Thread: Aviation security retards ?!

Soo my overall experience Auck to Chch and Chch to Auck was not too bad. (First time travelling with a Firearm)

Arrived at Auckland Airport nice and early to make sure I had all my ducks line up.
Made it to Rebecca at the Oversize luggage check in, to find should was less than enthused about a firearm...
She asked if we had checked the FA in yet, to which we responded no. She then told us to go check in.
Once checked in we returned to Rebecca, who then asked who checked us in, the answer was no one, we did it on the self check-in. She then told us to go see a person standing at a desk across from the oversize luggage check-in counter.
We waiting 15mins for the person behind the counter to finish up on something before she could help us, only to be told, I am new, I can't do this, you need to go down there (pointing to special assistance), a single desk with a large line of predominantly Asian and Elderly, who were having trouble with self-check in.
Waiting in this line I started to get a little stressed, as time was starting to run tight. Almost at the front, and an elderly person in a wheelchair barged in front of us, I bit my tongue... pick your battles.
Made it to the front, now only 25mins left until departure. This women was very helpful, did her thing and directed us back down to Rebecca at oversize luggage.
Rebecca again, spots the rifle case and grunts. I have to call security she said, and I cannot check any of your other luggage in here.
Time is almost out now, I ask the wife to head down with the other bags to check them in, while I head into the security office.
My experience with them was great (They were very gentle on me), just the usual, why are you heading to Chch, how long are you there for etc.
Wife knocks on office door, she is upset, we have now been told, we are too late to get luggage on the plane. We have missed our flight.
Now Rebecca is more talkative than before. You should have got here earlier, its school holidays, you should have known better, not my problem, you have missed your flight, perhaps you shouldn't be travelling with a firearm. Thank you Rebecca, you have been very helpful!
She then proceeded to argue with Av Sec who regardless of our predicament, still wanted to see an x-ray of the FA case.

Now, heading back down to Special Assistance, the lady behind the counter was very surprised to see us again. We explained what had happened, she booked us on a new flight (5hrs later) gave us some food vouchers, gave us front of the plane seats and then she walked us back to Oversize luggage, where Rebecca was now absent (spotted her across the room getting an earful). She checked all our luggage in here, and wished us well.
I think Rebecca may have been anti-firearm...
Made it to Chch and had a great time, lessons learnt.

Arrived back at Chch airport even earlier so as to do our best to avoid delays.
Went straight to special assistance, they checked us in, walked us to premium check-in, ripped up our boarding pass, asked premium to give us front of the plane seats.
Was done in about 15mins.

Would I travel with a FA again? Absolutely.
Lessons learned:
1. Arrive over an hour and a half early when departing Auckland Airport (If Rebecca is working at Oversize Baggage)
2. The staff at Christchurch are awesome and efficient.