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Trip report AA-Qatar-Airlink
SJT-DFW on American Airlines
DFW-DOH-JNB on Qatar - A350-1000 & 777
JNB-PLZ on Airlink - Embraer E190
SJT departure AA 3953 1h 8m: AA agents in San Angelo were much trouble for us on check in. First of all the woman checking me in was asking for a RSA rifle permit. I totally shut her down and adamantly explained that there was no such thing available until we arrived in JNB. I got past that bit of poor training and then they were asking for our Covid test results. I asked why they were asking for them when it is typically just the international departure airline who asks for such documents. She said something about people not having the right paperwork and getting sent back home from an international flight. Whatever! Then she proceeded to tell me that she could not check our bags through to JNB. She said it was purchased on separate tickets and could not check through. Once again I began deliberately correcting her that AA and Qatar are OneWorld partners and as a matter of fact she can check bags through regardless of how the tickets were purchased. She said she was sorry and hit print for the bag tags and what do you know, it said JNB! She began apologizing profusely and we moved on to the next part of the journey. My friend Travis was departing from Austin and got the same run around from AA. They were wanting a gun permit from RSA. He gave up after trying to explain the situation to a manager and just checked to DFW. My friend Travis from Austin was trying to check in for his flight to DFW and ran into the same issue with AA and them wanting a rifle permit for RSA. He also told them there was no such thing and after speaking to a manager finally just checked to DFW. Seth from South Carolina ran into AA asking for a Qatar covid form which was not required. He finally got another agent to help him and he checked bags and rifle through to JNB.
DFW-DOH QR730 14h 55m
We arrived in DFW and went to have a meal at Pappadeaux seafood restaurant. Then we met up with more of our group in Terminal D to present the Qatar rifle paperwork to the gate agent just like we did last year. There was only one woman there who could not help us and said we had to go out of security and do the rifle forms and show the Covid tests and then come back through security. Well what a mess. Of course we get down there and most everyone on our flight was trying to check in last minute! We finished the process and headed to the gate. By the time we got there they were beginning the boarding process. I had 7 in business class and 9 in economy on this trip. Although I was a little rattled from the two unnecessarily difficult check in procedures, many of my group thanked me for navigating us through to this point. My wife Jennifer and I were in the Qatar QSuite business class double bed seats. These are rear facing seats and I had to get used to that. The business class seating, food, and service on Qatar is excellent. I personally enjoyed a great meal, drinks, and a James Bond marathon of movies. We all slept well even the guys and gal in coach got some rest. I always explain to my safari groups, when contemplating flight options, that economy get you there but the QSuite is an experience all by itself.
We arrived in DOH pretty close to on time and just had about 3 hours to explore the airport. We hit the duty free shop for some necessary supplies and then just explored the airport on our way toward our departure gate. Sadly we just didn’t have enough time to enjoy the business class lounge. I’ll get to report on the lounge after my Zim and Tanzania safaris later this year.
DOH-JNB QR 1368 8h20m
This is the shorter flight of the two. The meals and service are about the same as the first flight however I do not understand why they don’t serve a proper breakfast on a flight that arrives at 4am.
JNB Arrival: I had organized the
@riflepermits.com VIP service for our group. This was just for the convenience of our large group as I’ve been there and done that so to speak. We got our luggage fairly quickly and we’re off to the SAPS office where Marius had our pre-approved rifle permits ready for us. All 16 of us were in and out of there in short order. I have always been happy with Riflepermits.com service at JNB. The Airlink check in is always fine but slow due to the fact that the ticket agents in Africa can’t take payments. You have to go to the business office to pay the rifle handling fee ($40) and any baggage fees. You are allowed 44lbs for your suitcase, 33lbs for the rifle case, and no charge for your locked ammo box which must be checked separately. With the rifles dropped off we went through security and then to Wimpy for some breakfast/lunch.
JNB-PLZ Airlink 4Z 797 1h 45m
This is a fun flight on a nice Embraer E190 which is one of the larger regional jets. The view of beaches, ships, and the port coming in to Port Elizabeth is really beautiful. Get a window seat!
Arrival At PLZ is uneventful and all of our luggage and rifles were there and in good order. My friend and PH Fred Burchell met us at the firearms room and really expedited the procedure! We were off on the one hour fifteen minute drive to Frontier Safaris camp.
Departure: We left camp at 8:15 AM and arrived at PLZ at 9:30.
Airlink 4Z 798 1h 50m:
Ticket agents were not available until 10:30 for our 12:30 flight. For 16 of us to navigate the Airlink rifle check in process it took 1.5 hours total. Once again the main hold up is simply paying for baggage fees and rifle handling fee. The delay has little to do with rifles and is just an antiquated process. Then it was time to go through security.
Somehow Patrick with TWG Travel Agency was able to get several of us business class seats (round trip) for an economy price! 4 of us were sitting in comfort up front on this short flight.
JNB Arrival:
We collected our luggage then we got our rifles from the little office by baggage claim. Each of us had to show SAPS form and passport and we were out of there. A long trek across the airport got us to the Qatar check in counter. This is where all progress was halted. Qatar had just one young woman to check us in. It was a slow process. We gave her our passport and Qatar rifle form and received boarding passes and luggage was checked in. Rifle cases had to go to the usual security office and then we went through security.
Shopping at JNB can be fantastic and many in my group bought gifts and then we headed to the Shongololo Lounge and awaited departure. The lounge is a welcomed retreat from the airport on a long layover. This one has very basic food and decent drinks. There are showers in this lounge however so that can be a plus for those with a long layover.
JNB-DOH Qatar 1368 8h 20m
We had good meals and service in business class once again. Economy passengers commented on having very good service and decent food. We had only 1 hour layover in DOH so there was no time to do anything but navigate the two security checkpoints and get boarded. For some reason on much of this trip Qatar was boarding the back of the plane first. Not so much fun if you are anticipating enjoying your QSuite.
DOH-DFW Qatar 729 14h 55m
Departed late at 8:30AM
We had good meals and service in business class. We did experience some turbulence on this flight that was enough that it was hard for me to sleep.
DFW Arrival- luggage was very slow coming out. Customs process was a breeze as always at DFW. Rechecking rifles was a bit of trouble as each AA person told a different story to each of us. They received some rifles at the AA counter and then later called the owner to come take it to TSA after we were gone. I was told to take mine upstairs to oversized baggage where the TSA gentleman made the process very easy and quick. I will remember this for next time.
DFW-SJT AA 3273 1h 12m
Departed late at 11:40, Arrived at 12:30
“Unruly passenger situation.” I was visiting with a gentleman just before take off across the row when the very sensitive male flight attendant asked us to stop talking while he did the announcements. We complied of course but wondered why he was so worried about two passengers having a conversation. A little while later he comes over and very smartly stands over us and asked in a very arrogant way if everything was alright. I said “everything is fine” but the other guy got a little testy with him. That was all it took for this flight attendant to throw the man off the plane and cost us a 30 minute delay as we approached midnight on our final leg home.
I love Africa and I love traveling but this trip was a whole lot more trouble than ever before. All of our flights were close to on time and no luggage was lost or delayed but I have a bad taste in my mouth over this one. As always I review all flight options with my travel agent annually so we will see what route we choose next time. Everyone traveling these days must know the rules of airlines and countries and be prepared to meet untrained and in some cases uncaring airline personnel.
Regards,
Philip
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