Can't leave Melbourne Airport During transit??? [DOH-MEL-ADL vv]

[Ade]

This is a very interesting thing. Following closely. Apologies, I don't have anything to contribute though

 

[dajop]

Domestic boarding pass of an international flight. My understanding is that domestic pax aren’t subject to customs etc?

Does being on a D sticker automatically exempt you from quarantine inspections? If you knew there weren't going to be any inspections, you could preorganise to skirt some rules by swapping things with a D sticker passenger in transit, either onboard the plane or in a toilet cubicle at the arrival port. Risks are low but still, holes are there for exploiting.

 

[RealtimeY]

It looks like the boarding pass is DOH-ADL only. Will immigration let you back in at MEL with that? This is on top of the absence of the required D sticker.

Does being on a D sticker automatically exempt you from quarantine inspections? If you knew there weren't going to be any inspections, you could preorganise to skirt some rules by swapping things with a D sticker passenger in transit, either onboard the plane or in a toilet cubicle at the arrival port. Risks are low but still, holes are there for exploiting.

I believe that is a possibility. I took a few bags of rice with me on a D sticker JQ flight SYD-MEL recently and felt like I was committing a crime walking past customs officers with that. There was a flight arriving from India at the same time, so theoretically I could have brought in another passenger's rice.

 

[justinbrett]

I doubt the smart gates would work

 

[Bundy Bear]

Getting out shouldn’t be a problem getting back through international could be the problem.

 

[p--and--t]

Getting out shouldn’t be a problem getting back through international could be the problem.

No real idea of how the authorities will react but....

...on the way out won't the customs barrier be an issue? - you were on an international flight" - "where's is your luggage" - "no luggage", "have you abandoned the luggage and doing a runner".

 

[oz_mark]

Getting out shouldn’t be a problem getting back through international could be the problem.

I'm guessing this will be the case. Probably no boarding pass from MEL-ADL.

Post automatically merged: Nov 25, 2022

No real idea of how the authorities will react but....

...on the way out won't the customs barrier be an issue? - you were on an international flight" - "where's is your luggage" - "no luggage", "have you abandoned the luggage and doing a runner".

Plenty of people travel internationally without luggage.

 

[cosi]

My understanding is that domestic pax aren’t subject to customs etc?

Incorrect.

The plane will gate at the Adelaide International requiring immigration and customs clearance.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Incorrect.

The plane will gate at the Adelaide International requiring immigration and customs clearance.

Yes, but if you exited the airport during the long layover in MEL you’d need to go through passport control. Your onward flight to ADL while still international would have you travelling as a domestic passenger. You can’t re clear passport control as a domestic passenger, you’ve already been ‘landed’.

Plenty of people travel internationally without luggage.

Last time my luggage didn’t arrive at MEL after an international flight I had to be escorted out by an airline rep who explained to the customs triage officer that my bag was missing. Apparently otherwise there’s a chance you get sent to ‘Lane 1’

 

[dajop]

Plenty of people travel internationally without luggage.

I’m not so sure. In my observations very very few people travel internationally to/from Australia without luggage. Of course plenty do travel without checked luggage.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Looks like QR988 MEL ADL 08:35 09:30 has departed

Flight Status | Melbourne Airport (MEL) - Check Arrival and Departure Updates

Stay informed about the latest flight arrivals and departures at Melbourne Airport (MEL). Use our real-time flight status tool to track flight schedules, delays, and gate information. Plan your travels with confidence.

www.melbourne-airport.com

Domestic and International Departures | Melbourne Airport

Domestic and International Flight Times. Live domestic and international flight information updated every 5 minutes. Melbourne Airport.

www.melbourneairport.com.au

Hope @Boofyal77 , who joined yesterday, lets us know the outcome

 

[asdf1234]

Keen on any further developments. I've just booked two tickets from DOH to ADL and intend to get off at MEL.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Keen on any further developments. I've just booked two tickets from DOH to ADL and intend to get off at MEL.

Would not be expecting any checked bags to unloaded at MEL.

 

[asdf1234]

Would not be expecting any checked bags to unloaded at MEL.

Actually the flight is sold as both DOH - MEL and DOH - ADL. I presume the bags can be unloaded if it is made explicitly clear to the check in staff that I intend to get off at MEL.

To prepare for the worse case scenario, I intend on traveling light - J passengers can carry 2x hand luggage so all is good.

 

[Rangalad]

It looks like the boarding pass is DOH-ADL only. Will immigration let you back in at MEL with that? This is on top of the absence of the required D sticker.



I believe that is a possibility. I took a few bags of rice with me on a D sticker JQ flight SYD-MEL recently and felt like I was committing a crime walking past customs officers with that. There was a flight arriving from India at the same time, so theoretically I could have brought in another passenger's rice.

Does being on a D sticker automatically exempt you from quarantine inspections? If you knew there weren't going to be any inspections, you could preorganise to skirt some rules by swapping things with a D sticker passenger in transit, either onboard the plane or in a toilet cubicle at the arrival port. Risks are low but still, holes are there for exploiting.

No.
I've had full baggage searches travelling as a "D sticker" domestic passenger.
(Note to self. shave and don't look like a thug when travelling on these flights)

On a SYD/MEL flight all passengers, including domestic, were directed to place all their luggage, including carry-on, against the baggage carousel for the sniffer dogs.
A few *very* nervous passengers.

 

[glasszon]

Would be interested to hear how this turns out. Last time I flew internationally there was passengers who got put on the QF9 MEL-PER flight due to IRROP at LHR, and they didn't get a D sticker when the BP was printed at LHR. They all got stopped at immigration in MEL and turned back after border force agents consulted with their supervisor and said they must get a D sticker from QF before they can go through immigration.

My guess is you would have no problem getting off at MEL and QR would have to offload your baggage as they cannot take your baggage to ADL without you on board, but I can't see how you can then take the MEL-ADL leg unless you can find a QR agent to give you a D sticker (assuming if QR agents can even give you one).

As to how those passengers ended up in this situation, based on what I heard QF put those passengers on another flight that took them to BNE, then did a domestic BNE-MEL flight before the QF9 MEL-PER flight. I have no idea why out of all MEL-PER flights that the QF staff at LHR decided to put them on QF9, as they wouldn't have this problem about D sticker otherwise.

 

[Anna]

'Throwaway ticketing' aka 'hidden city ticketing' can get pax in trouble. Airlines don't like it and I believe in the US pax have been sued for the fare difference after getting off at the layover point in order to avoid paying the higher direct route fare.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

'Throwaway ticketing' aka 'hidden city ticketing' can get pax in trouble. Airlines don't like it and I believe in the US pax have been sued for the fare difference after getting off at the layover point in order to avoid paying the higher direct route fare.

Lufthansa bought a case - reported here on AFF - which was dismissed by the court.

In the US and other places it’s not illegal to engage in hidden city or throwaway ticketing, but it is possibly against various airline’s terms and conditions.

While I can’t find a successful suit in this matter, airlines can take other action such as cancelling frequent flyer membership and points. It usually becomes a problem if it is engaged in by the passenger frequently… otherwise it can be hard to get evidence. Being unable to take a flight isn’t necessarily due to taking advantage of fares and ticketing anomalies.

 

[oz_mark]

'Throwaway ticketing' aka 'hidden city ticketing' can get pax in trouble. Airlines don't like it and I believe in the US pax have been sued for the fare difference after getting off at the layover point in order to avoid paying the higher direct route fare.

Not really what is being attempted here.

 

[SeatBackForward]

We need @Boofyal77 to update us on exactly what ended up happening between MEL and ADL