Lost luggage prevention?

[DoubleLunger]

Good day my fellow adventure hunters,

Although this thread may seem silly, I found it necessary as I am preparing to travel to Namibia and as I'm sure that others who have traveled around the world for a hunt have had the same concern with the chance of lost luggage. Especially a lost firearm or bow.

Talking to a gentleman the other day who has traveled to the same country of Namibia where I am about to travel to for an exciting hunting opportunity, he informed me that while switching from one airline company to the next(in Johannesburg I believe), his bow case(and bow of course) did not make it onto the connecting airline company. He informed me that by the time that they would get his bow to him that he would already be leaving and his hunt would be over.

It just so happens that I am traveling with the same airline companies and my understanding is that these mishaps are more likely to happen(although rare) as your connecting flight is from one airline company to the next(I.E. British Airways to Comair, etc.).

My question is...what can be done to possibly prevent this type of situation from occurring?

I plan to ship over my "backup bow" in advance as well as contact both airline companies in advance and ask them what can be done in order to prevent this rare unfortunate situation from happening.

As I am new to traveling to Africa, I was wondering if anyone had any experience and/or advice on this subject and what to do in order to prevent this from ruining a first timers experience.

Thanks again my friends and happy hunting,

DL

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Your plan to ship a backup bow ahead of time is a great plan.

Overnighting in Joburg gives you some time to collect your checked bags from the first flight or two, before continuing on.

If I was traveling from the US to Windhoek, I would either go through Joburg and overnight there or fly from the US to Frankfurt and then direct to Windhoek.

 

[DoubleLunger]

Your plan to ship a backup bow ahead of time is a great plan.

Overnighting in Joburg gives you some time to collect your checked bags from the first flight or two, before continuing on.

If I was traveling from the US to Windhoek, I would either go through Joburg and overnight there or fly from the US to Frankfurt and then direct to Windhoek.

Thanks for the reply 375. Unfortunately our flights are already booked so I would imagine that pulling our luggage before boarding the next flight will not be an option with our five hour layover. However, if it is possible during this five hour time frame(must include time to get from one gate to the next, etc. as well), I may contact the airline company ahead of time in order to possibly make this happen.

Thanks again for the good advice!

 

[Mekaniks]

I have a friend that is using one of these.....

 

[DoubleLunger]

I have a friend that is using one of these.....

View attachment 197617

What am awesome idea! Only question is...what do you do when you're sitting on the plane awaiting take off for Namibia and the app says your luggage is in Brazil? I certainly can appreciate the concept behind the technology.

Thanks Mekaniks

 

[Mekaniks]

What am awesome idea! Only question is...what do you do when you're sitting on the plane awaiting take off for Namibia and the app says your luggage is in Brazil? I certainly can appreciate the concept behind the technology.

Thanks Mekaniks

I think the idea is that at least you know for sure where it is. Regardless of what the airline tells you....

 

[fourfive8]

Hmm wonder how that locator will work in reality? Dear TSA, airport police official, boss man sir, "I know my bag/gun is that way, I have to catch the flight this way and this locator says my bag/gun is that way and it is not on my plane!" uhhhh? I don't know? Won't hurt I guess.

No way to absolutely prevent misplacement or misdirection or even theft or damage I know of. I always check the destination airport code as printed on the checked bag tags when checking in. I have always tried to prevent problems for me and bag transfers by allowing plenty of time for connections and minimizing numbers of connections and plane/carrier changes. And, even if it costs 500 or more to fly on one carrier from point A to point B directly so be it. Saving 500 by going from A to Z to L then to B on two or three different carriers with some very short changes/layovers in between is just asking for trouble, IMO. I even plan, many times, to just stay overnight at the major change/layover point to make sure my bags have the best chance to be located or to catch up if needed.

 

[Spooksar]

First what Airline are you flying, what airport is the layover and do the airlines have a co-share agreement. If it's Delta to Johannesburg then on to Windhoek you may have pick your bags up in Johannesburg, go through SAPs and check back in. 5 hours will be plenty.

 

[JimP]

One thing, how are you planning on shipping your spare bow over? I would imagine that the shipping price and dealing with customs it may be cheaper to just purchase one when you get to where you are going. At the very least if you plan on shipping one over is that you will need to set someone up with power of attorney to pick it up and deal with it in Namibia

 

[DoubleLunger]

First what Airline are you flying, what airport is the layover and do the airlines have a co-share agreement. If it's Delta to Johannesburg then on to Windhoek you may have pick your bags up in Johannesburg, go through SAPs and check back in. 5 hours will be plenty.

It's British Airways and then switching over to Comair. Not that I have any doubts in the airline companies. Just trying to take proper precautions

 

[DoubleLunger]

One thing, how are you planning on shipping your spare bow over? I would imagine that the shipping price and dealing with customs it may be cheaper to just purchase one when you get to where you are going. At the very least if you plan on shipping one over is that you will need to set someone up with power of attorney to pick it up and deal with it in Namibia

Hmm ok I will ask my guide about this. I figured that if I ship one in advance then it will already be setup and hopefully still sighted in rather than taking the time to get draw length adjusted, sighted in, etc

 

[Spooksar]

It's British Airways and then switching over to Comair. Not that I have any doubts in the airline companies. Just trying to take proper precautions

Make sure Comair will take your bow. Firearms are is no no with them, don't know about bows

 

[jpr792]

Dear DubleLunger
Enjoy the planning process. Ask for references from your Outfitter of others that have travelled the same route as you. Talk to them about the latest issues that they have experienced.
British Airways does not carry rifles, but I am unaware about their viewpoint on bows. You need to enquire directly from their airline(s) you travel with to make them aware that you are carrying a bow and equipment. Proper prior planning prevents pity poor performance. Do whatever you can to provide YOU peace of mind and then: sit back, buckle up and enjoy the ride. Take it as it happens.
A report on your safari and travel experiences would be greatly appreciated.
Enjoy creating memories...