It's Begbie's part time job General.

Interesting how these tin pot airports with only a few intentional flights a day crank up the metal detector and get much more enthusiastic with security than the big guys.

I suppose it's the old "work expands to fit the time allotted for it" theory in practice.

I hate to hear that, John B Good. It's a sad state of affairs from what it once was. Any single male coming back to Canada from Thailand is automatically listed as a pedophile rapist sex pervert. They go downhill from there. Lord help you if you have any photos of your children on your laptop. That is an automatic red flag as a possible pedophile and they are not above giving you a body search. Like you, I've come very close to being sarcastic with the idiots. Unfortunately, they can hold you in a cell for 5 days for nothing more than an assumption that you might have done something morally wrong by their perverted standards.

I hate to hear that, John B Good. It's a sad state of affairs from what it once was. Any single male coming back to Canada from Thailand is automatically listed as a pedophile rapist sex pervert. They go downhill from there. Lord help you if you have any photos of your children on your laptop. That is an automatic red flag as a possible pedophile and they are not above giving you a body search. Like you, I've come very close to being sarcastic with the idiots. Unfortunately, they can hold you in a cell for 5 days for nothing more than an assumption that you might have done something morally wrong by their perverted standards.

Erring on the side of caution with regard to paedophiles is "their perverted standard"?

Frankly, although it would be a bore, I am willing to go through all the tests and face their suspicion if their vigilance helps catch the actual perverts.

I'm not a drug dealer or terrorist, either......we all shrug and go through the screening for those things....I see the screening for paedophiles as exactly the same; a chore that we just have to accept in the name of public decency and safety.

What would you rather Ian? To never come under the microscope and let the real b'stards travel freely and easily?

I hate to hear that, John B Good. It's a sad state of affairs from what it once was. Any single male coming back to Canada from Thailand is automatically listed as a pedophile rapist sex pervert. They go downhill from there. Lord help you if you have any photos of your children on your laptop. That is an automatic red flag as a possible pedophile and they are not above giving you a body search. Like you, I've come very close to being sarcastic with the idiots. Unfortunately, they can hold you in a cell for 5 days for nothing more than an assumption that you might have done something morally wrong by their perverted standards.

A body search for being a suspected pedophile? I've heard of people smuggling in monkeys in their clothes but never children.

Australian customs go down this path as well, I've been asked if I have a USB storage on a couple of occasions, they're pretty easy to conceal.

On one trip into Sydney, I ticked the box that I had drugs, diabetic and a cupla other normal ones for older ppl.

The woman took me aside, tipped out all my gear and swabbed the empty bag for illegal substances.

Coming out of Melbourne one time, I had to empty my bag, they confiscated a roll of masking tape.

They reckoned it could be used to tie up crew members..........<deleted>.

I guess the job is boring, they need to entertain themselves.

Neva had a prob coming into Auckland.........yet.

Always have my laptop, never been asked about anything, and most flites I come on are from Bangers.

quote name='koheesti' date='2010-02-11 09:55:10' post='3333029']

And most of the staff at the international airports (immigration, customs and security) act as if Adolf Hitler trained them.

I saw one of those reality TV shows which followed around customs officials at an NZ airport. It was discovered that quite a few people were illegally bringing in fruit and they were all fined. What happened was that the in-flight meal meal included an apple. A lot of people just put in in their carry on and didn't really think about it after that. Once on the ground after that long, long flight, they showed Customs asking one person if they had anything to declare - including fruit. When the person said 'no' they asked that she open her bag. They found the fruit and Boom! $200 fine. After that there was a big line of people who had to pay a fine for declaring the fruit. Despite protests that they had simnply forgotten about what the airline had given them, the Cusotms officers were - sorry, you didn't declare so you must pay the fine. It seems harsh considering the airline gave it to the passengers and obviously didn't warm them not to take the fruit with them. If that had happened in Thailand, it would have been thought of as a scam.

In 50 years flying allova I have never been given whole fruits.

Find that excuse hard ro swallow........('Scuse the pun)

I have a couple of good Kiwi friends. They are both in the Intelligence field, are smart, funny and a pleasure to be around.

I'm still trying to come up with a reason to like any other New Zealanders. Nothing yet.

Hey, no problem, I was in Chiang Mai last week and had a few drinks and a meal with a guy who was an American AND a ThaiVisa moderator.

I have a couple of good Kiwi friends. They are both in the Intelligence field, are smart, funny and a pleasure to be around.

I'm still trying to come up with a reason to like any other New Zealanders. Nothing yet.

