They say the rules are heavy-handed and security staff should have the discretion to pass items that do not pose a threat to safety. The Aviation Security Service (Avsec) says the rules have been in place for years and are clearly communicated to passengers. Mr Sturman said they were told the items, a jar of apple jelly and two jars of cherry chutney bought at a Cromwell store, should have been packed in their checked-in luggage. The rules needed to be more clearly explained to passengers. ''This type of behaviour is bully-like and does not help to promote tourism to your country, nor does it help to keep the skies safe. It is a sad day when cherry chutney is deemed a threat to air travel.''
Mrs Sturman said when she double-checked the rules afterwards, those relating to food were in the 'small print'. ''When you normally hear about the gels, the pictures are always in reference to toiletries. Who calls chutney a gel? Security staff should have the power to use discretion when passengers had products in sealed jars and were carrying receipts. Is there not a way, like with duty-free bags, that would give people the opportunity to keep their souvenirs?'' Avsec spokesman Mike Eng said the rules barring liquids, aerosols and gels in quantities of more than 100ml from carry-on luggage on international flights had been in place since 2007, and had always covered food products.
The restrictions were in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requirements and were in place in all ICAO member states, including the United States. Aviation security officials had no discretion in such cases, although they gave passengers the opportunity to go back and check the goods in, he said. Most travellers were aware of the rules, which were clearly indicated on signage at security screening points, but items were 'occasionally relinquished'. ''The vast majority of passengers do this with the understanding that it is in the interests of the safety and security of all travellers.''
6 comments:
THEY COULD HAVE BEEN BOMBS !!!!
Do not downplay the pain of chutney in the eye, I heard CIA use it in combination with waterboarding.
Everyone knows aerosols, gels and liquids are not allowed as carry on baggage. That's what the check in baggage is for!! I've seen people leaving expensive wine bottles because of this mistake.
The rules shouldn't apply to anyone. They're a load of old BS.
I'm an American in NZ, and when I fly, security staff do use their discretion to let me pass with restricted items because they know the TSA laws are absurd; but then I am not pulling a high and mighty stance as is evident in every quote these Americans spoke. I would say the security staff did again use their discretion and simply didn't like the attitude they were getting, and as the gel and liquid rule is an American rule forced on them, they had themselves a good laugh.
It is pretty well known that Australia has the harshest restrictions on what comes into their country. The mother of a friend of mine tried to take teabags into
Australia. They kept them. Months later, she received the teabags back. They had sent back the bags only. The tea was taken out of all of them. To Patty - it isn't only the Americans who put up a fuss at this. They have a show here in England called "Nothing to Declare" that's about the customs in Australia. It's mostly the Asians who try to smuggle food in, and have a few fits when they get caught. However, saying that their vacation was ruined...well, I'm playing the world's smallest violin for them.
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