Ethiopian held guns & lost connection

[Lee M]

I had no issues flying Ethiopian airlines in 2018 but i only had bows. I’m flying with them in two weeks. There are older posts on here with details on flying with firearms and i believe all of them made their flights without issues even with relatively short layovers. Just make copies of paperwork and seek an airline rep as soon as you land to change flights. sounds like you get a tour of the lower baggage area and they work to ensure you make your flight.

 

[BOSSGobbler]

I was editing my post while you posted this one. I use an android phone but my daughter has iPhone. She tracks my guns from home here in Ontario and texts me those screenshots of where the guncase is located. It's proven to be a good workaround.

Do these tags not use lithium batteries which are not permitted in checked luggage due to fire hazard?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Do these tags not use lithium batteries which are not permitted in checked luggage due to fire hazard?

Apparently only in large quantities.

 

[Rider717]

Another question for you Ethiopian flight veterans: I know the overheads bins are small, but how strict are they on the size and weight of carry on luggage? I have a big backpack to carry my camera, tablet, binos and medecines plus one set of hunting clothes and boots in case my luggage doesn’t make it. I can squish it down to fit most spaces. I leave tomorrow and have just enough time to get something smaller to pack.

 

[Mountaineer]

I always use an internal frame backpack as my carryon. It’s approximately 2500 cubic inches. I put a complete change of hunting clothes in it. Hiking boots, pants, shirt, jacket, leather zip binder for all the paperwork we need, camera, binoculars, and trail mix. I have never had a problem.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Another question for you Ethiopian flight veterans: I know the overheads bins are small, but how strict are they on the size and weight of carry on luggage? I have a big backpack to carry my camera, tablet, binos and medecines plus one set of hunting clothes and boots in case my luggage doesn’t make it. I can squish it down to fit most spaces. I leave tomorrow and have just enough time to get something smaller to pack.

Don't risk having them take your bag and put it in the belly. These days if you're seated last it is almost a certainty. Get a separate small slim computer bag with shoulder strap. I tuck my point-and-shoot camera in there with laptop and chargers, etc. Also has all the paperwork. You can slide it under the seat if worse comes to worse. Wear one pair boots on the plane with backups in checked bag. Stick a pair of crushable slippers in carryon and slip out of the boots in flight if needed (or just walk around in socks). Easier to shove boots overhead than a bag. One set of hunting clothes, underwear, and socks in the bag + toiletries/meds. I still have room for extra glasses, binocs (2), and two scopes. Stuff a light fleece jacket or rain jacket in the bag. Wear your cap. It can go in the seat slot on the plane.

I can fit everything in this small back/day pack and computer bag.

 

[Rider717]

Thank you everyone for the replies. Will they allow a second carryon? What is their boarding process? I see where I can pay $40 for early boarding, any body got experience with that?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Thank you everyone for the replies. Will they allow a second carryon? What is their boarding process? I see where I can pay $40 for early boarding, any body got experience with that?

My computer bag has always been let slide. If it will slip under the seat ahead, they don't care ... so far. But airlines are realizing what a cash cow it can be to charge for luggage. A lot of current controversy about this.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

I have a shoulder strap for computer bag and a backpack for carryon so both hands are free to wrestle with gun case and checked bag. Checked bag also has optional shoulder backpack straps that zip in. If necessary I can wear it and computer bag while carrying gun case in one hand and smaller carryon backpack in other hand. Requires strong back and knees! Trolley is definitely more desirable but not always available.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Also have a pair of fold flat earphones in the front pocket of my computer bag. Best four bucks I ever spent at dollar store. Ear buds suck on the plane. And these cheap earphones fit over my hearing aids too.

 

[rookhawk]

I’ve used Ethiopian including this last trip a month ago, but the one thing I will tell you do not walk away from your incoming flight until there is a representative there to escort you to the Firearms checkpoint insist that that happens rather than have them rush you through security by getting you on the bus when they unload you on the tarmac Otherwise you will miss your flight
Gone is the day that they have a representative meet those with Firearms passengers listed on a board to escort you to the dungeon for law-enforcement to Check your Firearms. It’s up to you to figure it out and unless you’ve done it before a big issue. They always have very short layovers so u must be on ur toes and finding a representative that speaks English can be a challenge

Not the first horror story I've heard with Ethiopian Airlines and their police.

I'm hearing equally troubling info recently about Qatari in so much as the service of the airline is great but the Doha police and inspections are seizing lots of stuff of value.

I've been to Zim many times flying directly into HRE on Emirates and I can report they're the smoothest with the permits and the connections.

 

[Mountaineer]

I believe your tickets define how many items can be checked and carried on.

 

[Shakka]

Hi! First time I heard about an airline pulling fireamars for inspection on a layover in Addis Abeba. This was Ethiopian Airlines coming from the USA heading to Zimbabwe.

Long story short our client called us from the airport hotel at ADD explaining that the airline called him to show some paper work. They took him to a room to check the gun case, that obviously was everything correct, assuring that he wouldn't loose the connection to VFA. He did loose the connection and they have put him in a hotel without his firearm nor his suitcase. We do not know yet if those pieces made it to the plane on time and maybe they departed.

Hopefully he will arrive tomorrow and everything will be in place.

Has this ever happened to anybody here?

Definitely will stop recommending Ethiopian Airlines to my clients. I always recommend to fly with Qatar Airways or Ethiopian Airlines.

In your second paragraph you stated, "My Client" so am I correct to assume that you are a booking agent? And if you are, you sent a client with a firearm to Africa without knowing the Airlines policy?

I flew Ethiopian 7 or 8 times so far with a firearm and I NEVER had a single problem. My booking agent, Gracy Travel, sent me all required documents related to traveling with a firearm, along with detailed instructions on how and where to proceed once at the airport. Ethiopian Airlines has instructions on their website as well.

It IS an inconvenience to re-check a firearm at the airport but if you have the necessary documents filled out and all of your ducks in order, it isn't a problem and doesn't take more than 20-30 minutes in total, and I have been treated politely every time. And not even once did an employee accept the tip that I offered them for their service

Do your homework and you wont have a problem

 

[Tusker]

In your second paragraph you stated, "My Client" so am I correct to assume that you are a booking agent? And if you are, you sent a client with a firearm to Africa without knowing the Airlines policy?

I flew Ethiopian 7 or 8 times so far with a firearm and I NEVER had a single problem. My booking agent, Gracy Travel, sent me all required documents related to traveling with a firearm, along with detailed instructions on how and where to proceed once at the airport. Ethiopian Airlines has instructions on their website as well.

It IS an inconvenience to re-check a firearm at the airport but if you have the necessary documents filled out and all of your ducks in order, it isn't a problem and doesn't take more than 20-30 minutes in total, and I have been treated politely every time. And not even once did an employee accept the tip that I offered them for their service

Do your homework and you wont have a problem

Sure, is our client. I am not a booking agent, nor a consultant or an outfitter. Im an operator and hold a concession. I do not want to advertise myself, that is why I didn't elaborate.
You are right I should know better the regulation, but normally is the booking agent or broker the one in charge of these part.
I only want to point out what happened so nobody else has a similar problem.