You have friends?...good ones at that?....And in Intelligence to boot!!

You're trying credibility now!

I have a couple of good Kiwi friends. They are both in the Intelligence field, are smart, funny and a pleasure to be around.

I'm still trying to come up with a reason to like any other New Zealanders. Nothing yet.

You have friends?...good ones at that?....And in Intelligence to boot!!

You're trying credibility now!

I rest my case.

I saw one of those reality TV shows which followed around customs officials at an NZ airport. It was discovered that quite a few people were illegally bringing in fruit and they were all fined. What happened was that the in-flight meal meal included an apple. A lot of people just put in in their carry on and didn't really think about it after that. Once on the ground after that long, long flight, they showed Customs asking one person if they had anything to declare - including fruit. When the person said 'no' they asked that she open her bag. They found the fruit and Boom! $200 fine. After that there was a big line of people who had to pay a fine for declaring the fruit. Despite protests that they had simnply forgotten about what the airline had given them, the Cusotms officers were - sorry, you didn't declare so you must pay the fine. It seems harsh considering the airline gave it to the passengers and obviously didn't warm them not to take the fruit with them. If that had happened in Thailand, it would have been thought of as a scam.

In 50 years flying allova I have never been given whole fruits.

Find that excuse hard ro swallow........('Scuse the pun)

I'd be interested in knowing what - if anything - they served on flights 50 years ago.

Don't believe the airlines gave whole fruit? Download the show and see for yourself. Be sure to send a royalty check to the company that made it though.

Great Milk!

You both have legit points, but I have to agree that the fact that the airline gave customers apples on the flight should have kept them from any severe punishments. Passengers did not bring fruit themselves and they may have reasoned that the airline fruit would have come from New Zealand and been perfectly alright.

When a form that people have to read, fill out, and sign says "do you have any fruit...etc", and when large signs in the airport say the same thing and point out the amnesty bins, and the MAF officer asks you directly, "Do you have any fruit?"....if you say no, knowing that you have an apple...well, you're a sucker or a liar. There were three chances to think about that apple.

The questions asked are not, "Do you have any fruit other than what the airline gave you?" The question is "Do you have any fruit on your person or in your baggage?" (or words to that effect).

Fruit is fruit. If you have any, declare it. Very simple.

I agree that as a courtesy to the simpletons, the airline could warn their passengers that fruit means fruit, no matter where the passenger obtained it.

Agreed Harcout! How hard is it, Do you have any fruit? Couldnt give a fly phuck who gave you the fruit, how long you've had it or WHATEVER......just don't bring it in, entire industries in these countries rely on customs to keep disease ridden fruit out of the island.

Some of these people should be leg sweeped onto the ground and tasered, simple.

There should be public floggings for stupidity, I bet nobody would accidently bring an apple or banana in then, would they?

You both have legit points, but I have to agree that the fact that the airline gave customers apples on the flight should have kept them from any severe punishments. Passengers did not bring fruit themselves and they may have reasoned that the airline fruit would have come from New Zealand and been perfectly alright.

When a form that people have to read, fill out, and sign says "do you have any fruit...etc", and when large signs in the airport say the same thing and point out the amnesty bins, and the MAF officer asks you directly, "Do you have any fruit?"....if you say no, knowing that you have an apple...well, you're a sucker or a liar. There were three chances to think about that apple.

The questions asked are not, "Do you have any fruit other than what the airline gave you?" The question is "Do you have any fruit on your person or in your baggage?" (or words to that effect).

Fruit is fruit. If you have any, declare it. Very simple.

I agree that as a courtesy to the simpletons, the airline could warn their passengers that fruit means fruit, no matter where the passenger obtained it.

Agreed Harcout! How hard is it, Do you have any fruit? Couldnt give a fly phuck who gave you the fruit, how long you've had it or WHATEVER......just don't bring it in, entire industries in these countries rely on customs to keep disease ridden fruit out of the island.

Some of these people should be leg sweeped onto the ground and tasered, simple.

There should be public floggings for stupidity, I bet nobody would accidently bring an apple or banana in then, would they?

If you've ever flown long distances you would understand. In the meantime, plenty of flogging to go around for the Airlines for passing out fruit in the first place and Customs for gleefuly collecting funds for their Christmas party. Maybe Customs just wanted to look tough and on the ball for the camera? I bet that's it. If you've ever seen the TV show, COPS, they'll send 5 cars, a canine unit and a helicopter to follow home a drunk driver who woldn't stop. EVERYONE wants to be a hero on TV.

