On previous DONE4 trips I have never flown the first segment (SYD-MEL) which has allowed me to return to MEL and then do three internal flights in Australia and utilise my 4 SWP segments. I have always ripped the SYD-MEL ticket out of the book, and heard nothing about this.

My TA is advising that now that all segments can be issued as E-Tickets, I will not be able to undertake the above practice, and may be inbreach of the T&A's. Is this correct?

My schedule is:

SYD-MEL-LAX-JFK,PHL-DFW-SAT-LAX-LHR-HKG-MEL-CNS-MEL-PER

If the eticket issue is correct, then I am in trouble with the number of stopovers allowed in Australia.