Be careful with luggage in OR Tambo

[autofire]

I always carryon binos, expensive items. If you don't want to put specialty items in riflecase, buy a locking suitcase which does not use zippers. Locked zippered suitcase can be broken into very easily.

 

[Grouser]

Flying from Jberg to Windhoek, security went through my backpack several times. I asked if I could help them find something and they said no. They finally found it: a 2' long allen wrench I didn't even know was in there. NO TOOLS ARE ALLOWED IN CARRY ON!!!!
Right, okay, sorry, I'll remember next time. Whew!

 

[Grouser]

Ha! 2"

 

[R.M.C.]

Security in the US ain't that great, I had a few .22 bullets in my carryon flying from Pennsylvania to Oklahoma. They were so busy giving my old lady a hard time because of some change in her purse they never saw my .22 shells. I found them while cleaning out my bag the night before our flight home. I normally use that bag for hauling ammo and stuff so I'm not shocked there was a few floating around. Seems like the X-Ray machine or whatever would have caught them lol

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Tambo to Atlanta in 2019. Tambo went thru my carry on. Toiletry bag, took my Bic disposable razor. Said no sharp objects.
I didn’t argue at all. Just wanted on plane.

As for any other things with luggage in 3 trips only thing has been TSA leaving US. Had bags opened and letters in them every trip that they were inspected. By the mess the bags were in each time the dumped them and then threw everything back in. Never had anything missing.

 

[Areaonereal]

My wife’s carryon was sent thru the x ray twice and had to empty all contents until they saw the small bag of candy…” the x ray lady would like some of the candy”, she gave her a handful of bit o honey…ok, you are cleared…my wife walked away with the what is that all about look….well, you have just been extorted for candy….it is Africa. All this was was Transfer security at Joberg, in August 2021.

 

[CJW]

My wife’s carryon was sent thru the x ray twice and had to empty all contents until they saw the small bag of candy…” the x ray lady would like some of the candy”, she gave her a handful of bit o honey…ok, you are cleared…my wife walked away with the what is that all about look….well, you have just been extorted for candy….it is Africa. All this was was Transfer security at Joberg, in August 2021.

TIA. Even bit o honey's aren't safe.

 

[bowjijohn]

Last time I came back from Moz I was carrying two locally made axes and a gin trap (to be used in educational programs)

BIG problem until $20 appeared, then not such a problem after-all

only ever take a rucksack on any trip

wrapping seems to help prevent too much interest from the light fingered types

I am looking for good, tough, tamper resistant padlocks for my rifle case though - any suggestions welcome

 

[Red Leg]

Last time I came back from Moz I was carrying two locally made axes and a gin trap (to be used in educational programs)

BIG problem until $20 appeared, then not such a problem after-all

only ever take a rucksack on any trip

wrapping seems to help prevent too much interest from the light fingered types

I am looking for good, tough, tamper resistant padlocks for my rifle case though - any suggestions welcome

You checked your rucksack?!? I assume the axes were in your checked baggage?

 

[Royal27]

Are key or combination style locks preferred on gun cases?

On my Tuffpak at least I changed from a padlock to a "coke machine" keyed round lock. To me at least the lock has the advantage of being harder to cut off than a padlock.

On a case that will only take a padlock I don't know that there is any advantage to one or the other, assuming the same quality of lock.

 

[CJW]

On my Tuffpak at least I changed from a padlock to a "coke machine" keyed round lock. To me at least the lock has the advantage of being harder to cut off than a padlock.

Do you mind sharing make and model of lock? I bought one to use but it wouldn't fit in the holes of my SKB tuffpak copy case.

 

[Philip Glass]

I can't tell you how many times TSA has taken my nail clippers in the name of "airport security".

Thankfully they dont do that anymore but Ive lost several micro leathermen by haveing them accidentally in my carry on.

 

[Royal27]

Do you mind sharing make and model of lock? I bought one to use but it wouldn't fit in the holes of my SKB tuffpak copy case.

The keyed lock is specific to a Tuffpak.... See the pictures below. I don't think you can get bolt cutters on the keyed lock. It could be chiseled off of course, but with security the idea is to make the thief look for easier prey, not to completely stop someone.

Keyed Lock

Padlock

Even the padlock hasp though is thicker than most "baggage" locks. So if it will fit on your guncase....

I didn't see where they sold the lock separately, but a phone call or e-mail might be worth it.

