SAA not carrying firearms anymore.
- Thread starter sikamalc
- Start date
You are probably right, SAA didn’t go bust due to them running a highly professional, well trained organisation with an eye for detail and the customer at the heart of their operation, you just need to go on their website and try and navigate your way round
tusker
Well-Known Member
what again?
Tusker
yes this is confirmed that SAA is not taking in any rifles and or weapons. Airlink can assist in SA, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and Mozambique when hunters landed in SA
We have guys coming over from SA later this month who are flying Virgin.
Hopefully Virgin doesn’t change its policy
J
J
Ouch ! That hurt.
Stalker62
Well-Known Member
It has got so difficult and so expensive - including having to change carrier to BA, that one of our group and I will now be sharing one rifle for our upcoming trip.
This is an attempt to cut down on costs and faff.
Taking a rifle to Africa is just the most ghastly of experiences - it must be having a negative impact on those Outfitters who cater for Hunters.
It is (for me) so unpleasant, as to be a significant factor when deciding on where to go for the next 'trip of a lifetime'.
Anywhere that avoids Jo'Berg springs to mind...
sikamalc
Administrator
Its always at this end, either Gatwick or Heathrow. I went through Standstead once, never again. At most its 3 hour arrival before take off, and even then you may not make it on the flight.
The only UK airport I have been through and had regular clients through, where they are more in tune with firearms is Inverness. Now with a limited amount of airlines taking firearms its becoming a real ball ache before one even starts to look at over seas hunts. I am fortunate in that most of my African hunting was in the 1990's when it was far easier, but no less trouble some at the airport. But at least one had a more varied choice of an airline that carried firearms.
Hanechdene
Well-Known Member
Returned from SA a fortnight ago.
I used BA and Fly Safair.
I found BA a pain to book the rifles in with but apart from that, extremely helpful compared to SAA.
I was prepared to be charged for the ammunition box but not even a mention. In fact the whole experience in Heathrow terminal 5 was pretty impressive, I checked in both luggage and firearms, cleared customs and was set having a bear within an 1 1/2 hours, a record.
Fly Safair were also obliging and have the advantage of being able to book the rifles on line with the ticket booking.
The experience in Jo’burg was also remarkable, no longer does one sign the courier’s register in the baggage reclaim area, the firearms go straight to SAP. Presented all the documents with copies at SAP and was issued a permit within 1/2 hour, what’s more, not even an inclining of additional charges
. Once permit was in hand, signed the courier’s register and marched off to book in with Fly Safair.
The return journey was also equally hassle free.
I used BA and Fly Safair.
I found BA a pain to book the rifles in with but apart from that, extremely helpful compared to SAA.
I was prepared to be charged for the ammunition box but not even a mention. In fact the whole experience in Heathrow terminal 5 was pretty impressive, I checked in both luggage and firearms, cleared customs and was set having a bear within an 1 1/2 hours, a record.
Fly Safair were also obliging and have the advantage of being able to book the rifles on line with the ticket booking.
The experience in Jo’burg was also remarkable, no longer does one sign the courier’s register in the baggage reclaim area, the firearms go straight to SAP. Presented all the documents with copies at SAP and was issued a permit within 1/2 hour, what’s more, not even an inclining of additional charges
. Once permit was in hand, signed the courier’s register and marched off to book in with Fly Safair.The return journey was also equally hassle free.
Stalker62
Well-Known Member
Well that is refreshing to read.
Perhaps they have had a 'change of management'.
I will (of course) report back our little team's experience later in the year. I can only hope it goes as well as your's seems to have.
Trust you had a successful safari.
wboulter
Well-Known Member
Total opposite experience with BA, several of the group had booked their firearms in prior to arrival. BA said they had no knowledge or confirmation that the rifles were booked in. We stood at the checkout for over 2 hours to book the rifles in. When we arrived at Joburg we had to grease a lot of palms to get our Saps forms as they didn't arrive before we left. On the return flight 3 out of the group of 7 were held at check in for over 3 hours with their firearms. It was lucky that we had time while awaiting our flight back. The whole experience was expensive and a complete and utter nightmare. If I return I will not take a firearm with me.
Hanechdene
Well-Known Member
Interesting, your 520 form does not need to be sent prior to your arrival or did you use an agent to complete the form?
wboulter
Well-Known Member
We wasn't going to use an agent we'd already filled all the forms and Sent 6 weeks prior to are arrival and also made copies which we took to the airport with us trying to save money big mistake the SA police / customs said would take a couple hours to sort out which we didn't have a couple hours so we found an agent at the airport which was lucky for us got through just in time for onward journey
I have had very good experiences flying with firearms on Virgin they are very good
Been twice in the last few months and used Virgin and FlySAFair. No issues at all. SAFair are excellent.
As long as you get the paperwork right there is no issues in Joburg. SAPS forms you just take witth you unsigned.
The ammo did come out on the conveyor though but no one blinks an eyelid.
As long as you get the paperwork right there is no issues in Joburg. SAPS forms you just take witth you unsigned.
The ammo did come out on the conveyor though but no one blinks an eyelid.
Deeredriver
Well-Known Member
Always flown with Virgin with no problems.
Never had any issues with the SAPS. Just took my 520 form along pre-filled and then signed in front of the police. I've NEVER had to pay for a temp import permit. Absolutely no need to pay an agent.
The only problem I've even had in the last 15 years was returning to Heathrow to find my baggage had been broken into, with missing items including my ammo box. No fault of the air line. Heathrow police contacted Jo-berg police and funny enough the ammo box was returned a week later, still locked up! No such luck with the rest of my gear...
Never had any issues with the SAPS. Just took my 520 form along pre-filled and then signed in front of the police. I've NEVER had to pay for a temp import permit. Absolutely no need to pay an agent.
The only problem I've even had in the last 15 years was returning to Heathrow to find my baggage had been broken into, with missing items including my ammo box. No fault of the air line. Heathrow police contacted Jo-berg police and funny enough the ammo box was returned a week later, still locked up! No such luck with the rest of my gear...
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