13 August 2006

Local outcome of a global terror threat

| Big Al
Join the conversation
7

Here’s a guess at some probable local implications arising from a global event – the recent terror threat on UK-US flights have resulted in severe restrictions on carry-on hand luggage namely: no note-book computers, books, papers, phones, cameras etc will be allowed on board.

QANTAS under the veil of ‘ensuring passenger safety’ move to implement similar restrictions on their flights.

They already have the Commonwealth domestic market out of Canberra stitched up so they have a fair idea that if it will take off anywhere, it will work here where a bucket-load of travel will be undertaken by PS types who’re already buying full-fare flights …

So here’s the rub: you have to check-in your note-book, mobile phone, important papers etc. but QANTAS can in no way guarantee their condition upon arrival at your destination – unless … you pop them into one of their nifty little oyster cases available for the reasonable fee of say $50. Of course you can’t bring your own – they haven’t been ‘authorised’ by the appropriate security people at QANTAS. Naturally if you’re paying the ‘rack rate’ (ie. Commonwealth PS types) the ‘service is thrown in for free … but for the price sensitive private sector that’s always looking to shave a dollar here or there it’ll be pay to play…

So your choice: take the gamble on picking up a workable note-book at the other end or just a bunch of broken bits … or pay the fee. I’d offer to slap $100 on a bar somewhere to the edification of my detractors as punishment for being wrong on this … If I wasn’t so sure about losing the bet.

Join the conversation

7
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

Should increase the amount they can charge for advertising in in-flight magazines, with all those extra bored eyes looking at them.

S4anta – just see if you notice what I noticed the other week while waiting to fly down to Melbourne. Gun toting cops walking unchallenged through the security screening area into the Qantas lounge – no ID no nothing while we’re having shoes, belts and laptops examined all it seems you need is a Police Uniform to walk past the dumb security types unchallenged.

flying to Hobart wednesday, will see what goes on then

flying to Hobart wednesday. will see what trouble and i can get up..

friends of mine are qantas pilots, and even they whinge about how tight fisted qantas are.

With flagging (int’l at least) air travel numbers and subsequent reduction in profits by airlines, nothing suprises me to the length they will go to squeeze every last cent from their patrons under the guise of ‘security’.

Are these cases also theft proof??????

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.