Qatar Airways + Firearms

[PHOENIX PHIL]

July 2024 I used PWP travel and flew Qatar out of DFW; it took over 3 hours to get checked in with my guns; with it taking so long to get checked in the TSA precheck was closed so I had to go through the full security check and when I made it to my gate they had already started boarding.

Probably the most frustrating travel experience of my life and unless I have a Q Suite I will not be flying Qatar again.

I find that surprising and it makes me think you ran into a less than stellar day for QA and its group working check in. I've flown QA twice, both times out of Houston. The second time the staff at check-in was expecting us. One of their folks spotted us waiting in line which we were already at prior to starting the process. He pulled us out of line and took us directly to the front like we were flying Q Suite even though we were coach.

A few minutes later we were headed to TSA to have the rifles checked by them and sent to the plane. A few minutes after that we were enjoying cold ones near the gate.

I do highly recommend using a travel agent when flying QA as they have a bit of a process for flying with weapons the travel agent assists with. But the fact they ensure you don't board the plane without your weapons being on board I found to be very comforting.

 

[sgt_zim]

July 2024 I used PWP travel and flew Qatar out of DFW; it took over 3 hours to get checked in with my guns; with it taking so long to get checked in the TSA precheck was closed so I had to go through the full security check and when I made it to my gate they had already started boarding.

Probably the most frustrating travel experience of my life and unless I have a Q Suite I will not be flying Qatar again.

I had the exact opposite experience out of IAH last August. Check in at the Q-suite/first class desk, escorted directly to TSA to have my guns checked, watched them put it on the conveyor. Then checked the rest of my luggage, went through pre-check, and waited about 2.5 hours for boarding to start.

 

[deewayne2003]

I find that surprising and it makes me think you ran into a less than stellar day for QA and its group working check in. I've flown QA twice, both times out of Houston. The second time the staff at check-in was expecting us. One of their folks spotted us waiting in line which we were already at prior to starting the process. He pulled us out of line and took us directly to the front like we were flying Q Suite even though we were coach.

A few minutes later we were headed to TSA to have the rifles checked by them and sent to the plane. A few minutes after that we were enjoying cold ones near the gate.

I do highly recommend using a travel agent when flying QA as they have a bit of a process for flying with weapons the travel agent assists with. But the fact they ensure you don't board the plane without your weapons being on board I found to be very comforting.

I don't know about it being a bad day for them, they certainly noticed me standing there with a rifle case and waited for me to spend 2 hours making my way through the entire coach line, only when I made it to the front of the line was I told that with firearms I should be in the business line. So I moved to the business line and went through the entire length of that line as well.

Then upon making it to the counter they had my paperwork, but because of a change in the QA form it had to be filled out again by the manager while 4 other people looked over his shoulder watching how to fill out the form.

After filling out the form and asking my ammo weight, they checked in my bag and pointed me to a door 100yds from the QA counter and told me to take my guns there for TSA. I went to the door and waited for 20min and nothing happened so I walked back and asked if I was at the correct place, they assured me it was correct and then someone said they forgot to notify TSA to meet me, so back I go and met with TSA to take the rifle case.

 

[Scott CWO]

I don't know about it being a bad day for them, they certainly noticed me standing there with a rifle case and waited for me to spend 2 hours making my way through the entire coach line, only when I made it to the front of the line was I told that with firearms I should be in the business line. So I moved to the business line and went through the entire length of that line as well.

Then upon making it to the counter they had my paperwork, but because of a change in the QA form it had to be filled out again by the manager while 4 other people looked over his shoulder watching how to fill out the form.

After filling out the form and asking my ammo weight, they checked in my bag and pointed me to a door 100yds from the QA counter and told me to take my guns there for TSA. I went to the door and waited for 20min and nothing happened so I walked back and asked if I was at the correct place, they assured me it was correct and then someone said they forgot to notify TSA to meet me, so back I go and met with TSA to take the rifle case.

I don’t know why but I agree DFW is definitely slower than Houston. I’ve done them both with Qatar.

 

[Russ16]

2020 I flew Qatar to Baku via Doha. Booked the whole thing myself. Check in at IAD was seamless. They had someone come in the plane to tell me my gun had been loaded for each flight. Had a moderately long layover on the way back (midnight-6:00 am) so I got a sleeping room in the business class lounge. The lounge and sleeping room were great.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

I don't know about it being a bad day for them, they certainly noticed me standing there with a rifle case and waited for me to spend 2 hours making my way through the entire coach line, only when I made it to the front of the line was I told that with firearms I should be in the business line. So I moved to the business line and went through the entire length of that line as well.

Then upon making it to the counter they had my paperwork, but because of a change in the QA form it had to be filled out again by the manager while 4 other people looked over his shoulder watching how to fill out the form.

After filling out the form and asking my ammo weight, they checked in my bag and pointed me to a door 100yds from the QA counter and told me to take my guns there for TSA. I went to the door and waited for 20min and nothing happened so I walked back and asked if I was at the correct place, they assured me it was correct and then someone said they forgot to notify TSA to meet me, so back I go and met with TSA to take the rifle case.

Eesh, no bueno. I think I’m with Scott, one more reason to avoid DFW.

 

[expresshunt]

I have used Qatar and Emirates 3 times Australia to Kyrgyzstan...( via Dubia or Doha) and both times the staff knew what to do very well. And yes I have 4 copies of everything.
If trophies in my return luggage.. (skulls, horns, skin).. I also pre make up a note / tag on luggage handle.. saying eg.. Enclosed is a export treated and dried Mid Asian Ibex skull and horns.. a photocopy of Export documentation is in side pocket.
I now do this, as half way through my 1st such trip and flight home, another loading scan saw the horns.. and pulled me from the boarding area, a police car to xray area, I explained and handed them my Export docs, All ok and back on the plane.. that was by now waiting on me.. I thought the rifle box was the concern, but no it was the xray pic of rare shaped rhino horns which were infact ibex horns...

 

[Kai Wang]

I flew out Miami to Johannesburg via Qatar May 2024. I did it myself, handed my gun case at the ticket counter, and all the papers: 4457, SAPS permit.
Everything went smoothly. The departure plane was delayed about 4 hours. When it finally started
boarding, the person that registered my gun case was waiting at the gate, to double check that I
am boarding the plane. I put an apple Airtag in my gun case.
Lesson learned: when you come back and go through the customs, you should tell them that I have
a checked gun case. I didn't know that. I have a global entry so I quickly pass the customs and wait
at the carousal for my gun case. I didn't come out, and I heard they were calling my name. The airline
already passed my gun case to CBP. They just briefly looked at it, then asked me if I killed a lion. haha