Reverse Connect
 

Thanks to B747-437B for the photo guide. it was very helpful in orienting me when I got to JNB from an overnight flight. The time it saved me helped me standby onto an earlier flight to CPT.

In the spirit of gratitude allow me to show the path I took on my Domestic-Int'l connection. While it is not the reverse, it is pretty straightforward; follow the signs to Terminal A. (Pardon the poor photos taken with my mobile phone.)

I arrived from CPT on SAA at one of the Terminal B jetway gates and followed the signs pointing towards Terminal A.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...8-img-0149.jpg

a moving sidewalk that switch backs took us up to the main domestic terminal.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...9-img-0151.jpg

Again, follow the sign pointing left to Terminal A.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...2-img-0153.jpg

If you need to check in or deal with a ticket agent, you'll see all the ticket desks in the center of the hall.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...3-img-0154.jpg

I turned left, walked down a long hall, following the signs to Terminal A. I walked around an atrium looking down on the public waiting area for Int'l arrivals, following the signs towards the stairs down to the Security Checkpoint.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...6-img-0163.jpg

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...7-img-0166.jpg

Went down the stairs to the right. It was evening and the line was short, so got through in a couple of minutes.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...2-img-0168.jpg

On the other side is Passport Control. As light as the crowd was, this took almost 20 minutes with 3 agents.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...8-img-0171.jpg

Once through, there are signs providing approximate walking times to the various gates. They believe the farthest gates (A7-A18) can be reached in 10 minutes.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...9-img-0174.jpg

Go through the hallway to the main hall and follow the signs to your gate. If you have time and want to shop/eat there were plenty of retail/food options.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...0-img-0176.jpg

The signs also point to the various lounges in this main hall. I was headed for the SA lounge at the other end of this large hall, up some stairs on the left.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...1-img-0179.jpg

Don't forget about the walking time. I had to hustle to get back to my gate at the other end of the hall from the SA lounge. I hope this helps someone make their flight.

As mentioned, one does not need to reclaim their bag on the way out through JNB. However, as also mentioned, JNB is not an airport to trust with one's luggage. I checked my bag from CPT to ORD and it got stuck in JNB for 3 days.

I've checked bags several times a year and this is the first time in 10 years my bag didn't arrive with me, and on an all *A itinerary no less. I don't know if you can short check when connecting through JNB but it may be worth considering if you want to be sure your bags make it with you.

megalab, kudos for your illustrated guide. :-:

I would point out, however, that having checked your bags through you did not need to go up the moving side-walk, past the check-in desks and down again. If you had walked straight on from your point in the first picture you would have arrived at the security check point for international (at the bottom of the steps in picture 7).

Folks who do want to re-check bags can follow your documented path - but should be aware that only some of the check-in desks are where you have shown them. There is another, much larger, check-in area further along on the same level and actually in Terminal A. Using these would also result in going air side via different security and immigration check points than those shown.

You certainly can short check bags. Even then, if your bags are going to be in JNB's custody for any length of time you are at risk of pilfering.

Just pondering this thread since there's plenty of comment here on baggage security and timeliness in JNB. Is this hyperbole, or the occasional screwup? Is theft as big an issue as described here? Lost baggage, ditto? Does this apply to JNB and CPT? I'll be in that neck of the woods in March with checked baggage and should these comments have me wondering/concerned/worried?

Does SAA provide boarding passes if pax are connecting to another Star Alliance carrier? I am doing CPT-JNB-LUN-ADD (first two segments on SAA and third on Ethiopian, all same record).

Hope CPT agents are not as strict as JNB agents are with carry-on luggage at check-in. JNB even staffs airport contract workers at security checkpoints to weigh hand baggage before passing through to the airside area.

Happy to help. Yes, I see the alternative path. Still, given that I may want to short check and recheck next time I fly this way, it's nice to have the alternatives documented. Regardless, going up and down shouldn't take too much longer than staying on the lower level.

The main points for people who've never been this way is to allow for the potential delay at immigration, and the potential long walk to the lounges and/or Int'l gates.

I dismissed the concerns and look how I ended up! In my case one explanation may be when they checked my bag in CPT they needed to use two tags to get all my connections. Perhaps it confused the baggage handlers in JNB.

Despite it taking 2 extra days for my suitcase to get home (not necessarily spend 3 days in JNB as I stated) nothing was stolen. Not that I had anything worth stealing (dirty laundry, conference documents, common souvenirs) but I can still say while I've had a few bags delayed in my life, I've not lost anything.

When I checked in at CPT for JNB the SA TA gave me my BP for my JNB-CAI flight on MS.

I recall the baggage checker at JNB when flying to CPT. Didn't notice anyone doing the same in CPT on my way to JNB.

