Omer van Kloeten on August 13, 2009 16:27 sez:

On my recent trip, I visited quite a few airports and in each one I looked to buy anything at there was a clear distinction: First the security check, then the duty free shops.

There's always the path of civil lawsuit, or better yet, class action. Clear case of misleading customers.

Stonie on August 13, 2009 17:06 sez:

As a Sydneysider I'm embarrassed to be reading this. Do you remember the name of the duty free store or gate number etc? I will lodge a complaint with the airport.

Trevel on August 13, 2009 17:18 sez:

Presumably the shop was there BEFORE the security theater decided that terrorists were going to try to drown passengers one by one using small bottles of water.

Still, you'd think SOMEONE would have noticed it by now.

Ar on August 13, 2009 18:23 sez:

they are sposed to check your travel documents and make sure your not going to end up anywhere that your stuff will be confiscated. in this case it seems a moot point as the confiscation was almost immediate.

Kyralessa on August 14, 2009 10:08 sez:

I would assume that what happens is the guards return the items to the store, which gives them a small reimbursement per item, then puts the items on the shelf to "sell" again.

Willie on August 14, 2009 16:36 sez:

I think before I've done this and instead of picking the items up at the store they deliver them to your gate, you give them the gate number when you purchase the items.

I've also had this happen even when the store is within the security boundary.

tourist.tan on August 15, 2009 03:34 sez:

Now it can be plain stupidity; Both the airport and the shop are per profit organisation. But with different side aim.

The Airport needs to ensure the security is respected, and the shop needs to be able to sell what ever their products are to punters.

They probably just ignoring each other's practice. And that is reflecting in the behaviour of their respective staff.

I can see the security personel to simulate surprise not to shock the passengers of their inability to close the shop, and potentially not to go against people that they would have to deal on a daily basis.

As for the shop staff, they could be low paid staff that don't give a second thought to customers, following the example of the shop's manager/owner.

It's pretty much down to the shop to stop this selling practice and seek a solution with the airport management.

I cannot see it as criminality.

Next time record it and upload it on utube or something like that. ;)

Tam

David H on August 16, 2009 23:20 sez:

Uuuh, hello? How else are the security guards supposed to get free booze!?! I mean, come on, they probably already have to give a cut back to the duty free shop staff. And it's bloody hard work feigning amazment, hour after hour, all day long.

judge jools on August 26, 2009 16:23 sez:

same thing happen to be in international transit in Bangkok.
Got off the flight for 40 mins and wandered around the duty free shops while the plane refuled etc. Purchased a few drinks for the onward journey to Sydney and on the way back on to the plane had all liquids confiscated.
Luckily I hand't purchased any expensive liquor

Giles on August 28, 2009 08:44 sez:

Clearly a case of sufficiently advanced stupidity being indistinguishable from malice...

Anonymous on September 08, 2009 09:49 sez:

Actually something like this happened to me in Finland. You can buy liquor fill candy after the security. However for US flights there was an extra 'surprise' security checkpoint before boarding, and they did not allow the candy in. You could see passengers either going back for refund, eating all the candy before boarding, or just throwing it out. I think a few passengers boarded with a little buzz going.

Reba on September 11, 2009 04:21 sez:

I wonder if anyone is ever able to have a flight not accompanied by a 10-top-vicious-airport-practices story.

You get robbed of your water (clear container, mind you), while you are not boarding anything yet (you've got something like an eternity before your plane leaves). Your luggage naturally gets lost. On the way back, noone cares you've got a duty-free bottle of liquor in your bag. Oh well.

Carson Hayes on September 12, 2009 09:19 sez:

The security checkpoint is actually an extension of the shop, and all of the staff at the checkpoint are shop employees.

It is the most effective way for the shop to maintain efficient inventory turnover, lower repurchasing and restocking fees, which they may even be able to pass along to their customers.

Computer Aid on September 13, 2009 07:10 sez:

A way to test for malice (and it would satisfy my vandalistic tendencies) :-) :

Bring along an empty booze bottle that you know will get confiscated...

"Fill" the bottle by urinating in it. You might need some glue to make the seal look intact.

Allow it to be confiscated... smiling all the way...

Andreas on September 21, 2009 06:56 sez:

So the clever traveler will put some clothes at the bottom of his/her hand baggage and just empty the bottle over the clothes. Once back at home/at destination just squeeze the clothes dry into a container of your choice. Serve! Any leakage could be saved by adding more clothes or consumed mid-flight. If several sorts of liquor has been purchased more bags with clothes are required or let the liquor mix in one bag for a pleasant surprise once consumed.

This way you will cheat the security officers and the shop on their extra income.

Note that once opened any one bottle smells like urine, DO NOT empty it in your bag, another traveler might have read this blog and decided to follow another response.

Ashski on October 23, 2009 02:37 sez:

I live in Sydney and I and the rest of Sydneysiders hate Sydney Airport and the unscrupulous merchant bank that owns and runs it. Since the Governtment sold off the rights to Macquarie Bank to operate the airport about 7 years ago we have seen every possibly rip off tactic employed. The example here is just another rip off to add to all the others. Taxi fees, outrageous parking rules and fees, outrageous luggage trolley fees.

There is a complete melt down in the international baggage area when more than a couple of jumbos arrive at the same time. There is insufficient room for people to collect bags and then queue for the quarantine inspections. The quarantine people are rude and racist and give a terrible first impression for new international arrivals.

Catherine O'Neil on December 03, 2010 22:02 sez:

On 2 occasions in recent years I have had expensive conqac and whisklhy taken from me. Last month I purchased consmetics in the Spa in the First class lounge in Dubai Airport. As I had checked my bags in at Venice I could not put it in my checked bags. It was in a sealed bag with the invoice and it was confiscated. I am fed up with their attitude and arrogance. What can we do about it?

yemteeyee on July 12, 2011 23:45 sez:

I bought a sony camera from sydney international duty free shop. I didnt check the box properly(i never expect a camera box with out a camera - my fault)There was every thing in the box - except the camera !!!!!. Any one here with similar experience from the sydney duty free shop ?

Mike Frampton on February 16, 2016 20:53 sez:

This happened to us at Sydney in transit, travelling from Wellington going to Bangkok my wife bought some whiskey at Sydney. At the security checkpoint before the gate they stole the bottles and also my son's carry on toys which I thought was VERY low. Needless to say in the future we wont buy anything there. It is quite a scam. Steal from transit passengers and then what ? Resell or staff take home ?? Grrrrr