Airport security confiscated an empty water bottle

[Dvg]

Every single time departing Manila with Qantas, empty bottle confiscated

 

[Beano]

I remember a time when any bottle, empty or full, was not allowed through security in the UK. Now they allow empty bottles.

 

[4lex]

I regularly bring a litre or even 1.5 through the scanner in my back pocket. Just be sure to empty your pockets of metals and there's no pat down

 

[Beano]

I regularly bring a litre or even 1.5 through the scanner in my back pocket. Just be sure to empty your pockets of metals and there's no pat down

Doesn't it stick out? 1.5 l is a large quantity. Most back pockets would just about take the 250 ml water bottles you get on-board, Think of the large bottles of soft drink you get at the supermarket.

 

[UP4014]

Departing Johannesburg forgot I had an unopened 600m water bottle in my hand luggage.

While being screened the ‘officer’ pulled my water bottle and said I wasn’t allowed to take it could I please throw it out as she didn’t have any where to dispose of a full bottle.

So was given my contraband back to dispose of myself.

Very bizarre

 

[Beano]

Departing Johannesburg forgot I had an unopened 600m water bottle in my hand luggage.

While being screened the ‘officer’ pulled my water bottle and said I wasn’t allowed to take it could I please throw it out as she didn’t have any where to dispose of a full bottle.

So was given my contraband back to dispose of myself.

Very bizarre

At WLG INT there is a bin, just before the conveyor, into which you can dispose of liquids.

And WLG INT does not have secondary screening when departing for Australia.

 

[pozzo]

I almost always carry a bottle of water with me when I travel. When clearing international airport security, I know you can't have more than 100mL of liquids so I usually just drink or empty the bottle before going through security, then fill it up with drinking water after security, if possible. I know many other people do the same and many airports even provide drinking water taps after security for this purpose. I never had a problem... until yesterday.

I was boarding LA801 at SCL and, as is common on long-haul flights bound for Australia, there was an additional bag check in the aerobridge as we boarded the plane. The security official immediately noticed my empty plastic water bottle and confiscated it. She claimed it wasn't allowed. I'm not quite sure why - it was an empty, transparent 500mL bottle.

Anyone experienced this before? It seemed pretty ridiculous to me, but did the security officer have a point?

After many international flights, never encounter this before, then last week daughter flew DPS/BNE Virgin, bought water after security and all passengers then required to throw away. Unfortunately Virgin had no water available on the 6hr flight. Good way to get passengers to buy alcohol.

 

[Mattg]

Which Australian government agency is responsible for this silly rule? Might be time to write to them.

 

[SeaWolf]

Which Australian government agency is responsible for this silly rule? Might be time to write to them.

It's the notorious Department of Home Affairs.

https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/travelsecure/passenger-screening

 

[Beano]

Remember they have to abide by American rules for international. Blame the TSA.

Powders may also be restricted.

 

[Mattg]

Remember they have to abide by American rules for international. Blame the TSA.

Powders may also be restricted.

Do the US rules require empty plastic bottles to be confiscated?

 

[Beano]

Do the US rules require empty plastic bottles to be confiscated?

No mention. Why did UK start the no empty bottles, then allowed them? I never have had any trouble taking empty bottles to Australia from NZ.

 

[encryptededdy]

Unfortunately Virgin had no water available on the 6hr flight.

As in they had run out??? I can't say I've ever seen that.

 

[Beano]

Do the US rules require empty plastic bottles to be confiscated?

Sorry, but yes. TSA allows empty bottles. Jetstar website also suggests bringing empty bottles onto a plane.

 

[nancypants]

Japan had liquid scanning machines in place not long after and offered to give them to the US (and put an end to the liquid stupidity). The US refused because they wanted a US made system for such scanning.

They had these in Japan when I was working there in 2004. Possibly back as early as 1997 also (although I can’t remember well)

Looked similar but not identical to this

 

[Forg]

Jetstar website also suggests bringing empty bottles onto a plane.

This is because they’re planning on ditching the toilets & selling standing-room for the space where they used to be.

 

[Rayesfeg]

Had the same experience at the pre-departure lounge security check at Ho Chi Mini airport. A security person was inspecting bags to check for water bottles, full or empty and advising passengers no bottles are allowed.
The cabin crew were very busy attending to calls for cups of water the entire flight (Jetstar flight).

 

[2infinity]

Airports are always looking for new revenue streams...just saying

 

[2infinity]

So empty plastic bottles being confiscated. With the push to eliminate single use plastics, a lot of people carry reusable bottles now, both plastic and metal. Is my empty 1L Yeti going to be let through but the disposable water bottle confiscated? Strange rules

 

[JohnK]

The cabin crew were very busy attending to calls for cups of water the entire flight (Jetstar flight).

This is not related to this particular issue but I remember one time on an SQ flight I was extremely dehydrated. I was obviously thirsty. A little cup is not going to do anything.

I remember asking for some coke light. I got a little cup. I asked again. Another little cup. Please leave the can. You'd think it was coming out of her pay.

We should be allowed to bring our own liquids on board. We should be allowed to bring empty bottles on board because dehydration is not fun especially if blood pressure low.

Confiscating empty water bottles just goes way beyond stupid.