Australia announces Increased Passenger Security on flights from Middle East

[ajd]

Increased Passenger Security on flights from Middle East

• Increased security measures to be introduced for passengers flying direct to Australia from Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai
• Decision follows similar measures being introduced by the US and UK
• Affected airlines are Qantas, Etihad (Virgin Australia code share), Emirates and Qatar Airways

[FONT=&quot]The Turnbull-Joyce government is bolstering aviation security to ensure those traveling to Australia are safe, and to maintain our strong security settings.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said airlines flying directly to Australia from three major transit airports in the Middle East will begin additional screening measures at the boarding gates.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]“I want to assure people that there is no specific threat to Australia,” Mr Chester said.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]“In response to national security advice the Federal Government has made precautionary changes and instructed airlines to implement new protocols from next week.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]“Explosive detection screening will be conducted for randomly selected passengers and their baggage. Checks may also include targeted screening of electronic devices.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]“Our changes are in line with the UK, which recently announced that people travelling from Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai will be subject to random explosive trace detection (ETD) screening.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]“There is no ban on the carriage of electronic devices on flights to Australia at this stage.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]“The Government is continuing to ensure Australians and visitors who travel by air can do so in the knowledge that every precaution is being taken to ensure they arrive at their destinations safely.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]“The Federal Government has regular contact with international partners and will continue to monitor security developments and adjust security settings if needed.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]“The affected airlines are Qantas Airways, Etihad Airways (including Virgin Australia code share passengers), Emirates, and Qatar Airways, all of which already have gate screening measures for passengers boarding Australia-bound flights to enforce our liquids, aerosols and gels restrictions.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]“Regular travelers in Australia will already know how these measures work as they have been applied domestically since 2007.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]“Australia has a comprehensive and strong transport security system in place to prevent acts of terrorism,” Mr Chester said.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Travelers are advised to contact their airline to determine if they are affected by the new UK, US or Australian measures.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Further information on prohibited items and dangerous goods are available on the government’s TravelSECURE website: travelsecure.infrastructure.gov.au/onboard/[/FONT]

 

[ajd]

At least there's no electronic devices ban - though I can only imagine how QF would feel about announcing an electronics ban on QF2...

 

[Himeno]

While this is incredibly stupid, at least it appears they are being sane about it (for now).

Notice the friday night timing of this release...

 

[opusman]

though I can only imagine how QF would feel about announcing an electronics ban on QF2...

I suspect a lot of CL memberships would be swiftly withdrawn.

 

[ajd]

I suspect a lot of CL memberships would be swiftly withdrawn.

My thoughts exactly... and only from one side of the House...

 

[TheRealTMA]

MrsTMA already always gets "randomly" chosen for explosives screening. Obviously being an older aged Australian female she matches the profile.

 

[clifford]

MrsTMA already always gets "randomly" chosen for explosives screening. Obviously being an older aged Australian female she matches the profile.

Bit like me then...

 

[kpc]

Great ...on Qf 2 on Monday

 

[Skyring]

This sounds like a measured and effective response. I've got an affected flight coming up soon, and I really don't want to have to check my electronics and camera gear for transit through three different airports.

I think that the danger of having large numbers of rechargeable batteries in the cargo hold is more real and immediate than the chance of a terrorist with a boombox. The SA policy just ensures that every affected flight will have batteries in the hold, out of easy reach, and these things catch fire with alarming frequency.

If these are the same procedures we've been using here since 2007, then that's fine.

However, I wonder about implementation. We generally don't have dedicated flight security here. Everyone is screened as they enter airside, and it's only rare (like direct to the SA) flights that have anything additional.

My experience of DBX and DOH is that there isn't dedicated gate screening, so if passengers for direct Oz flights get extra screening, what's to stop blackhat passengers on other routes passing through and simply handling their explosive earphones (or whatever) to their accomplices on the Australia-bound flights?

Either screen *everybody* or set up gate security checks.

 

[docjames]

My experience of DBX and DOH is that there isn't dedicated gate screening, so if passengers for direct Oz flights get extra screening, what's to stop blackhat passengers on other routes passing through and simply handling their explosive earphones (or whatever) to their accomplices on the Australia-bound flights?

