Should I stay or should I go - Hong Kong [protests]

[ellen10]

An update on my husband and son. Their QF128 flight departed over 2 hours late from HK. They said they sat in a very hot plane for 3 hours after boarding. The plane had sat in the hot Hong Kong sun all day and then when they boarded they couldn't run the aircon because they needed to conserve their fuel. 28 people who had checked in did not get through to airside because of the blockade, so they had to locate their bags and remove them from the hold. This took over 2 hours. At first they were worried that they would not fly that night but the captain reassured the passengers that he would be definitely flying out of HK that night as they (the crew), too had been delayed and wanted to get home.

The plane was about 2/3 full. The white shirted man that I mentioned in an earlier post who helped my husband and son get through to security was against the violence happening and a group of them were trying to help travellers. He guided them through many different passageways and ramps etc. They would never have found this route without his help. They are very grateful to him. As mentioned they just got through before it was all closed off and blocked by the blackshirts.

They spent a week in Hong Kong and enjoyed their stay and did not come across any problems until they tried to fly home.

We are glad they are home safely.

 

[karen blancfield]

Our friends flew in from Sydney overnight, Cathay, arrived at HK airport at 5am today and said it was very quiet, about 30 protestors. They were quickly in their hotel and resting.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

They just played vision on 7 news with an Aussie trying to enter the terminal having words with the protesters: 'I'm trying to leave legally, you're here illegally'.

 

[get me outta here]

New security checks at Airport Express lines causes long lines. Apparently, now running at 25 min intervals. And, they need to see BPs and p/p before they will let you into the terminals, so only travellers can get in.

 

[kelvedon]

An update on my husband and son. Their QF128 flight departed over 2 hours late from HK. They said they sat in a very hot plane for 3 hours after boarding................(snip)...At first they were worried that they would not fly that night but the captain reassured the passengers that he would be definitely flying out of HK that night as they (the crew), too had been delayed and wanted to get home.

Whilst I understand the relief of finally getting home, I’ve always thought there were limits to the number of hours the crew could legally work, including being on the ground waiting for departure. In which case, were the captains remarks about “definitely flying out of HK that night” less definitive than they appeared, or did they have a spare crew ?.
Thoughts anyone ?

 

[Isochronous]

Whilst I understand the relief of finally getting home, I’ve always thought there were limits to the number of hours the crew could legally work, including being on the ground waiting for departure. In which case, were the captains remarks about “definitely flying out of HK that night” less definitive than they appeared, or did they have a spare crew ?.
Thoughts anyone ?

Good question - or because all the crew are AU based maybe they would be willing to waive the requirement?

 

[Saab34]

Crew limits are around 20 odd hours. They would have had ample rest as no flights went out the night before.

I’m not overly familiar with HKG in terms of if crew enter via the pax area of another compound like CX. Even if crew went in at 4pm before the blockade started still ample time. QF really needed those aircraft out of there otherwise it was going to start to cause fleet dramas

 

[get me outta here]

Good Pope cartoon.

 

[Ade]

I was on the QF127 from SYD-HKG on 14 Aug and transited via HKG last night to MAA (Chennai). The airport was very quiet and there were no sign of protesters in the arrivals hall.

But a handful of flights out of HKG yday were cancelled and mine was delayed for about an hour

I'm back to SYD via HKG on 17th Aug - fingers crossed

 

[UP4014]

Oh, if a dual national, China and anyone else, I wouldn't be going. While the risk maybe low the consequences might be high.

 

[k_sheep]

In transit in HKG currently. Few flights delayed, very few (mainly Japan) cancelled. Haven't been landside but absolutely no sign of anything untoward airside.

 

[harvyk]

Oh, if a dual national, China and anyone else, I wouldn't be going. While the risk maybe low the consequences might be high.

Please explain (I'm not dual national, but just curious as to the assertion).

 

[kyle]

Please explain (I'm not dual national, but just curious as to the assertion).

If you're a dual Aust/ Chinese citizen and you're on Chinese territory, the Aust consulate is not going to protect you.

 

[Hvr]

If you're a dual Aust/ Chinese citizen and you're on Chinese territory, the Aust consulate is not going to protect you.

This is the problem with dual nationality. In this example if a person has dual Australian and PRC citizenship they enter each the respective countries as citizens. Therefore, they would be in China as a Chinese citizen and not eligible for consular support as an Australian citizen. However, many countries including Australia require that you use their passport when entering the country if you hold that passport.

Whereas, if the person entered China as an Australian citizen with the requisite visa then they are entitled to the normal support of the Australian Embassy.

The other time this is an issue is when a dual citizen enters a third country on their 'other' passport because it is easier and/or cheaper than using their Australian passport. In that circumstance the country whose passport they used to enter the third country is responsible for providing consular assistance, not Australia.

 

[JB expat]

If you're a dual Aust/ Chinese citizen and you're on Chinese territory, the Aust consulate is not going to protect you.

Especially since China doesn't allow dual citizenship (or so I've been told by a Chinese citizen).

 

[Isochronous]

Especially since China doesn't allow dual citizenship (or so I've been told by a Chinese citizen).

Correct although in practice it is widely flouted.

 

[kelvedon]

Especially since China doesn't allow dual citizenship (or so I've been told by a Chinese citizen).

Apparently true.

“China does not recognize dual nationality. The Article 3 of China Nationality Law holds that the country will not admit the dual nationality of a Chinese citizen. Moreover, the Article 9 of that law declares that as soon as a Chinese takes a foreign citizenship, he will automatically lose his Chinese citizenship.”

 

[hallsj]

Landed in HKG at 5.50pm this evening on QF127. Breezed through Immigration/Customs no queues & jumped straight onto Airport Express - no sign of any demonstrators. Arrived at hotel in Jordan by 7.05pm.

 

[Ade]

Correct although in practice it is widely flouted.

Recently read a news article on Vanuatu citizenship for sale and a large number of citizenship were purchased by Chinese nationals

Why are Chinese nationals snapping up Vanuatu passports?

Are you in the market for a second passport? One that can get you into scores of countries — including Europe, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore and Russia — without needing a visa?

www.abc.net.au

 

[yohy?!]

To update - had a quick trip to KUL this week that went out on Tuesday, given Monday's closure I went early morning and camped in the CX lounge to work until my flight. Was able to depart ontime before the 2nd round of closures came in.

Coming back on thursday night was no issue, the court order has effectively cleared the departure and arrival level of protestors.

Media today reporting that the new terminal entry process is substantially impacting departures and there are long queues now to get into the terminal - so go early and have your passport and printed itinerary ready