Re: So what can you carry on board?
Maca44 said:
I am flying to the USA in two weeks and I purchased a 30gb ipod with the 30 day pre departure time so I could take advantage of the Tourist Refund Scheme and also to download music etc for the flight.
The latest security update on the Qantas website states:
US Travel Advice
Immediate changes to carry-on baggage
The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security has determined that there is a high risk of terrorism against US civil aviation and the need for extra restrictions to assure the security of air travel have been introduced.
Effective immediately, passengers cannot carry liquids and gels in the aircraft cabin, within carry on luggage. This includes (but is not limited to) the following items:
- beverages (including duty free purchases),
- shampoos,
- suntan lotions,
- creams,
- toothpastes,
- hair gels and other items of a similar consistency.
Qantas recommend any such items be placed in checked baggage before progressing to check-in.
Excluded from the measures are baby formula or juice, if a baby or small child is travelling. Prescription medicine (including insulin) is allowed provided the name on the prescription matches the name on the passenger's ticket.
Other non-prescription medicines are allowed provided they are essential (only in sufficient quantities for the flight), except medicines in liquid form unless verified as authentic.
Given these restrictions, passengers are requested to not purchase items, including, for example, alcohol, perfume, liquid make-up at any of the retail outlets in the departure area. These items will not be permitted on-board the aircraft. Please also note fountain pens containing ink cartridges may not be carried in cabin unless the ink cartridges are removed. If this is not possible pens must be placed in checked baggage.
All passenger footwear will also have to be x-ray screened prior to departure.
The QF Site does not say anything about not carrying laptops, ipods etc onto the flight, and from reading the above it would appear you can still take a carry on bag at Sydney. (Now is that for flights "other" than the USA??). It does not say you can't take a carry on, only that you can't have liquids etc which is totally understandable given the present security climate.
So does anyone know what you can or can't take onto a flight to the USA, or it just your passport??.
Insofar as the Tourist Refund Scheme is concerned where you take your purchased through Customs and Immigrations before getting the refund at the TRS counter I contacted Customs and they advised that if you have items that you have purchased under the scheme, and are not allowed to take them onto a flight you can show the goods and tax invoice at the Customs Office on the ground floor of SYD, and after inspecting the goods and invoice they will stamp it and you can then pack your goods into your checked luggage.
For what it's worth, here are the contents of an email I recently received from UA (it pays to be with a reliable airline):
Dear Mr Clifford,
In light of heightened security, United recommends taking
the following steps to ease your travel experience.
New Transportation Security Administration rules are now
in effect.
LAPTOPS, CELL PHONES, AND IPODS
------------------------------------------------------------
For passengers leaving the U.S, electronic devices and
carry-ons are allowed. For travelers leaving the U.K. for
the U.S., all electronic devices and carry-ons are
currently prohibited.
NO LIQUIDS OR GELS OF ANY KIND CAN BE CARRIED ON THE
AIRCRAFT - However they can be transported in checked
baggage.
ITEMS THAT FALL WITHIN THIS CATEGORY INCLUDE:
------------------------------------------------------------
. All beverages of any type in any size container,
including bottled water
. Shampoo
. Suntan lotion
. Creams
. Toothpaste
. Hair gel
. Other items of similar consistency
EXCEPTIONS THAT CAN BE CARRIED ONBOARD INCLUDE:
------------------------------------------------------------
. Baby formula, breast milk or juice, only if a baby or
small child is traveling
. Prescription medicine with a name that matches the
passenger's ticket
. Insulin and essential other non-prescription medications
All of these approved items must be presented for
inspection at the security checkpoint.
These measures will remain in place as circumstances warrant.
Updates about these procedures will be posted on united.com.
United has also waived its excess baggage fee for customers
who elect to check their carry-on baggage.
Please be aware that delays are expected, so plan to arrive
2 hours prior to scheduled departure times for both
domestic and international flights; for U.K. departures
allow 3 hours.
TO CHANGE YOUR TICKET OR ITINERARY
------------------------------------------------------------
Ticket policy changes are effective immediately for
customers with the following travel plans: Traveling August
10-September 1, 2006, with tickets purchased on or before
August 10. All United(R), United Express(R), Ted(SM) and
United code-share flights are covered under the policy.
To change your reservation, please contact United at
1-800-UNITED-1 or your travel agency.
To review our waiver and ticket policy click on the link
below.
http://???
United will do everything practical to ensure we provide the
most accurate flight status information at all times.
However, situations change quickly and many factors affect
our scheduled operations. Please visit united.com or call
1-800-UNITED-1 for flight status information. You may also
take advantage of:
. Our United EasyUpdate service, which automatically
provides flight status notifications via email, mobile
phone or pager.
. Our free customer-paging service, which will
automatically notify you of your flights' status via
email or your text-enabled cellular phone or pager.
At the airport you may check monitors located throughout the
terminal for flight status updates.
We will continue to work closely with the government in the
best interests of all our passengers.