Has QANTAS made the biggest marketing blunder of all time?

[Geegeela]

Am I missing something with the QANTAS decision to “get in to bed” with Dubai.

I suppose there would be a few that may claim they could throw the first stone but for me the risk of travelling there is not worth it.

Just a cursory browse of the internet delivered a huge number of hits concerning their laws and customs that we, to say the least, would find annoying.

I did not dig very deeply but here are a couple of extracts that were enough for me to register a first look concern.

Banned Medicines and prescription drugs including codeine

When travelling to Dubai, the best thing you can do from the perspective of medicines, is to not bring any at all (toothpaste and soapshould be ok). If you do need to bring medicine with you, and it is not on the banned list, then bring the prescription, and have it attested/notarised (trythe UAE embassy nearest to where you live) before you travel.

There have been cases of people stuck in jail waiting for a copy of a prescription to be sent over, and even then it's not guaranteed to be a "get out of jail free" card.

Sexual relations outside of a traditional, heterosexual marriage are a crime.

Punishments range from jail time, fines, deportation, and the death penalty. A person may also face forced hormone treatments which may include chemical castration.

Adultery and fornication are also crimes, and a person convicted of homosexuality may also face charges of adultery if they have a spouse while having sexual relations with a person of the same-sex.

The laws, some of which were introduced by the British duringthe colonial period are still vigorously enforced.

Article 177 of the Penal Code of Dubai imposes imprisonment of up to 10 years on consensual sodomy.

Sexual orientation and gender identity remain taboo topics, with the most common depiction in the local media of LGBT people involving foreigners, disease and sex crimes such as rape.

 

[medhead]

No one is asking you to travel to the UAE under the arrangement. You just have to transit the airport. Hopefully, most people will be able to refrain from sexual relations and consensual sodomy for a few hours while in transit. (i.e. they can exercise their will power for a little while)

I don't know about the medication issue. But limited reading of other threads suggests the issue may not be as big as implied while in transit at the airport.

Many of these issues have been discussed here: Qantas/Emirates Code Share Arrangement - September 2012

 

[leemin]

I naively carried codeine when I went through (and subsequently entered, due to a delay) Abu Dhabi. Didn't here a peep about any of the medicines I was carrying. All in my carry-on.

 

[Mwenenzi]

100's of Australian's transit UAE now with Emirates & Etihand [EY] (via Virgin) and the other gulf airlines
The number of extra Aussie's with QF will not be noticed in Dubai

Traveling with medication but without the prescription is very unwise anywhere in the world

I do not recall this issue being raised are when Virgin entered into a partnership with Etihand.
Only with Qantas is this getting air play

 

[samh004]

Article 177 of the Penal Code of Dubai imposes imprisonment of up to 10 years on consensual sodomy.

That's a walk in the park, it's 14 years jail time in Queensland… (under 18)!

Also life imprisonment in Hong Kong (under 21)! Though recent cases have been successfully appealed, but the law hasn't been repealed yet AFAIK.

There are many countries and states with differing views on drugs, alcohol, sex etc and it always pays to take note before travelling. Isn't one of the most obvious ones Australians being locked up in Asia when taking photos of things they shouldn't be taking photos of? Same difference.

 

[The Rok]

This whole topic is much ado about nothing.

EK, EY & VA between them have carried thousands of pax through the UAE for a very long time, the volume of instances seems to be far less than the volume of incidents involving Aussie PAX in Thailand, Bali or certain other countries.

 

[nlagalle]

*yawn* what a waste of another thread...

 

[thewinchester]

*yawn* what a waste of another thread...

Concur. Keep it in your pants, be a smart traveller and ensure you have documentation for any relevant perscription medications you carry, and generally be a good law abiding citizen and you won't have a problem.

All common sense really.

 

[awilcockson]

Do we really need another thread on this same beat up?

 

[medhead]

Do we really need another thread on this same beat up?

