Secondary bag checks for Australian bound flights

[nerdinary]

Recently flying NAD - SYD, and just before the boarding gate, there's another set of security personnel with tables set up for hand luggage search. This isn't too unusual, I've seen it happen once or twice before, in Singapore, but always towards flights bound for Australian.

Anyhow, my turn comes and the nice lady looks though my backpack. Asks me if I have any liquids, and I shake my head. Passengers beside me are getting irked when their newly purchased "Fiji Water" bottles are being thrown out. This is surprising, since they bought these past security, but anyhow I digress.

The lady looks through my bag and reaches into a pocket where I have a 10ml hand cream tube that I got from an EY kit earlier in the month. She says "you can't take this because it's not in a clear bag". She throws it out and pushes me forward.

Realising the silliness of the situation, and known better than to mourn the loss of some hand cream tube I walk on. This got me wondering - what is the point of these checks? I have plenty of other compartments in my backpack where this item could have been kept, and unless it was a very very thorough search (which it wasn't), it would have been let though.

Also, why do these after-security-after-boarding-scan checks only happen for AU bound flights?

 

[esseeeayeenn]

They happen for AU bound flights because the restrictions on LAGs (liquids, aerosols, gels) are only enforced by a few destinations (Australia, US, UK AFAIK) and most airports don't want to have to impose them on all PAX. Hence the boarding gate checks for AU bound flights. Which are annoying in many respects, for example, they defeat priority boarding as there is no priority for the gate screening.
This is an excellent example of stupid enforcement - the clear bags are simply a convenient way to present LAGS for inspection, it's silly to make them a rule for a single item, and most airports where they do this have a supply of bags they give you. Including LHR which at one stage insisted that their bag and only their bag would do! This reminds me of when I was forced to surrender a brand new 100 ml tube of toothpaste because it was labelled as 110 g, even though the restriction is based on volume and weight should only be relevant as a guide to volume when the latter doesn't appear on the label.
However it is never worth arguing with these people as they are permanently only one step away from throwing you in a choke hold and charging you with failing to comply with their directions.

 

[Ade]

I've had these searches done in BKK on my way to SYD/MEL. But I was told that this is done on the request of Australian authorities. The 100 ml limitation on liquids also apply, which means, the new, shiny bottle of coconut arrack I purchased on CMB before boarding on a flight to BKK is now confiscated and my name is written down on a list of people who have duty free liquor or liquids over 100 ml in carry on bag.

I spoke to a QF staff who was standing by the table where checks are made - she offered to have the bottle put in a bag and checked in - but I didn't have a bag sturdy enough to keep the bottle and its contents safe. So had to part with the liquor.

The tough part was facing my mates waiting in MEL for a taste of Sri Lankan coconut arrack

 

[Ade]

However it is never worth arguing with these people as they are permanently only one step away from throwing you in a choke hold and charging you with failing to comply with their directions.

Amen brother one never wins arguing with airport staff (regardless of what work they do at the airport)

 

[Denali]

Yep. PNG to Sydney, after security ect you are in the waiting room with a school like tuck-shop and lots of people buying bottles of water and then you get the 2nd bag inspection before boarding. Lots of bottles of water being removed.

I had a small tube of prescription antibotic cream removed even though it was in a clear plastic baggie. Small man who had issues with a strong woman comes to mind as he didnt like me refusing to back down on the issue at all.

The only "point" to these checks I can figure out is that it looks good on paper when they go to the Australian government for some sort of seucrity funding.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Yep. PNG to Sydney, after security ect you are in the waiting room with a school like tuck-shop and lots of people buying bottles of water and then you get the 2nd bag inspection before boarding. Lots of bottles of water being removed.

I had a small tube of prescription antibotic cream removed even though it was in a clear plastic baggie. Small man who had issues with a strong woman comes to mind as he didnt like me refusing to back down on the issue at all.

The only "point" to these checks I can figure out is that it looks good on paper when they go to the Australian government for some sort of seucrity funding.

Not sure countries such as the UAE or Malaysia receive any sort of security funding from the Australian government.
The flight being cleared for entry into Australian airspace may be a small side benefit ...

 

[Austman]

The reason the gate checks are done is because the Australian government requires carry-on LAGs over 100ml to be delivered to the gate for flights to Australia.

The secondary screening is supposed to ensure that requirement.

Certain countries are exempt (NZ, USA). And it seems that certain airports are exempt.

 

[AisleSeat]

Boarding DFW-SYD, after going through the boarding gate and at the entrance to the jetbridge there was an inspection. It was very cursory and the only question asked was if I was carrying more than $10,000. I thought it was bit odd, perhaps they were looking for someone in particular?

 

[nerdinary]

The only "point" to these checks I can figure out is that it looks good on paper when they go to the Australian government for some sort of seucrity funding.

That's pretty much what it seemed to me. Put a security theatre table to please the Australian authorities.

Mind you, I don't actually have an issue with these searches, but they aren't thorough and serve no real purpose in the manner they are conducted presently.