The theft problem used to be so bad that the issue was even discussed in parliament. That caused a big crackdown and then the complaints subsided. But in October a colleague had a camera stolen (he was carrying a spare in checked luggage) and I had a bag broken into (nothing stolen - because there was nothing worth stealing I suppose) within days of each other. So I can only conclude that the risk is still much higher than most places. In all my years of flying JNB is the only place where I have had had a bag tampered with. Interestingly CPT has never been a problem in this regard.

I can't comment on lost baggage. It certainly hasn't raised the red flags that the pilferage has.

Is the moral of the story use an old/dirty piece of luggage that no one would think it's worth the time to break into ?

Guide to Connecting at JNB
 

If JNB x-rays checked bags like other airports, they'll be able to see anything worth stealing no matter what it looks like on the outside.

Looking to pass my connections past the experts. I've read thru the thread and think I understand what I should do. I've got 4 (yep, 4) connections thru JNB in August. Any advice is appreciated

Connection 1
Intl-Dom, SA J to SA J
LHR-JNB-CPT
1:50 connection time
All one ticket

I should hopefully be able to get my bags tagged to CPT when I leave LAX since it is all one ticket and it is all *A. I will need to retrieve my bags in JNB, clear customs, and then recheck the bags. Anything additional special I need to do?

Connection 2
Dom-Intl, SA J to SA J
CPT-JNB-LVI
2:25 connection time
All one ticket

Seems like a simple one. Bags should be checked all the way thru. Just walk to Immigration and head to my plane. Or is it more complex like the Intl-Intl connections where I need to ensure my bags actually make it across by talking to an SA person?

Connection 3
Intl-Dom, SA Y to SA Y
LVI-JNB-HDS
Overnight stay in JNB
All one ticket

Given the theft from bags issues and bags going missing, I'm assuming the advice here is to tag the bags only to JNB, pick them up, and then recheck them the next morning for the flight to HDS

Connection 4
Dom-Intl, SA Y to TK J
HDS-JNB-IST
3:50 connection time
Two separate tickets

This is probably the most funky one and it looks like I have a couple options. Looking for suggestions on which one I should pursue.

1. Don't even try to tag the bags all the way thru. Plan on going outside security upon landing in JNB, get my bags and then recheck in for the TK flight
2. Don't even try to tag the bags all the way thru. Find an SA staff member inside security to have them have someone pull my bags and facilitate checking them thru the on next ticket. Is this even possible? I based this on the Intl-Intl description
3. Attempt to get the bags checked all the way thru (across the two tickets). Find an TK person inside security to ensure that the bag tags are properly in their system (in order to facilitate, or maybe ensure) the actual transfer of the bags. Is this even possible? Again, based this on the Intl-Intl description.

Is the first one actually the default? Is there a way to stay within security when doing a Dom-Intl connection? I obviously need to clear Immigration since I am leaving....

Have I got it right? I never thought I'd have to write such an extensive post on how to actually make sure my bags get to their destination, especially when all flights are *A and many are even on the same ticket! But this statement from my TA about JNB got me REALLY worried;

Does anyone know what happened to News Cafe in Intl' Depatures/Duty Free section? Is it coming back? Huge loss.

There are basically zero places to eat in the Int'l Depatures terminal.

I'll have a stab at this...

Correct. You might want to use the check-in counters to the left as you exit customs and the arrivals hall. (If there's a queue just go up 2 floors and check in at the regular counters. Your trolley can go on the escalators.)


It is simple. There is no reason why your bags shouldn't make it but you can reclaim and recheck if you wish.

This is identical to your scenario 1: you must reclaim your bags as it's an international arrival. I don't believe you will be able to re-check immediately for a flight the next day and I wouldn't want to anyway.

SA often can't even check you through on alliance partners when it's a single ticket. On separate tickets I think they will refuse. In addition HDS is a tiny airport so the chances are even slimmer that the agents will know how to do this. Given the time you have I would definitely just go for option 1. It also gives you a chance to plastic wrap them if you like - I doubt HDS has such a facility.

As I said previously the problem of bags going missing is far less prevalent (and there is much less you can do about it) than that of bags being opened and stuff removed. My advice is to make your bags as tamper-proof as possible. Don't check a bag with a zip that can be opened with a ballpoint pen and then resealed. Oyster shell bags are best. Or consider having your bags plastic wrapped. At the very least ensure that bags have the zip fastener locked in place.

Thanks for the advice and confirmations. Sounds like I have it more or less correct. As far as the bags, we usually take two quality rolling duffels (Eagle Creek and High Sierra). We actually don't even have hard side luggage...

I had never even considered a device to prevent the zippers from moving. I always use zip-ties as my luggage lock since they are cheap and easy (and if the TSA or Customs wants in, they easily can and I can tell). It never even dawned on me until you mentioned it that someone could open the zipper, take things out and use the locked together zippers to heal the split they created :eek: Looks like I'll be looking into something to lock the zippers in place.

For those looking for an example of splitting the zipper, see here - http://www.corporatetravelsafety.com...rap-p-201.html

IDefinitely no wrapping, and definitely no checking through of bags on separate tickets at HDS.

Johan