Travel problems going thru Doha and Dallas

[Scott CWO]

I did not not take guns with Qatar for this exact issue in March 2021 because they will not tell you if they will for sure take your rifle until you depart to Doha....meaning if you have a connection in the US they make you recheck it (as you detailed) and THEN say "yes" or "no" to your rifle and you. If I was flying directly to Doha from my home airport I would have attempted to take my rifle and if they said "no" I would have been able to leave and lock my rifle in my truck. I had a connection in JFK so if they had said "no," both my rifle and I wouldn't have been going to Africa.

In my opinion, it is not worth the risk. I truly believe the days of flying your own rifle to international hunts are dwindling because of the ridiculous procedures by the imbeciles working for the airlines. It sucks, but it is the reality.

I am glad you had a good and successful hunt. Sucks about the hassle.

You can get pre-approved for firearms with QA and then they will not deny your firearms unless you bring a different firearm. A travel agent can email them your documents and QA responds with an approval that you print and take with you. At the ticketing counter and gate, you will then sign a surrender document and they double check your paperwork again. It takes a while but they will not refuse your firearms if you have pre-approval.

 

[Hank2211]

You can get pre-approved for firearms with QA and then they will not deny your firearms unless you bring a different firearm. A travel agent can email them your documents and QA responds with an approval that you print and take with you. At the ticketing counter and gate, you will then sign a surrender document and they double check your paperwork again. It takes a while but they will not refuse your firearms if you have pre-approval.

My travel agent did exactly that on a recent (April) trip from Canada to JNB via Doha. Qatar was expecting the firearm and ammo, and they were very pleasant and polite about the whole thing (and in fact their agent argued quite forcefully with an idiot baggie screener in Montreal on my behalf).

The bottom line is that there is paperwork to be done, but if it's done properly and when required, things tend to go smoothly. If it isn't done, or isn't done when necessary, you will likely have an issue. I don't think that has much to do with the airline - it has to do with the requirements of various countries, including Qatar, for the import or transit of firearms and ammo. Having said that, some airlines are more likely to try to help than others when problems are encountered (see Montreal comment above - Air Canada would have been no help in that situation).

Same thing if you transit many European (and other) countries. Ignore the rules at your peril.

 

[Gemsbok45]

Over 30 flight all Delta and SAA,never had a problem but always used Gracy!

 

[Philip Glass]

I did not not take guns with Qatar for this exact issue in March 2021 because they will not tell you if they will for sure take your rifle until you depart to Doha....meaning if you have a connection in the US they make you recheck it (as you detailed) and THEN say "yes" or "no" to your rifle and you. If I was flying directly to Doha from my home airport I would have attempted to take my rifle and if they said "no" I would have been able to leave and lock my rifle in my truck. I had a connection in JFK so if they had said "no," both my rifle and I wouldn't have been going to Africa.

In my opinion, it is not worth the risk. I truly believe the days of flying your own rifle to international hunts are dwindling because of the ridiculous procedures by the imbeciles working for the airlines. It sucks, but it is the reality.

I am glad you had a good and successful hunt. Sucks about the hassle.

This is simply not true if you were booked in correctly with your rifle on your eticket. With an agent your rifle is listed right on the electronic ticket and there are no issues. You can’t do his yourself.
You guys just keep pushing these stories of stupid mistakes on air travel and then telling the world “don’t take your guns it’s too difficult”!
I am so tired of these threads and what you are doing to our forum members. It is disgraceful and such bad advice.
Philip

 

[Red Leg]

I did not not take guns with Qatar for this exact issue in March 2021 because they will not tell you if they will for sure take your rifle until you depart to Doha....meaning if you have a connection in the US they make you recheck it (as you detailed) and THEN say "yes" or "no" to your rifle and you. If I was flying directly to Doha from my home airport I would have attempted to take my rifle and if they said "no" I would have been able to leave and lock my rifle in my truck. I had a connection in JFK so if they had said "no," both my rifle and I wouldn't have been going to Africa.

In my opinion, it is not worth the risk. I truly believe the days of flying your own rifle to international hunts are dwindling because of the ridiculous procedures by the imbeciles working for the airlines. It sucks, but it is the reality.

I am glad you had a good and successful hunt. Sucks about the hassle.

That is not how their (or Emirates for that matter) system works. Follow their procedures and you will have more situational awareness about the security of your firearm than any other airlines flying to Africa.

I suspect I have more international flights than many here (United 100K for a decade ), and I would not consider booking one while transporting a firearm without using an experienced travel agent specializing in an international hunter's requirements. To do otherwise is false economy.