Increased aviation security at Australian airports

[indigo1]

Noticed this update on VA website

Adjustment to additional security screening at major Australian Domestic and International Airports
The Australian Government has advised us that the additional aviation security measures implemented at Australia’s major airports last week have been adjusted.
For the travelling public, this means they should still expect increased security measures, but we anticipate fewer delays.
These measures are precautionary and the public can be confident that Australia has a comprehensive and strong aviation security system. It remains safe to travel from Australian airports.
From tomorrow (Friday 4 August), passengers can return to normal travel times at the airport for check-in. Virgin Australia recommends:

• arriving at the airport one hour before a domestic flight; and
• two hours before international departures.

There are no changes to what can and cannot be carried on-board the aircraft.
Australia’s major airports

• Adelaide
• Brisbane
• Cairns
• Canberra
• Darwin
• Gold Coast
• Hobart
• Melbourne
• Perth
• Sydney

 

[fairbasa]

Now reporting someone (presumably related to the accused) attempted to check a bag with a device prior to the raids but was stopped at the Check-in Counter due to the bag being overweight...

Sydney terrorist plot: Bid to smuggle bomb through airport thwarted at check-in

 

[Berlin]

Now reporting someone (presumably related to the accused) attempted to check a bag with a device prior to the raids but was stopped at the Check-in Counter due to the bag being overweight...

Sydney terrorist plot: Bid to smuggle bomb through airport thwarted at check-in

Hahah- luckily, many of those self-proclaimed religious 'fighters' seem not to be the sharpest tools in the shed

 

[fairbasa]

Hahah- luckily, many of those self-proclaimed religious 'fighters' seem not to be the sharpest tools in the shed

So far in Australia we've been lucky in that regard. Unfortunately I'm sure that will change sooner or later.

 

[Himeno]

As a weekly flyer I welcome ID checks (drivers licence) either at security or gate. Can't board a plane in US without showing ID

Checking IDs at airports serves no benefit to security whatsoever. It does not matter at all who is flying provided everyone with access to aircraft have been screened properly. No fly lists are pointless. If there is justifiable reason to bar someone from flying, arrest them.

I don't care if I am on the same aircraft as every known "terrorist", provided they have all been correctly screened (which is not what TSA does), there is no threat. ID checks for security reasons are pointless and completely unnecessary.

 

[I love to travel]

AFF member nutwood contributed to the QF delays/ cancellations thread and made an interesting point.

He suggested that the 'two hour rule' may mean even greater pressure on seating in the airline and gate lounges (especially if there are delays) and great consumption of food and drink in the airline lounges (and at retailers.) Many more passengers might be standing in the airport (even in airline lounges) prior to departure.

QC packed in Sydney on Tuesday at 4pm

 

[pauly7]

Now reporting someone (presumably related to the accused) attempted to check a bag with a device prior to the raids but was stopped at the Check-in Counter due to the bag being overweight...

Sydney terrorist plot: Bid to smuggle bomb through airport thwarted at check-in

Etihad reported to be the airline. But it is from no-news

 

[Pushka]

Reported the device was put into a wheelchair of an unsuspecting invalid.

 

[Melburnian1]

News Ltd is now stating that two Sydney men have been charged with attempting to blow up a passenger aircraft.

They are entitled to a presumption of innocence. However this should silence the doubters (including some on AFF) who surmised the arrests were all for show or to affect the political opinion polls.

Security consultants might have a vested interest but they also have experience. By and large they agree that some sort of attack in Australia (on a much larger scale than what we have seen to date here) is inevitable.

Islamic terrorism is a huge threat to Western societies.

 

[Pushka]

I don't think the arrests were for show. The security measures? Different question as to how much you think they are effective. I think there will be some kind of act. Eventually.

 

[nutwood]

Unless the ID is checked against a database of known and suspected criminals/terrorists then it is just theatre and revenue protection for the airlines.

Also, we need a form of identification such as the US passport card that doesn't have your address on it.


It also begs the question of why doesn't security screening eliminate all risks?

The ID card issue has been one that has caused me some thought. I'm fundamentally opposed to the concept of a universal, compulsory ID card however I find I have no problem with discretionary ID cards. I carry my FF card and flash it as I wander into the Qantas lounge. This causes me no issues as it's my choice. I could either decline the comforts of the lounge or enter on the strength of my boarding pass; totally my choice.
With regard to security issues, I wonder if the airlines could work with security agencies and, to some extent, merge the FF programs with security. If this seems strange, consider my position (not unique in any way, simply an example!). As someone whose business takes him about, my SC tally for this year is around 1600 so far. All earned popping about regional Australia, 10 and 20 points at a time. Surely that is a pretty good security check in it's own right? Multiply that record over several years and it becomes almost impregnable. I find it hard to believe any terrorist organisation investing the hours and dollars necessary to create this.
Obviously, the flaw in this approach is that it's not necessary to do the flights, one could simply fake it or steal the ID of someone who has done the flights. Hence my suggestion that FF status should be considered more seriously as a security question. Photos on FF cards would be a good start. The objective would be that those who travel regularly would be able to avail themselves of faster tracking through security, thus taking some pressure off the system. Ultimately, for security to work, some profiling of passengers is necessary. A system that treats every passenger as a potential terrorist is doomed to either fail or be ineffective.

 

[Quickstatus]

How would ID help?

1 month ago these 2 who are now charged would have been able to fly even if they showed their ID.
Some ISIS recruits were able to fly overseas after showing their ID which in more than one occasion was fake/borrowed.

ID would work if all airline bookings are subjected to no fly list scrutiny and the ID merely confirms the traveler matches the booking. Does this happen.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

TSA Testing ID Only, No Boarding Pass Required to Go Through Security at Four Airports - View from the Wing

Sydney Airport looks to biometrics for passport-free travel - Australian Business Traveller

 

[nutwood]

TSA Testing ID Only, No Boarding Pass Required to Go Through Security at Four Airports - View from the Wing

Sydney Airport looks to biometrics for passport-free travel - Australian Business Traveller

Interesting links. My concern would be if they go too far down the technology path, the system becomes vulnerable to hacking and then vast sums have to spent to keep it secure. Alternatively, the whole thing crashes and airports grind to a halt. There's still a lot of merit in old fashioned ID that you carry in your pocket and show to a human being. A combination of the new and the old would probably work best.

 

[ozflier]

[h=2][/h]

Hi,
I am departing in International J class out of Brisbane tomorrow.
Has anyone had any experience late this week re the delays I can expect at checkin and immigration?​

 

[Melburnian1]

[h=2][/h]

Hi,
I am departing in International J class out of Brisbane tomorrow.
Has anyone had any experience late this week re the delays I can expect at checkin and immigration?​

ozflier, since the (for a week - now apparently rescinded 'two hour rule' was about domestic passengers, international passengers were unaffected.

You should, one would be hope, be fine. ​

 

[ozflier]

Thank you.
Sounds like arriving 90 minutes ahead of departure should be ok ?

ozflier, since the (for a week - now apparently rescinded 'two hour rule' was about domestic passengers, international passengers were unaffected.

You should, one would be hope, be fine. ​

 

[drron]

Channel 7 news tonight was disturbing-
https://au.news.yahoo.com/video/wat...plosives-were-shipped-through-the-mail/#page1

 

[pauly7]

Channel 7 news tonight was disturbing-
https://au.news.yahoo.com/video/wat...plosives-were-shipped-through-the-mail/#page1

I find any commercial news disturbing

 

[cove]

Watching Channel 7 news is so funny where they are always claiming an exclusive.
I try not to watch it.
ABC or nothing is fine with me.