Made any travel mistakes lately?

[Scarlett]

I haven’t flown back in to Australia since March 2020…

So yesterday I grabbed my golf clubs and put them into the car for a trip to CBR and SYD, departing from Indonesia. It took until the AUS Govt quarantine announcement about an hour out of SYD for me to realise I hadn’t cleaned them, or the golf shoes. Was just hoping I’d done a decent enough job with the air compressor after last time I’d played, for them to look clean enough… I even carry a toothbrush in the golf bag for the returning to Australia cleaning ritual, but it didn’t even enter my less than match fit mind.

All’s well that ends well: quarantine guy was happy with how clean the bottom of the shoes were! Luck, not good management.

 

[luxury-lizard]

I can't believe what I've just done - applied for a NZ eTA for Mr LL (who is an Australian PR /not citizen) - Jumped online and clicked on apply-newzealndtours.com without noticing - entered all the info and when asked to pay it did not show the amount which I thought was odd but knew the amount was about $NZ20. Checked my VISA card account today and saw I was charged $160 - I felt sick for being so stupid. A (seemingly) valid eTA was sent by e-mail.

I plan to call my bank and see if they will do a chargeback but I doubt it very much and I will raise a serious complaint with the NZ government - they need to shut these scam sites down.

 

[encryptededdy]

I can't believe what I've just done - applied for a NZ eTA for Mr LL (who is an Australian PR /not citizen) - Jumped online and clicked on apply-newzealndtours.com without noticing - entered all the info and when asked to pay it did not show the amount which I thought was odd but knew the amount was about $NZ20. Checked my VISA card account today and saw I was charged $160 - I felt sick for being so stupid. A (seemingly) valid eTA was sent by e-mail.

I plan to call my bank and see if they will do a chargeback but I doubt it very much and I will raise a serious complaint with the NZ government - they need to shut these scam sites down.

These are sadly too common. In the past few years I've come across these "services" for applying for Australian TFNs and for Singapore Arrival Cards too. I know Singapore has a warning for these too: Advisory on Fake or Misleading Websites

 

[SYD]

I’m going to call this a “near miss”. Having spent weeks planning a road trip from SFO-SEA via Yellowstone in early April next year. Just as we were about to start booking things realised that West Yellowstone gate opens at the end of April… Instead of 30 miles into the park it would be a 4 hr drive each way each day from WSY…

I did have some hesitation about early April from a weather risk perspective and I feel vindicated. However, total trip plan is now down the toilet…

 

[Brissy1]

I can't believe what I've just done - applied for a NZ eTA for Mr LL (who is an Australian PR /not citizen) - Jumped online and clicked on apply-newzealndtours.com without noticing - entered all the info and when asked to pay it did not show the amount which I thought was odd but knew the amount was about $NZ20. Checked my VISA card account today and saw I was charged $160 - I felt sick for being so stupid. A (seemingly) valid eTA was sent by e-mail.

I plan to call my bank and see if they will do a chargeback but I doubt it very much and I will raise a serious complaint with the NZ government - they need to shut these scam sites down.

So, I gather that this organisation now has your card number, expiry date, cvv. You going to block it?

 

[Scr77]

I’m going to call this a “near miss”. Having spent weeks planning a road trip from SFO-SEA via Yellowstone in early April next year. Just as we were about to start booking things realised that West Yellowstone gate opens at the end of April… Instead of 30 miles into the park it would be a 4 hr drive each way each day from WSY…

I did have some hesitation about early April from a weather risk perspective and I feel vindicated. However, total trip plan is now down the toilet…

Nah, easy fixed…..just go via Zion or Moab and add a couple of weeks?

 

[SYD]

Nah, easy fixed…..just go via Zion or Moab and add a couple of weeks?

Nup. Only the North Gate is open year round (east, south and west progressively open from late April thru early / mid May)..

So it’s a Pacific North West drive to SEA and some few extra days on the end of the trip in SoCal….

 

[luxury-lizard]

So, I gather that this organisation now has your card number, expiry date, cvv. You going to block it?

Not at this stage - given that a seemingly valid visa was issued I suspect they "only" wanted to collect the $160 - will keep an eye on my account and will call the bank tomorrow to see what they can do. Sooo frustrated ......

 

[VPS]

Went to hire a car at BHX (had caught the train up from London) and they wouldn't rent me the car without my passport (which was in London) I pulled out my IDP and they said OK but if I didn't have the IDP then no go (pheww)

Driving back to BHX and was only 15 minutes away when got stuck after an accident and didn't move for over an hour

 

[jpp42]

Left my carryon suitcase on the "tram" to the rental car facility at OGG (Kahalui, Maui, Hawaii) last week. Was super worried it would be turned into the TSA and blown up as a training exercise or something. Fortunately tram staff had found it and not yet moved it to their lost and found, so was able to collect directly.

