SAA only for inflight in SA with Guns??

So I have read twice now that you must fly SAA if you are carrying firearms in SA. We are going from Jo Berg to Port Elizabeth. Quatar was supposed to be our Airline all the way. Anyone have any experience?

 

Sir, I had such a hassle this summer with firearms and ammo, I'd recommend you leave them home. Whatever the airlines might state in print, you are still subject to the whims of airport personnel.

 

Please..what was your negative experience with firearms and ammo.

 

From Qatars website
Qatar Airways books on this airline from JNB to PLZ
https://www.flysafair.co.za

 

Plus 1???

 

I think you're correct in that within RSA only SAA will carry firearms. I'm a bit surprised that Qatar Airways was your airline all the way to PE. I would expect you to have changed to SAA after arriving in Joburg on QA.

My recent trip to RSA was on QA from the U.S. to Joburg and was supposed to continue to Bloemfontein on SAA. This was booked as a single ticket. Because of an issue at the Bloemfontein airport we skipped that portion of the flight. However I don't think there's any issue flying to PE.

If you're booked all the way through to PE, I'd be surprised if the last leg isn't on SAA. If so, I would think there'd be no problem.

 

How much stomache do you have for standing in pointless line-ups? First, all the expense and hassle of getting the documentation on my end. Second, we had an early departure from Tambo to Windhoek. The duty officer didn't show up for work meaning we couldn't clear our guns, so we missed our original connection, this after a ridiculously long delay checking in because no one could decide where the ammo had to go. Three; arrival Windhoek. No ammo cases, which also means no bolts. Dead in the water, lost day that no one will compensate us for. Four, leaving Windhoek; similar delay. Policeman is on duty, but no one knows where. Air Namibia has changed planes, and will only allow one checked bag, to they charge us fifty bucks a piece for our gun cases. Five, arrival Victoria Falls. Lost bag, no bolt, no ammo, lost hunting day. Then it gets bad leaving Zambia and Tambo for home...one ammo box lost, another damaged to the point it cannot be used again. Of course, add the fees for the SAPS from to be filled out and to pay for the Zambia license. The supervisor at Tambo told us that she'd be happy if we hunters all stayed home, then all their animals wouldn't get killed. I might oblige.

 

Unless something has changed, you have a problem. Only South African, Airline and SA Express carry firearms within Southern Africa. To my knowledge the Qatar flight ends in JNB, it does not continue onwards PE. It looks like according to the above that you are going to be booked from JNB to PE on FlySAair (not SAA or one if its subsidiaries). If that is the case, you will experience the same problem that folks have with BA, no problem flying their firearms to JNB or CPT but find out in RSA that their firearm will not go with them any further.

You need to correct your problem, before you leave. And that's either getting Qatar to book you on SAA or get a separate ticket for you on JNB to PE flight now.

 

Thanks Wes we haven't booked yet. that's why I am trying to get all this figured out. With all the BS it seems our money and business isn't being appreciated. Wonder if they have ever added up the amount of dollars hunters and hunting brings.

 

We all have problems traveling with guns but a good travel agent will help with most of them. SAA is who you must use for JNB to PE.
Do you have a travel agent?
Regards
Philip
PS Leave your bolt in your gun. WTH!

 

I see Apple changed AirLink to Airline. In RSA it's SAA, Airlink and SA Express.

 

Years ago I read that if you were traveling with a firearm to remove the bolt and place it in luggage other than the rifle case. The reasoning for this was that if the rifle was stolen then there would be no bolt for it and unless you are real handy with a machine shop the rifle needs to be returned to the factory for a replacement. Then when they checked the serial numbers the factory would see that the rifle had been stolen.

 

Qatar stops at Joburg. Doesn't fly to Port Elizabeth. I hope you are using a bona fide hunting travel agency. If not, you may be setting yourself up for trouble. Use Gracy Travel or Travel Express, winging it can be a minefield.

 

For information, SAA, since 15th May are now charging to carry firearms.
It used to be free of charge but now a fee is levied.

 

There’s no

There is no requirement to do so and here we see our friends Safari ruined from that old advice. I do not doubt that many o us have been advised to do this I just don’t do anything that’s it required.
Philip

 

I saw that on their website but I can't find the amount. Maybe it depends on how many rand one puts in their passport.

 

It is always a guessing game. Removing the bolt will help if the rifle is stolen. But on the other hand if you remove the bolt and place it in your regular checked luggage and then that is lost or stolen you are sol also. You just never know.

I do know that on my trip over I left the bolt in the firearm and didn't worry a bit.

 

I always leave the bolt in...never had a problem in 20+ years of local, regional and international flights.

 

Put a trigger lock on your rifle and leave the bolt in. We took saa from jburg to pe and it was a pleasant shortflight, and smaller plane with lots of room. We had to take ammo out of regular luggage and send it in it’s own hard sided locked case. No big deal if you know that ahead of time. We had no trouble with firearms and saa was better to work with than delta. I’m sure the individual you work with that day is the deal maker or breaker. I strongly suggest a travel agent and someone to handle gun permits for you. We used gracy and they did both and were very good-

 

I feel so fortunate to have never had these problems. What a nightmare. I remove the bolt from my rifles, but leave it in the case with the rifle just because it is easier to show clear for inspections.

With all the hassle I see with people with connecting flights after landing at JNB, I wonder if it would just be simpler to rent a car and drive to final destination.