In Reply to: how do they get away posted by alleylou on Thursday, 16. July 2009 at 21:38 Bali Time:
Last year, I noticed that one tourist was not expecting to lose his duty free alcohol purchased from the Denpasar Airport Duty Free Shop. He tried to consume it on the spot, before going through the third last security barrier!
Jetstar/Qantas apparently reacted to US concerns about security at Bali Airport by setting up their own security checkpoints staffed by private security staff. Jetstar passengers now have to go a total of five security checkpoints before they reach the plane. The private security staff at the third last security barrier have been given instructions to seize all liquids over 100 ml.
I have no idea what happens to the alcohol seized at the third last security barrier.
Jetstar passengers can still buy duty free alcohol at their destinations eg Perth, Melbourne and Sydney. If you are returning to Sydney with Jetstar through Melbourne, your liquids over 100 ml will be seized in Melbourne even though you are still on a international flight and you will go through Customs in Sydney. I lost a bottle of water in Melbourne this year though I was still in transit. The bottle of water had been given to me by a Jetstar flight attendant!
My suggestion to Jetstar passengers flying from Bali is to buy their duty free at their eventual destination not Bali or a transit airport.