Airport security confiscated an empty water bottle

[faz]

I guess they realised your bottle contained 21% oxygen which is a vital ingredient in an explosive reaction

it was probably mixed with hydrogen as well - can't be too careful now.

 

[amp-qld]

I almost always carry a bottle of water with me when I travel. When clearing international airport security, I know you can't have more than 100mL of liquids so I usually just drink or empty the bottle before going through security, then fill it up with drinking water after security, if possible. I know many other people do the same and many airports even provide drinking water taps after security for this purpose. I never had a problem... until yesterday.

I was boarding LA801 at SCL and, as is common on long-haul flights bound for Australia, there was an additional bag check in the aerobridge as we boarded the plane. The security official immediately noticed my empty plastic water bottle and confiscated it. She claimed it wasn't allowed. I'm not quite sure why - it was an empty, transparent 500mL bottle.

Anyone experienced this before? It seemed pretty ridiculous to me, but did the security officer have a point?

Agreed that Australia's policy is an unnecessary pain in the neck. I have urological issues so I carry water in a 100ml bottle - perfectly legal. However, staff at Singapore have twice said that water is not included in the allowed liquids.

 

[Kremmen]

To be honest I think Aus duty free prices often seem to be lower than elsewhere.

It is possible to fly to/through more expensive places than Australia, but it's hard.

Simple example: Last time I went through MUC, I bought 1L Bombay Sapphire at 18 EUR (~$31.90). Current MEL duty free price is $58.99.

 

[marks]

It's the notorious Department of Home Affairs.

https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/travelsecure/passenger-screening

Maybe a lobbying opportunity from AFF to the minister - Tony Burke.
Hon Tony Burke MP

 

[Nank]

I do agree the secondary rule is absolutely moronic, though I’m certainly very glad for our more sensible domestic rules. The rest of the world is still far behind on that front! However from memory each time I’ve flown out of DXB (boarding from the lounge) the staff have said the little plastic water bottles I picked up in the lounge weren’t allowed, but my personal water bottle, that I filled with a few of said lounge bottles, was fine?? I think I had a similar experience in DOH as well back in 2023.
Very strange

 

[aussieboozer]

To be honest I think Aus duty free prices often seem to be lower than elsewhere.

I bought 4.4l of spirits at WLG 2 weeks ago using a CC with no additional forex fees. Same items purchased at BNE would have cost AUD45 more.

 

[NM]

In my opinion, the secondary screening for liquids for flights departing towards Australia has NOTHING to do with security. I believe it is totally about protecting the business opportunity of the Australian international airport owners/operators so they can continue to justify the high rent/commission contracts they have selling the use of their retail space to the Australian Airport duty-free shops where all arriving passengers are herded through the arrivals markets. And once the process/requirement was established under the guise of security controls, nobody is willing to change the rules for fear of strength of the lobby groups representing the financial winners of this stupid regulation.