Australian Customs Laptop Inspections
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Spoke to solicitor friend of mine regarding this.
Hence the reason why the MAS capt/FO was asked to pay a fine,as opposed to a courtcase..which would certainly have failed to get anyone convicted.I'm not trying to justify any form of porn etc on computers,but there you go..
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Oz Customs..Absolute Authority
Saying no to an Australian Customs Officer is not very wise.They have far greater powers of search and arrest than the ordinary copper.You can be held almost indefinitely just on suspicion of whatever they like to concoct.
Saying no will likely mean your layover in OZ is longer than you or your employer would like..things have changed since 911..for the worse
Saying no will likely mean your layover in OZ is longer than you or your employer would like..things have changed since 911..for the worse
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Saying no to an Australian Customs Officer is not very wise
While she is not a lawyer - and did not pretend to know all the relevant legislation - she did say that any bags or luggage (or contents) is theirs to do with as they see fit. However, she also mentioned that they do require "cause" to carry out a body check.
So, swallow your hard drive!
I think it's time the AOA volunteered some advice for us weary travellers.
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I am all for Customs Officers protecting their Countries borders. However if these searches of Laptops are found to be illegal why should we put up with being treated like criminals.
It appears as though Customs themselves aren't exactly clear if these searches are legal.
Seems there are more freedoms to be found living in a Communist country than that of living in Australia these days.
It appears as though Customs themselves aren't exactly clear if these searches are legal.
Seems there are more freedoms to be found living in a Communist country than that of living in Australia these days.
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Another Guy Caught
From "The Advertiser" Sat 23rd Feb 2008
Airline Steward Fined For Importing Porn
A Singapore Airlines steward has been fined $10,000 for bringing banned pornography into Australia and making a false declaration to Customs.
Malaysian-national Hwee Poh Neo, 41, pleaded guilty in the Adelaide Magistrates Court yesterday to two counts of import prohibited goods and making a false or misleading statement to a Customs officer.
The court heard Neo had five pornographic movies on a hard drive and 25 images on his laptop computer.
Airline Steward Fined For Importing Porn
A Singapore Airlines steward has been fined $10,000 for bringing banned pornography into Australia and making a false declaration to Customs.
Malaysian-national Hwee Poh Neo, 41, pleaded guilty in the Adelaide Magistrates Court yesterday to two counts of import prohibited goods and making a false or misleading statement to a Customs officer.
The court heard Neo had five pornographic movies on a hard drive and 25 images on his laptop computer.
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Anal Retentive Ozz customs
After a long overnight flight into Syd, I had an exasperating experience with a customs officer. My skin colour must have something to do with it. I had declared some prescription medicine; in the full open view I was berated loudly for bringing in " drugs ". I told the officer, " sir, not DRUGS, only my medicine ". " WHAT medicine, WHY DO YOU NEED MEDICINE? ARE YOU SICK, YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE SICK YOU CANNOT FLY..YOU ARE DANGEROUS, YOU WILL KILL PEOPLE " came to reply. Wow! What a spectacle, a whole group of memsahibs glared at me, some covering their mouths in gasps.
I wearily explained as I had written " prescription medicine " for cholesterol control and betaloc for elevated high pressure. I surely needed my betaloc then dealing with such an ass. He called for two other officers who came and search through my bags, looked over my medicine. In the ever loud voice ( louder than Bollywood movie dialogue! ), he demanded if the medicine has my name and doctor's name. I replied only my name and that of the pharmacy, but no doctor's name. Then they found issue that my name had faded from the name label, so didn't match exactly with my passport and ID. " WAS IT SOME OTHER FAMILY MEMBER"S? WHY DO YOU NEED IT? PILOTS DO NOT TAKE MEDICINE? ARE YOU SURE IT"S BETALOC IN THE TABS", they bellowed. I was then asked if I had a letter from my doctor, I said no and asked them why not check with the Airport doctor if they thought that pilots are not allowed betaloc. " WE ASK THE QUESTIONS HERE, WE WILL DO THE NECESSARY, YOU JUST ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS!!"
Then they took me to my room, emptied all my stuff onto a table, comb through my stuff and then ordered me to repack my things. After a long while whislt they chit chatted, they " ADVISE ME " to have clear labels, doctor's name and type of prescription ( not brand names like zocor, betaloc ). I was let off with nary an apology or thank you for my cooperation.
In detention room were other Asian/Oriental pax subjected to humiliating searches; junkie looking caucasians amongst our pax were just waved off politely outside. I am not saying that they should be targetted, but if random checks are the norm why the disparity in ethnic composition of those searched?
I wearily explained as I had written " prescription medicine " for cholesterol control and betaloc for elevated high pressure. I surely needed my betaloc then dealing with such an ass. He called for two other officers who came and search through my bags, looked over my medicine. In the ever loud voice ( louder than Bollywood movie dialogue! ), he demanded if the medicine has my name and doctor's name. I replied only my name and that of the pharmacy, but no doctor's name. Then they found issue that my name had faded from the name label, so didn't match exactly with my passport and ID. " WAS IT SOME OTHER FAMILY MEMBER"S? WHY DO YOU NEED IT? PILOTS DO NOT TAKE MEDICINE? ARE YOU SURE IT"S BETALOC IN THE TABS", they bellowed. I was then asked if I had a letter from my doctor, I said no and asked them why not check with the Airport doctor if they thought that pilots are not allowed betaloc. " WE ASK THE QUESTIONS HERE, WE WILL DO THE NECESSARY, YOU JUST ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS!!"