 

[encryptededdy]

Had the crew hang my jacket in the wardrobe on QF25, then completely forgot about it after I arrived in Tokyo. Only remembered after I went though both immigration and customs.

Anyway, I caught the crew landside and asked them about it, and the FA who put it in there initially apologised for forgetting to return it to me (although also my fault for forgetting to ask), and told me they handed it over to the ground team. I was told to talk to baggage services or Qantas check in.

Only issue is, baggage services is before customs as far as I could tell (and thus in the secure area) at Haneda, so I couldn't access it. Also, the evening QF26 was the only flight Qantas is operating at the time, so there's no way check-in would be open (it was 6am).

Given JAL seemed to be doing the ground handling for Qantas, I went and talked to the JAL Domestic Transfer counter (the closest JAL counter on the arrivals floor), and while they were confused at first, they were eventually able to make some calls and get my jacket back for me

Anyway, that's a lesson learnt. I'll set myself a reminder on my phone for the end of the flight if I ever have an item stored on the plane that's not at my seat or overhead locker. I'd imagine not every country/airport/ground staff would've made it this easy to get my stuff back quickly, especially after making my way through immigration & customs already.

 

[RAM]

I thought a person of your pedigree would have at least four of everything........

... & most likely does - safely packed away in Adelaide ready for quick access...

 

[RAM]

Had the crew hang my jacket in the wardrobe on QF25, then completely forgot about it after I arrived in Tokyo. Only remembered after I went though both immigration and customs.

Anyway, I caught the crew landside and asked them about it, and the FA who put it in there initially apologised for forgetting to return it to me (although also my fault for forgetting to ask), and told me they handed it over to the ground team. I was told to talk to baggage services or Qantas check in.

Only issue is, baggage services is before customs as far as I could tell (and thus in the secure area) at Haneda, so I couldn't access it. Also, the evening QF26 was the only flight Qantas is operating at the time, so there's no way it would be open (it was 6am).

Given JAL seemed to be doing the ground handling for Qantas, I went and talked to the JAL Domestic Transfer counter (the closest JAL counter on the arrivals floor), and while they were confused at first, they were eventually able to make some calls and get my jacket back for me

Anyway, that's a lesson learnt. I'll set myself a reminder on my phone for the end of the flight if I ever have an item stored on the plane that's not at my seat or overhead locker. I'd imagine not every country/airport/ground staff would've made it this easy to get my stuff back quickly, especially after making my way through immigration & customs already.

JAL ground staff at Tokyo saved the day for us some years ago when #1 son decided he was too hot & took off his super warm combination jacket (we found in London on a miserable sleet day in early Jan) but didn't want it put into a carry-on bag. A last minute change of gates at the airport saw us have a somewhat 'rushed' move from one terminal to another as the rest of the family were having a 'toilet' break that took forever.

We finally get through security at the gate etc and I realise that the jacket was nowhere to be seen. Boarding was nearly finished. #1 son (aged 6) was borderline tears at thought of his find of the holidays being lost. I was certain he had it when my better half & 2 daughters finally appeared & we rushed for the other terminal - so likely left on the crowded shuttle.

A passing JAL flight attendant saw his rapidly reddening face and stopped to see what was wrong. I explained his loss & she bent down to him saying she'd see if she could find it. As she walked to the desk we were about to become the last passengers at the gate.

Some conversations & looks over the shoulder at us as several minutes passed. Then she came over & told us to board while some JAL staff were checking the shuttles.

We boarded absolutely last by some minutes to the normal 'welcoming' glares of the full plane wondering why we were so delayed. Just as I was about to close the overhead lockers - the original flight attendant called quite quietly to wait. She had the jacket in her arms.

Cannot fault the JAL approach. #1 son, as a 6 yr old, was gushing in thanking the lady & telling her how wonderful she was in saving his jacket etc etc.

#1 son was so spoilt on that flight & at Sydney as we were about to exit the plane two of the FAs came up to him with a load of snacks in case there were any "delays getting through immigration & collecting your bags".

 

[Mattg]

JAL ground staff at Tokyo saved the day for us some years ago when #1 son decided he was too hot & took off his super warm combination jacket (we found in London on a miserable sleet day in early Jan) but didn't want it put into a carry-on bag. A last minute change of gates at the airport saw us have a somewhat 'rushed' move from one terminal to another as the rest of the family were having a 'toilet' break that took forever.

We finally get through security at the gate etc and I realise that the jacket was nowhere to be seen. Boarding was nearly finished. #1 son (aged 6) was borderline tears at thought of his find of the holidays being lost. I was certain he had it when my better half & 2 daughters finally appeared & we rushed for the other terminal - so likely left on the crowded shuttle.