^I've flown half way around the world and when I got off the plane at the other end, I made sure I wasnt breaking any laws, especially when Ive just been warned by filling out an arrivals card. Its not that hard is it?

^I've flown half way around the world and when I got off the plane at the other end, I made sure I wasnt breaking any laws, especially when Ive just been warned by filling out an arrivals card. Its not that hard is it?

I was waiting for the "I've flown so far..." reply.

My point is that after a 20-something hour flight people are tired. When customs asks if you have anything to declare people probably think about what they have packed, not that tiny time frame where they put a snack offered by the plane into their pocket (the person sitting next to me the other day flying to BKK saved his snack for later as well). As someone also mentioned, if the plane gives it to you, why would people think it's banned? Because some customs agent is reading off some list for the 1000th time that day in monotone? According to the customs own website, they seem to take pride in all the loot they collect from fruit they catch people with. They have no incentive to do anything that would stop that cash-cow.

It's surprising how even the most experienced traveller can have a mental lapse. I arrived at immigration in Australia last year and realised I hadn't filled in my arrivals card.

It's surprising how even the most experienced traveller can have a mental lapse. I arrived at immigration in Australia last year and realised I hadn't filled in my arrivals card.

I must be efficient, I do all of that prior to departure. Then its just a matter of stepping off the plane & getting into my waiting limo ....... or waiting Toyota taxi sedan

I was waiting for the "I've flown so far..." reply.

At least I didnt give you one of those stories about when "I was a boy....."

Ohh and those whiney little excuses like....."The airline gave it to me" don't gel with me, I would be like....."If they gave you illicit drugs, would you still try and bring them thru?"

I would love to be one of those customs officer, just for a day, just so I could slap down some of those stupid little international passengers, you know the type, self centred, selfish and inconsiderate.

Apply for a job at Adelaide International Airport, you get to do that EVERY day.

once, before I left my accommodation to go to the airport to board a plane from saudi to the UK I saw a banana that I knew would be inedible upon my return...a perfectly good banana so I put it in my briefcase as an in flight snack...

upon arrival in the UK I was queried regarding items to declare and, being from California where agricultural products are a sensitive issue I advised that I had a banana...

the officer grimly instructed me to move along...

Had a banana or had had a banana?

Didja had the banana and it was an interior banana or didja not had it and it was an exterior banana?

Not sure about you coming here confusing the serious debaters Toots....

I just can't figure out the customs agents or airport security. A fellow passenger had a whole bag full of Canons in his carry on case, but when I declared my canon they wouldn't let me bring it abord...

I just can't figure out the customs agents or airport security. A fellow passenger had a whole bag full of Canons in his carry on case, but when I declared my canon they wouldn't let me bring it abord...

Since airport security has hightened, there are so many banned items that can not be brought on in hand luggage.....nail clippers for example. Last year, on a domestic flight, some passengers complained (mid-flight) about the smell of petrol in the cabin. Turns out one chap had brought a chainsaw on board and stashed it in the overhead locker and it had tipped and started leaking.

When airport security were asked why they had not prohibited the chainsaw, they stated that chainsaws are not on the prohibited list!!!!!

There are some mindless fools around.

I may not think twice before trying to disarm a hijacker with nail clippers or vege peeler, but if he had a fueled-up chainsaw.......

Since airport security has hightened, there are so many banned items that can not be brought on in hand luggage.....nail clippers for example.

Most of the stuff banned is a joke. With a little training a mean SOB can do plenty of damage with his bare hands.

Had a banana or had had a banana?

Didja had the banana and it was an interior banana or didja not had it and it was an exterior banana?

Not sure about you coming here confusing the serious debaters Toots....

[/quot

whaaaa?...bananas are serious bizniz...just look at Hanna Banana an' Carlos Santana-banana...

Sure you're not talking about The Banana Splits?

Since airport security has hightened, there are so many banned items that can not be brought on in hand luggage.....nail clippers for example. Last year, on a domestic flight, some passengers complained (mid-flight) about the smell of petrol in the cabin. Turns out one chap had brought a chainsaw on board and stashed it in the overhead locker and it had tipped and started leaking.

When airport security were asked why they had not prohibited the chainsaw, they stated that chainsaws are not on the prohibited list!!!!!

There are some mindless fools around.

I may not think twice before trying to disarm a hijacker with nail clippers or vege peeler, but if he had a fueled-up chainsaw.......

until recently i carried a battery powered mouth rinser with me. that gadget filled with high alcohol percentage booze makes a flamethrower that throws 6 meters!