Tuffpak Thumb Turn Lock w/Padlock -Installed

Nalpak.com has been San Diego County’s #1 Pelican™ distributor since 1982. With thousands of cases in stock we have you covered. Nalpak also provides custom case services as well. Contact us today, 619.258.1200.

nalpak.com

 

[Philip Glass]

On all my trips Ive not had this happen to me. I have changed luggage, just because I am a fan, to a Pelican Air suitcase. I have locked it with the same Snap Safe brand heavy duty TSA Locks I use on my Pelican 2 gun case. The misinformation on here about TSA locks not being secure is simply not true. If someone wants to steal your bag they will steal your bag. If they want in your bag they will cut the locks. If you have a zippered suitcase they just need a pen and they are in. How many of us have had cut or broken locks? Many of us. It can happen for a variety of reasons. The Snap Safe heavy duty TSA locks have been 100% for me thus far.
There will be times, if you travel enough, where TSA locks will get your gun to you. If they cant find you to open the case it may not proceed.
It is terribly disheartening to hear of luggage opened and items taken at JNB. I would love to hear more detail on the exact flights and times of those who have had this happen to them.
Regards,
Philip

 

[bowjijohn]

You checked your rucksack?!? I assume the axes were in your checked baggage?

Rucksack goes in the hold - not sure they would allow two axes in the cabin - can't imagine why not

I think you guys call them backpacks?

 

[Red Leg]

I do not use TSA locks on a rifle case. I have never had an issue. 90% of the time the case is opened in front of me, the other times TSA has asked for the key. Yes, someone can steal the whole case, but the more likely threat is a baggage handler getting into it. TSA pass keys have multiplied but the system has never really been updated - they are hardly a serial numbered item. You can find numerous stories on the web demonstrating how to copy them. I was going to post one, but no sense further metastasizing the information. You can google it yourself in about 15 secs.

I do put a TSA lock on my checked baggage. TSA personnel have periodically inspected my bags, though the contents have never appeared rifled. I believe a TSA lock does offer a slight deterrence to a baggage handler looking for an opportunity to slide a hand into a bag hoping to quickly score something of value

 

[Red Leg]

Rucksack goes in the hold - not sure they would allow two axes in the cabin - can't imagine why not

I think you guys call them backpacks?

The train scene from "Trading Places." Love the rucksack bit. That part of the clip starts around 2:20.

 

[Tanks]

On all my trips Ive not had this happen to me. I have changed luggage, just because I am a fan, to a Pelican Air suitcase. ...

For my last trip I changed from Rimowa to Pelican Air suitcase as well. Mainly due to the fact that I had a 13 hour layover at Dubai. Didn't make sense to have my suitcase cost more than the contents. Also with a 32kg allowance didn't have to worry about the extra weight even with 5kg of ammo.

 

[CJW]

On all my trips Ive not had this happen to me. I have changed luggage, just because I am a fan, to a Pelican Air suitcase. I have locked it with the same Snap Safe brand heavy duty TSA Locks I use on my Pelican 2 gun case. The misinformation on here about TSA locks not being secure is simply not true. If someone wants to steal your bag they will steal your bag. If they want in your bag they will cut the locks. If you have a zippered suitcase they just need a pen and they are in. How many of us have had cut or broken locks? Many of us. It can happen for a variety of reasons. The Snap Safe heavy duty TSA locks have been 100% for me thus far.
There will be times, if you travel enough, where TSA locks will get your gun to you. If they cant find you to open the case it may not proceed.
It is terribly disheartening to hear of luggage opened and items taken at JNB. I would love to hear more detail on the exact flights and times of those who have had this happen to them.
Regards,
Philip

I don't recall flight numbers but mine were two distinctly different scenarios. In case one, my bag was checked through to Namibia so I couldn't collect it at OR the night I arrived and take it to my room at City Lodge so they had all night to go through it. In case two I had a 5 hr layover after arriving from Namibia before returning to the states. It seems that as long as they get their hands on it they will try to steal from it.

I can't agree on TSA locks on a gun case. If they want in they'll have to break their way in. I'm also not worried about my entire bag going missing nor do I think anybody should be. They don't want your dirty underwear or even your clean underwear. They don't want 99% of what you have. They want easily pocketed items that they can sneak out without losing their jobs, though I doubt that in reality too many of these moralless punks would get fired anyway.

I've never put a lock on a bag just because I don't want my suitcase destroyed but in the future I am leaning towards the Pelican 1615 to maybe attempt to thwart anymore thievery and destroyed bags.

 

[Tanks]

,,,

I've never put a lock on a bag just because I don't want my suitcase destroyed but in the future I am leaning towards the Pelican 1615 to maybe attempt to thwart anymore thievery and destroyed bags.

Yeah, it weighs only 14 pounds empty leaving you plenty for your stuff. The other thing is, it doesn't matter if it gets wet or pounded in the back of the truck on the way to camp.