Originally Posted by FliesWay2Much

We just came back from Oz. After having undergone the very German-style frisking at FRA several times before flights home (let alone the 20 questions at the gate or lounges), I expected similar US extortion measures in place at SYD.

However, I was pleasantly surprised. The checkpoint was just as hassle-free as flying domestically in Oz and very similar to pre-9/11 days here. I walked through with my shoes on and my belt on. Mrs Flies asked them if she had to take her shoes off and they laughed at her. They did spot an aerosol can in our rollaboard during the x-ray and asked us to open the suitcase so they could check out the can. They let us open the bag ourselves (I didn't even have to ask myself to change gloves.) and show them the can. It was a small can of antifungal foot spray, and I told the screener it was in the best interests of both of our governments that he allow us to continue to be able to spray our feet. "Since you put it in those terms," he chuckled, "I agree that you shouldn't be without your foot spray."

Despite this screening SOP, I didn't hear of one Aussie hijacking that day and I didn't spot a single shoe bomber in the international departures area.

....risk management in action.... We could learn a thing or 2.