Qatar Airways

[Edster]

If you flew anywhere in the US with a rifle it was checked by the TSA.

I also read it that it wasn't checked by TSA in Boston

Sorry yes no TSA on out bound, I knew TSA would look at it in BOS, and come get me if there was issue.
My issue is with the woman in Philly, that had a fit that the bag had come off a flight that originated out of country and had not been looked at by TSA prior to it being put on the plane in Doha

 

[JimP]

TSA usually does the check when you check in for your flight with you just outside their room
The last time that I flew with a firearm the ticket agent loaded my rifle case onto a cart and off we went to the TSA room where they had me unlock my case for inspection, they then had me lock it back up before returning the case to the agent to send it to the plane

 

[Edge]

Honestly I am not sure. I had a Pelican double rifle case and a small hard case for ammo. I think it was simply as extra bags - total of R7000-ish ($495 USD). It's the first time I have ever had to pay other than the "handling" fees on RSA in-country flights (think Airlink, Safair). Because my luggage checked from East London all the way to DFW I did not collect it in Joberg, so no opportunity to put my ammo case in it. That would have saved some $$ although I don't know how much. I flew Economy which I believe only included one bag.

We also got hammered with the 7000 Rand fee in JNB this past Monday. We had four bags total due to our extended multi country adventures.
Paid $100 each for two extra bags leaving DFW but $250 each for the bags leaving JNB. $700 for 2 extra bags round trip just torques me to no end, plus the seat selection charges of ~ $200. $900 extra over ticket cost but we did get there!

Wife purchased 4 bottles of various hot/chili sauces in JNB, placed in the sealed duty free bags, but Qatar wouldn’t let them fly to DFW when boarding in Doha. Apologies to anyone that heard my profanity laden rant while in Doha!. I tried to explain to the boneheads that we need to collect our bags at DFW and would place the items in the checked bags when we recheck as I’ve done on numerous other international flights.

They did give us the option to check them but wanted my backpack or my wife’s and would give us some cheesy cotton bags to empty our backpack contents, not happening. We had another smaller bag with us but the supervisor said he wouldn’t allow it as a checked bag.

It pains me to say this, but I’ll fly Delta next time if there is a choice to cut out the extra 8.5 hours of flight time, the 2-3 hours of layover in Doha and all the extra fees unless we purchase a higher ticket class on Qatar.

 

[Hogpatrol]

@Edge, were the bottles of sauce over 3.4 oz? If so, no different than U.S. regs, not allowed in carry on bags.










You may carry liquids, gels, pastes and aerosols in containers up to 100ml (3.4oz) in your hand baggage. Containers larger than 100ml cannot be accepted even if only partly filled. Your containers should be carried in a transparent, resealable, quart- or litre-sized bag no larger than 20x20cm (8x8in).

 

[The Engineer]

The only constant is the inconsistency.

My last trip was DFW/JNB/Tete. On the way out I had to claim my rifle at the JNB firearms office and then go to the ticket counter and check in for the flight to Tete. I had to do this on a three hour layover even though I was assured I could check DFW to Tete until just before the flight left DFW. The reason given at DFW was the two airlines at JNB did not have an intra-airline firearms agreement and even if they had a intra-airline agreement a firearm could only be held by the airline for a few hours without it having to come in through the JNB firearms office and then be rechecked. Thank goodness for Henry.

On the way back I had and overnight layover in Joberg but expected I would again need to pick up my rifle before retiring to the African Sky for the evening. When I arrived at JNB and waited or my luggage II was surprised to find my luggage was checked Tete to DFW. The airline held my rifle for about 16 hours and my policy of carrying a change of clothes in my carry on proved to have been wise.

Bottom line, it is all part of the adventure and a good reason to have at least tentative plans for potential glitches. Always know how to get in contact with you PH (As we were taxing out I call him and he called Henry.), if going to or through NB have a pre-filled out SA firearms import package, etc.

 

[Edge]

@Edge, were the bottles of sauce over 3.4 oz? If so, no different than U.S. regs, not allowed in carry on bags.








View attachment 409904
You may carry liquids, gels, pastes and aerosols in containers up to 100ml (3.4oz) in your hand baggage. Containers larger than 100ml cannot be accepted even if only partly filled. Your containers should be carried in a transparent, resealable, quart- or litre-sized bag no larger than 20x20cm (8x8in).

Probably over 3 ounces. I’ve brought entire bottles of wine back to the States in my carry-on backpack when purchasing them in the departing airport. Once I arrive back to the US, and before rechecking the bags after clearing customs, loaded the wine in my checked bags and sent them on the way. Always worked from Australia, guess the US doesn’t trust the JNB security checkers.

The bottles were in the sealed duty free bags with receipts inside, they could have at least held them for us to get to the US and collected them upon deplaning. Was probably only $35-40 of sauces but lesson learned and hope others don’t get caught up with something more valuable.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Probably over 3 ounces. I’ve brought entire bottles of wine back to the States in my carry-on backpack when purchasing them in the departing airport. Once I arrive back to the US, and before rechecking the bags after clearing customs, loaded the wine in my checked bags and sent them on the way. Always worked from Australia, guess the US doesn’t trust the JNB security checkers.

The bottles were in the sealed duty free bags with receipts inside, they could have at least held them for us to get to the US and collected them upon deplaning. Was probably only $35-40 of sauces but lesson learned and hope others don’t get caught up with something more valuable.

Gotcha. Easy to forget Doha is in the Middle East and there are a lot of pissing matches between countries in that part of the world. Double carry on security at Doha is something I hadn't previously experienced either.

