Just to add my bit to the inconsistency of the different airports.
Checked into melb domestic for my weekly flight to Sydney for work. As I work in IT, I always carry a screwdriver with me, so I can open up desktops, laptops, etc.... First time I did this, melb security didn't even blink an eye and let me through. On the return leg back, at Sydney security, they pulled up the screwdriver and said it was prohibited. I was in a hurry, so said fine, whatever, dump it.
So, I figured for the next time, I'll be a bit smarter. I also have a ratchet screwdriver, and not wanting to lose it, on the first trip, all I took along was a couple of the screwdriver heads. Went through fine, but of course screwdriver heads are next to useless without the ratchet driver.
Next trip, I brought the ratchet driver handle along with me from Melb, and again, melb security didn't make a fuss, let it through. And why should they, its just a short stubby handle by itself, about as dangerous as a cough!
On the return trip from Sydney, at security, they pulled me up again, and had a look at the handle, and asked what it was. Told them it was the handle from a ratchet screwdriver, and as is seen, there was nothing sharp about it. Then they said, it wasn't allowed as it was a "tool".... I asked for a supervisor, and after a few mins, a supervisor was brought along and again confirmed that it was prohibited. When I questioned why, all they said was that all "tools" are prohibited. Tried to tell them that the handle was obviously not dangerous, etc...but they wouldn't hear of it. Ended up telling them to just dump it then as i was late for my flight and didn't want to argue anymore.
Got annoyed by this so I looked it up later with regards to dangerous goods not allowed on airplanes, and all I could find was references to SHARP tools not being allowed, which is fair enough, I wouldn't want someone with a sharp stanley knife or boxcutters around. But cmon, exercise a bit of common sense and judgement when it comes to this stuff!
But just goes to show that they have different standards/training at the different airports. Never had problem with melb security but syd security always pulled me up on it.
Edit: here's what I found on the Qantas website: "All knives, sharp objects or cutting and stabbing implements need to be packed in checked baggage and not placed in carry-on baggage or on your person."
All well and good in these times, but these coughs at security need a lesson in english comprehension if they understood that to include my handle as being dangerous.
:shock:
), unbidden, out of my carry-on and into a tray at BNE a few weeks ago!
