Traveller letters: Melbourne airport's terrible customs and immigration

At Mont Saint Michel recently someone left their backpack on a shuttle bus, which was quickly broadcast and then retrieved by the hapless tourist.

This can happen to anyone, but worse than that, at the entrance to the abbey at the top of the mount, the police were alerted to a backpack and a woman's handbag which were left at the bottom of the steps, close to a security guard. Fortunately the police ran a detector over the bags and then took them away.

I am astounded by the thoughtlessness of tourists who ignore signage designed to protect them and others in these tumultuous times. It pays to be alert and thoughtful at all times in any country for the safety of yourself and others.

Janine Halls, Malvern East, VIC

ON THE RACK

I've noticed that other people find the provision of one luggage rack in hotel rooms as annoying as do I (Rants & raves, September 3).

So each time I arrive in a room I ring for housekeeping to bring another rack, which they do. If more people did this instead of suffering in silence perhaps hotels would get the hint.

Anne Hall, Five Dock, NSW

SOCKET TO 'EM

I note that some travellers gripe at the fact there is no bathroom power socket for hairdryers and the like (Traveller letters, September 10). This is not due to the stinginess of the hotel but to various local safety standards regarding electrical sockets in bathrooms.

In many cases they must be a certain distance from sources of water and since many hotel bathrooms are small, there is little that can be done to install power sockets according to these standards. In some hotels, you will see a "shaver only" socket but these are low power and typically have a special isolator included in case of an accident.

I would also like to add my hotel gripe, especially for recently built hotels, and that is the lack of USB charging ports. This is an easily installed option and can even be retro-fitted to any existing power point In Australia (these are about $15).

With so many phones and travel gadgets only needing USB to charge, it would seem a much smarter solution and convenience for travellers, especially next to the bedside table.

Scott Mendham, Surry Hills, NSW

DRAIN

Hasn't Genevieve Milton (Traveller letters, September 10) ever heard of a universal sink plug that you can purchase cheaply at most travel and camping stores (including at the Kathmandu chain)?

They only cost a couple of dollars and I always carry mine with me on my travels for those occasions when I need a sink plug, which most likely was stolen by an earlier traveller.

Rose Hill, Bacchus Marsh, VIC

My friends and family have always been bemused by the curious things I always pack for travel, among them my trusty universal plug for the sink (Rants & raves, September 10).

It has done lots of good service along with my roll of duct tape, small plastic chopping board and a Swiss Army knife. I have recently also added a piece of aluminium foil folded up to nothing. Great for using on a BBQ where there's no plate just a grill. Still to find more uses for this.

Nancy Telfer, West Launceston, TAS

An old youth hostel trick that will work anywhere: carry some Blu-Tack in your luggage. It can be moulded to any plug size.

Priscilla Kopp, Rosebud, VIC

Genevieve Milton, a suggestion I read somewhere was squash a sock into the plug hole. I haven't tried it but worth a shot.

Gail Grogan, Constitution Hill, NSW

FINE PRINT

I recently had a cancellation of a flight that necessitated an extra night's accommodation. As I had paid for the trip on Amex you would have thought that this would be covered by the insurance through the credit card.

Wrong. The claim was not covered as it was below the excess. Lesson learned – don't think you're covered by "free" credit card insurance as you pay for what you get.

Mina Pitliangas, Essendon, VIC

FIRST-CLASS TREATMENT

My wife and I have recently returned from a holiday at the Havannah Resort, Vanuatu. Unfortunately, my wife suffered a laceration to her leg four days into the holiday.

The manager of the resort and I applied first aid to the wound while we waited 40 minutes for a ambulance to arrive from Port Vila. Two very professional paramedics took over and drove us to a clinic in Port Vila where an experienced French doctor stitched the offending wound and followed up with a second appointment.

Air Vanuatu was contacted and a seat with more leg room was arranged as well as a wheelchair at the airport. Cabin crew stood by protecting my wife's injury from other boarding passengers and provided support to elevate the leg. A wheelchair was then arranged for arrival in Sydney and departure from Sydney to Hobart.

First-class treatment from all involved in what was a wonderful chain of exceptional service.

Phil Jacobs, Blackmans Bay, TAS