Has anyone on here definitely done a SYD - AKL - MEL - SYD return in 24/36 hours...?

[RichardMEL]

Re: Has anyone on here definitely done a SYD - AKL - MEL - SYD return in 24/36 hours.

OK, all noted.
So long as I know that some of you have done it.
I got an incredulous Customs fellow at AKL one time, the Sikh turban officer, some of you who fly regularly into AKL will have seen him.
I told him I was in AKL for only 1 day, this was with (Air) NZ, when they swapped my 777 to a 320, I wanted to leave SYD in daylight, and arrive AKL past dusk on a wide body.
Told him, this was the guy that collects the NZ smartgate receipt downstairs, that I would be in NZ for less than a day, 320 narrow body plane swap was an excuse, he (officer) asked me, you are going to here for only 24 hours??? In the end, he let me through, got to see Manukau town centre, and a bit of the lagoons and lakes around AKL airport on the 380 bus!
I guess, in the end, it all depends on the officer collecting the NZ IPC and Smartgate receipt.
So many ways to do it, even that some days of the week, some months of the year, I could do ADL - PER (QFd), PER - AKL (QFi), AKL - SYD (EK with a QF flight number), SYD - ADL (QFd).
Have to play around with $ now to see what's possible.
Thanks again.

So your main concern is being questioned by an immigration officer (it is their job) and aircraft subs which we know upset you no end (you keep telling us even though it's not really relevant)... so?

you're not doing anything illegal (hopefully ) or have drugs or whatever. So what if they search you? they(and you) waste a bit of time. Frankly I'd have no problem with authorities at EITHER end asking the question if travel patterns seem odd.. that's their job. It seems in this case the immigration officer simply randomly asked you a question - again that's their job - and now you're paranoid it seems. I honestly don't get it.

 

[Austman]

Re: Has anyone on here definitely done a SYD - AKL - MEL - SYD return in 24/36 hours.

With some international to international connections involving a LCC or with no interlining available, sometimes you have no choice but to go through arrivals passport control, then to baggage claim/check-in and then back through departures passport control again. All within minutes (sometimes) (and if you're lucky). So it's really not a big deal to passport control.

If you want problems. Try arriving in Australia with nothing but the clothes you are wearing (not even any hand luggage) and going straight to customs. That they consider suspicious. I've found it out the hard way.

 

[medhead]

Re: Has anyone on here definitely done a SYD - AKL - MEL - SYD return in 24/36 hours.

Really? What does his religion or religious headress have to do with your story?

Probably nothing, probably as an identifying feature, because there is only one Sikh working for customs. I've given up trying to understand these stories anymore.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, when I went to AKL for a long weekend a few years ago I got questioned about why I wasn't staying longer.

I suppose he might just have been flirting.

I hope you replied that NZ is nice for a weekend but it isn't Australia. Or something like that.

 

[zqsn5678]

Re: Has anyone on here definitely done a SYD - AKL - MEL - SYD return in 24/36 hours.

Late last year, I was asked by the manual immigration officer why I had to transit in HKG to get to AKL, why I didn't catch the direct flight/non-stop from Taipei (Taiwan).

I simply told him there is non available (unless you consider CI transit in SYD/BNE), he didn't believe me for a moment.

 

[RichardMEL]

Re: Has anyone on here definitely done a SYD - AKL - MEL - SYD return in 24/36 hours.

yeah but the thing is they can ask and whatever (again, as above, it's their job) but if all you're doing is doing a mileage run, or you want to fly, for example, the 787 AKL-PER. or whatever if it's legal - specially around this part of the world - there's no reason for there to be a problem with it. Sure, it can bring up red flags for some but really it shouldn't be an issue.

