Travellers would pay more for better security: survey

[Dave Noble]

A majority of Australian travellers would be prepared to pay more for airline tickets in return for increased airport security measures.

A recent Newspoll survey found 55 per cent of respondents would be happy to wear the extra cost if it meant they were at less risk of a terrorist attack.

The survey, commissioned in March by technology services company Unisys, questioned 1,200 people about their views on international travel and security.

Of those surveyed, 98 per cent said they were still concerned about terrorist attacks, and believed airlines and airports needed to implement tighter security measures.

Full article at Travellers would pay more for better security: survey - Travel - smh.com.au

Dave

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Surprised this hasn't gotten some comments.

I'll start with who the !@#$ did they survey? I bet there weren't too many frequent flyers (and no I'm not referring to members of QFF or AAdvantage).

 

[JohnK]

Must have missed it!

I think airport security is over the top already and I do not want pay more for greater airport security. You cannot stop someone who is prepared to die. YMMV!

 

[d15.in.oz]

Having recently experienced Indonesian security (international departure), I would not want to be flying frequently there…

• 1st Screening – on entering the airport, all luggage is x-rayed and there is a walk through detector.
• 2nd Screening – at check-in, all bags are residue (wipe) scanned.
• 3rd Screening – entering the departure gates area, second x-ray and walk through. Additionally, every liquid in “carry-on, clear plastic bag” removed and individually examined.
• 4th Screening – entering the individual gate lounge, security pat down, then all hand luggage opened for manual inspection.

Needless to say, plan for a significant amount of delay between drop off at an Indonesian airport and actually boarding the aircraft. (Even before you account for immigration & airline queues.)

 

[serfty]

Reading the article (did not have time the other day) I have a feeling the questions were skewed to produce results. In these sort of things, I always like to see the questions and the sequence of asking them.

e.g.

Are you prepared to pay more to travel because of tighter security?

or

Are you concerned about terrorist attacks?
Do you believe airlines and airports need to implement tighter security measures?
Are you prepared to pay more to travel because of tighter security?

 

[JohnK]

No, No, No and No....

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Reading the article (did not have time the other day) I have a feeling the questions were skewed to produce results. In these sort of things, I always like to see the questions and the sequence of asking them.

e.g.

Are you prepared to pay more to travel because of tighter security?

or

Are you concerned about terrorist attacks?
Do you believe airlines and airports need to implement tighter security measures?
Are you prepared to pay more to travel because of tighter security?

I seem to recall a Yes, Minister episode on something similar.

 

[d15.in.oz]

I seem to recall a Yes, Minister episode on something similar.

I seem to recall, being accused of starting a similar poll on AFF (in relation to vinyl seat covers )

 

[dajop]

From the article

Many also argued for more stringent passenger identity checks and nationally consistent passenger baggage tracking.
More than 80 per cent said they would gladly arrive at the airport 30 minutes earlier for extra screening, with 71 per cent agreeing to provide a fingerprint or biometric information to airlines.
Ninety-one per cent suggested all bags should be electronically tagged for monitoring, with 71 per cent wanting a total ban on liquids in hand luggage.

Scary thing is a federal election coming up, and if this gets traction in the marginal seats, anything is possible...

I hope we don't have to go down the path of photo ID checks to board planes (frankly, if those with bad intentions were serious, they could surely organise a fake drivers licence), nor a total ban on liquids in hand luggage, nor an extra 30 minutes for screening.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

There are a number of airports (let alone lounges) that could not cope with holding an extra 30 minutes worth of passengers.

 

[JohnK]

No need to spend more money for better security it would be better spent on common sense. Could produce the same result.

There is ban on knives, scissors, nail clippers etc in carry on luggage. Why? Is it a security risk? First class on most airlines provides stainless steel cutlery. Do they really think that terrorists are that stupid? Or short of money?

 

[simongr]

Ah but this is into/out of Oz where thankfully knives are banned....

I think the scisssors ban is to stop people cutting the phone lines between cabin crew and pilots - I dont think your BA knife would cut through before you ran out of fuel.

 

[NM]

Ah but this is into/out of Oz where thankfully knives are banned....

I felt so much safer today while cutting my sausage with my plastic knife

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

You mean you actually got the knife to cut!

 

[simongr]

I think the issue was more the sausage than the knife

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

perhaps the sausage could be used to cut the egg/omelette/tomato?

 

[oz_mark]

You mean you actually got the knife to cut!

Cuts most things in the meal - except the bread roll.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Isn't the bread roll there as a security device - ya know disarm the terrorist with well judged throw.

 

[SeatBackForward]

As long as there's at least ONE extra person on the flight who's paid for extra security, then i'm happy to not pay

 

[simongr]

I wonde rif they can make it an optional extra like an entertainment pack...

GA:Would you liek to purchase the security pack with your ticket sir?
PAX: What does it include?
GA: Well for just an extra $50 (plus GSt and surcharges) you receive a second more detailed screening, you can not carry any liquids at all, we perform a blood test and profile match you against known terror suspects and you will need to be at the airport a minimum of 30 mins before our current 3 hour reuqirement.
PAX: But I will be safer - you can guarantee that?
GA: Well a lot of people who dont fly in marginal seats will certainly feel a lot safer...