Traveling to South Africa - Layover question

[Letzhunt]

My wife and I will be traveling back to RSA. We will fly from Indiana to Atlanta then on to Cape Town. We are traveling Delta this time and I am taking rifles and a suppressor. My only concern is we will either have a 44 minute layover in Atlanta or a 7+ hour layover. We flew a different airline and out of Newark last time and I don't recall if we needed to check the rifles in again from the domestic flight switching to the international flight.
Can anyone whos has traveled from a domestic US flight to Atlanta then on to Cape Town or Johannesburg advise if they needed to re-check bags or specifically rifles while in Atlanta before the International flight.
Although I, like most people, don't enjoy layovers; I don't know if 44 minutes is enough time especially if we need to re-check rifles or have additional security checks, etc.

 

[MLindsay]

I have never had to re-check rifles in Atlanta. Rifle case checked in at airport in Baton Rouge or New Orleans and the next time I see it Bruce with Gracy Travel has it at Tambo.

 

[MLindsay]

The 44 minute layover is very short, could I make it maybe but never heard of flights booked that close

 

[K-man]

I wouldn't have a 44 minute layover with or without a rifle. If your incoming flight was delayed even 15-20 minutes that won't get you across the airport to the next concourse to your next flight. 1 hour or an hour and a half is much more comfortable. Your luggage can barely make the transition also.

 

[Safari Dave]

44 minutes is "cutting it too close."




I fly out of ATL, but have never been able to get the direct flight to JNB.

I've had to layover at EWR and IAD. ( have never had to interact with my rifles again within the US).

I would not be comfortable with 44 minutes.



ATL is a HUGE airport, and we are pretty slow down here...

 

[Letzhunt]

That's what I was thinking....7 hours in the Atlanta Airport it looks like. I will have to check with the wife's relatives who live close may be a short visit. I have never had a layover that long. Think how much more time that gives an Airline to loose my luggage!

 

[Letzhunt]

7 hours in an airport bar....that's sure to get me and the wife "prepared" for the long flight.

 

[Zim Fan]

I go through Atlanta frequently and have missed flights over the past two years because they close the departing gate 15 minutes prior to departure. They don’t care and will not hold the door.

Past two weeks have had arriving planes held short of the gate as no one was there to operate the jetway. Missed one flight and spent nine hours in ATL, the other we had a big enough cushion.

 

[Russ16]

44 minutes is too short.

One thing to consider (which I almost always do) is book your flight to Atlanta separately and go in the night before. Get a cheap hotel near the airport and get up in the morning go to the gym get some exercise. Then go to the airport a reasonable amount of time before your flight.

It’s way less stressful and breaks up the flight. It is often cheaper for me to fly internationally out of a different city and this is what I do. Im fortunate that I can work remote from the hotel so I don’t have to take an extra day off.

Not sure if they will work for you but worth considering.

 

[SCLawyer]

I fly through ATL regularly. While it is a large airport, 44 min is plenty of time - assuming your flight is on time. If not....

Do the seven hour layover and check into the delta skyclub. 7 hours will go by faster than you think.

I would under no circumstance leave the airport during that time. ATL car traffic is far, far worse than the busy airport.

 

[BryceM]

There’s no way I would be comfortable with that layover on an international flight. There’s no way I would travel to Africa with rifles without using a travel agency understands the issues. Without rifles, sure. Domestic flight, maybe 45 minutes is enough, but even then it’s risky. Apart from that, a single airline should check the rifles all the way to the airport in Johannesburg. If you use a travel agency, they will be aware of all of that, and can arrange a meet and greet.

If you use a good travel agent, there’s a good chance they will find a better third option you haven’t considered yet.