Fun story time
Back in 2003 I went to HKG for Christmas Day. why? Of course, I needed some EQM before 31 Dec, and had limited window to travel, so I did MEL-BKK-HKG and r/t with around 10 hours or so in HKG so I could go into the city, have lunch, hang out and enjoy a city I like to visit (it was fantastic ). Now upon return to MEL next day I was flagged and they asked questions - 1 day in HKG, carry on only, coming through Thailand - to anyone who has watched half an episode of Border Security it seems a bit odd. I get that. I had no issue when questions, swabs and so on. Again, they're doing their job and in some ways I'd rather they investigated something like this than not (as opposed to the Security Theatre of the TSA, for example). Anyway it got a bit more serious when the AFP were called in (most of the customs people were lovely but this one supervisor seemed convinced I had drugs - they told me to my face that "9 out of 10 people like you have drugs on them and i intend to prove it"(obviously Santa wasn't very nice that year to that one ). Well since I was 1 out of 10, I wasn't at all worried.. I had nowhere to be and although the prospect of potential cavity searches and the like wasn't too pleasant, at the end of the day I knew I was fine and doing nothing wrong so I was quite comfortable. Well the funny part was when the AFP guys showed up they basically said "We were watching the Boxing Day test mate!" which I had to laugh at (so I asked the score ). They talked to me for a bit. I explained honestly what the deal was, they were like OK (amusing side note, one did say to me at one point "You know if you just said you went to Hong Kong to see a prostitute it would be fine!" - and I'm thinking someone would fly 5000 miles to see a hooker and they think THAT isn't odd but wanting status miles is? ).. but in the end they surmised, correctly, I was a harmless av geek and no issue and I was let go. The customs folks were all good (though the supervisor glared at me as I walked out) but it was all good. Since then, on MANY trips, I barely rate a second look.

I'd also suspect these days the concept of doing mileage runs may not seem so strange - just as telling someone you're entering the USA to visit a friend you met online on the internet wouldn't seem as weird as it did when I first entered the USA in 1993 and got a bit of attitude about how I knew someone from email (but I digress)

my point still remains, this is a non issue. These days between AU and NZ even moreso - smartgate means you barely talk to anyone except a customs officer collecting cards, and if they want to ask a question or 3.. then fine. so what?

IMHO anyway

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Re: Has anyone on here definitely done a SYD - AKL - MEL - SYD return in 24/36 hours.

Richo mate, you hit the nail right on the right spot, with what they assumed.
I know the feeling, I did (as mentioned on here), ADL - PER - SIN and return one long weekend, got the swab and the whole search on the bench.
So far, on my trips to NZ, only one time, out of the 4 returns I have done to NZ so far. Done by the NZ side, 7 out of 8 times, no questioning is quite good.
Think they are checking more for short hops coming back from Thailand/Malaysia/Singapore.
I will definitely try something either this December/March (Easter next year).
Yes, I know SC chasing can be expensive, but I want to at least keep PS for 18 months more, then probaby drop to NB later on.
Heh, fun eh... $$$ but fun.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Re: Has anyone on here definitely done a SYD - AKL - MEL - SYD return in 24/36 hours.

One more thing, I don't think they do cavity searches anymore.
Its
(a).you sit on the special potty/or grill over the toilet till you *oo
(b).you get taken to a hospital for a stomach scan
I didn't get the AFP call, but maybe I would have fainted if that had happened to me, the swab and the "whole possessions" on the bench was bad enough, PER and when it happened in WLG.
Thanks again everyone!
Jock, he was the only 1 of the 2 NZ officers that have chatted to me about my "movements" in detail. Other officers just look cursory glance at NZ IPC and that was it, some xray, some just allowed to walk out. Maybe/most likely it sounded rude, crude and mean when I said it like that.
Have arrived into 3 NZ airports so far.

 

[trixydoza]

Re: Has anyone on here definitely done a SYD - AKL - MEL - SYD return in 24/36 hours.

My childhood neighbour had a dog called "Trixie"!!

The cough is back.

 

[knasty]

Re: Has anyone on here definitely done a SYD - AKL - MEL - SYD return in 24/36 hours.

I love Nz customs. When in the long Customs queue upon arrival in AKl an officer approached us and asked "Here for the rugby boys?" pulled us out of the queue and straight through...

 

[RichardMEL]

Re: Has anyone on here definitely done a SYD - AKL - MEL - SYD return in 24/36 hours.

