Originally Posted by
PDXUAFAN
I am currently on my honeymoon in the Antipodes and have experienced both international and domestic security screenings in New Zealand and Australia. In all cases I experienced the following:
Quick, professional, and cordial screenings.
I'm sorry but the rule is if the customs, immigration, or security officers work in the English speaking country, then they will tend to be fascists. Two examples from down under.
2003 - I fill out the customs form stating that I was not bring food in to Australia (SYD). In the USA and Canada and Europe, food means stuff like fruit, vegetables, meat, cheese. In Australia, it means junk food and wood. The kids had left over candy in their back packs, and naturally the Australian custom's people wanted to make federal case of it.
2007 - My 68 year old mother's clothing was was swabbed for explosives in SYD before a flight to Brisbane. Comes up positive. They find a female to strip search her (sexually assault) her. She's hasn't handled a weapon or powder since she was a kid on the farm.
Australia is a great place to visit, but keep in mind this country is building a nationwide firewall to protect the children. When it comes to "security" it is as demented as Canada, NZ, UK, and USA.
These are the countries that pay each other to spy on the other's citizens as well as on the governments of their allies.