Then they took me to my room, emptied all my stuff onto a table, comb through my stuff and then ordered me to repack my things. After a long while whislt they chit chatted, they " ADVISE ME " to have clear labels, doctor's name and type of prescription ( not brand names like zocor, betaloc ). I was let off with nary an apology or thank you for my cooperation.
In detention room were other Asian/Oriental pax subjected to humiliating searches; junkie looking caucasians amongst our pax were just waved off politely outside. I am not saying that they should be targetted, but if random checks are the norm why the disparity in ethnic composition of those searched?
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AKALI DAL...
This just proofs once again that the Oz customs officials are nothing but a bunch of dumb,stupid,racist pricks...as I said before..there is normally a good reason why these
idiots cannot find any other employment..
It's about high time that somebody takes them on..and it will come.Just watch the media!!
This just proofs once again that the Oz customs officials are nothing but a bunch of dumb,stupid,racist pricks...as I said before..there is normally a good reason why these
idiots cannot find any other employment..It's about high time that somebody takes them on..and it will come.Just watch the media!!
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slapfaan : the term they use is profiling, considering they have caught tree people in as many weeks that fit the profile, I think they know what they are doing.
Often these profiles are discovered by accident, someone gets caught for something else and this comes up in the discovery process. Someone then has a theory, tests it, and we end up with a profile.
I happens all over the world, different target groups, different reasons.
Often these profiles are discovered by accident, someone gets caught for something else and this comes up in the discovery process. Someone then has a theory, tests it, and we end up with a profile.
I happens all over the world, different target groups, different reasons.
It's just astonishing that this invasion of personal privacy is being allowed to continue uncontested!
What a shame the world's airline crews are unable / unwilling to come together and boycott AUS flights until our companies insist on sensible regulations!
What a shame the world's airline crews are unable / unwilling to come together and boycott AUS flights until our companies insist on sensible regulations!
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Um, because it happens to be the law that customs officials, if they have reasonable suspicion, can search your personal belongings...? Or are you suggesting that airline staff be allowed to take drugs, porn, other prohibited items into any country because airlines insist it be allowed?
Cool as a moosp
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Ummm Feehills, (and please never loose that handle, we know what you mean by it...), it is accepted by all crew and passengers that customs and excise officials have rights of search. What Akali Dal is questioning is do they have the right of racism. If his report is true, they believe that they do.
Profiling is acceptable if it is carried out in a way that would be acceptable to a jury, who after all would be the ultimate deciders in this if it came to court. Hopefully (but not always, unfortunately) the jury would be able to be colour blind to the incident.
As a white caucasian male I have been subjected to appalling abuse by indviduals of the Australian customs and immigration services. Thankfully these occasions are rare, and are mostly confined to the security staff who claim to be customs.
As I pointed out to an aggressive customs woman some time ago, she was a disgrace to her uniform and her country. Her colleagues within earshot could hardly stifle their laughter, as they knew that I was right.
Profiling is acceptable if it is carried out in a way that would be acceptable to a jury, who after all would be the ultimate deciders in this if it came to court. Hopefully (but not always, unfortunately) the jury would be able to be colour blind to the incident.
As a white caucasian male I have been subjected to appalling abuse by indviduals of the Australian customs and immigration services. Thankfully these occasions are rare, and are mostly confined to the security staff who claim to be customs.
As I pointed out to an aggressive customs woman some time ago, she was a disgrace to her uniform and her country. Her colleagues within earshot could hardly stifle their laughter, as they knew that I was right.
Arrive in Australia, sit in the chair and have electrodes attached to your head so they can examine your thoughts. After all you are bringing them in with you. Coming as soon as the technology is available. 
Pity they aren't as nice in real life as they are on Border Security (Aussie TV program).
Pity they aren't as nice in real life as they are on Border Security (Aussie TV program).
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Are straight porn illegal in Aus?? Are the custom guys banning the importing of porn on moral grounds or are they protecting the local porn indurtry?? The crew hotel must be doing good business now selling the local movies.
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Its one thing protecting your borders and stopping illegal contrabands from entering the country, but its another thing being rude and insulting to VISITORS of your country.
Can't they do their job but at the same time be courteous and inviting befitting a developed nation? Be as aggressive as you want AFTER you've found ILLEGAL items, stop bloody treating everyone like they're criminals from the get go.
Australian Customs are doing their country a disservice if they continue to act like this.
Can't they do their job but at the same time be courteous and inviting befitting a developed nation? Be as aggressive as you want AFTER you've found ILLEGAL items, stop bloody treating everyone like they're criminals from the get go.