Richo mate, you hit the nail right on the right spot, with what they assumed.
I know the feeling, I did (as mentioned on here), ADL - PER - SIN and return one long weekend, got the swab and the whole search on the bench.
So far, on my trips to NZ, only one time, out of the 4 returns I have done to NZ so far. Done by the NZ side, 7 out of 8 times, no questioning is quite good.
Think they are checking more for short hops coming back from Thailand/Malaysia/Singapore.
I will definitely try something either this December/March (Easter next year).
Yes, I know SC chasing can be expensive, but I want to at least keep PS for 18 months more, then probaby drop to NB later on.
Heh, fun eh... $$$ but fun.

So they looked in your bag and did a swab test? I honestly don't understand the point of this whole thread. You yourself admit 3/4 times into NZ nothing and the one time a guy asked you some questions and yet you seem worried? I don't mean to be nit picky or have a go but I don't get it!!! These folks are doing their jobs. So you're delayed for a few minutes while they do it. Heck half the time I pass through MEL domestic (and ALWAYS at CBR for some reason lol) I get pulled aside for the exposives swab. It really doesn't bother me one iota. By the same token so you're pulled aside at ANY port and a swab is done for drugs (likely random) or a look inside a carry on. Again.... what's the worry there?

I'm honestly bewildered.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Re: Has anyone on here definitely done a SYD - AKL - MEL - SYD return in 24/36 hours.

Not looked, not just looked.
Looked is one thing.
Looked and swabbed is one thing.
Everything spread out on bench.
Asked for my BP and etix.
Asked for details of my trip.
Asked to see credit cards.
Asked why I flew so short a time.
Counted my leftover Sgd$.
Counted my Aud$.
Looked into depth at my IPC (incoming pax card).
First trip as an Australian citizen with an Australian passport, chipped.
Didn't use Smartgate, didn't know about this website, ...
This was when QFi still flew the 330 out and to PER, about 2pm, when that QF flight that took off from SIN at about 9am, and got to PER just after lunch came in.

 

[slc767338]

Has anyone on here definitely done a SYD - AKL - MEL - SYD return in 24/36 ho...

One more thing, I don't think they do cavity searches anymore.
Its
(a).you sit on the special potty/or grill over the toilet till you *oo
(b).you get taken to a hospital for a stomach scan

That's not a cavity search...

A cavity search is to find anything you may have tried to place 'where the sun don't shine'.

The searches you have noted are to find anything that you may have swallowed.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Re: Has anyone on here definitely done a SYD - AKL - MEL - SYD return in 24/36 ho...

From that TV show, I have seen the potty and the fact where someone gets taken to hospital.
Dont/didn't think they still put their finger up your "nether" regions though.

 

[slc767338]

Re: Has anyone on here definitely done a SYD - AKL - MEL - SYD return in 24/36 ho...

From that TV show, I have seen the potty and the fact where someone gets taken to hospital.
Dont/didn't think they still put their finger up your "nether" regions though.

Different searches for different things. They are more than willing to prod around if they think you've put something up there for safekeeping.

 

[get me outta here]

Re: Has anyone on here definitely done a SYD - AKL - MEL - SYD return in 24/36 ho...

My jewellery?

Different searches for different things. They are more than willing to prod around if they think you've put something up there for safekeeping.

 

[slc767338]

Re: Has anyone on here definitely done a SYD - AKL - MEL - SYD return in 24/36 ho...

My jewellery?

If that's where you store your jewellery I feel/worry for you

 

[RichardMEL]

Re: Has anyone on here definitely done a SYD - AKL - MEL - SYD return in 24/36 hours.

Not looked, not just looked.
Looked is one thing.
Looked and swabbed is one thing.
Everything spread out on bench.
Asked for my BP and etix.
Asked for details of my trip.
Asked to see credit cards.
Asked why I flew so short a time.
Counted my leftover Sgd$.
Counted my Aud$.
Looked into depth at my IPC (incoming pax card).
First trip as an Australian citizen with an Australian passport, chipped.
Didn't use Smartgate, didn't know about this website, ...
This was when QFi still flew the 330 out and to PER, about 2pm, when that QF flight that took off from SIN at about 9am, and got to PER just after lunch came in.