A passing JAL flight attendant saw his rapidly reddening face and stopped to see what was wrong. I explained his loss & she bent down to him saying she'd see if she could find it. As she walked to the desk we were about to become the last passengers at the gate.

Some conversations & looks over the shoulder at us as several minutes passed. Then she came over & told us to board while some JAL staff were checking the shuttles.

We boarded absolutely last by some minutes to the normal 'welcoming' glares of the full plane wondering why we were so delayed. Just as I was about to close the overhead lockers - the original flight attendant called quite quietly to wait. She had the jacket in her arms.

Cannot fault the JAL approach. #1 son, as a 6 yr old, was gushing in thanking the lady & telling her how wonderful she was in saving his jacket etc etc.

#1 son was so spoilt on that flight & at Sydney as we were about to exit the plane two of the FAs came up to him with a load of snacks in case there were any "delays getting through immigration & collecting your bags".

I was on a QF flight ex MEL last week which was delayed because we were waiting for a connecting passenger coming from another delayed flight. While we were waiting, another passenger realised she'd left her phone in the lounge. The flight attendants let her off the plane on the basis that she'd run straight to the lounge and then straight back.

While that was happening, the delayed connecting pax turned up and immediately realised she'd left her handbag on the previous aircraft. After an initial "you're kidding me" from the CSM, they immediately sent off a ground staff member to retrieve the handbag. They were successful and we were on our way with a ~15 minute delay.

The CSM was very diplomatic in announcing the reason for the delay as "needing to reconcile a few last items".

 

[dairyfloss]

I was on a QF flight ex MEL last week which was delayed because we were waiting for a connecting passenger coming from another delayed flight. While we were waiting, another passenger realised she'd left her phone in the lounge. The flight attendants let her off the plane on the basis that she'd run straight to the lounge and then straight back.

While that was happening, the delayed connecting pax turned up and immediately realised she'd left her handbag on the previous aircraft. After an initial "you're kidding me" from the CSM, they immediately sent off a ground staff member to retrieve the handbag. They were successful and we were on our way with a ~15 minute delay.

The CSM was very diplomatic in announcing the reason for the delay as "needing to reconcile a few last items".

What happened with the lady with the phone in the lounge?! Please! I need closure!!!

 

[Mattg]

What happened with the lady with the phone in the lounge?! Please! I need closure!!!

I don’t think she found it in the lounge and re-boarded without her phone. I don’t know what happened after that, sorry.

 

[flyingfan]

The CSM was very diplomatic in announcing the reason for the delay as "needing to reconcile a few last items".

I would have thrown the pax under the bus, and in front of the nose wheel!

Seriously, good on QF for helping out here.

 

[JohnK]

ha ha you're not the first one to do that......no way they could return it and check it in?

I'd be extremely disappointed if not given the opportunity to go back out and check in the item.

I'd forgotten a fork in my carry-on many years ago at BNE domestic. I went back to VA check-in and checked it in one of those big plastic bags. The sentimental value is much higher than monetary value.

Also a number of years ago left 2 bottles of alcohol in carry on at ATH airport going to SKG thinking we were doing Australian domestic. There was no way I was giving them 2 free bottles of alcohol and after some argument allowed to go back and check them in.

 

[djkelly69]

Also a number of years ago left 2 bottles of alcohol in carry on

Similar story here - a large bottle of OP rum which I picked up on the way over to LA. Didn't drink or even open it while there, and then didn't even think about it when going home and put it in my carry-on for 'safe keeping'.

Didn't try to argue the toss with LAX staff, but did notice it went into a filing drawer off to the side a bit rather than the bins right in front of them with everything else. Must have been a fun Xmas party at LAX that year!

 

[Ade]

bottles of alcohol in carry on

Had to give away a few bottles of Sri Lankan Arrack enroute CMB-BKK-SYD. The security check at the gate prior to boarding confiscated the bottles. They asked me to sign a sheet of paper that they had taken the bottle from me. There was a DFAT staff at the gate and I asked if there is any way I can get the bottles into AU. He told me that the rule is not that AU is restricting, but BKK restricting liquids in carry on ex-Thailand. Too bad that I had to part ways with the expensive liquor. I didn't feel so much, but my mates back in MEL were devastated when I texted them that I'm coming empty handed.

Re: the DFAT staff - the staff was positioned very visibly, wearing a really-cannot-miss-ID card that said DFAT ... I guess there may have been instances where AU bound pax may be not happy with the rule ex-Thailand re liquids and the staff was there to explain the rules should anyone not be ok with the confiscation