The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: Our first UK trip
Mar 7th 2007, 8:14 am
#31
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,066
Re: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: Our first UK trip
That's what makes a mockery of the whole thing. So I didn't put anything in a clear plastic bag, so what? If I had, they would have still had to take it out of my bag and inspect it but then it would be OK to let me go? This is the jobsworth attitude that pissed me off more than anything. It's not like NOT having it in a clear bag is a) any more secure and b) creates any less work for the security staff. It's all bollocks just so the government can be seen to be doing something about preventing terrorism.
I also wondered what happens to the stuff they take away. Who's to say that the security staff member doesn't just trouser them? Ooh look a 3/4 full bottle of Davidoff, that'll do nicely. Unless you're the poor sap who paid 35 quid for it
I also wondered what happens to the stuff they take away. Who's to say that the security staff member doesn't just trouser them? Ooh look a 3/4 full bottle of Davidoff, that'll do nicely. Unless you're the poor sap who paid 35 quid for it
Mar 7th 2007, 8:18 am
#32
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,630
Re: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: Our first UK trip
Now could you possibly blow up an aircraft with some lippy and perfume. FFS.
And yes NorthernBird I did send an email back to my manager telling him to shove it as I am out of BA on 17th March
Mar 7th 2007, 8:20 am
#33
Home and Happy
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Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
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Re: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: Our first UK trip
That goes with what GG was saying about 'people not the place' too. I always think that we will have a different attitude to spouse visa holders because we chose to be here. I know you didn't literally not choose to be here but you know what I mean. It's bound to give you a different outlook on things.
As Mr Moore says, spouse visas are different from skills, and thus are more likely to have a different outlook. Although some Aussie spouses have lived in the Uk for much of their lives, most of them are accustomed to Aus life, just as their partners are to life in a different land, the UK or wherever.
That's what makes a mockery of the whole thing. So I didn't put anything in a clear plastic bag, so what? If I had, they would have still had to take it out of my bag and inspect it but then it would be OK to let me go? This is the jobsworth attitude that pissed me off more than anything. It's not like NOT having it in a clear bag is a) any more secure and b) creates any less work for the security staff. It's all bollocks just so the government can be seen to be doing something about preventing terrorism.
I also wondered what happens to the stuff they take away. Who's to say that the security staff member doesn't just trouser them? Ooh look a 3/4 full bottle of Davidoff, that'll do nicely. Unless you're the poor sap who paid 35 quid for it
I also wondered what happens to the stuff they take away. Who's to say that the security staff member doesn't just trouser them? Ooh look a 3/4 full bottle of Davidoff, that'll do nicely. Unless you're the poor sap who paid 35 quid for it
Some people do push their luck though, which makes it harder for the rest of us. On the Singapore-Heathrow leg of my trip I met a lady flying home to Manchester, after a couple of years in Singapore. She had a bottle of whisky in her hand luggage from Duty Free and was convinced that when she told Security it was Duty Free alcohol they would let her take it on the onward flight to Manchester. You couldn't tell her otherwise, she was ready for a good argument with them
Mar 7th 2007, 8:31 am
#34
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,066
Re: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: Our first UK trip
It is a case of accepting and making the best of it - trying to ignore the things you don't like, rather like being in the UK I guess. If you know you have to live somewhere you have to make the best of it. I don't think The Bloke could cope with living in the UK for many reasons, and then of course HE would be the Expat.
As Mr Moore says, spouse visas are different from skills, and thus are more likely to have a different outlook. Although some Aussie spouses have lived in the Uk for much of their lives, most of them are accustomed to Aus life, just as their partners are to life in a different land, the UK or wherever.
I'm told that most of the extra security staff are just temps, on short term contracts with no security training and no real knowledge of the rules. That also explains the fact that the rules aren't applied consistently.
Some people do push their luck though, which makes it harder for the rest of us. On the Singapore-Heathrow leg of my trip I met a lady flying home to Manchester, after a couple of years in Singapore. She had a bottle of whisky in her hand luggage from Duty Free and was convinced that when she told Security it was Duty Free alcohol they would let her take it on the onward flight to Manchester. You couldn't tell her otherwise, she was ready for a good argument with them
As Mr Moore says, spouse visas are different from skills, and thus are more likely to have a different outlook. Although some Aussie spouses have lived in the Uk for much of their lives, most of them are accustomed to Aus life, just as their partners are to life in a different land, the UK or wherever.
I'm told that most of the extra security staff are just temps, on short term contracts with no security training and no real knowledge of the rules. That also explains the fact that the rules aren't applied consistently.