Either screen *everybody* or set up gate security checks.

There's an additional
Security check at the gate (at DXB) - applies to all Aus flights from all international ports where the "main" security doesn't meet Aus requirements. To
Date it has largely focused on liquids (hence the "collect duty free alcohol at gate" approach at SIN/HKG etc.)

I'd suggest this new screening step for Aus-bound flights will just occur in sequence with the liquids check that already occurs at DXB.

 

[TomVexille]

There's an additional
Security check at the gate (at DXB) - applies to all Aus flights from all international ports where the "main" security doesn't meet Aus requirements. To
Date it has largely focused on liquids (hence the "collect duty free alcohol at gate" approach at SIN/HKG etc.)

I'd suggest this new screening step for Aus-bound flights will just occur in sequence with the liquids check that already occurs at DXB.

Yeah, IIRC we had our bags checked in the lounge as we boarded QF10 last June

 

[TheRealTMA]

There's an additional
Security check at the gate (at DXB) - applies to all Aus flights from all international ports where the "main" security doesn't meet Aus requirements. To
Date it has largely focused on liquids (hence the "collect duty free alcohol at gate" approach at SIN/HKG etc.)

I'd suggest this new screening step for Aus-bound flights will just occur in sequence with the liquids check that already occurs at DXB.

Yes they are very cruel and heartless as well! I saw a family of 5 Americans who'd "borrowed" 10 bottles of the VOSS water from the F lounge and had them promptly removed from their carry-ons at the security check before the lift.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

MrsTMA already always gets "randomly" chosen for explosives screening. Obviously being an older aged Australian female she matches the profile.

Well for random testing we all match the profile.

 

[drron]

A talkative TSA agent told mrsdrron when she complained about yet another SSSS that one profile was older Caucasian females.

 

[TheRealTMA]

A talkative TSA agent told mrsdrron when she complained about yet another SSSS that one profile was older Caucasian females.

Absolutely! They are the most dangerous passengers to encounter! Just can't resist the young men from ISIS.

 

[Denali]

A talkative TSA agent told mrsdrron when she complained about yet another SSSS that one profile was older Caucasian females.

I was flying LAX>SYD last week and had a very invasive and long pat down - molested was the world I used and yes, my cough was touched numerous times.

One thing I notice was that security checks a couple of weeks before were quick and minimal (fastest US security ever) and then suddenly overnight they ramped up to me needing a drink afterwards as I was a bit shaken. Oh and after 6 flights, my tsa pre-check disappeared.

 

[opusman]

my cough was touched numerous times.

Unfortunately that policy comes right from the top.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

I was flying LAX>SYD last week and had a very invasive and long pat down - molested was the world I used and yes, my cough was touched numerous times.

One thing I notice was that security checks a couple of weeks before were quick and minimal (fastest US security ever) and then suddenly overnight they ramped up to me needing a drink afterwards as I was a bit shaken.

NOT THE ONION: TSA Announces Pat Downs Will Become More Intimate - View from the Wing

TSA Reaching Out to Police to Convince Them New Screening Procedures Aren't Sexual Assault - View from the Wing

 

[OATEK]

A talkative TSA agent told mrsdrron when she complained about yet another SSSS that one profile was older Caucasian females.

Absolutely! They are the most dangerous passengers to encounter! Just can't resist the young men from ISIS.

I seem to remember we (that is AU) locked up a couple of grannies who were travelling around in a Kombi a few years back, so not really new.

 

[OZDUCK]

I seem to remember we (that is AU) locked up a couple of grannies who were travelling around in a Kombi a few years back, so not really new.

It is certainly not new but you must be as old as me, , to remember that incident. I remembered it from my past life in Customs - it was more than a "few years back". The only on-line mention I could find was in a Victorian Parliamentary Report in 1979/80 - "Several spectacular seizures were mentioned, including the case inwhich two elderly American women were arrested after seizure of a totalof 1978 kg of cannabis resin hidden under the floorboards of a German madecamper van at Gosford, New South Wales."