Atlanta customs

[Hyde Hunter]

just wondering how thigs are going with customs in Atlanta are they moving quickly so a 4 hour layover without a delayed flight out of So Africa. thanks Jim

 

[tygersman1]

Customs will be fine, but your guns may not make the flight home with you. Mine showed up several hours later on the next flight from Atlanta.

 

[Spearhead]

just wondering how thigs are going with customs in Atlanta are they moving quickly so a 4 hour layover without a delayed flight out of So Africa. thanks Jim

You'll be fine. I went through ATL in early August with a 4 hour layover, not a problem at all.
you will go through security 3 times to get on your flight home. You will also need a current date orange firearms tag for inside you case when they check it so when you clear customs, get one before heading to have gun case opened again ( twice, once for customs and once for heading home. It's very redundant).

 

[Hyde Hunter]

thanks for the info,

 

[TERMINATOR]

You'll be fine. I went through ATL in early August with a 4 hour layover, not a problem at all.
you will go through security 3 times to get on your flight home. You will also need a current date orange firearms tag for inside you case when they check it so when you clear customs, get one before heading to have gun case opened again ( twice, once for customs and once for heading home. It's very redundant).

Agreed

I came through Atlanta in July and was through the Customs/Firearms procees in less than an hour.

Even so, I always leave myself at least 3+ hours to get through customs and to my connection when bringing guns into the country.

It also helps to travel so you land on Tue or Wed. Less busy

 

[Hogpatrol]

Are they still doing the shoe/boots protocol?

 

[TERMINATOR]

Are they still doing the shoe/boots protocol?

Yes....kind of stupid if you ask me.

For some reason it is only people with firearms that might have some alien virus on their shoes apparently

 

[Hogpatrol]

Yes....kind of stupid if you ask me.

For some reason it is only people with firearms that might have some alien virus on their shoes apparently

Yeah, and the nine billion other types of cooties foreigners infect us with go scot free.

 

[sierraone]

The two times I have came through with guns, two hours was plenty...and had time for breakfast.

 

[BourbonTrail]

Mid August - I was in and through customs with enough time to catch an earlier flight (4 hour layover became a 2.5). Make certain your have your keys in your hand and your boots on your feet. It made it incredibly fast. I walked straight out of customs and back through security. They had to check my rifle again, but my keys were ready and it was quick.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Mid August - I was in and through customs with enough time to catch an earlier flight (4 hour layover became a 2.5). Make certain your have your keys in your hand and your boots on your feet. It made it incredibly fast. I walked straight out of customs and back through security. They had to check my rifle again, but my keys were ready and it was quick.

You had your act together. It never ceased to amaze me at guys standing around with their thumbs up their asses watching others go before them and still having to be told what to do. Then they'd ask to go before me because they had a connection. My standard rejoinder was NO.

 

[shootist~]

Mid August - I was in and through customs with enough time to catch an earlier flight (4 hour layover became a 2.5). Make certain your have your keys in your hand and your boots on your feet. It made it incredibly fast. I walked straight out of customs and back through security. They had to check my rifle again, but my keys were ready and it was quick.

OMG. I have combo locks, two pair of boots, and returning on a Monday... (06/23)...guess I'm screwed.

Good idea on having your boots on your feet.

 

[TERMINATOR]

OMG. I have combo locks, two pair of boots, and returning on a Monday... (06/23)...guess I'm screwed.

Good idea on having your boots on your feet.

Yea, I wore my hunting boots on the flight.

 

[TERMINATOR]

You had your act together. It never ceased to amaze me at guys standing around with their thumbs up their asses watching others go before them and still having to be told what to do. Then they'd ask to go before me because they had a connection. My standard rejoinder was NO.

My standard answer is "Yea, I have a connection too" Which was true.

I didn't feel the need to tell them that I had planned ahead so I had plenty of time for my connection

 

[Hogpatrol]

OMG. I have combo locks, two pair of boots, and returning on a Monday... (06/23)...guess I'm screwed.

Good idea on having your boots on your feet.

Go with four different locks, four different keys, four checked bags and forget which one has the boots.

 

[CAustin]

just wondering how thigs are going with customs in Atlanta are they moving quickly so a 4 hour layover without a delayed flight out of So Africa. thanks Jim

Four hours is fine.

 

[BourbonTrail]

You had your act together. It never ceased to amaze me at guys standing around with their thumbs up their asses watching others go before them and still having to be told what to do. Then they'd ask to go before me because they had a connection. My standard rejoinder was NO.

Luckily I learned it all on this great site called, ummmm…oh, yeah.

africahunting.com



Edit: Serious note, I would have floundered had it not been for the details I gleaned from here. I actually had Customs say “This isn’t his first rodeo.” Thanks fellas.

 

[AES]

Like the airport or not, ATL is one of the best run and most efficient major airports in the country. Customs and firearms are no issue.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Like the airport or not, ATL is one of the best run and most efficient major airports in the country. Customs and firearms are no issue.

And if you live in the South and are going to Hell, you have to go through Atlanta.

 

[tygersman1]

I recognize it's not just an ATL thing. But the entire process of Customs seizing the sporting firearms of American citizens pending a dog and pony show put on by four or so agents with a spray bottle and a notepad is ridiculous. It's just unnecessary harassment, and it isn't making any of us safer. There are more guns in the US than people already. Customs isn't saving America or anyone in it by writing down the serial number one bolt action at a time ... on a notepad. I understand TSA making sure guns are unloaded before loading on a plane (makes good sense) - the Customs clownery is totally separate and should be stopped.