 

[Philip Glass]

My wife and I will be traveling back to RSA. We will fly from Indiana to Atlanta then on to Cape Town. We are traveling Delta this time and I am taking rifles and a suppressor. My only concern is we will either have a 44 minute layover in Atlanta or a 7+ hour layover. We flew a different airline and out of Newark last time and I don't recall if we needed to check the rifles in again from the domestic flight switching to the international flight.
Can anyone whos has traveled from a domestic US flight to Atlanta then on to Cape Town or Johannesburg advise if they needed to re-check bags or specifically rifles while in Atlanta before the International flight.
Although I, like most people, don't enjoy layovers; I don't know if 44 minutes is enough time especially if we need to re-check rifles or have additional security checks, etc.

You have not given us enough information. What airline are you taking to ATL?
The rule is 3 hours for an international connection. They should NOT even sell you that ticket with the 44m layover.
1. Call a TA to book your flights. @TRAVEL EXPRESS will gladly help you out with proper information and keep you out of trouble.
2. Stay on Delta and you will not need to recheck in ATL.
3. Get the Delta App and join Skymiles. You will be able to track your bags easily in the app.

 

[Rem700stw]

I would definitely go long. If you have qualifying status with Delta, spend your time in their lounge. Much better food than that on the plane and a long, hot shower prior to the ATL-JNB flight is invigorating. If not look into the credit card company lounges.

No way do I try ATL in 44 minutes.

 

[JimP]

There is no way that I would try a 44 minute time frame going from domestic to international. One little glitch on your inbound flight and you will be trying to rebook your flight to Cape Town.

I have done 44 minutes on domestic flights but I was still cutting it close.

 

[Tucketed]

I fly through Atlanta all the time 44 minutes is tight. I always have carry on. Your issue are guns and luggage not making the connection.

 

[Rare Breed]

My wife and I will be traveling back to RSA. We will fly from Indiana to Atlanta then on to Cape Town. We are traveling Delta this time and I am taking rifles and a suppressor. My only concern is we will either have a 44 minute layover in Atlanta or a 7+ hour layover. We flew a different airline and out of Newark last time and I don't recall if we needed to check the rifles in again from the domestic flight switching to the international flight.
Can anyone whos has traveled from a domestic US flight to Atlanta then on to Cape Town or Johannesburg advise if they needed to re-check bags or specifically rifles while in Atlanta before the International flight.
Although I, like most people, don't enjoy layovers; I don't know if 44 minutes is enough time especially if we need to re-check rifles or have additional security checks, etc.

Your rifles are no problem for rebooking but you will regret trying for a 44 minute layover almost guaranteeing something going wrong. Why add that stress

 

[Scott CWO]

My wife and I will be traveling back to RSA. We will fly from Indiana to Atlanta then on to Cape Town. We are traveling Delta this time and I am taking rifles and a suppressor. My only concern is we will either have a 44 minute layover in Atlanta or a 7+ hour layover. We flew a different airline and out of Newark last time and I don't recall if we needed to check the rifles in again from the domestic flight switching to the international flight.
Can anyone whos has traveled from a domestic US flight to Atlanta then on to Cape Town or Johannesburg advise if they needed to re-check bags or specifically rifles while in Atlanta before the International flight.
Although I, like most people, don't enjoy layovers; I don't know if 44 minutes is enough time especially if we need to re-check rifles or have additional security checks, etc.

If you start on Delta and your flight to CT is Delta, there’s no reason to claim and recheck anything. As others have advised, book the 7-hour layover. If weather or another type of delay makes you miss the 44 minute connection, it screws up your whole trip. Not worth the stress to me. I would rather plan a meal in Atlanta and get caught up on some messages or emails than try a 44 minute connection.

Good luck on your safari! Hope to hear of your success.

 

[cpr0312]

44 M not worth the gamble

 

[Cam300]

I would under no circumstance leave the airport during that time. ATL car traffic is far, far worse than the busy airport.

Cannot overstate this - the Atlanta airport is an hour from anything you might want to do in Atlanta. And that’s assuming traffic is light…

 

[Letzhunt]

Thanks all for confirming my gut on this. I will be using a travel agency but have been looking into the flights on my own just because. The prices are too high at the moment anyways.

I will be flying Delta from Fort Wayne, IN to Atlanta then on the Cape Town. Overnight then a rifle friendly airline the next day from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth.