BF2S Forums Australian Airport Security

Yup.

Having said that, the guy should just catch the flight without the shirt.  Sticking up for free speech my ass, he just doesn't like to be told what to do be an airline.

If I went on a Qantas flight wearing a T-shirt with "Your momma is a MILF", would you put up with that?

Actually, it wasn't that it posed a security threat (necessarily).  Instead, QANTAS told the media that they reserve the right to deny entry to passengers who pose a security threat or (IIRC) "may unduly distress other passengers".  I get the impression it was the second half that was the issue.

B.Schuss wrote:

I am telling you, we are headed straight towards a police state. At some point, they'll administer cavity searches on randomly chosen passengers, just "to make sure"...

I wonder what kind of "security risk" that T-Shirt posed. I also wonder if they'd also banned him from the flight if he'd worn a T-Shirt saying "Fuck Al'Quaeda"...

I know they have the right to deny transport to those who might pose a security threat, but for a T-Shirt ? Come on...

They would probley make you take a shirt like that off, it says Al'Quaeda, hell you can't bring a bottle of water on a plane anymore.

Edit:Because I fit the profile of a the "security risk age", my bags get searched every time I fly, I get patted down even when I was in uniform. When I flew back from Iraq when I was getting out of the Marines, I was in my cammies, I was with a group of 4 guys we had to almost strip down to our underware in the Baltimore airport
to get through the security check points.

Last edited by SgtHeihn (2007-01-22 02:30:11)

Bubbalo wrote:

SgtHeihn wrote:

Freedom of speech or not, you cannot use the word terrorist or bomb or explosive or the like on an airplane.
It can cause people to get riled up. Plus, it sounds like someone just wants his 30 sec of fame.

Ah........he took it off the first time they asked him.

The 55-year-old computer specialist, who lives in London, had encountered difficulties with the same T-shirt on an earlier Qantas flight in December.

After clearing the international security checks at Melbourne Airport, he reportedly approached the gate manager to congratulate him on the company's new-found open-mindedness.

At that point, Mr Jasson was ordered to remove the T-shirt after being told it was a security threat and an item which might cause offence to other passengers.

He was offered the chance to board the flight wearing different clothing, but refused.

"I am not prepared to go without the t-shirt. I might forfeit the fare, but I have made up my mind that I would rather stand up for the principle of free speech," he told Australian media.

A Qantas spokesman defended the airline's decision, saying: "Whether made verbally or on a T-shirt, comments with the potential to offend other customers or threaten the security of a Qantas group aircraft will not be tolerated".

He never took it off

Bubbalo wrote:

[url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=178766 wrote:

An Australian news service[/url]]The airline earlier had prevented him from flying to Melbourne for Christmas with relatives on December 2 until he removed the shirt.

Domestic carrier Virgin Blue took the same action when Mr Jasson tried to catch a connecting flight to Adelaide, but on a return flight to Melbourne with Qantas on Friday, he successfully wore the shirt.

Suck shit.

OK, He was trying to get his 15min of fame wearing it on multiple airlines, the article from MSN you had went into the story more than the first Cam posted, and no need to be rude. That is just hurting your argument.

SgtHeihn wrote:

OK, He was trying to get his 15min of fame wearing it on multiple airlines,

Except the he only went a different airline once, and only because that happened to be the connecting flight (IIRC Virgin are linked with QANTAS for domestic flights...........or that might be Jetstar).

SgtHeihn wrote:

the article from MSN you had went into the story more than the first Cam posted,

It did.  Perhaps, given that this article didn't preclude the possibility, you should have asked if I knew something you didn't.

SgtHeihn wrote:

and no need to be rude.

Nor is there any need to make definitive statements without complete information.

SgtHeihn wrote:

That is just hurting your argument.

Not as much as the facts are hurting yours.

B.Schuss wrote:

"unduly distress"... What's that supposed to mean ? Quite open to interpretation, I think.

That's the point.  Companies quite often include these trap doors to allow them to take action to keep a nice, happy environment whilst precluding legal action (of course, knowing you you realise that and that was half your point................).

B.Schuss wrote:

Not fair, I think, especially considering he was allowed to wear the T-Shirt a couple of days earlier.

And on the two flights before that (on with QANTAS, one with another carrier), he wasn't.  As such, he should have had the common sense not to wear it again.  Further, it appears that it was a more senior staff member that refused him after he was first accepted, suggesting that the junior members either:

a) Where unaware of company policy

b) Didn't want to delay the plane with a fuss

or

c) Were intimidated (not necessarily to say that he did this on purpose, though).

Bubbalo wrote:

Actually, it wasn't that it posed a security threat (necessarily).  Instead, QANTAS told the media that they reserve the right to deny entry to passengers who pose a security threat or (IIRC) "may unduly distress other passengers".

I find the service at Qantas unduly distressing . Their late plans, shite food and their ugly air hostesses.

CameronPoe wrote:

The people responsible for this infringement of civil liberties should be ashamed of themselves.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6285971.stm

Disappointing, but he should have changed the shirts. As a human being he has the right to wear the shirt, but not on their property.

I think it was in the best interest of the airline. Say the flight contains 25 super eager Bush supporters when one strong opinioned anti-Bush dude comes on. It would be smart to avoid a confrontation since people are stupid and anything could happen.