 

[Philip Glass]

@Edge, were the bottles of sauce over 3.4 oz? If so, no different than U.S. regs, not allowed in carry on bags.








View attachment 409904
You may carry liquids, gels, pastes and aerosols in containers up to 100ml (3.4oz) in your hand baggage. Containers larger than 100ml cannot be accepted even if only partly filled. Your containers should be carried in a transparent, resealable, quart- or litre-sized bag no larger than 20x20cm (8x8in).

Duty free that is sealed should be exempt.

 

[postoak]

Does Qatar allow cloth duffel bags as checked baggage? I seem to remember some airline not allowing these.

 

[Edge]

Does Qatar allow cloth duffel bags as checked baggage? I seem to remember some airline not allowing these.

JNB was at one time requiring a hard bottom on any bag. Hadn’t heard of an airline restriction but if in doubt find the regulation/call customer service.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Duty free that is sealed should be exempt.

Yes, key word here is "should". My buddy bought two bottles of wine in Joberg duty free shop and when we got to Atlanta, TSA guy said only one is going to Philly and confiscated the other. Arguing didn't work either. Other countries, other airlines, and especially other security personnel are the sometimes ambiguous authority but the final one.
Personal experience, I travel with a healthy supply of Gaviscon. Had an unopened ten dollar bottle in my carry on going home to the U.S. through Joberg. Scanner picked it up. Agent said open the bag. Pulled out the $$.$$ bottle and dropped it in to the trash drum. Lesson learned, play by the rules and assume nothing.

 

[Philip Glass]

Yes, key word here is "should". My buddy bought two bottles of wine in Joberg duty free shop and when we got to Atlanta, TSA guy said only one is going to Philly and confiscated the other. Arguing didn't work either. Other countries, other airlines, and especially other security personnel are the sometimes ambiguous authority but the final one.
Personal experience, I travel with a healthy supply of Gaviscon. Had an unopened ten dollar bottle in my carry on going home to the U.S. through Joberg. Scanner picked it up. Agent said open the bag. Pulled out the $$.$$ bottle and dropped it in to the trash drum. Lesson learned, play by the rules and assume nothing.

Yes I know. This is the trouble with airline personnel. They are completely untrained and uneducated. Likely the stupidest folks on the planet. Oh the stories we can all tell!
Ok I’ll tell a funny one. In Cameroon on a domestic flight water bottles were not allowed in the carry on while going through the X-ray. So you carried it with you through the scanner then you had to put it back in your bag or they would make you throw it away. Wow

 

[Hogpatrol]

Does Qatar allow cloth duffel bags as checked baggage? I seem to remember some airline not allowing these.

IIRC, the option in RSA is a plastic wrap job on your soft bags. There it's not an airline regulation. It's Joberg airport's.

 

[Rare Breed]

Hello I am planning to travel via Doha, Qatar to hunt in South Africa. Anyone here has experience flying to JoBurg using Qatar Airways. I heard Qatar Airways has good rating. However, until now I can't have any answer from their Customer Service regarding my firearms. I sent them CBP 4457, SAPS 520, and Invitation Letter from the outfitter. Any input will be much appreciated. I am going in late June 2021.

Just arrived in Doha after the 15 hour flight from Atlanta on my way to Jberg. What an awesome airline!!! Puts US carriers to shame. Had all my forms done and checkin went very smooth with zero problems. TSA no problem with my gun checkin and on my way. Food on flight was great. Flight was about half full. Sitting in lounge now relaxing

 

[wlambert]

Gotcha. Easy to forget Doha is in the Middle East and there are a lot of pissing matches between countries in that part of the world. Double carry on security at Doha is something I hadn't previously experienced either.

I had that happen also. Bought two bottles of water and two Diet Cokes in the Doha airport only to have to throw them away when going through pre-boarding security. My daughter had also bought a sandwich - the food was allowed, liquids were not even though they were unopened. Lessons learned .

 

[jeff]

Qatar was a PIA on my flight in April and I only had a bow, also was restricted to one checked bag, the second security screening in Doha was something I've never had to do anywhere else.

 

[mdwest]

Qatar was a PIA on my flight in April and I only had a bow, also was restricted to one checked bag, the second security screening in Doha was something I've never had to do anywhere else.

Their policy is 2x checked bags (up to 23kg each) per traveler for economy class for any flights to/from the Americas or Africa.. Did they give you a particular reason you couldnt have a second checked bag?

 

[jeff]

Their policy is 2x checked bags (up to 23kg each) per traveler for economy class for any flights to/from the Americas or Africa.. Did they give you a particular reason you couldnt have a second checked bag?

My tickets were booked through Safari Express and right on the ticket it stated one checked bag, they wanted to charge me another $100 for our second bag at the check in but I explained that one was mine and the other was my wifes. We took a bow case that I used as my checked bag and my wife checked a bag that was for both of us and we each had a carry on so we got by. I've never had a international flight that didn't allow two bags before.

 

[Hogpatrol]

My tickets were booked through Safari Express and right on the ticket it stated one checked bag, they wanted to charge me another $100 for our second bag at the check in but I explained that one was mine and the other was my wifes. We took a bow case that I used as my checked bag and my wife checked a bag that was for both of us and we each had a carry on so we got by. I've never had a international flight that didn't allow two bags before.

Refer post 92 in this thread. From Qatar website. This is for all classes of economy

Flights to/from Africa or Americas	2 pieces (23kg/50lb each)	2 pieces (23kg/50lb each)	2 pieces (23kg/50lb each)

 

[jeff]

I called Lori at the time and she confirmed my tickets were for 1 checked bag.