This was published 5 years ago
Traveller letters: Getting swabbed in mobs at Australian airports is over the top
A passenger is checked for explosives at airport security.Credit: Alamy
WE WUZ SWABBED
Like Rob Cover (Traveller letters, April 20) I am a frequent traveller on business and also pleasure, averaging about 100 days a year on the road. The swabbing process does appear to be over the top now, in both domestic and international terminals.
Recently at Sydney domestic I too was part of a group swab and went through the exact process Rob describes, I would estimate it more than tripled the time of the previous individual process.
By contrast, in New Zealand, for example, there is almost no swabbing for domestic flights.
Paul Soanes, East Doncaster, VIC
LETTER OF THE WEEK
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Travelling through India last year as a solo woman was a challenge (Traveller, April 20), even if I was part of a group of eight friends. I was surprised that even in boutique hotels, all of the staff would be male.
It was quite disconcerting having males watching you all the time and meant it was hard to have an opportunity to talk with a local woman. Having women involved in the travel industry in such countries will help women travellers feel more comfortable.
In countries like Nepal and India, the best support we can offer women who want employment in the travel industry is to actively ask for and request women guides and drivers for all women groups.
But I don't think women guides would be allowed to lead mixed gender groups with current attitudes.
Kim Webber, Woolloomooloo, NSW
MARRIED AT FIRST FLIGHT
I went alone to Norfolk Island in 1994 and met my future husband there, who was also alone. We went back there to marry in 1996 and again in 2016 for our 20th wedding anniversary.
It is a beautiful place to visit for a solo traveller or couple, so ladies or gents, you never know what may happen.
Marg O'Neill, Colac, VIC
SIGNS OF THE TIMES
In response to your letter about the notice attached to the hotel room kettle (Traveller letters, April 20), those signs reading, "Beware of solicitors", once posted - so I'm told - in certain red light districts close to luxury hotels in the east, never ceases to bring a smile to my face (being, as I am, a legitimate NSW solicitor).
Edward Loong, Milsons Point, NSW
I still have a security leaflet from a hotel from my first visit to Shanghai in the 1990s. The Shanghai Public Security Bureau dictated eight requirements for a happy stay.
Among them are "no birds, domestic animals or other unsnairy (sic) articles and no letting off fireworks and firecrackers". Point number three says "no guest is allowed to up anyone for the night or let anyone use his/her own bed in the hotel".
Leonie Royle, Worrowing Heights, NSW
Many years ago Prince Charles was asked to award an electric kettle (Traveller letters, April 20) "invention of the year".
His comment "but you cannot boil an egg in it" (because the top was too small to put an egg through it) went around the world. For all us students in cheap digs this was the way we boiled eggs.
Alan Mackay, Port Macquarie, NSW
Just as disturbing, although possibly more so, is the act of boiling your undies in hotel kettles. A bit gross, hey?
Robyn Dunne, East Brighton, VIC
CRUISE CONTROL
I was a bit disappointed to read in your April 13 story, "Land Ahoy? Shore thing" that Venice, Italy, is one of the best ports to visit when on a cruise.
Given the well-publicised negative impact of cruise travellers in Venice (even written about by your own paper), it would surely make more sense to omit this city from your cruise edition and instead encourage more sustainable tourism in this area.
Jo Lees, Rockdale, NSW
EDITOR'S NOTE The article contained a panel, "Be a better cruiser in the age of over-tourism" in which advice was offered as to how visitors to sensitive destinations such as Venice can limit their impact there.
TOWER OF POWER
On my recent visit to Japan I was lucky enough to secure a tour of the Nakagin Capsule Tower [a revered residential and office tower designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa] with Showcase-Tokyo.
Our knowledgeable guide, Yuka, explained the current situation with the tower and its remaining residents, took us to one of the few completely original rooms, and explained in detail the ideas and philosophy behind the building as well as Kurokawa's history. .
This is an amazing original vision of the 21st century as imagined in the 1970s. The stories of the passion of past and present residents was inspiring and that of its precarious fate more than a little sad.
This is a unique building and well worth a visit before it possibly disappears. The good thing is that all tour fees are pumped back into the preservation of the building and to the fight to retain it as part of Tokyo's architectural heritage.
Mark Darcy, Rozelle, NSW
TICKET TO RIDE
As a frugal traveller like Barry Divola, (Traveller, March 23) I also took the Greyhound and Trailways buses through the US.
In 1980, much like Barry's experience, fellow travellers were just out of prison, returning military, the poor, Mennonites and students going to college or home across the country.
I had the good fortune to befriend a recently ex-prisoner who was convicted of smuggling weed from Mexico into San Diego.
I got off the bus with him and his girlfriend, and spent the night in their home somewhere near Knoxville, Tennessee. I survived to go on more buses experiencing the road, youth and freedom.
Michael Copping, Oatley, NSW
SINGLE MINDED
When are you going to have an edition devoted to the single traveller, particularly with sensibly- priced options rather than exorbitantly-priced accommodation?
Single travel is not catered for, especially for those who prefer independent travel and who don't want to share with a stranger and pay a huge supplement.
Chris Whittall, Epping, NSW
Send us your travel-related opinions and experiences
Letters may be edited for space, legal or other reasons. Preference will be given to letters of 50-100 words or less. Email us at travellerletters@fairfaxmedia.com.au and, importantly, include your name, address and phone number.
Read more: Traveller Letters
Sign up for the Traveller newsletter
The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.