Hyde Hunter
AH fanatic
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2019
- Messages
- 835
- Reaction score
- 1,092
- Location
- Stickney,SD
- Media
- 12
- Member of
- life member NRA,CowBoy Fast Draw
This is long so beware! I am writing not just what can and will happen going and coming back from Africa but is as much for the new hunters to Africa as to what can happen and the reason for a Travel Agent. I arrived April 4th in Atlanta at 8:30 am and had a very long connection wait of 14 hours to fly to Johannesburg, SA. I took this flight not wanting to have to first fly to Chicago or Minneapolis and have to catch different flights to shorten the Atl layover but would still have layovers in those cities also. Everyone was waiting to board the flight at 9:30 pm (and it was packed to the limit) but due to an A/C issue they finally called the flight canceled at 2:20 am and gave hotel vouches and told everyone they could catch Sundays flight or go and rebook something else. I went to the hotel and caught a few hours sleep and went back to the airport ad see what was going to happen with my Sunday flight and was surprised to be offered a flight that night (great) then yuck I was down graded from Premium Economy to cattle class middle seat, but Delta was going to give me a 700.00 flight e-credit ( I would fight with them when I got home) and after another late start that night around midnight we departed. The plane ahead of us at our gate had issues and when it left they bought our plane to the gate then had to clean, restock and load cargo then our checked bags, it seemed to be just getting better by the minute. Earlier in the day I contacted my wife and told her to rebook me on Airlink for the flight to P.E. on the coming Monday, as I lost a day of hunting so she did this. I had booked Rifle Permits for my SAPS rifle permits and their meet and greet to get me thru SAPS and to City Lodge as I was hoping they could get me thru Customs quicker as fellow hunters had mentioned but there was not anyone from Rifle Permits to be found, so with one of the Porters went went looking for the person from Rifle Permits and found Anna by the Airport entry door and she handed me off to Marius. I was not happy about this after spending 310.00 for the service that did not happen. I will talk to Henry at a later date about this. We went to get my rifle permit, smooth sailing and head to City Lodge. This was my first time at City Lodge(having stayed at Afton House and Africa Sky before) and found it to be very nice (great breakfast) place and would stay there again. Next morning at Airlink, I found out at 7:00am Monday morning at the check in desk they had not moved my permission to fly with guns from Sunday to the new flight on Monday. It took 4 1/2 hours to get straightened out and fly off to PE finally. I was sure happy I went to check in early. I will post the hunt in another day or 2 but will continue with the flight getting home first. Arrived at Airlink in P.E. for the flight home and issues but Joe one of our group had booked his round trip including the Airlink flight that Delta dropped the ball and he did not have a flight back to Joburg but after about an hour the Airlink folks got it handled for him and away we go. Upon arriving back in Joburg everything was good just a long layover again and this time I was able to finally get my Premium Economy seat which is much nicer than cattle class but will go Comfort Class next time, not sure the 1,000 dollars makes it worth it. Hopefully will be able to fly Delta One. When I got back to Atlanta going thru customs was no issue fairly quick picked up luggage and went thru Customs rifle check with no issue with suppressor had a separate 4457 form for it and was told it was not need and got my boots sprayed and off to TSA for check in and clear rifle again. This time it was smooth until the swab for explosives and guess what my case failed twice, then waited for someone to come and take everything out and give the ok to send it thru. I reinstalled the pad locks. Almost forgot for those of you that use TSA locks on your gun case "don't" a guy ahead of me at Airlink check in almost did not get to check his case as a someone had unlocked his TSA lock with a key and did not reset the key and it would not lock. it took some time to find a key and reset the lock. Then the long layover again for the flight back to So Dakota. Got home at 2:00 am and next morning went to open my gun case and found a large zip tie around the case and a TSA card inside stating they had inspected it again, I have no idea how they got my padlocks unlocked and reinstalled with out a key but looks like they can now. Now for you guys making your first trip and are not sure about a travel agent I used Jennifer at Travel Express and did not need her help with the mess Delta caused but now is where she shined and came through for me. I could not get anywhere with Delta and their 700.00 dollar e-credit as I wanted a refund to my credit card and they said no. I called Jennifer and told her the story and she would get ahold of her person at Delta an she what she could come up with. A couple days later I for an email from her and she was able to get me a credit to my credit card for 756.27 and a 400.00 dollar e-credit good for one year, so guys the little you spend for her service is worth it. I am now working with Henry at Rifle Permits for some sort of compensation for his people leaving me hanging at Joburg Customs and so far has offered me a free rifle permit and free meet and greet for my next trip. I told him that would not work as I would not be going back for about 2 years and would rather have a credit card credit, he says he cannot do credit card credits and I find that hard to believe as he took payment on a card so he should be able to issue a credit he is working on that with his credit car company so we will see. I warned you it would be long and hope this might help first or second trip hunters as to what can go wrong. Next the hunt to follow.
