Best Airport in Australia

[Dave Noble]

One of these days, you would be quite silly to use Sydney Airport if you can avoid it, not only because their exorbitant charges (understandable if their airport is like Changi, Singapore) but because of two words.

Schapelle Corby

So in summary, you'll pay top prices for an airport which doesn't guarantee your belongings safety from being tampered.

I vote Melbourne Airport.

Riiight.... And you do have the evidence to support the accusation.

Dave

 

[Mal]

One of these days, you would be quite silly to use Sydney Airport if you can avoid it, not only because their exorbitant charges (understandable if their airport is like Changi, Singapore) but because of two words.

Schapelle Corby

So in summary, you'll pay top prices for an airport which doesn't guarantee your belongings safety from being tampered.

I vote Melbourne Airport.

The Bali 9 went through Sydney too didn't they?

Sheesh. While Schapelle may be innocent or guilty, it still doesn't tarnish a whole airport. Ever heard of locks? *


* And yes, I realise locks aren't that much of an option for heading to the US, but you can get TSA approved ones etc.

 

[tuapekastar]

Think I'll jump in on the back of recent posts here.

I have a trip MEL-SIN-MEL coming up, and a planned (but not definite) RTW Oneworld next year which goes SWP-NA-EUR-ASIA-SWP, so involves transit through North America (AKL-LAX-IAD-JFK for that bit, to be precise, though this could change ).

I've always locked my checked bag, but have never bothered with the outside zip-up "pockets" (4 on my current bag) because I've never put anything inside them. Given recent events I've become a little edgy about leaving any part of my baggage unlocked (I don't want anything put in them without my knowledge), however have noted that the US TSA will break locks if necessary. Noticed also that there are "TSA-approved" locks available. Also noticed that at MEL there is a "shrink-wrap" facility for checked luggage.

Any experience/advice re this? If so would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[aasz1978]

One of these days, you would be quite silly to use Sydney Airport if you can avoid it, not only because their exorbitant charges (understandable if their airport is like Changi, Singapore) but because of two words.

Schapelle Corby

So in summary, you'll pay top prices for an airport which doesn't guarantee your belongings safety from being tampered.

I vote Melbourne Airport.

Riiight.... And you do have the evidence to support the accusation.

Dave

Well... that's a valid point except my observation are as follows:
a) She is still in jail.
b) People are lining up now to get their suitcases plastic-bagged, especially the Bali-bound one. It wasn't like this before. And
c) The recently hanged Australian guy did also mention Sydney gang as well according to newspapers.

Lastly, would you risk it?

Ever since that day, people whom I met do not want stopovers in Sydney anymore so they run to SQ or Emirates which do not stop in Sydney.

Perception matters mate....

 

[knoxd]

To be honest, I actually prefer SYD as a jump off point OS. Unless I'm going to SIN then it really doesn't matter to me.

I think BNE is easier to fly out of for a domestic flight. It just doesn't seem as busy as SYD or MEL.

I think the worst in terms of captial cities is probably HBT.
Seems all gates are at ground level. Really coughpy when its raining with gusts of wind. QP is checkin side of security.

I quite like MEL and SYD international terminals. Nice J lounges. Haven't been into the F lounge in MEL yet.

Although the smoking lounge in SYD next to the QF gates is closed and you have to walk all the way over to gate 60 something to get my dose.....

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

I've always locked my checked bag, but have never bothered with the outside zip-up "pockets" (4 on my current bag) because I've never put anything inside them. Given recent events I've become a little edgy about leaving any part of my baggage unlocked (I don't want anything put in them without my knowledge), however have noted that the US TSA will break locks if necessary. Noticed also that there are "TSA-approved" locks available. Also noticed that at MEL there is a "shrink-wrap" facility for checked luggage.

Any experience/advice re this? If so would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

TSA lock is better than having other type of lock (which certainly get broken) and better than no lock at all. However, even TSA locks do get broken sometimes, or forgotten to relock after inspecting - ie in the current environment there are no guarantees of luggage safety if travelling to or through the US, unless you only have carry-on.

The one exception I can think of is NZ1/2 LHR-AKL vv (via LAX) which through pax luggage does NOT get inspected by TSA.

 

[Dave Noble]

Well... that's a valid point except my observation are as follows:
a) She is still in jail.
b) People are lining up now to get their suitcases plastic-bagged, especially the Bali-bound one. It wasn't like this before. And
c) The recently hanged Australian guy did also mention Sydney gang as well according to newspapers.

Lastly, would you risk it?

Ever since that day, people whom I met do not want stopovers in Sydney anymore so they run to SQ or Emirates which do not stop in Sydney.

Perception matters mate....