 

[dajop]

Never seen it happen in flights from SIN to Australia, but with good reason, security checks are at gate, except T4, and currently no flights from T4 to Australia. At SIN the main extra requirement is that DF liquids must be ordered 90 mins in advance of departure and delivered to gate. I'm not sure if there are extra checks HKG/BKK-AKL for liquids and gels at the gate, but at SIN this requirement for gate delivery does not apply to SIN-AKL/CHC flights, but the folly of the situation is illustrated well by a flight aware map below. Would have thought the risks are similar.

 

[Austman]

Mind you, I don't actually have an issue with these searches, but they aren't thorough and serve no real purpose in the manner they are conducted presently.

It’s certainly a valid point, but how else can the Australian government ensure that its “delivery to the gate” for >100ml carry-on LAGs policy is met?

If anything, the policy is outdated.

AFAIK it is supposed to help ensure the supply chain of >100ml carry-on LAGs.

 

[mrsterryn]

I have had at Hong Kong when boarding the second leg of a flight

 

[jb747]

It’s a silly policy. And tests have proven that what they are trying to defeat isn’t all that probable/practical anyway.

In Hong Kong, on the 25th July 2008, I fell foul of this, when one of the security people decided that my toothpaste was a threat, and tossed it aside. No point arguing, so I moved on.

A month or so later, I was back there, and ran into the same bloke. I reminded him that he’d taken my toothpaste last time I was there. I could see the question mark light up in his head. And then I pointed that my aircraft had blown up anyway.

 

[flyer89]

A month or so later, I was back there, and ran into the same bloke. I reminded him that he’d taken my toothpaste last time I was there. I could see the question mark light up in his head. And then I pointed that my aircraft had blown up anyway.

A less than once in a lifetime opportunity. How delicious.

 

[Ade]

I have had at Hong Kong when boarding the second leg of a flight

Interesting, didn't happen last night. I was on the QF128 and had some DF liquor in my carry on

 

[get me outta here]

Did the QF staff insist that you needed a sturdy bag, or could you have just say got a fat pen and put yr name on that hand to them with a TUVM?

I've had these searches done in BKK on my way to SYD/MEL. But I was told that this is done on the request of Australian authorities. The 100 ml limitation on liquids also apply, which means, the new, shiny bottle of coconut arrack I purchased on CMB before boarding on a flight to BKK is now confiscated and my name is written down on a list of people who have duty free liquor or liquids over 100 ml in carry on bag.

I spoke to a QF staff who was standing by the table where checks are made - she offered to have the bottle put in a bag and checked in - but I didn't have a bag sturdy enough to keep the bottle and its contents safe. So had to part with the liquor.

The tough part was facing my mates waiting in MEL for a taste of Sri Lankan coconut arrack

 

[Ade]

Did the QF staff insist that you needed a sturdy bag, or could you have just say got a fat pen and put yr name on that hand to them with a TUVM?

I only had my backpack with me on this trip and the staff recommended a sturdy bag because the way bags are handled (basically throw on to and off the hold) and the liquor was in a glass bottle (well designed). The risk of the bottle breaking during handling is too high and QF staff said that they can't assume the responsibility of taking care of the bottle.

So basically I was told, if you have a bag sturdy enough you may place the bottle inside that bag and can be checked in. Otherwise, it's your choice - you may still choose to put the bottle in the backpack and check in the backpack, but if the bottle breaks nothing can be done.

Or, you can choose to leave the bottle back at BKK and forget about it and the USD75 that you paid to purchase it in CMB

Edit : Oh and have your name added on a list of people who were caught flying with liquids over 100 ml in their cabin bag

 

[get me outta here]

Thanks, it’s all a debacle.

I only had my backpack with me on this trip and the staff recommended a sturdy bag because the way bags are handled (basically throw on to and off the hold) and the liquor was in a glass bottle (well designed). The risk of the bottle breaking during handling is too high and QF staff said that they can't assume the responsibility of taking care of the bottle.

So basically I was told, if you have a bag sturdy enough you may place the bottle inside that bag and can be checked in. Otherwise, it's your choice - you may still choose to put the bottle in the backpack and check in the backpack, but if the bottle breaks nothing can be done.

Or, you can choose to leave the bottle back at BKK and forget about it and the USD75 that you paid to purchase it in CMB

Edit : Oh and have your name added on a list of people who were caught flying with liquids over 100 ml in their cabin bag

 

[Ade]

Thanks, it’s all a debacle.

Yup. It is. I also look at it as a way to get free liquor In most cases the liquor (& other things) seized are stored in a warehouse for a certain time and then sold in auction or offered as a gift to some employee working in the warehouse or the customs departments

 

[fiejh]

I've had these searches done in BKK on my way to SYD/MEL. But I was told that this is done on the request of Australian authorities. The 100 ml limitation on liquids also apply, which means, the new, shiny bottle of coconut arrack I purchased on CMB before boarding on a flight to BKK is now confiscated and my name is written down on a list of people who have duty free liquor or liquids over 100 ml in carry on bag.

I spoke to a QF staff who was standing by the table where checks are made - she offered to have the bottle put in a bag and checked in - but I didn't have a bag sturdy enough to keep the bottle and its contents safe. So had to part with the liquor.

The tough part was facing my mates waiting in MEL for a taste of Sri Lankan coconut arrack

I've seen this done in Beijing and Hong Kong on AUS flights, but only for Qantas flights. Cathay and Air China don't seem to worry about it.