I used Optima on my recent Safari, and on the return leg while in Johannesburg, the Optima representative couldn't confirm for me that my rifle case had been loaded onto the flight destined for Atlanta: probably for the reason you mention in your post. About 1/2 hour before the scheduled boarding time, I went to the SAA customer service counter with my baggage claim receipt, and she checked the computer records, and did indeed verify that my duffle bag, and also my Tuffpak were both on board.