I'm going to SA in May and was wondering if anyone has flown Qatar Airlines lately and how are they about traveling with rifles?
I flew Qatar in July of '21 from Atlanta to Jo'berg via Qatar. Airline par excellence. I will certainly look to them for my next trips. I flew with a rifle, and if I may, let me explain why I was so thrilled with their service...
To begin with, this was during the time in which one needed a Covid test. As the ticket agent was checking all of my paperwork, there was a look of concern that suddenly came over him. "Mr. Barnby, I regret to inform you that your test is an unacceptable variety" (after verbally confirming with the pharmacy prior to my appointment AND before they rammed the Q-tip up my nose during the appointment that it was, in fact, the correct test...)
Owen, the ticket agent, gave me the number and address of the nearest testing facility. He did me another favor by holding on to all of my bags as I took a cab to get yet another test. He informed me that if I was back by a certain time, he would get me on the plane.
I was there in the nick of time. After again going over all of the paperwork for my rifle, he directed me to the TSA room where they were to inspect my rifle. Upon opening my case, the TSA agent asked for an additional piece of paperwork. A piece that I neither had nor had ever heard of. I returned to Owen, who subsequently called a coworker to take his place while he peronally escorted me back to TSA. Owen was kind yet firm with TSA, assuring them that this paperwork in question was antiquated. An obligatory pissing match ensued, with the TSA supervisor calling their superior at the head office (in DC, if I recall).
At this point I was poignently aware of the time, and did not think there was any way in the world I would make the flight for my first safari. As distraught as I was, I took off my watch, thinking that there was nothing I could do to expedite the process, and that there was no sense in being concerned with the time. If it was meant to be, it was meant to be. Suddenly the TSA agents released me.
Next I noticed the lengthy security line. Owen personally took me to the head of the line, spoke with the people working there, and directed me to my gate. By this point, the plane door SHOULD have been closed. In a last ditch effort, I ran to the plane. When I got there, the lovely ladies working the gate said "Ahh, Mr. Barnby. We've been expecting you. You are fine. You've made it. Now, please, take your time, relax, and have this water to cool down. Oh, also, heres a wet towel. Feel free to use this towlette to cool off too. It's a long flight, there's no sense in sitting down without relaxing first. We'll be a little late pushing back, but again, the flight is long, and the pilot will get you to your destination right on time."
I could not believe it at all. Talk about above and beyond!!! MOREOVER, after I cooled down, caught my breath, and found my seat, I see none other than Owen himself walking down the aisle. Right towards me. First words out of his mouth were "Mr. Barnby, I would like to personally apologize for the inconvenience and stress this all has caused." He then proceded to explain what the hiccup with TSA was. Turns out they were all going by what was, in fact, antiquated paperwork and protocol. Owen, as astute as he was, knew the proper requirements, and did not back down. Because of him, I made my flight, and was subsequently able to live out the first portion of a dream I had since the third grade. Wherever you are, Owen, I thank you.
The flight itself was also the best I have ever experienced. Not only was the food palatable, it was actually good! (and not just for "airline food"). The flight attendants were the most professional I have experienced, and they were incredibly attentive with food, drink, and any other ammentities one could ask for on a trans-Atlantic flight. I was not alive back then, but I feel that this is how flights were back during the golden age of aviation, before people were shuttled into the metallic tubes like cattle on a boxcar.
The service is genuine, and as my wife likes to say, "on point".
The flight from Qatar to Jo'berg was just as lovely, albeit with much less excitement. Same can be said of the return flights.
Again, I cannot recommend Qatar highly enough. Same cannot be said for the airline I took there last time. If I had my "druthers", I would have flown Qatar again, but I was trying to meet up and fly over with a client that had never flown internationally, or with a firearm. Long story short, I wound up in Africa a day and a half late, having had an extended layover on a continent that was not on the itenerary, without any baggage...
I know this was a long-winded response for a simple question, but I wanted to fully explain why I would have no qualms with flying Qatar.
On one last note, about the paperwork. I HIGHLY recommend hiring an agent to help you with all of the paperwork and navigating the SAPS station. If you would like, I would be more than happy to provide you with the contact information of the one I personally use, and also have directed many others to. They all have had the same experience with her as I (and no, I do not work for her or with her or anything...just happy to help anybody out that I can).
Safe travels and happy hunting!
I sent a copy of my invitation letter, my 4457, and a copy of my passport, that was all I think that I needed to send after my conversation with thier guy on the phone.
