Operation Wombat

[JAS]

Thanks for the adivce on the TSA locks. Easily bought here too but wasn't sure if Australia might have a serparate system of its own.

Thanks Psyber. The luggage I have is neither new nor expensive and I have no objection whatsoever to it being searched...they have a job to do and I have nothing to hide...but it was more the idea of someone accessing my possessions without me there to witness it that I was concerned about. Not that I have anything especially valuable but it's still my stuff and I trust no one. Once the lock/zip is trashed what's to stop someone else accessing it and removing or, worse, putting something in.

I never finalise a timetable always try to leave it open and allow some space for the unexpected or spontaneous things...I find it far less stressful and disappointing if you keep itineraries as flexible as possible. The drive sounds great and I have a couple of people who have very kindly offerred to drive me around so hopefully that can go on the list too.

Regards
JAS

[Pottsy]

JAS, if your luggage has zips, I really wouldn't worry about investing much money into a lock.

You can open zipped luggage with a pen. Try it...a sturdy plastic pen with a ball point will push straight through the zip if forced hard between the teeth. Then you just grab the two zip fasteners and go all the way around the suitcase to seal it back up. I've done it with no problems. Also don't bother with combination locks. They are invariably easy to open. All you need is a torch!

If you're really worried, the only way to go is either expensive hard sided key locked luggage, or those wire cages that wrap all the way around your luggage and then get key locked. Personally, I wouldn't worry about it. I have worked at Adelaide Airport for many years and never seen or heard of anyone arriving with a nasty surprise added to their luggage.

Also, I couldn't agree more with redandblack about that drive. It's a cracker, especially at this green time of year.

[JAS]

Thanks Pottsy
Yeh I'm just the overcautious type and, touch wood, I find if I plan for something it often doesn't happen eg I've always carried a little sewing kit...never needed it so far but you can bet your life the one time I don't take it I'm going to need it

I'm sure it's the same as cars, houses etc if someone's determined enough then no lock etc would stop them but as a TSA padlock costs less than £10 then if nothing else hopefully having taken reasonable precautions would help any insurance claim if I ever need to make one.

I'm definitely hoping to include that drive...in fact looking at the little map in my Lonely Planet guide I think it's not far from A Mum and the home-cooked roast so maybe we can take the scenic route there or back to Adelaide.

Regards
JAS

[AFLflyer]

Thanks Pottsy
Yeh I'm just the overcautious type and, touch wood, I find if I plan for something it often doesn't happen eg I've always carried a little sewing kit...never needed it so far but you can bet your life the one time I don't take it I'm going to need it

I'm sure it's the same as cars, houses etc if someone's determined enough then no lock etc would stop them but as a TSA padlock costs less than £10 then if nothing else hopefully having taken reasonable precautions would help any insurance claim if I ever need to make one.

I'm definitely hoping to include that drive...in fact looking at the little map in my Lonely Planet guide I think it's not far from A Mum and the home-cooked roast so maybe we can take the scenic route there or back to Adelaide.

Regards
JAS

yep good option JAS, even if you dont like beaches and the outdoors too much, you will love that drive ... carrackalinga is a cracking place. so is myponga beach, just ask Fisho!

[Booney]

It appears as though you are going to be very, very busy whilst here JAS.

You might not go home....

[A Mum]

I'm definitely hoping to include that drive...in fact looking at the little map in my Lonely Planet guide I think it's not far from A Mum and the home-cooked roast so maybe we can take the scenic route there or back to Adelaide.

Regards
JAS

JAS you're putting too much pressure on me
I'm no 'master chef' or anything like that !!
I hope you don't have too high expectations...lol

Will be great to meet you none the less

[JAS]

It appears as though you are going to be very, very busy whilst here JAS.

You might not go home....

haha WHAT and leave this land of cold and rain and pre-teen binge-drinking criminals and miserable grey concrete ...I'm one of those that's not even brave enough to take more than my limit through Customs...anyway who knows I might not like the place

shhhhh...don't tell anyone but I've always said if I won a fortune I'd rather live in NZ

JAS you're putting too much pressure on me
I'm no 'master chef' or anything like that !!
I hope you don't have too high expectations...lol

Will be great to meet you none the less

Nah don't be silly...I'm no chef myself so I don't expect anything fancy...that said something a bit above fish fingers and oven chips would be nice Talking of which your version of Come Dine With Me is being shown here next week...not usually my kinda show but I might tune in...might help stop the sleepless nights Border Patrol's giving me...I mustn't take anything made from wood, mustn't take fresh food (except the Tunnocks for FC), mustn't take more that 10,000 in cash (lol I wish), mustn't have any mud/dirt on my boots, mustn't pack any insects

Regards
JAS

[JAS]

Thanks Pottsy
Yeh I'm just the overcautious type and, touch wood, I find if I plan for something it often doesn't happen eg I've always carried a little sewing kit...never needed it so far but you can bet your life the one time I don't take it I'm going to need it

I'm sure it's the same as cars, houses etc if someone's determined enough then no lock etc would stop them but as a TSA padlock costs less than £10 then if nothing else hopefully having taken reasonable precautions would help any insurance claim if I ever need to make one.
Regards
JAS

In one of those spooky little moments this story appeared on the news last night to kinda highlight what I mean about covering myself insurancewise...yep I ain't so paranoid...no offence Pottsy but it's the little ****'s at this end I don't trust...

