Review - United flight from Newark to JNB

[Spearhead]

Thanks for the info.
I will stick with Qatar. Sounds like United and Newark are to be avoided with guns. Being close to Houston it’s a no brainer to fly Qatar

I’m with you on that. What a mess .

 

[jeff]

Has anyone taken this flight with archery equimpment?

 

[Philip Glass]

Two horror stories I learned of just this week. First a group of hunters traveling on United denied boarding for not having the RSA entry paperwork filled out. One of them completely missed the safari. This is NONE of United’s business!
Second on return one guy (may get the story on AH) was chased down inNewark airport and they demanded he take the bolts out of his rifles. This is not written anywhere in any regulation IATA or otherwise.
Couple all of this with the fact that in NJ you will be a felon if you are found with a suppressor and count me out of flying United.
Regards,
Philip

 

[Philip Glass]

Question for those that have flown this flight.
Are firearms checked from originating city all the way thru to Johberg?
On the return do you have to clear customs, claim bags and guns and recheck on to final destination? Or are they checked thru to final destination?

Trying to decide if I want to try this flight or stay with Qatar from Houston for next trip. Clearing customs in Houston then driving home was so easy this last trip.

Stick with Qatar

 

[Philip Glass]

It took me over three hours to go through CBP and then TSA with guns coming back from JNB. The issue is with TSA.

CBP inspects your guns then gives them to TSA via the United baggage handlers. They asked us to give them the locks and they would lock the guns after TSA did their inspection. TSA pulled out everything and in my case they did not lock the case. I stood outside TSA until the bags came out and then had an issue with TSA when I wanted to lock my case.

With my gun case and ammo case they tried to place it on the wrong aircraft and never made my flight. It arrived at my home via a baggage delivery service hired by United. I was told by TSA and United they were hand carrying the bags to my plane.

Newark never again.

Thanks

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Stick with Qatar

I have. Booking 2022 hunt and flights already.

 

[YancyW]

Has anyone taken this flight with archery equimpment?

There were several on my flight, it appeared they didn't have much issue. At least as far as I could tell.

 

[Beretta391]

What RSA entry paperwork did they not have??
Thanks Randy

 

[Tanks]

What RSA entry paperwork did they not have??
Thanks Randy

Most likely SAPS 520 for firearms declaration.

 

[JHT]

I was on the same flight as YancyW. We were the ones who called him to let him know TSA had a problem with his lock. Basically, his case had an integrated lock and everyone with non-TSA locks had to report to the TSA office to open their cases for inspection. I believe a quick scan of the case by the agents failed to discover the integrated lock and YancyW was released by the agents since they falsely believed they could open his case without him present. Yes, the rifles had previously been inspected by the customs agents upon entering back into the States and those with TSA approved locks were released. My locks were missing upon entry into South Africa so before the flight home I bought non-TSA locks in Zimbabwe at a hardware store. This is why I wasn't released and had to follow the agents.
In defense of Untited, I would not hesitate to take this flight again. The problem was entering back in the country through Newark; however, the agents explained that their extra caution was due to the 9/11 planes having taken off from there. In closing, my advice would be to buy the Master Lock brand heavy duty TSA approved locks (see attached) and to give yourself plenty of time - say four hours or so - before scheduling your next flight from Newark. For what its worth, flying through Newark from Houston with a rifle was without hiccups.

 

[JimP]

my advice would be to buy the Master Lock brand heavy duty TSA approved locks (see attached) and to give yourself plenty of time - say four hours or so - before scheduling your next flight from Newark. For what its worth, flying through Newark from Houston with a rifle was without hiccups.

I would never place a TSA lock on my firearm case, heavy duty or not. They are suppose to inspect the firearm case in your presents and then YOU are suppose to lock it back up before it is sent to the airline. This is for both leaving the country and reentry.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Been through Philly, Dulles and Atlanta clearing guns after Africa hunts and never more than a half hour. In Atlanta, for a connecting flight, maybe another fifteen minutes where TSA escorts you to the explosives check and then hands off your guns to another guy who puts them on the conveyor. Atlanta has their act together. The 9/11 excuse is total bullshit. Anyone that knows airports in the United States knows the front door is locked twenty ways to Sunday and the back door is wide open (caterers, cargo handlers, line personnel, contractors, etc. etc. )

 

[Scott CWO]

These issues in NJ, NY/NYC and Washington DC (Dulles or Reagan) are further complicated by the TSA having to account for gun control laws in those states/cities. I’ve encountered similar issues at Dulles in DC with TSA, JFK in NYC with TSA (Federal) and Port Authority Police (NYC/NJ joint law enforcement). You need long layovers if flying through these airports with guns. I avoid them if I can.

 

[Areaonereal]

Went thru Chicago 18 mos ago…smooth as can be. Flew Qatar. Illinois…Chicago , has strict rules on firearms…flew from a regional airport to Ohare…my rifle was on the carousel with my checked bags in a Public accessed area..no security….what a anachrocism for Chicago Gun Control. Bussed to terminal 5 for international flight carried the rifle case thru the terminal, not one issue. Cleared TSA no issues.

 

[wesheltonj]

Went thru Chicago 18 mos ago…smooth as can be. Flew Qatar. Illinois…Chicago , has strict rules on firearms…flew from a regional airport to Ohare…my rifle was on the carousel with my checked bags in a Public accessed area..no security….what a anachrocism for Chicago Gun Control. Bussed to terminal 5 for international flight carried the rifle case thru the terminal, not one issue. Cleared TSA no issues.

Just went to O’Hare on United and transfer to Turkish. No way would I try that with a gun right now. Train is out of order with restart of service unknown and secure bus transfer to international is not running. Barely made the transfer. What a cluster F.

 

[Areaonereal]

Train has been out for over two years…buses were the norm. Leave it up to Chicago…they can break an anvil…thanks for the heads up.

 

[BnC 04]

Just want to verify from those who have recently flown with rifles on United via Newark to Joburg, that you dont need to reclaim/recheck your firearms in Newark onto JNB?

Fully understand coming back to the US is where the rechecking comes into play.

Thanks folks

 

[YancyW]

Just want to verify from those who have recently flown with rifles on United via Newark to Joburg, that you dont need to reclaim/recheck your firearms in Newark onto JNB?

Fully understand coming back to the US is where the rechecking comes into play.

Thanks folks

I did not. Checked all the way through to Joberg from STL.

 

[Hunting Hitman]

Just want to verify from those who have recently flown with rifles on United via Newark to Joburg, that you dont need to reclaim/recheck your firearms in Newark onto JNB?

Fully understand coming back to the US is where the rechecking comes into play.

Thanks folks

That is correct…at Least on m flight. The problem was coming back from Jnb to Newark.

 

[wesheltonj]

Train has been out for over two years…buses were the norm. Leave it up to Chicago…they can break an anvil…thanks for the heads up.

Let me expand on problem. The bus transfer you had to leave the secure area and transfer to the international terminal. Yes, United could check your luggage to your final destination, but could not check you to your final destination on Turkish, requiring you to check in at the counter in Chicago instead of going straight to your gate. Thankfully, separate Business line.

The secure transfer bus was not running, but if you have to recheck at the counter, not much point of having it run anyway.

Now I know the reason, why my flight was cheaper flying from SAT instead of driving to Houston and departing from there.