Looks good. What make gun case? Interesting that two center padlocks will be underneath the handle. I would definitely suggest taping the latches down with duct tape after inspection. They don't appear to be terribly sturdy. Do wraps around the entire case. Any duct tape residue is easily removed later with WD40. Use ugly gray duct tape so the fashion conscious security gal at Joberg doesn't swipe the roll from your carryon.
Case is a Pelican 1750. They say it is one of their strongest. Do they inspect here in the US ? I will fly from Houston to Atlanta to Johannesburg so inspection will be in Houston? Do I need to keep original papers with me?
The airline will usually have you open the case so they can ensure guns are unloaded. Once I had an agent who only opened the case to put airline paperwork certifying inspection inside. She didn't want me handling the gun with other passengers walking around. Said she could see if it was loaded with x-ray machine. I doubt that she could but didn't debate it with her.
Thank you, which travellers insurance do you use for your guns?
Travelers health insurance is for me. Don't go to Africa without it. My guns are not worth a lot of money. Sentimental value they're irreplaceable. I don't insure them. Check with your homeowners broker. They should be able to find coverage for both health and your guns.
So this travellers health insurance was on top of your health insurance or without.
Fortunately, I live in Canada. We have government health insurance. Only uncivilized nations don't have govt health insurance.
So yes, I require health insurance when traveling. You will need to check your plan to see what coverage you may have overseas. When I'm in the US, I'm covered by US Veterans health system. Because I'm a US disabled vet.
You can search this website for reports on travel insurance options. Never had to use my coverage that I picked up through my homeowners company. No doubt many other companies/packages would be better than what I have. If you have health issues you definitely should look into what some of the guys on here have had emergency experience with. @Happy Myles I know had to be treated for serious leopard attack. Might want to PM him.
My experience has been different. Upon entering the USA, the Customs and Border Patrol has been requiring bolts to be removed from the rifle. This occurred at the CBP checkpoint, prior to the TSA re-checking the rifle case for the connecting flight. This seems to be a CBP policy rather than an airline policy, and it is obvious some of the CBP agents do not understand what a "bolt" is. I well remember the fellow in line ahead of me being told that he had to "remove the bolt from the rifle and place it back into the case." He had a double rifle...
TROUBLESHOOTER: that’s just GREAT, another Government Agency with their “own policies” and zero knowledge of firearms. Next year Border Patrol will require EACH Firearm to have it’s own PASSPORTMy experience has been different. Upon entering the USA, the Customs and Border Patrol has been requiring bolts to be removed from the rifle. This occurred at the CBP checkpoint, prior to the TSA re-checking the rifle case for the connecting flight. This seems to be a CBP policy rather than an airline policy, and it is obvious some of the CBP agents do not understand what a "bolt" is. I well remember the fellow in line ahead of me being told that he had to "remove the bolt from the rifle and place it back into the case." He had a double rifle...
Never experienced this on the outbound international or domestic flights, only on flights entering the USA from overseas.
Did you tell them in advance that you were going to have a firearm in your baggage ? Three friends from Toronto came to Namibia with me last year on Lufthansa. None of us were charged. I think it’s a little bit of luck of the draw.
Like me they probably booked through Air Canada and transferred in Europe to Lufthansa. Because both airlines belong to Star Alliance, bags did not have to be rechecked. They paid the gun handling fee at Toronto to Air Canada which is reasonable, about $55, and that covered them for Lufthansa leg of the flight. My third safari I did have to pay Air Canada for a third bag because I was too stupid to not simply stuff the ammo case in my checked bag after it was inspected. Returning from Joberg I may be stuck paying for the second checked bag because airport reg requires ammo be checked in a SEPARATE and LOCKED hard sided case. Lufthansa gun handling fee is very steep anywhere. I have returned with them twice and unsure if they made me pay for the extra checked ammo case. I seem to recall returning on Swiss Air out of Joberg was very reasonable. And I do not remember if the connecting flight to Port Elizabeth on Safair charged for the extra bag. I did have to pay their gun handling fee of course and have the guns and ammo processed by their baggage people AFTER police finished with me. It's one of the reasons I recommend at least a two hour layover at Joberg before connecting to domestic flight. Another reason is one never knows if the transcontinental flight getting to Joberg will be on time. Last August my flight was an hour late arriving due to route detour around Niger which was having some kind of domestic blowup. I did not make my flight to Port Elizabeth but switched airlines and still made it to PE later that day.