Some people do push their luck though, which makes it harder for the rest of us. On the Singapore-Heathrow leg of my trip I met a lady flying home to Manchester, after a couple of years in Singapore. She had a bottle of whisky in her hand luggage from Duty Free and was convinced that when she told Security it was Duty Free alcohol they would let her take it on the onward flight to Manchester. You couldn't tell her otherwise, she was ready for a good argument with them
Mar 7th 2007, 8:36 am
#35
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Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
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Mar 7th 2007, 8:43 am
#36
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,066
Re: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: Our first UK trip
You could always have assisted her with it... might of made you feel happier about living here...
, alternatively there's happy pills to help you cope with living in Aus you know, you will still be living here but will be so spaced out you will love it.
Why don't you take the big bloke back to the UK to live for a while, it's only fair you've been here a few years now it's his turn to get cold?
, alternatively there's happy pills to help you cope with living in Aus you know, you will still be living here but will be so spaced out you will love it.Why don't you take the big bloke back to the UK to live for a while, it's only fair you've been here a few years now it's his turn to get cold?
Last edited by annqldau; Mar 7th 2007 at 8:46 am.
Mar 7th 2007, 9:19 am
#37
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Re: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: Our first UK trip
Trousering Davidoff - now that is a new take on what to do with that particular brand
Now could you possibly blow up an aircraft with some lippy and perfume. FFS.
And yes NorthernBird I did send an email back to my manager telling him to shove it as I am out of BA on 17th March
Now could you possibly blow up an aircraft with some lippy and perfume. FFS.
And yes NorthernBird I did send an email back to my manager telling him to shove it as I am out of BA on 17th March
Mar 7th 2007, 9:19 am
#38
Where traffic lights rule
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: Brighton QLD
Posts: 2,460
Re: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: Our first UK trip
Yes it's funny.
When I went back last xmas I got home sick for Oz.
I found funny little things in the UK I didn't notice before like carpet in the toilet (Yuk). And those crap electric showers they have over there, didn't feel clean for the entire time I was there.
When I went back last xmas I got home sick for Oz.
I found funny little things in the UK I didn't notice before like carpet in the toilet (Yuk). And those crap electric showers they have over there, didn't feel clean for the entire time I was there.
Interesting reading - and interesting to compare. I have to say that when I was in the UK last month I was amazed at the service I got everywhere, helpful shop assistants, but not instrusive, helpful bar staff, even helpful car park attendants! Truly frightening as I wasn't expceting it. I had fab service from Qantas, no problem with Security at the airports, and came back so relaxed its untrue. Two days back in Australia and the heat plus the niggles of life and work and I was back on a heavy diet of Nurofen.
I waited two years for my first trip home, cos I'd heard about the 18 month watershed too....but here I am after nearly 4 years in Aus, and its still not home, I still don't feel I belong, and every trip to the UK makes me feel more alien in Australia.
Suppose it proves how different we all are, and no one country is right for everyone.
I waited two years for my first trip home, cos I'd heard about the 18 month watershed too....but here I am after nearly 4 years in Aus, and its still not home, I still don't feel I belong, and every trip to the UK makes me feel more alien in Australia.
Suppose it proves how different we all are, and no one country is right for everyone.
Mar 7th 2007, 9:19 am
#39
Australia's Doorman
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: The Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia
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Re: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: Our first UK trip
Glad you enjoyed the trip. We've kind of done it in reverse already .. spending two months here in 2005 and then flying back, but I do know where you're coming from.
Heathrow's just a sub-office of hell itself - it's one of those places you just have to endure. Always had great service at Bristol though, so I don't think it's all regional airports. That said, not had to fly with these bats-arse new restrictions on cabin luggage ...
Heathrow's just a sub-office of hell itself - it's one of those places you just have to endure. Always had great service at Bristol though, so I don't think it's all regional airports. That said, not had to fly with these bats-arse new restrictions on cabin luggage ...
Mar 7th 2007, 9:20 am
#40
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Mar 7th 2007, 9:29 am
#42
Joined: Oct 2005
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Re: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: Our first UK trip
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Mar 7th 2007, 9:33 am
#43
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Re: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: Our first UK trip
Glad you had a good trip apart from the hassles with the airports.
Mar 7th 2007, 9:33 am
#44
Where traffic lights rule
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Location: Brighton QLD
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Mar 7th 2007, 9:43 am
#45
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Re: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: Our first UK trip
great post and very down to earth and honest.
i bet you dont miss the brtisih weather
sj
i bet you dont miss the brtisih weather
sj