Again, they are doing their job. If you have nothing to hide what's the big deal apart from time spent (theirs and yours)?

many moons ago I had a far less "friendly" interview at HNL fr first trip into the USA on a brand new (blank) passport as a 20something. US INS agent pretty much said to me "What's to stop you 'dropping out' and staying illegally?" - even though I had a printed ticket (on carbon paper stock and all that - remember those folks? ) that said I had a flight 2 weeks later to LGW. It was not very pleasant, but he was doing his job and I was let through and since then no issue.

And it seems since your "first time" you've had no issue.

I've had bags searched, swabs taken, all my medications checked (which is why I have the appropriate documentation at all times and original packes etc with proper labels etc) MULTIPLE TIMES and it's no issue just a bit of time.

I would hope that, as a citizen of either AU or NZ, one would be happy that our border control folks are checking things out to their satisfaction. Yes, there are obviously cases where you think "can't they focus on someone else?" or"this is a waste of time" etc but it's part of the process.

Just my 2 cents anyway. i guess I just think differently.

 

[RichardMEL]

Re: Has anyone on here definitely done a SYD - AKL - MEL - SYD return in 24/36 ho...

That's not a cavity search...

A cavity search is to find anything you may have tried to place 'where the sun don't shine'.

The searches you have noted are to find anything that you may have swallowed.

yep, my brother had a cavity search back in the 90's. That's a rather long and amusing (for me !!) story to tell over drinks, but yes it did, and DOES still happen (though I suspect more they also would just go for a scan as much as the "old fashioned" method).

Yes, there's the "controlled" toilets and the like. The authorities have multiple checks and you can't just take edited episodes of Border Security as the be-all and end-all of what does and doesn't happen at our (or any other countries) borders IMHO.

 

[harvyk]

Re: Has anyone on here definitely done a SYD - AKL - MEL - SYD return in 24/36 ho...

Two words which will typically explain everything to customs / immi agents - Mileage Run. Three more words which will explain why you'd want to do a MR - Frequent Flyer Perks.

Whilst you may get funny looks from customs agents, all of them have come across a mileage runner at some time or another, and there is no laws which state the minimum amount of time you're allowed to spend in a country or out of this one.

A few years back I used to do CBR-MEL-AKL-MEL-CBR in the space of roughly 36 hours pretty frequently. Seldom had more than a raised eyebrow, always put down that I was traveling for 2 days (aka today and tomorrow).

 

[RichardMEL]

Re: Has anyone on here definitely done a SYD - AKL - MEL - SYD return in 24/36 ho...

Two words which will typically explain everything to customs / immi agents - Mileage Run. Three more words which will explain why you'd want to do a MR - Frequent Flyer Perks.

Would tend to agree. Back 10+ years ago it would be more frowned iupon, but these days (and remember, a citizen travelling between Aus and NZ is far less suss than someone doing multiple returns to BKK or something).

All my point has been (and maybe it seems like I've been harping on it a bit) is that if you're doing nothing illegal, then there's nothing to fear. You want to spend $2k on a return ticket to Auckland for the night. . that's your business.. Customs etc don't care. Now sure, it can throw up some flags as unusual, but hardly unknown.

note I'm quite comfortable to explain things this way in oz or NZ... probably the UK.. some other parts of the world not so much.

Anyway with smartgate and the like more and more in use this really minimises (for the better) interaction with anyone so it makes it that much easier.
Whilst you may get funny looks from customs agents, all of them have come across a mileage runner at some time or another, and there is no laws which state the minimum amount of time you're allowed to spend in a country or out of this one.

A few years back I used to do CBR-MEL-AKL-MEL-CBR in the space of roughly 36 hours pretty frequently. Seldom had more than a raised eyebrow, always put down that I was traveling for 2 days (aka today and tomorrow).[/QUOTE]