Hmm.... She is in jail for being convicted of a crime ( which personally I think she committed anyway )

If you can use hysteria to your benefit and sell people a service, then thats capitalism in action

He mentioned Sydney gangs? Well I'm sure that there are no gangs elsewhere in Australia, plus he was quite deliberately ( like it would seem the Bali 9 ) smuggling drugs

Dave

 

[Maca44]

Over the past couple of years I have been using small plastic electrical ties to secure the zipper and locks on my checked bags. After inserting the end of the strip into the locking end of the tie, it can not be reversed and has to be cut off. However, they are relatively cheap so that doens't matter. After locking the zipper sections it can be opened up slightly, well enough to insert a small nail clipper which I use to trim off the ties so no body can try and pull on them.

I have only had one occasion early this year on my return from LAX when after collecting my bag from the carousel, I noticed one of the plastic ties (one section only) was missing. If anyone has seen these ties you will appreciate that they are quite sturdy and I don't think they could be broken off, so before looking into the bag I approached a customs officer, explained the situation. He then inspected the section in question, inspected the section, and they he passed me through. He did not want to inspect the other sections because the ties were intact. It might be a cheap alternative for some pax, and a small bag of them does not take up too much room in your bag.

 

[NM]

Over the past couple of years I have been using small plastic electrical ties to secure the zipper and locks on my checked bags. After inserting the end of the strip into the locking end of the tie, it can not be reversed and has to be cut off. However, they are relatively cheap so that doens't matter. After locking the zipper sections it can be opened up slightly, well enough to insert a small nail clipper which I use to trim off the ties so no body can try and pull on them.

I use them too. But I refer to them as "Cable Ties" since they are design for tying cables together and not for passing electricity through them (they are plastic after all ).

Another recommendation is to take a photograph of the locked bag just so you have some evidence that the bag was locked (or cable-tied) at check-in. If you are paranoid, ask the check-in agent to ensure the exact weight of the bag is noted, as that action alone would have indicated whether a 4kg package had been added to someone's bag after check-in.

 

[aasz1978]

Over the past couple of years I have been using small plastic electrical ties to secure the zipper and locks on my checked bags. After inserting the end of the strip into the locking end of the tie, it can not be reversed and has to be cut off. However, they are relatively cheap so that doens't matter. After locking the zipper sections it can be opened up slightly, well enough to insert a small nail clipper which I use to trim off the ties so no body can try and pull on them.

I use them too. But I refer to them as "Cable Ties" since they are design for tying cables together and not for passing electricity through them (they are plastic after all ).

Another recommendation is to take a photograph of the locked bag just so you have some evidence that the bag was locked (or cable-tied) at check-in. If you are paranoid, ask the check-in agent to ensure the exact weight of the bag is noted, as that action alone would have indicated whether a 4kg package had been added to someone's bag after check-in.

Yeah. I did that cable tying as well. Pretty cheap and effective as it would need to be cut off. Taking photographs seem a good idea but I think it's a bit of an overkill.

My luggage is a LOJEL, which is pretty reinforced (naturally) but it's empty weigh is already 7kgs before I put stuff into it. That's another idea.

I really wish the day Melbourne / Sydney airport (as much as I hate it) could mimic Singapore's Terminal 2 airport. It was a good experience when I was there for 8 hrs transit.

 

[NM]

I really wish the day Melbourne / Sydney airport (as much as I hate it) could mimic Singapore's Terminal 2 airport. It was a good experience when I was there for 8 hrs transit.

You must be referring to the taste samples they offer at some of the DF shops at SIN. I can understand how one can spend lots of time making that all-important decision 8) .

 

[JohnK]

I think the worst in terms of captial cities is probably HBT.

I think you are referring to HBA - Hobart and not HBT - Hafr Albatin, Saudi Arabia.

I use them too. But I refer to them as "Cable Ties" since they are design for tying cables together and not for passing electricity through them (they are plastic after all ).

I think cable ties are good for all the zippers that you are not likely to use. But these can easily be broken by anyone and re-tied with another cable tie. Not too difficult to have a supply of cable ties if you were interested in doing illegal things with the luggage.

I lock my bag with a padlock (problem is padlocks are easily picked) and a security tag. The security tag is quite unique, not easy to explain either. Not sure if anyone has seen one. It is like a cable tie approximately 20 cms in length, plastic, and at one end has a rectangle shape thingy (about 2 cms x 3 cms x 1 cm) where you tie the cable but also has a unique 6 digit number etched into the rectange shape thingy. You take a note of the number (picture is pretty good evidence) and if the security tag has been broken or the number is not the same number when collecting luggage then do not touch your luggage and call for airport security. I think they are pretty handy and not too expensive. I was given some by the security guy at the company I contract to because I travel overseas a few times a year. They use them when sending off computer equipment to their stores throughout Australia using courier companies.

