Qf9 security breach - 22nd august

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willjd

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So was flying to lhr leaving melbourne at 22.55 on Friday 22nd august, flight was already delayed 30 minutes due to luggage belt issues at the airport.
We boarded at 22.45, shortly after I was seated a very rude man smelling of booze talking on his phone boarded and sat behind us, I didn't think much of it at the time.
at around 23.30 the captain came on the tannoy to say there was an issue with the brakes and that it would hopefully be fixed in 20 mins. Around this time I noticed AFP officers coming on and off the plane and walking through first class (to talk to pilots - I now know)
By about midnight the captain came on to say they were still looking into it and hopefully not much longer. Still the AFP officers were on and off.
At about 12.45 the captain came back on to say that there had been a security breach and that as a result the whole bottom deck had to leave whilst a search was conducted.
Finally at 2pm we reboarded and left at 2.26am, 3.5 hrs late.

Now, I don't know what the security breach was but as they were searching the plane I can only speculate a threat was made. What annoyed me at the time was the captain not telling us truth. I can see in hindsight why they didn't say what the issue was ( to panic anyone). Glad that QF erred on the side of caution, and the captain did come and talk to passengers so praise where it's due.

on way to Dubai the smoke alarms then went off in the toilets and some young (expletive) was smoking.

Arrived in LHR in one piece which is always good :)

it it was our sons first flight to visit his granny and grandad in uk and having done this flight as a couple we have never had any issues it was Sod's law that everything caught up with us on one flight!
Issues encountered in one flight (not all QFs fault)
- luggage belts broken at Mel,
- QF lounge had no hot food
- security breach leaving melbourne
- delayed 3.5 hrs
- smoker in toilets
- had to move seats for take off as in 4 bassinet seats there were 2 others parents with 2 children
- luggage delayed 1 hour at LHR
- hire car lost.
 
Was the "rude man" from the first paragraph the security breach then? I couldn't quite tell what relevance he had to the story.
 
Re the security breach I believe that Qantas handled it perfectly. With these types of incidents there is a protocol to be followed to a) understand the level of threat, b)ensure the integrity of the aircraft, c) resolve it without panicking pax. and d) ensure departure at the earliest possible time once safe to do so.

Sounds like it was followed here with the appropriate outcome. Many people do not understand the difference between a potential threat and an actual threat or even that many, many threats are resolved without their input or even knowledge.

In these situations it is always best to sit back and let the professionals do their job. It is very rare that you can assist or that your contribution is required unless specifically sought.
 
How did you know the person was actually smoking? A380 toilet smoke detectors are quite sensitive and regularly get set off by deodorant and hairspray.
 
Ouch, sounds like a bit of an ordeal. However it sounds like QF handled the issues quite well. The only thing you could really pick on is the lounge food.

Hope the rest of your holiday goes well.
 
Not just about not panicking the passengers but also about not tipping of the 'suspect' if they are looking for someone. Don't want a cornered animal with a finger on a trigger.

But it is annoying when airlines don't tell the truth about delays or cancellations.

Matt
 
Often captain can't tell you if security issue. He/She can be bound by security protocols.

Interestingly - were you asked to move for a bassinet or was it a polite request.

I was once asked by CSM in business class (on 747) to shift for a husband and wife. It would have put me in the middle seat on a 747.

I politely offered to go into first class but otherwise said that I wanted my booked ailse seat.

He then asked 2 more times and each time I politely declined.

I was never required to shift.

If it was a real security issue then hand luggage would be rescreened. Did this occur? Also a real security thing would have you all off the plane and rescreened.

If not then I suggest it was a tick the box thing - for example crew are required to check all overhead lockers before pax are allowed on plane. Perhaps one side was missed
 
If not then I suggest it was a tick the box thing - for example crew are required to check all overhead lockers before pax are allowed on plane. Perhaps one side was missed

Other airlines may have this procedure, Qantas does not.
 
Issues encountered in one flight (not all QFs fault)
- luggage belts broken at Mel,
- QF lounge had no hot food
- security breach leaving melbourne
- delayed 3.5 hrs
- smoker in toilets
- had to move seats for take off as in 4 bassinet seats there were 2 others parents with 2 children
- luggage delayed 1 hour at LHR
- hire car lost.

I understand the challenges of travelling with a young family, and appreciate your patience and understanding on this occasion.

Due to security and confidentiality reasons, I cannot share details. However I can confirm that the flight was indeed delayed due to a passenger who made a claim to cabin crew during boarding that breached security regulations. Safety being our number one priority, we do not tolerate disruptive behaviour that may pose a risk to the safety of passengers, crew or aircraft.

Our Customer Care team can follow up with you regarding your experience in the lounge and seating onboard. They can also provide a letter for your travel insurers to make a claim for the lost car hire. Let me know via private message if I can assist you with this.

Wishing you and your family a great time in the UK, and hope the return journey is seamless.
 
Ohh the memories that you will have from this trip. Could have happened with any airline, just unfortunate it happened to you and your family.
You will laugh about it in time...
 
How did you know the person was actually smoking? A380 toilet smoke detectors are quite sensitive and regularly get set off by deodorant and hairspray.
I was there when he came out and the crew were talking to him. The crew confiscated the 3 packets of Marlboro he had on him....
 
I understand the challenges of travelling with a young family, and appreciate your patience and understanding on this occasion.

Due to security and confidentiality reasons, I cannot share details. However I can confirm that the flight was indeed delayed due to a passenger who made a claim to cabin crew during boarding that breached security regulations. Safety being our number one priority, we do not tolerate disruptive behaviour that may pose a risk to the safety of passengers, crew or aircraft.

Our Customer Care team can follow up with you regarding your experience in the lounge and seating onboard. They can also provide a letter for your travel insurers to make a claim for the lost car hire. Let me know via private message if I can assist you with this.

Wishing you and your family a great time in the UK, and hope the return journey is seamless.

thanks red roo, fully appreciate safety being number 1. Little willjd is very much enjoying granny and grandads time. :)
 
I just watched both Channel Ten & Nine News this evening who both had segments about home grown terrorism & Australians fighting overseas etc.

It mentioned that a man last week travelling to Lebanon was removed from a flight in Melbourne and detained for questioning. It didn't specify which flight but could have been any number of airlines that travel to the Middle East with connections to Lebanon.
 
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I just watched both Channel Ten & Nine News this evening who both had segments about home grown terrorism & Australians fighting overseas etc.

It mentioned that a man last week travelling to Lebanon was removed from a flight in Melbourne and detained for questioning. It didn't specify which flight but could have been any number of airlines that travel to the Middle East with connections to Lebanon.

They could add a "Are you or do you intend to become involved in a terrorist group in the next 12 months" on the departure card, that would simplify their work....;)
 
Ohh the memories that you will have from this trip. Could have happened with any airline, just unfortunate it happened to you and your family.
You will laugh about it in time...

Just do not tempt fate and say; "Oh it'll ......."
 
I'll never forget an Air India flight where one engine was smoking, the stupid FA told people "Please don't look out the left side windows" ????!!

That just made everyone panic like crazy when they saw the smoke streaming out of the engine. LOL.
 
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