Traveller letters: Don't tell me what I cannot wear when I travel

I was startled to read in Alison Stewart's review of her SAA flight that it took just eight hours and 35 minutes flying time from Johannesburg to Perth (Traveller Letters, September 10).

I recall that when I took that route in 1965 it took 1½ days, in a Qantas Lockheed Electra. It departed Jo'burg early morning, refuelled at Mauritius and the Cocos Island (where I saw the next day's sunrise) and then flew on to Perth.

Ater a brief stop there I arrived at Sydney as that sun was setting. True, we were flying east, so elapsed hours were less. I don't recall any jet (propeller) lag. I was younger then.

Peter Longhurst, Cairns, QLD

POWER TO THE PEOPLE

In a recent Rants and Raves, there was a complaint about hotels not having USB charging ports. All television sets in hotels with USB ports can be used to power and recharge mobile devices. One of the great benefits of modern technology.

Robert McMartin, Bendigo, VIC

THE THICK OF IT

For those poor frustrated travellers with hair dryer problems, there is a solution at hand: Aauis, a small, microfibre towel similar to the ones you find in Italy.

It works on long or short, curly or straight hair. I have been using it for at least 30 years. It folds up neatly and drys out quickly. I have very thick hair, wrapped around my sopping wet hair, it drains out the moisture in roughly five to 10 minutes.

Jill Jurd, Lane Cove, NSW

SOMETHING FISHY

On our return from Britain via Brunei for a short stopover, we were both impressed and amused by the attention to detail of the customs staff.

As usual, all hand luggage must be checked and my bag went backwards and forwards a few times. The customs officer politely asked me to reveal the "fish" I had in my bag. As far as I knew, my bag contained the usual chocolate, lollies and other sundry items required for long haul flying.

When I questioned this, they smiled and my bag went back through the monitor. They assured me they could see a fish. My husband and I looked at each other and realised they were in fact looking at a bubble wrapped ceramic dolphin purchased in Mykonos.

This discovery was greeted with much laughter on both our parts and I commend the customs staff on their attention to detail.

Trish Peel, Somers, VIC

OUT OF LINE

I would like to support "border farce" (Traveller Letters, September 17). I too, having been through many international airports, have been completely gobsmacked and embarrassed at the rude attitude and lack of customer service offered to those entering Australia via Melbourne Airport.

I once witnessed some poor Thai business man being told to "get in line" when he was clearly stressed at missing his connection due to slow processing through the airport facility.

Take a lesson from Britain, where they are quietly efficient, pleasant and welcoming and most likely deal with a lot more passengers than Melbourne with a lot more issues.

If Melbourne is a world class city, we need a world class airport with excellent customer service. First impressions count big time.

Hillary Morgan, Mornington, VIC

For me, Hobart "International" Airport takes the biscuit. Recovering from hip replacement surgery and still needing a walking cane for support, I was directed by staff for further manual scanning with the words: "this one's on a stick."

After being reduced to the status of a kebab, neither chair nor assistance were offered so I could then remove my boots. I'm all for airport security but a little training in customer service could make the process more pleasant.

Jennifer D'Arcy, Ussel d'Allier, FRANCE

EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE

I was not as happy as Carolyn Anderson (Traveller Letters, September 10) when I flew with Vueling last year from Genoa to Madrid via Rome.

My backpack did not arrive at Madrid and I was told it was "probably" still in Rome. After 11 days without any news, I was convinced Vueling was not even looking for it. So I flew to Rome and found it myself.

I'm still trying to get Vueling to reimburse me for the cost of flying to Rome and back to Spain.

Daren Fawkes, Lima East, VIC

BATH TIME

Reading letters about missing sink plugs, I was reminded that when a girlfriend and I were backpacking around Europe in 1976-77, the cheap hotels in which we stayed often charged extra for a guest to have a bath.

Upon payment of the extra charge, a bath plug was handed over by management. We soon found that a glass turned upside down over the plug hole did the trick.

Amanda Bernie, North Rocks, NSW