Border Security program and SYD International.

[Eastwest Loco]

Another report so worth listing.

Over the past few months I have had passengers miss connections when flights from overseas got in on time and they were above minimum connection times for one reason.

Border Security filming in the immigration/customs area.

Why in hell is this the case?

It seems that the good people manning the barrier are intimidated into strip searching the possibly dodgy looking 8 year old just because she looked nervously at the sniffer dog.

Not fair on the staff as they are under totally public scrutiny and the delays caused are massive with over 2 hours in one case to get through the barrier.

Do any of you good flight crew cop this?

I am totally over disruptions and failed connections for my passengers who luckily to date have been on fare types that start and end in DPO but woe betide a poor punter that has a 2nd carrier booked after their inbound international. I can't envisage them rebooking without cost.

I wonder what the network is paying for this access?

It makes us very likely to recommend an overnight in SYD or a far too long connection just in case these clowns are on deck when the clients arrive.

Like we need any more delays in the current systems.

Having Border Security in the arrivals hall at SYD is nearly as bad as Qantas' new self checkin. Don't start me on that!

Best all

EWL

[DirectAnywhere]

EWL, Sydney customs is a shambles at the best of times. In the AM peak it's a disaster. I hate the place. I don't know how much tv really has to do with it.

All passengers are essentially funnelled through one point and then generally sent off to be x-rayed, sniffed, inspected whatever.

Customs had to pay a $30 million dollar 'productivity dividend' to the federal government this year (read as a budget cut and, yes, the government has the gall to call it a 'productivy dividend').

Don't expect things to improve. It frustrates me that the country I find it hardest to get in to is the one I live in and of which I am a citizen. LAX is the only place that compares as poorly but MEL and BNE can be difficult as well.

Sorry for your pain!

[Sunfish]

All the more reason for those of us who don't live in Sydney to select DIRECT FLIGHTS and avoid the place.

[DitchSwitch]

In the past six months I have noticed that inbound processing in SYD is getting worse during the morning peak.

DirectAnywhere is correct, I noticed just yesterday out of three possible exits on the older concourse (before getting to the “Noodle Police” screening point) only ONE exit was operating. The queue just to get to this exit was insane, it went from one end of the baggage claim hall to the other. Customs and AQIS opened up a side door next to the baggage services desks to process people who had been pre-cleared by an AQIS officer which helped alleviate the backlog.

Unless you are operating crew or have an Express Pass card for premium pax….expect a very long wait if you arrive after curfew to get through to the AQIS screening point.

As for crew, sometimes the Aircrew/Domestic/Diplomatic passport queue can actually take longer than the Foreign Passports queue during peak times, due to the number of foreign crew arriving trying to get processed. I was told by a customs officer that even when travelling on a General Declaration, Aussie based aircrew (holding a AU or NZ passport) can use the SmartGate kiosk, however every time I have gone to try this while operating it tells me that I am unable to be processed by the kiosk and must see a customs officer. :hmm:

I’ve learnt when flying as a passenger re: Filming for Boarder Security…stay away from arrival times where VN arrive from SGN otherwise you could be in for a really long wait! :ugh: :*

[airtags]

Melbourne is just as bad - even before the renos started. AQIS are particularly bad and when border security is shooting the lines are longer and EVERYONE is sent to the inspection stations. (despite lots of AQIS people wandering around).

Dedicated Aircrew lanes for customs and AQIS are musts otherwise we all should seek sign off extension provisions in the EBA.

Productivity is not a one way street!

AT

(Note to that one EK FO who regularly weasels his way to the front sweet talking CC & claiming he's tired from a "very long range flight" - toughen up princess and wait your bloody turn!

Never thought I'd say it - but getting through customs at LAX is easier.

[Animalclub]

Are you sure that all passengers going through the "Australian Passport" line hold Australian Passports?

I was invited to "tea and biscuits" with the Manager of Brisbane Airport Customs when I queried, in writing, why other than Australian passport holders were being processed in the "Australian Passport" line. After saying that my delay on one occasion caused me to write to him... too right!... he admitted that he didn't have the staff to sort out the queues and that it was going to get worse. I honoured my promise not to tell anyone for a few years... he asked me to!!!

[Worrals in the wilds]

I'm really glad people are noticing the staff shortages and not shooting the messengers at the frontline. :D

Understaffing has been chronic in the border agencies for some years now, but IMO the government counts on passengers and crew blaming 'lousy lazy public servants' and not looking any deeper, therefore failing to notice the constant budget cuts and lack of available processing staff. They count on this when failing to provide the basic staffing levels to process pax/crew at the major airports.

Federal public servants are prohibited by law from speaking out in the media about operational matters, and while the CPSU tries hard they often become just another voice in the malestrom that's critical of the federal government.

If Customs/AQIS can't even find staff to perform the basic compliance task of processing low risk law abiding passengers...who's hunting the non law abiding people? The drug traffickers, child pornograhy traders, wildlife smugglers, professional quarantine smugglers, gun runners and other charming Persons Of Interest? If there aren't even enough passport stampers/noodle police (love that :}) to process a flight crew, who's Protecting Our Borders/Way of Life from the real bad buggers?

[airdualbleedfault]

Don't worry, I'm sure the carbon tax department won't be understaffed :mad::mad::mad:

[teresa green]

Airdual, DO NOT get me started. :mad::mad::mad::mad:

[Eastwest Loco]

mcdonal

My first attempt at self check went well with my "enabled" Club Rat card but when I issued bag tags for my mate who was at the footy in MEL with me and myself the first bag tag that came out was obviously for the previous passenger on a SYD flight.

Must have been 2 passengers 1 bag and they hit 2 bags.

At least I had the smarts to pick it up.

Then the system couldn't scan the tag and a poor harried trafficy had to come and try to get the tag positioned just right.

Shagged system, which he also admitted.

Back to thread, Border Security delivers important messages to the general public but it should not cause a culture change at asn arrivals area.

The guys and girls do a good job and should operate on gut insinct as they do rather than be overly politically correct.

Maybe the supervisors need a prod?

Best all

EWL

[Xcel]

Few years back tried to bring a bb gun back (declared and with a permit)... Was a full replica for target shooting. Cleared the whole end of the customs area worse than any bomb or tv show drama. Guy was clearing the slide and waving it around with about 10 officials overlooking... Gasps and oos and aas from the other punters. I finally realized the worst backlog is due to our strict conditions and idiot pax attempting to bring in stupid things and the ensuing arguments etc... Including me on that day.