Binoculars not allowed in Ethiopia; cited as a national security risk! Curious as to how birding tour groups handle this - do they apply for licenses well in advance of arrival?
I was inadvertently delayed for 24 hours in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia this week, when our flight arrived late and we missed a connection. Had not expected to leave the airport, but we were given rooms at the very nice, nearby Skylight Hotel, and so we had to pass through the exit security xray with our hand luggage. They flagged binoculars in three people’s bags, and sent us to airport security.
They required us to check them in, and leave them in a locked room in the Arrivals building. We were given yellow receipt tags. Security staff did not handle our items; they accompanied us to the room, unlocked it, and watched us deposit our item. It was reminiscent of the Room of Requirement at Hogwarts. We were warned; Do.Not.Lose.The.Yellow.Tag!!
Next day, it took extra time to get into the secure area of Arrivals, with a half-dozen airport employees assisting. After presenting our yellow claim checks, we were each accompanied on a path through the secure airport employee area, back to the Departures building, and taken to the departing security screening, past check-in. Made the flight, but you will need to add at least 30-40 minutes to do this property retrieval before you can head to your gate.
I was inadvertently delayed for 24 hours in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia this week, when our flight arrived late and we missed a connection. Had not expected to leave the airport, but we were given rooms at the very nice, nearby Skylight Hotel, and so we had to pass through the exit security xray with our hand luggage. They flagged binoculars in three people’s bags, and sent us to airport security.
They required us to check them in, and leave them in a locked room in the Arrivals building. We were given yellow receipt tags. Security staff did not handle our items; they accompanied us to the room, unlocked it, and watched us deposit our item. It was reminiscent of the Room of Requirement at Hogwarts. We were warned; Do.Not.Lose.The.Yellow.Tag!!
Next day, it took extra time to get into the secure area of Arrivals, with a half-dozen airport employees assisting. After presenting our yellow claim checks, we were each accompanied on a path through the secure airport employee area, back to the Departures building, and taken to the departing security screening, past check-in. Made the flight, but you will need to add at least 30-40 minutes to do this property retrieval before you can head to your gate.