I just got back from South Africa hunting with my bow and ran into some issues.
Issue #1) When I was at the baggage recheck in Joberg (on my way to East London) I explained that my big bow case contained a bow, and not a rifle. The lady asked when I bought my ticket because they have a new fee for handling bows. She said I had purchased my ticket before the new policy took effect and sent me on my way. Looking up the on the SAA website, it says archery sports equipment is free, but at the bottom of the page it states :
"A handling fee for shooting/hunting (firearms) will be raised for tickets issued as from 15 May 2019."
https://www.flysaa.com/manage-fly/baggage/checked-baggage/special-baggage
Issue #2) On my way back from East London to Joberg, they inspected my bow and case. They then attached a big red tag labeled "Firearm" with a picture of a rifle. I argued with the inspector that this clearly was not a firearm and did not want to go to the police station in Joberg and wait in line when this wasn't a rifle. He said its SAA's new firearm policy and bows are included. The good news was that in Joberg they just inspected it, I signed for it, and was on my way. I spent the night in Joberg and ripped off the red Firearm tag. The next morning I'm checking in for my first leg flight back to the States. Sure enough when I check in my luggage they put the Firearm tag back on my bow case. I again argued that this isn't a firearm but got the same response. "New policy".
Issue #3) My flights back were Joberg -> Sao Paulo -> Houston. I was concerned that my luggage would be pulled when they handlers saw the red Firearm tag. Its a 5 hour layover in Sao Paulo. Unbelievably, I don't hear anything until right when they start boarding and they call my name over the intercom. "We need to inspect your rifle". I explain its not a rifle, just a bow. Said they still need to inspect it. I then have to follow a guy all the way back to security screening (again, all while my plane is boarding!). He then gets on the phone for 10 minutes speaking agitated Portuguese. 15 minutes pass and now I'm really agitated too. He says "we just need to make sure the bow is for personal use." I say "yes". He then says "and not used for hunting?" (What???) I lie and respond "Nope". Long story short, I guess my bow was already loaded onto the plane, so nothing gets inspected and we high tail it back to the gate where the boarding sign shows "Last Call". The guy finally states "We accept that this is a bow and you are allowed to board the aircraft". Very stressful but made the flight.
So, anyone been charged a bow handling fee from SAA? And I hunted last year and never remember a "Firearm" tag being put on my bow case. Has anyone else run into this? I can only imagine in certain cities like Frankfurt, this could cause you to miss a connecting flight which almost happened to me.
Issue #1) When I was at the baggage recheck in Joberg (on my way to East London) I explained that my big bow case contained a bow, and not a rifle. The lady asked when I bought my ticket because they have a new fee for handling bows. She said I had purchased my ticket before the new policy took effect and sent me on my way. Looking up the on the SAA website, it says archery sports equipment is free, but at the bottom of the page it states :
"A handling fee for shooting/hunting (firearms) will be raised for tickets issued as from 15 May 2019."
https://www.flysaa.com/manage-fly/baggage/checked-baggage/special-baggage
Issue #2) On my way back from East London to Joberg, they inspected my bow and case. They then attached a big red tag labeled "Firearm" with a picture of a rifle. I argued with the inspector that this clearly was not a firearm and did not want to go to the police station in Joberg and wait in line when this wasn't a rifle. He said its SAA's new firearm policy and bows are included. The good news was that in Joberg they just inspected it, I signed for it, and was on my way. I spent the night in Joberg and ripped off the red Firearm tag. The next morning I'm checking in for my first leg flight back to the States. Sure enough when I check in my luggage they put the Firearm tag back on my bow case. I again argued that this isn't a firearm but got the same response. "New policy".
Issue #3) My flights back were Joberg -> Sao Paulo -> Houston. I was concerned that my luggage would be pulled when they handlers saw the red Firearm tag. Its a 5 hour layover in Sao Paulo. Unbelievably, I don't hear anything until right when they start boarding and they call my name over the intercom. "We need to inspect your rifle". I explain its not a rifle, just a bow. Said they still need to inspect it. I then have to follow a guy all the way back to security screening (again, all while my plane is boarding!). He then gets on the phone for 10 minutes speaking agitated Portuguese. 15 minutes pass and now I'm really agitated too. He says "we just need to make sure the bow is for personal use." I say "yes". He then says "and not used for hunting?" (What???) I lie and respond "Nope". Long story short, I guess my bow was already loaded onto the plane, so nothing gets inspected and we high tail it back to the gate where the boarding sign shows "Last Call". The guy finally states "We accept that this is a bow and you are allowed to board the aircraft". Very stressful but made the flight.
So, anyone been charged a bow handling fee from SAA? And I hunted last year and never remember a "Firearm" tag being put on my bow case. Has anyone else run into this? I can only imagine in certain cities like Frankfurt, this could cause you to miss a connecting flight which almost happened to me.
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