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/ne ... &ATTR=News

Regards
JAS

[A Mum]

LOL JAS - nope I promised a good old aussie lamb roast - so a good old lamb roast is what it will be

[JAS]

LOL JAS - nope I promised a good old aussie lamb roast - so a good old lamb roast is what it will be

Regards
JAS

[Ian]

old lamb roast is what it will be

It's a long way to come for a old lamb roast Mum, I think you should cook a nice tender young lamb roast for JAS

[A Mum]

old lamb roast is what it will be

It's a long way to come for a old lamb roast Mum, I think you should cook a nice tender young lamb roast for JAS

Yep that too

old as in traditional !!

[Pottsy]

In one of those spooky little moments this story appeared on the news last night to kinda highlight what I mean about covering myself insurancewise...yep I ain't so paranoid...no offence Pottsy but it's the little ****'s at this end I don't trust...

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/ne ... &ATTR=News

Regards
JAS

None taken! Just make sure you cover up those zips somehow if you're really worried, I'm serious about it being easy peasy to open them with a pen!

[JAS]

In one of those spooky little moments this story appeared on the news last night to kinda highlight what I mean about covering myself insurancewise...yep I ain't so paranoid...no offence Pottsy but it's the little ****'s at this end I don't trust...

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/ne ... &ATTR=News

Regards
JAS

None taken! Just make sure you cover up those zips somehow if you're really worried, I'm serious about it being easy peasy to open them with a pen!

Thanks for all the info Pottsy. I know I can't stop the determined from getting into luggage...I'm guessing most are opportunists anyway looking for a very fast grab...and I'm not silly enough to put anything valueable in my hold luggage anyway so it would be the inconvenience more than anythng...replacing a knackered suitcase isn't really how you want to spend the first day of your holiday. Not had a problem so far although my mate had her bag locks broken when we went to Italy and hers was a hardshell Samsonite.

I always assume that travel insurance is like car insurance...if you leave your car unlocked you ain't covered for theft so I'm just looking at taking reasonable precautions which was why I asked if you had your own version of the US TSA locks or if you use those too.

[JAS]

ok onwards and upwards...next seemingly pointless question...plugs

Just checking if my old travel adaptor will work over there or if I need to get a new one and I can't remember what countries it's good for.

So what are your electrical plugs like...square-pin, flat-pin, round-pin...2-pin, 3-pin ???

Regards
JAS

[Q.]

ok onwards and upwards...next seemingly pointless question...plugs

Just checking if my old travel adaptor will work over there or if I need to get a new one and I can't remember what countries it's good for.

So what are your electrical plugs like...square-pin, flat-pin, round-pin...2-pin, 3-pin ???

Regards
JAS

http://electricaloutlet.org/type-i

[JAS]

ok onwards and upwards...next seemingly pointless question...plugs

Just checking if my old travel adaptor will work over there or if I need to get a new one and I can't remember what countries it's good for.

So what are your electrical plugs like...square-pin, flat-pin, round-pin...2-pin, 3-pin ???

Regards
JAS

http://electricaloutlet.org/type-i

Thanks Quichey exactly what I was looking for.

Regards
JAS

[JAS]

Just found this site which might prove useful...

http://www.travelsecure.infrastructure. ... index.aspx

Yay more list making...can take, can't take, hand luggage, hold luggage can never have too many lists.

Regards
JAS

[JAS]

Just found this site which might prove useful...

http://www.travelsecure.infrastructure. ... index.aspx

Yay more list making...can take, can't take, hand luggage, hold luggage can never have too many lists.

Regards
JAS

...and it sure has already cos I didn't know this...

duty free liquids, aersols and gels purchased at the airport and delivered to the boarding gate for the passenger. No other duty free will be permitted (e.g. duty free purchased at Heathrow will not be permitted through Singapore)

Note to self...change outward bound Aberdeen/Heathrow shopping list to read Kuala Lumpur (hopefully) shopping list

Regards
JAS

[Footy Chick]

Went through all this yesterday JAS, I threw my baby brother on a jet plane at sparrows fart this morning, but he didn't leave Sydney until around 2.30pm today.. you should have him at 5.25am Thursday (your time )

Can you please let me know if you hear of any stories about 3 Aussie blokes and 1 Aussie chick getting arrested

Ta