safarilover
I agree with you regarding SAA!
We have flown all over the continent but only (yes nowhere else!) Johannesburg makes a fuss (experiences: Emirates and SAA - JNB staff is the worst). It's really becoming a NO GO for us more and more.
That's not for safety reasons.............;-)

SV

Spassvogel

It is definitely a problem for a solo traveler to carry everything in one carry-on. And, yes, I agree that, in my opinion, the JNB staff is the worst.

While I do agree with Bushkid about people spreading doom and gloom and maybe putting other travellers off from visiting splendid South Africa, I feel that people should be able to share their experiences so that others can avoid making the same mistake.

My advice - always shrinkwrap. Yes, people can cut through it, but, firstly, this will take extra time, and secondly, be more conspicuous. Thus, shrinkwrap is, at the least, a good deterrent.

I've had two bad experiences at OR Thambo the past two years. In the first incident, my bag was manhandled and damaged quite badly when I got it at baggage claim.

In the second incident - I noticed at baggage claim that it looked like one of my zips stripped, but I didn't pay it any attention, because I thought that was exactly what happened. WHen I got home, and started to unpack, I realized my whole bag was opened - it was a mess, with everything in different places than I packed it in. There was also a pair of socks and underwear which did not belong to me and two empty alcohol boxes (very expensive port) which also did not belong to me. Luckily, and by some kind of miracle, nothing of mine was stolen.

What the deal was, apparently is that the baggage handlers know that a lot of people don't want to declare alcohol etc. Thus if it gets stolen the traveller can't all of a sudden complain, because he was supposed to declare it in the first place. This might have been what happened to me. If I merely paid the few extra Euros at Barajas to have wrapped my bags - I would not have to go buy a new bag now (the zip cannot be replaced!!!)

Just a warning, though. Safe travels!!!

For my wife and I, I don't think the idea that there is the potential for crime would ever stop us from going somewhere. It just makes us more vigilant to be on the lookout for a potential situation and to be more aware of exactly where are belongings are at all times.

We will soon be taveling with a 9-month-old and realize that we need to be extra aware as there will be the potential for lots of distractions.

];')