Question on US connection to Emirates with Rifles

[Angelo_orygun]

Hi Everyone,

I am headed to RSA next month and flying PDX - SFO - DXB - JNB.

My question involves the transfer of Rifles/Ammo from Alaska Airlines to Emirates in SFO.

Will Alaska make the transfer? Or should I have them check the Rifles/Ammo to SFO and personally make the transfer to the Emirates counter?

I have plenary of time, so I can go out and check back in. Would be curious to hear all your experiences, thanks in advance….

 

[Philip Glass]

You will recheck everything with Emirates at SFO. As always you can ask the AK agents but I am sure they won’t through check to Emirates. I hope you have a great trip and look forward to the hunt report and trip report!

 

[Doug3006]

When I traveled on Emirates last Sept, they would NOT accept airline to airline transfers. We had to claim our guns from United in Houston and recheck them with Emirates. I am sure this is still the case. So even if Alaska says they’ll check the guns all the way through, don’t let them do it. Your guns may not make it with you on the plane.

 

[The Engineer]

A few years ago I was flying Emirates Dallas/Dubai/JNB continuing on a regional carrier to Tete, Mozambique. At the DSC convention the travel agent had an Emirates representative in her booth and they assured me I could check my baggage, including my rifle; all the way from DFW to Tete. Upon arrival at the Emirates counter at DFW I was told by the station manager that Emirates could not check the baggage through to Tete as there was no way to secure the rifle during my less than 3-hour layover at JNB and I would have to claim my baggage at JNB. Not have arranged for a South Africa rifle permit and having less than a three-hour layover at JNB that was a significant problem. As we were taxiing to the runway I was able to contact my PH on my cell phone and he had Henry meet me at JNB with all the permit paperwork filled out based on having done my permit for the same rifle on a SA hunt a couple of years before. With Henry's help I had no problem making the connection to Tete.

On the way back to JNB on the regional airline I assumed I would again have to claim my baggage at JNB. I had an about 16 hour layover at JNB and was spending the night at the African Sky. When I arrived at JNB Henry was there to meet me but my luggage did not come up. Upon checking I found the regional airline had check the baggage through to DFW. Fortunately, I had a change of clothes in my carryon bag. When I arrived at DFW all my luggage, including my rifle; was on the flight.

After I arrive home I called the Emirates national office and without relating the story they indicated I should be able to check all the way through. Possible just a misinformed agent or maybe the agent was taking the initiative to "enforce" the Emirates published anti-hunting position.

Two lessons from that experience.

One - never totally believe and airline or travel agent. Have a backup plan.

Two - always carry a change of clothes in you carryon. You never know when you will be separated from your luggage.

 

[Angelo_orygun]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I will certainly plan on taking my baggage personally to Emirates, I figured that would be the consensus.

Coming home is Delta all the way, so less headaches!

Thanks again.

 

[outwestidaho]

When we went by Emirates in 2017 we had to transfer in Seattle. We had to take possession of our firearm's and baggage also.
They checked the guns serial numbers and all of our paper work etc. Then dinked around on their computer for 15 minutes on each of us. Then they weighed all of our ammo and would not let us take it out of the case to do so. I made it by 3 oz that year as I was heavy on 375 H&H ammo.
Make sure you have a good lay over as 4 of us took almost 2 hours to do this . Hopefully its just a Seattle thing when it comes to time frame.

 

[Angelo_orygun]

When we went by Emirates in 2017 we had to transfer in Seattle. We had to take possession of our firearm's and baggage also.
They checked the guns serial numbers and all of our paper work etc. Then dinked around on their computer for 15 minutes on each of us. Then they weighed all of our ammo and would not let us take it out of the case to do so. I made it by 3 oz that year as I was heavy on 375 H&H ammo.
Make sure you have a good lay over as 4 of us took almost 2 hours to do this . Hopefully its just a Seattle thing when it comes to time frame.

My ammo is 7.6 lbs, with the case, so I got wiggle room!

I have 4 hours, and pre-check so I will be fine.

Thanks for the feedback on you experience. Not sure SFO is any better than Seattle!