Well folks,
Here is a little story about flying and some of the pitfalls that can beset a traveller whilst travelling with a firearm.
After stalking with Malc last weekend I popped up to Gatwick and checked in for the 1345 back to Geneva, ariiving at the airport just after 11 (hopefully enough good time to sort out formalities). All well and good or so I thought. Until I got to the gate and boarding commenced when I was called forward. "We're very sorry Mr Seager but your firearm did not clear customs. We'll take you back, try and sort this out."
At first I was petrified and thought I might be looking at a firearms conviction. When eventually boarding had closed and we went back to the check-in desk. I got told that EasyJet had not got the customs stamp sorted so the Captain of the aircraft would rightly not accept the rifle. So, now being rebooked on the the 1700 flight I got walked through the rigmarole again (check-in, customs, security screening, the works) by someone who knew what they were doing this time. (Apparently a "new" member of staff had been in charge and not followed correct procedure)
So, this time I got on the flight no problem and got back to Geneva where, may I say, the customs formalities where a competently and professionally handled breeze.
I still wasn't too happy about spending from 1100-1700 in Gatwick after a 315 start to go stalking but all's well that ends well.
Now I feel a strongly worded letter coming on...
ATB,
Scrummy
Here is a little story about flying and some of the pitfalls that can beset a traveller whilst travelling with a firearm.
After stalking with Malc last weekend I popped up to Gatwick and checked in for the 1345 back to Geneva, ariiving at the airport just after 11 (hopefully enough good time to sort out formalities). All well and good or so I thought. Until I got to the gate and boarding commenced when I was called forward. "We're very sorry Mr Seager but your firearm did not clear customs. We'll take you back, try and sort this out."
At first I was petrified and thought I might be looking at a firearms conviction. When eventually boarding had closed and we went back to the check-in desk. I got told that EasyJet had not got the customs stamp sorted so the Captain of the aircraft would rightly not accept the rifle. So, now being rebooked on the the 1700 flight I got walked through the rigmarole again (check-in, customs, security screening, the works) by someone who knew what they were doing this time. (Apparently a "new" member of staff had been in charge and not followed correct procedure)
So, this time I got on the flight no problem and got back to Geneva where, may I say, the customs formalities where a competently and professionally handled breeze.
I still wasn't too happy about spending from 1100-1700 in Gatwick after a 315 start to go stalking but all's well that ends well.
Now I feel a strongly worded letter coming on...
ATB,
Scrummy