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.

 

[mr mink]

I almost got caught by this last week in transit in Dubai going CDG-DXB-SYD. Never left the secure area but last minute check at gate but as I wanted to keep my personal coloured water bottle just filled in the airport I emptied in into the bin. Is this a DXB rule just for Australian flights? or does it apply to others? Went through to Cairo earlier in year in both directions, may have applied then as well, but can't remember which sector?

 

[AnnetteDo]

I think of you buy Duty Free at the LGA airport they get in on board for you to pick up at the Australian Port. The problem I had a few years ago transitting through BKK was that I had purchased Duty Free at FRA. When they took it off me at the 2nd security screening in BKK they gave me a form to request a refund from Heinemann Duty Free in FRA as they should have advised me of the Australian Regulation. Obviously Heinemann never responded to me..it wasn't so much the refund but I was curious to see if they were aware of the regulation and how /if they train their staff accordingly. Lesson learnt.

 

[AIRwin]

When they took it off me at the 2nd security screening in BKK they gave me a form to request a refund from Heinemann Duty Free in FRA as they should have advised me of the Australian Regulation. Obvio

Credit card chargeback?

 

[Neil64]

Give the poor old Australian government a chance. They’re still working on digital declaration cards.

 

[Flyingwombat]

The Australian government's international liquid paranoia needs to end yesterday. It is impossible to justify when you consider the lack of liquid restrictions on domestic flights.

I was here to say this!!! Why is it safe on a 5 hour flight to Perth but dangerous on a 8 hour flight from SE Asia?

Give the poor old Australian government a chance. They’re still working on digital declaration cards.

Honestly why don’t we just buy a system from another country….. plenty to choose from

 

[Neil64]

I was here to say this!!! Why is it safe on a 5 hour flight to Perth but dangerous on a 8 hour flight from SE Asia?

Honestly why don’t we just buy a system from another country….. plenty to choose from

That would be too cheap and efficient.

 

[Beano]

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.

100 ml is not a lot of water!

 

[dajop]

In my opinion, the secondary screening for liquids for flights departing towards Australia has NOTHING to do with security.

Exactly. It only applies to flights landing in Australia. And it doesn't apply to other flights who spend several hours crossing Australia including right over Sydney. I guess having another 3 hrs crossing the Tasman substantially reduces the security risk.

 

[Wing Nut]

In NAN, on the way home to CBR, Fiji Air staff did a pre-flight bag check after we scanned our boarding passes and just before boarding. They took my full 250 ml standard airline water bottle that I filled in the lounge! We did have a chuckle to ourselves.