Originally Posted by
Mwenenzi
Ballz Welcome to FT, AU & NZ
As far VA were concerned they were taking you to Australia. So need proof you were admissible to AU. Many-most countries have the same requirement. That you had another ticket to leave AU is irrelevant. There was no guarantee you would get on that flight. More so if the DPS-SYD flight was late/very late.
That you were able to transfer airside indicates you had no checked bags. Some, but not all airlines, will interline bags on separate tickets. Some passengers that had checked bags would then need to go landside to check in - bag drop.
That you are a USA citizen makes little-no difference to getting an visa quickly. Citizens of many countries can apply on line. Most are approved quickly.
You are wrong that had I another ticket to leave AU would be irrelevant. If I had an onward flight on Virgin or another airline (Qantas, United, etc) I would not need to apply for AU visa as I would be seen as a transit passenger and wouldn’t have this issue.
Point of this post as I already mentioned is for it to be cautionary tale for those attempting to transit AU on two separate airlines who may not have a transit agreement in place