Help!! - who do I kill.... [Insulin taken at Security, no Notification]

[Bindibuys]

Hi,
my best friend travelled from Darwin to Melbourne today, and upon arrival at Melbourne, awaiting his next flight to Canberra, he discovered that his insulin had been removed from his esky.
The only time the esky was out of his sight, was during xray at Darwin.
He is ready to kill someone working at the xray area, as this threatens his life, being a type 1 - insulin dependant.

My question - who is he best to call tomorrow, to have that staff member instructed that you can not remove needles from hand luggage, when that needle is used for insulin, and more so, not tell the passenger that it has been removed.

Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi,
my best friend travelled from Darwin to Melbourne today, and upon arrival at Melbourne, awaiting his next flight to Canberra, he discovered that his insulin had been removed from his esky.
The only time the esky was out of his sight, was during xray at Darwin.
He is ready to kill someone working at the xray area, as this threatens his life, being a type 1 - insulin dependant.

My question - who is he best to call tomorrow, to have that staff member instructed that you can not remove needles from hand luggage, when that needle is used for insulin, and more so, not tell the passenger that it has been removed.

Any insight would be appreciated.

I would start with the airport operator: When You Arrive A phone number is at the end of the page.

Give them a call and find out how to proceed.

 

[tgh]

Can't help with who to call..other than the media..
I can advise never ever to part company with the Insulin.
Keep enough pens in a wetpack in hand luggage and do not let it out of your sight..life depends on it.
Good luck

 

[TheRealTMA]

Hi,
my best friend travelled from Darwin to Melbourne today, and upon arrival at Melbourne, awaiting his next flight to Canberra, he discovered that his insulin had been removed from his esky.
The only time the esky was out of his sight, was during xray at Darwin.
He is ready to kill someone working at the xray area, as this threatens his life, being a type 1 - insulin dependant.

My question - who is he best to call tomorrow, to have that staff member instructed that you can not remove needles from hand luggage, when that needle is used for insulin, and more so, not tell the passenger that it has been removed.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Police.

 

[eric2011]

And in any discussions with airport authorities and/or the police I seriously suggest you don't use the "Kill" word.

 

[Pushka]

Surprised they removed anything without doing this in front of the person themselves as they usually want to know whose bag it is before opening it. Maybe Darwin is different. Sorry I can't help but take him to hospital to get some assistance?

 

[eric2011]

Surprised they removed anything without doing this in front of the person themselves as they usually want to know whose bag it is before opening it. Maybe Darwin is different. Sorry I can't help but take him to hospital to get some assistance?

Usually you would place your belongings onto the conveyor and walk thru the scanner. Then stand and watch as your belongings pass thru the xray and you are usually in a position to watch everything. As you say maybe Darwin is different

 

[Bindibuys]

Well he is home now, and I have just given him the airport phone number to call (fyi ~ he does not own a computer & his phone is to make/receive calls, he does not know or care how to text....) Yes, he lives alone.
He put his esky in the xray tray, got body scanned, then the tray only came thru.
Then a guy came up & said “is this your esky?” You are right to go.”
He had already had lunch, so had no need to check the contents. It was not until dinner time, waiting at Mel for his next flight, that he opened it.
Why was nothing said about removing contents, when the staff member handed it back?
Will hear later this avo how conversation went.

 

[DC3]

... Why was nothing said about removing contents, when the staff member handed it back? ...

That would not be usual, if something was removed. In fact, most unusual.

Edit: So there’s no chance that the item was never in the esky then?

 

[OZDUCK]

I would assume that this area would be comprehensively covered by Surveillance Cameras so an official complaint should be able to verify what occurred.

 

[ALH]

Police.

That’s tantamount to theft. I’d be reporting to police and demanding they check the security cameras.

Edit: I had a near miss at Heathrow years ago, when my very expensive camera was deftly flicked aside in a matter of seconds to behind the security guy’s console. I kicked up a pretty big stink. Luckily I was on the ball & spotted the quick movement.

 

[TheRealTMA]

That’s tantamount to theft. I’d be reporting to police and demanding they check the security cameras.

Edit: Had a near miss at Heathrow years ago when my very expensive camera was deftly flicked aside in a matter of seconds to behind the security guys console. I kicked up a pretty big stink. Luckily I was on the ball & spotted the quick movement.

It’s not tantamount to theft. Is it just theft and a criminal offence. Police should be involved.

 

[Sprucegoose]

It’s not tantamount to theft. Is it just theft and a criminal offence. Police should be involved.

I am not sure if it would be considered criminal conduct, however, I would challenge the process utilised and whether it was an approved process. It would be appropriate to ask to view video footage. I am not au fait with the commercial arrangements within the airport but I would copy Melbourne Airport into all correspondence, if not addressing them directly?

 

[DC3]

... Police should be involved.

Yes. The Police could establish the facts, based upon a complaint being reported to them by the traveller.

Edit: See what the airport authorities have to say, first

 

[Bindibuys]

Update, he called Darwin airport, explained what happened and that his life could have been in danger, not having his insulin, apparently the women very compassionate and promised to look into it and call him back tomorrow.

 

[ALH]

Update, he called Darwin airport, explained what happened and that his life could have been in danger, not having his insulin, apparently the women very compassionate and promised to look into it and call him back tomorrow.

Ah. Yes. The old “mirror treatment” It will be interesting to see if he gets a call back, and what their story is.

 

[nancypants]

Darwin airport is pretty conventional in this regard- I travel through there regularly and often have accidentally left stuff in my pockets/bags from work that gets confiscated. Never once had anything been removed without telling me so and never once has a bag even been opened without me being present

my take on it is thus:
“Tray came through without esky”- was the esky dislodged from the tray? This was a known issue and they have started used trays with weighted covers to prevent this- but I suppose if you don’t know it’s a weighted tray cover you won’t use it as such
-and therefore, if the esky was dislodged, would something small and light like an insulin pen perhaps have fallen out?

I can’t see any incentive for someone to steal such an item and as I say, confiscation comes with a dressing down...

 

[Bindibuys]

Next update; returned call today, insulin handed in, offer to send to Cooma declined - out of cool area for too long to risk use.
Now going to view cctv to see who / how got handed in.

 

[nancypants]

Next update; returned call today, insulin handed in, offer to send to Cooma declined - out of cool area for too long to risk use.
Now going to view cctv to see who / how got handed in.

Something of a myth- it’s fine to use if it’s been at room temperature for up to 28 days. That said I wouldn’t trust Australia post to keep it at room temperature in transit

 

[Seat0B]

Something of a myth- it’s fine to use if it’s been at room temperature for up to 28 days. That said I wouldn’t trust Australia post to keep it at room temperature in transit

And room temperature in Darwin is a bit different to room temperature in Cooma - just sayin"