 

[aasz1978]

I really wish the day Melbourne / Sydney airport (as much as I hate it) could mimic Singapore's Terminal 2 airport. It was a good experience when I was there for 8 hrs transit.

You must be referring to the taste samples they offer at some of the DF shops at SIN. I can understand how one can spend lots of time making that all-important decision 8) .

I could but I was too busy watching the Foxtel ESPN replay of Australia vs Uruguay soccer match at the big PLASMA screen down in the middle of Terminal 2 with free broadband internet surrounding me and plenty of leather sofas.

Not bad compared to my last port of departure which doesn't even have TVs, let alone FREE Broadband Internet. They sure have a lot to learn from the supposedly Third World country.

So yeah, I missed the taste samples. 8)

Must jot that down in my "MUST-DO" list on my next holiday trip.

 

[NM]

I think cable ties are good for all the zippers that you are not likely to use. But these can easily be broken by anyone and re-tied with another cable tie. Not too difficult to have a supply of cable ties if you were interested in doing illegal things with the luggage.

I just try to ensure my bag is not going to be the one picked for tampering. That means making it less attractive than the next bag on the conveyor.

Its a bit like the two blokes out in the Canadian wilderness that came across a bear. One bloke bends down and starts tying his shoes. The other bloke enquires "do you really think you can run faster than the bear?". And the first one says "Nahh, but I don't have to run faster than the bear, I just have to run faster than you!".

If mine looks like a bit of effort to get into and then make it look like it has not been touched, then the bad people will just look for another victim.

 

[tuapekastar]

Thanks for the responses to my questions re locking of luggage. Some good info there.

And NM, a very good point you make re opportunism. Bit like house burglaries I guess. The easier to get in, the more likely someone is going to do it. I would never have anything really valuable in checked luggage, locked or not, but as I said, my main concern is any unwelcome additions to the contents of my bag.

I'll toddle off to a good travel accessory store (if anyone knows a good one in MEL?) and check out what they have available.

 

[Mal]

I'll toddle off to a good travel accessory store (if anyone knows a good one in MEL?) and check out what they have available.

While wandering through K-Mart yesterday, I noticed that they now sell a TSA approved luggage lock. $15 each though. Didn't see any multi-packs...

Havn't really found that many TSA approved locks for sale in Australia. When I do, they are fairly exy..

 

[NM]

I'll toddle off to a good travel accessory store (if anyone knows a good one in MEL?) and check out what they have available.

While wandering through K-Mart yesterday, I noticed that they now sell a TSA approved luggage lock. $15 each though. Didn't see any multi-packs...

Havn't really found that many TSA approved locks for sale in Australia. When I do, they are fairly exy..

I don't see the point in using TSA-approved locks. I am unable to believe that the bad people don't already have an endless supply of TSA-approved lock keys.

 

[tuapekastar]

I'll toddle off to a good travel accessory store (if anyone knows a good one in MEL?) and check out what they have available.

While wandering through K-Mart yesterday, I noticed that they now sell a TSA approved luggage lock. $15 each though. Didn't see any multi-packs...

Havn't really found that many TSA approved locks for sale in Australia. When I do, they are fairly exy..

Thanks for the info Mal.

And I take your point too NM, regarding the 'bad people' being ahead of the game. Unsure which way I'll jump on this...

 

[JohnK]

Thanks for the info Mal.

And I take your point too NM, regarding the 'bad people' being ahead of the game. Unsure which way I'll jump on this...

Forget locks. Security luggage seals are the way to go. I have something similar to this (received for free) and when these run out I will definately order some security luggage seals from this company.

20 luggage seals are only $14.95 + $4.95 p&h. They are made unique to your specifications. They appear to be tamper proof. And if the bad guys tamper with your luggage you will know immediately as the seal will be broken and the bad guys won't be able to replace the seal because the luggage seals you used were made to your specifications not theirs.

Give their website a look over. Luggage Seal A liitle more expensive than buying a lock once, but what value do you place on security.

BTW I don't have any vested interest in this company, I am just trying to help.

 

[Mal]

I don't see the point in using TSA-approved locks. I am unable to believe that the bad people don't already have an endless supply of TSA-approved lock keys.

But if you use the TSA keys, then the "red flag" is visible that the lock has been tampered with. This means to investigate further...

My biggest issue with the locks is that I'm yet to see a 4 digit combo version. Believe 1000 combinations is a few too little for someone determined!

I don't think there is a magic answer. I'm yet to need to travel to the US, but it will be happening soon. At that time I'll prob go the TSA approved lock route, but will take the other options onboard that have been presented.