Not to criticize the post, but I've read so many different things from other posters who sounded equally certain, had equally reliable sources, and seemed equally sincere, that I think we (the FT community) know nothing about the real QF107/8 situation.

What is likely, since a number of FT'ers have successfully flown the route, is that Qantas does not have a systematic way of checking, nor are they excited enough about any possible "fines" to implement such a system. Nor did they deny boarding to the poster, which would have been what I'd have trained my station manager to do, under threat of a government fine. Government regulators are humorless and generally expect obedience, so after a couple of fines, Qantas might stand the risk of having to move their pax across the U.S. in Greyhound buses - not something to be too casual about.