFW and it was there at baggage claim. No issues at all. Good luck on your trip.

Had about the same experience 10 days ago.
Going luggage was checked thru from Houston. No issues at all

Return.
Claimed checked bag. To customs with rest of hunters and waited my turn. They worked us in order of connecting flight.
If you can it will speed up if you have a copy of 4457s not in gun case. They wanted passport and 4457s out ahead of time. Seemed they checked serials for stolen firearms. They were entering serials into a computer I know that.
After that escorted to TSA check. Unlock case and wait to be released. I was using a Tuffpak case. They had me wait and then repack my case myself. Then released for connecting flight. You need a min of 3 hours on connecting flights. I had 5 and had 2 hours to spare. Arrived Houston. Guns arrived and no issues as usual in Houston.

 

[R.M.C.]

Had about the same experience 10 days ago.
Going luggage was checked thru from Houston. No issues at all

Return.
Claimed checked bag. To customs with rest of hunters and waited my turn. They worked us in order of connecting flight.
If you can it will speed up if you have a copy of 4457s not in gun case. They wanted passport and 4457s out ahead of time. Seemed they checked serials for stolen firearms. They were entering serials into a computer I know that.
After that escorted to TSA check. Unlock case and wait to be released. I was using a Tuffpak case. They had me wait and then repack my case myself. Then released for connecting flight. You need a min of 3 hours on connecting flights. I had 5 and had 2 hours to spare. Arrived Houston. Guns arrived and no issues as usual in Houston.

Thanks for the update. I'm driving to Newark and boarding there in August. How long would you allow for checking in a rifle? My flight leaves at 8pm and I was thinking about getting there at 4. Thanks for the help

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Thanks for the update. I'm driving to Newark and boarding there in August. How long would you allow for checking in a rifle? My flight leaves at 8pm and I was thinking about getting there at 4. Thanks for the help

That sounds about right. Even in Houston I allow 4 hours from flight time. You just never know what can happen.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Sitting in Saison restaurant waiting to board United 188 for joberg. The people at United were very efficient. we Had our boarding passes, bags checked in and rifle cases checked and through security in less than and hour and a half. Considering the airport, not too shabby.

 

[kdenn]

Wife and I going Louisville-Newark-Johannesburg in mid August and return 2 weeks later. Encouraging to hear things are going well.

 

[R.M.C.]

That sounds about right. Even in Houston I allow 4 hours from flight time. You just never know what can happen.

Thanks!!

 

[R.M.C.]

Wife and I going Louisville-Newark-Johannesburg in mid August and return 2 weeks later. Encouraging to hear things are going well.

What days are you guys flying? I'm leaving August 17 and flying home on August 29.