Security Delays on SAA from JNB to USA ?
 

It's only been a week and a half since the new security requirements, but does anyone yet have experience of whether (and to what extent) these may be causing flight departure delays out of Joburg to the USA?

I flew back 5 days ago from JNB to USA, but I connected through London.

The only major difference I experienced was body and bag searching at the gate (at Heathrow). This added perhaps 20 minutes to our boarding procedure, but the flight left on time anyway; they simply started boarding earlier (which impressed me somewhat).

They did not weigh our carry-on bags.

I suspect that things are still in flux though and that they may still be implementing further procedures.

James

Rick, do you have another trip planned? I may be skipping Africa this year (horror!!) to go to British Columbia for whales and spirit bears.

Then he'll need to do 2 trip reports! ;-)

SAA has been doing body and bag search at the gates each time we have been through JNB to IAD in 2009. No flight delays.

I just hope carrying cameras, lenses and gear is not a huge hassle in the future. If any of you have noticed, over the years there are just more and more restrictions on what you can and can't carry with you ...........

Short delays like those for extra security checks and the like, they usually make up the time easily while in the air, especially on such long haul flights - don't they?

JNB security seems to have stricter rules than TSA in USA. Last Sep 2009 I flew out of JNB and in my camera kit carry-on as part of a tool set there was a 4 inch long tiny screw driver. JNB carry-on bag x-ray saw it and they made me take it out, it could not go with me, I protested and showed them the TSA regulation that says small tools, small screw drivers are allowed. (It had passed TSA out of LAX). Security said they were not TSA and it is not allowed. So I took it back to Lufthansa where a very nice agent wrapped it in a small cardboard box for me and the little tool went as checked luggage. And I got it at LAX. On the Lufthansa flight with the served meals were metal/steel forks and knives that were much larger than that screw driver. Insanity.

regards - tom

On my last trip home from Zambia my carry on bag was pulled off the conveyer belt at Heathrow as they closely inspected a wooden object that looked perhaps like an old WWI grenade. It actually was wooden replica of a bottle of Zambia’s national beer “Mosi” that also functions as a bottle opener that I had purchased at the Lusaka airport. My explanation that it was a replica of the Zambian beer brought back blank stares, but they gathered in a huddle and ruled in my favor and sent me on with bottle opener in hand.

The review of TSA rules is a stand up comic’s dream as there is a wealth of material. For example for all you that can’t travel without your meat cleavers, sabers or swords the rules explicitly state you can’t bring them on as carry-on bags, but they welcome as checked luggage. In contrast those hand grenades you wanted to bring home to Aunt Betsy for the holidays – forget about it – can’t bring them as carry ons or check them. No mention of howitzers or RPG’s.

QUOTE:
sundowner on Jan 6, 10 at 1:51pm
Rick, do you have another trip planned? I may be skipping Africa this year (horror!!) to go to British Columbia for whales and spirit bears.

ShayTay on Jan 6, 10 at 4:19pm
Then he'll need to do 2 trip reports!

* * * * *
That TZ trip report has been half-written for over a month! I've made a New Year resolution to finish before departing for Bots on Jan 25!

cary
Years ago they took away a hotel's sewing kit.

I have got the feeling they know what to do with all that stuff ;-)

SV ((@))

Good to hear, Rick. You and Trish were taking such good notes, that I didn't! Then, there was that rain in Mahale... I'm sure it will be great and Sundowner and I can fill in with our recollections, too. Enjoy, Botswana! I think I may just get Trish and Jeff to go there this year.

Yes SV, it is most important that they take away grandma's tooth paste. Wonder if they use it or re-sell it??

regards - tom

You're going again so soon, Rick? You lucky dog! I hope you have the best time ever. And I hope you see many leopards :)