What is really needed is to extract out all the posts that address these points from the mega thread. I did suggest that at the time, but nothing seemed to happen. No doubt it's a much better idea to leave that stuff buried on page 573 of a mega thread than create a separate thread that might stop people posting this stuff repeatedly. (what would I know )

 

[k_sheep]

I'm pretty sure both those examples are unlawful in many, if not most, countries.

 

[samh004]

What is really needed is to extract out all the posts that address these points from the mega thread. I did suggest that at the time, but nothing seemed to happen. No doubt it's a much better idea to leave that stuff buried on page 573 of a mega thread than create a separate thread that might stop people posting this stuff repeatedly. (what would I know )

Wouldn't help, people who have (choosing my words carefully) questions like this, probably won't even read an FAQ thread before asking themselves, or ranting, as seems to be the case here.

 

[drron]

It is easy to be critical of the UAE as our press(though less so than the UK press) certainly play up the problems.In practice the problems are minor.The authorities to tend to turn a blind eye to the "misdeeds" of us infidels.
I have stayed in Dubai.Held hands with my wife in public,drank water from a bottle in full view of locals,had my panadeine identified by customs(contains codeine) and had alcohol before sunset during Ramadan in the EL of a locally owned hotel.And I didn't even get a cross word or a lecture.
A fellow who I know very well lives and works in Dubai.His wife left him and lives with another Expat.The locals all know but nothing has happened.After all they are all infidels anyway.
I wont be going back but just because I didn't like the heat and the totally artificial environment.Nothing to do with the supposed risks of being there.The risks are blown out of all sense of proportion.

 

[mella2007]

Was in transit recently in AUH. Bags got checked through...didn't even see them again..and any medication you need or are worried about can be brought from the airport pharmac_ (inc Antibiotics over the counter)

As for the bit about relationships. It IS a Muslim country. They have rules (as does this country, as does the USA, as does everywhere).
You either comply with their rules, or you don't visit or transit there...simple.
There are options. No one is forcing anyone to get onto a QF flight when the changes occur to travel to the UAE.

 

[awilcockson]

tsk tsk drron, there is no place for common sense and real life experiences in a thread like this ...

 

[straitman]

What is really needed is to extract out all the posts that address these points from the mega thread. I did suggest that at the time, but nothing seemed to happen. No doubt it's a much better idea to leave that stuff buried on page 573 of a mega thread than create a separate thread that might stop people posting this stuff repeatedly. (what would I know )

medhead,

A very good idea IMHO however the issue is someone of the 5 volunteer mods or admin having the time availability to do same.

 

[medhead]

medhead,

A very good idea IMHO however the issue is someone of the 5 volunteer mods or admin having the time availability to do same.

Indeed an issue. There is about 30 alomost consecutive posts in the mega thread that could form the core of a new thread, plus of course the multitude of new threads that have been created.

Of course, Samh004 reminded me of the FAQ probably the easiest solution.

 

[TonyHancock]

To address the topic title I don't believe QF has made the biggest marketing blunder of all time. I bet we could find some cracking marketing blunders if we tried!

 

[awilcockson]

To address the topic title I don't believe QF has made the biggest marketing blunder of all time. I bet we could find some cracking marketing blunders if we tried!

I reckon the #QantasLuxury one would have to take the cake for that

Hate to quote nonews, but they have a great summary:

http://www.news.com.au/travel/news/...mpaign-backfires/story-e6frfq80-1226202445747

 

[Major]

There are thousands of Australians living in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the other parts of the UAE. There are Australians working for Emirates as flight crew, FA's and other admin roles. There are over 500 members of the ADF stationed in and around Dubai.

Australia to double force in UAE base - The National

Defence Ministers » Minister for Defence – Minister for Defence visit to United Arab Emirates (UAE)

I cannot recall the last serious issue involving Australians breaking UAE laws.

I have transited DXB and AUH and I have stayed in both Emirates doing all the tourist things. I certainly enjoy a drink and have had no problems. My presciption medicine is always in my carryon and I have not been questioned.

Australia has oustanding relations with Dubai and to think that the Qantas/ Emirates deal is going to change anything is just rubbish.

Get over it and go and enjoy a fascinating part of the world.