Do AFF'ers register with Smart Traveller?

[Pushka]

Just wondering if AFF'ers register. Given we are off to Hong Kong (elections/typhoon season); Paris/France; euro train to Barcelona, then various Italian and Greek ports in the Med, I look at the trip and just think - well, like those lazing on the Beach in Tunisia, who knows when some random decides to make a point.

I did register on a previous trip and to enter every place I recall was tedious. So I was interested in people's thoughts.

 

[OzEire]

Yes, always.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Just wondering if AFF'ers register. Given we are off to Hong Kong (elections/typhoon season); Paris/France; euro train to Barcelona, then various Italian and Greek ports in the Med, I look at the trip and just think - well, like those lazing on the Beach in Tunisia, who knows when some random decides to make a point.

I did register on a previous trip and to enter every place I recall was tedious. So I was interested in people's thoughts.

I always forget.

 

[opusman]

I've done it a couple of times, but the interface is a pain and it's a slow process for a big trip with lots of destinations.

 

[RooFlyer]

Yes, I always do it, even though its tedious. A worthwhile few minutes if the poo actually hits the fan.

Edit: Think earthquakes, floods etc as well as terrorism.

 

[amaroo]

Only once and only because the destination was Turkey.

Will probably register again for our Euro holiday later this year ... France looks more dangerous than the usual suspects

 

[Pushka]

I've done it a couple of times, but the interface is a pain and it's a slow process for a big trip with lots of destinations.

Yes. Thats my experience too.
Interesting that people do enter details at least once though.
I am more concerned about stuff going on at home.

I am also looking at Alaska next year and doing a float plane shore excursion. Just last Thursday 8 cruise people were killed in a ship excursion in Ketchikan!

We will be in Paris on the last day of Tour de France. I had planned to be waiting somewhere on Champs Elysees but am really reconsidering now. Either that or we will be hijacked on the taxi from CDG

 

[russ]

As long as a friend or relative knows where I am, I can't see any reason to tell the government

 

[Pushka]

As long as a friend or relative knows where I am, I can't see any reason to tell the government

And then there is Facebook we can update.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Nope, never registered and never will do unless I'm traveling to a war zone which is highly unlikely.
My immediate family have details of my trips.

 

[Pushka]

So outside of "someone" knowing where I am, there is no other benefit in registering?

 

[amaroo]

So outside of "someone" knowing where I am, there is no other benefit in registering?

Hopefully that "someone" is a keen monitor of world events ... calling the hotline days/weeks after an event wouldn't be too helpful.

I suppose the regular updates could be of some assistance if a terrible natural or manmade event occurred.

 

[Pushka]

Hopefully that "someone" is a keen monitor of world events ... calling the hotline days/weeks after an event wouldn't be too helpful.

I suppose the regular updates could be of some assistance if a terrible natural or manmade event occurred.

Two adult sons . And if knowing we are overseas they will be across it.

 

[RooFlyer]

As long as a friend or relative knows where I am, I can't see any reason to tell the government

... and the others relying on family etc.

Can I suggest a reason (and I'm talking about serious events where the traveller is actually involved .. not just in the area).

If you or communications are incapacitated in some crisis (earthquake, crash, attack etc) and its overnight in Australia (as is likely) then your family and friends may not hear about it for many hours after the event. If things happen as they should (and I will grant that this may not occur but I hear things are getting regrettably efficient nowadays) then I would want somebody looking out for me in the immediate aftermath and not just after F&F make enquiries.

Also, say your F&F were aware of your likely predicament (but they can't contact you, you are injured, major earthquake zone) ... what are they going to do about it? Call the government and ask for help, right? Why not save time and give your itinerary direct? Who knows, by the time F&F wake up in the morning and realise something has happened, DFAT may have already identified which hospital you are in.

 

[juddles]

Another take on tis topic (from someone who admittedly is flawed in the processes):

I feel that I am best placed, given my awesome experience and world-savvy ways, to look after myself. BUT, even if you really feel the same way (I was being a bit sarcastic), maybe consider this:

When the sh_t does hit the fan, the Aussie authorities then face a huge task of trying to track every possible Aussie citizen, and then help then. If we all register, this reduces their overall workload at a time when they will be struggling.

 

[JohnM]

I recall starting to do it some years ago for a xONEx and, IIRC, it ran out of fields to enter destinations. Certainly it was a pain one way or another, so I gave up.

I thought the concept was good but the implementation not so good. Must check it out again to see if the flexibility and ease of use of the system has improved.

 

[superpang]

Never done it and never thought about doing it, I was in Tokyo a few weeks back and there was a minor 8.5 quake that got the heart racing Magnitude 8.5 earthquake hits Japan
so maybe it could be of use.

 

[RooFlyer]

I recall starting to do it some years ago for a xONEx and, IIRC, it ran out of fields to enter destinations. Certainly it was a pain one way or another, so I gave up.

I thought the concept was good but the implementation not so good. Must check it out again to see if the flexibility and ease of use of the system has improved.

Depends on exactly when you last used it, but I don't think it has improved over the past couple of years . Would be great if you could just upload an itinerary!

 

[Tassey69]

Yes always, agreed that it is tedious but DFAT can help a lot quicker if they have some basic info and the events of the weekend show me a need to register

 

[VPS]

maybe we could ask DFAT if we could just share our Tripit with them