Australian Customs are doing their country a disservice if they continue to act like this.
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Akali; I suspect you might have been quite aggrieved and spiced up the incident quite a bit. I seriously doubt the Oz customs officers dare berate you in that manner in full view of othe pax. Not that we should excuse any overly high handed inspection of crew baggage, but I think there wasn't any overt racist remark directed at you.
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Anal Retentive Ozz customs
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After a long overnight flight into Syd, I had an exasperating experience with a customs officer. My skin colour must have something to do with it. I had declared some prescription medicine; in the full open view I was berated loudly for bringing in " drugs ". I told the officer, " sir, not DRUGS, only my medicine ". " WHAT medicine, WHY DO YOU NEED MEDICINE? ARE YOU SICK, YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE SICK YOU CANNOT FLY..YOU ARE DANGEROUS, YOU WILL KILL PEOPLE " came to reply. Wow! What a spectacle, a whole group of memsahibs glared at me, some covering their mouths in gasps.
I wearily explained as I had written " prescription medicine " for cholesterol control and betaloc for elevated high pressure. I surely needed my betaloc then dealing with such an ass. He called for two other officers who came and search through my bags, looked over my medicine. In the ever loud voice ( louder than Bollywood movie dialogue! ), he demanded if the medicine has my name and doctor's name. I replied only my name and that of the pharmacy, but no doctor's name. Then they found issue that my name had faded from the name label, so didn't match exactly with my passport and ID. " WAS IT SOME OTHER FAMILY MEMBER"S? WHY DO YOU NEED IT? PILOTS DO NOT TAKE MEDICINE? ARE YOU SURE IT"S BETALOC IN THE TABS", they bellowed. I was then asked if I had a letter from my doctor, I said no and asked them why not check with the Airport doctor if they thought that pilots are not allowed betaloc. " WE ASK THE QUESTIONS HERE, WE WILL DO THE NECESSARY, YOU JUST ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS!!"
Then they took me to my room, emptied all my stuff onto a table, comb through my stuff and then ordered me to repack my things. After a long while whislt they chit chatted, they " ADVISE ME " to have clear labels, doctor's name and type of prescription ( not brand names like zocor, betaloc ). I was let off with nary an apology or thank you for my cooperation.
In detention room were other Asian/Oriental pax subjected to humiliating searches; junkie looking caucasians amongst our pax were just waved off politely outside. I am not saying that they should be targetted, but if random checks are the norm why the disparity in ethnic composition of those searched?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After a long overnight flight into Syd, I had an exasperating experience with a customs officer. My skin colour must have something to do with it. I had declared some prescription medicine; in the full open view I was berated loudly for bringing in " drugs ". I told the officer, " sir, not DRUGS, only my medicine ". " WHAT medicine, WHY DO YOU NEED MEDICINE? ARE YOU SICK, YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE SICK YOU CANNOT FLY..YOU ARE DANGEROUS, YOU WILL KILL PEOPLE " came to reply. Wow! What a spectacle, a whole group of memsahibs glared at me, some covering their mouths in gasps.
I wearily explained as I had written " prescription medicine " for cholesterol control and betaloc for elevated high pressure. I surely needed my betaloc then dealing with such an ass. He called for two other officers who came and search through my bags, looked over my medicine. In the ever loud voice ( louder than Bollywood movie dialogue! ), he demanded if the medicine has my name and doctor's name. I replied only my name and that of the pharmacy, but no doctor's name. Then they found issue that my name had faded from the name label, so didn't match exactly with my passport and ID. " WAS IT SOME OTHER FAMILY MEMBER"S? WHY DO YOU NEED IT? PILOTS DO NOT TAKE MEDICINE? ARE YOU SURE IT"S BETALOC IN THE TABS", they bellowed. I was then asked if I had a letter from my doctor, I said no and asked them why not check with the Airport doctor if they thought that pilots are not allowed betaloc. " WE ASK THE QUESTIONS HERE, WE WILL DO THE NECESSARY, YOU JUST ANSWER OUR QUESTIONS!!"
Then they took me to my room, emptied all my stuff onto a table, comb through my stuff and then ordered me to repack my things. After a long while whislt they chit chatted, they " ADVISE ME " to have clear labels, doctor's name and type of prescription ( not brand names like zocor, betaloc ). I was let off with nary an apology or thank you for my cooperation.
In detention room were other Asian/Oriental pax subjected to humiliating searches; junkie looking caucasians amongst our pax were just waved off politely outside. I am not saying that they should be targetted, but if random checks are the norm why the disparity in ethnic composition of those searched?
They are doing the job that they get paid for, it doesnt matter who ever walks through the door everyone is treated the same - I doubt that this ever happened in the tone you are mentioning
slapfaan - seriously man what is your problem
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Now I am even more aggrieved than ever. Posted something to share with anyone with unfortunate enough to experience such disservice from idiots of the first order and we have some fair dickum apologists calling me a liar.
Well, as someone said what goes around comes around. It will probably hold true to some miscreants down south.
Well, as someone said what goes around comes around. It will probably hold true to some miscreants down south.