How crazy is this?

[wildwood]

A commercial plane is on it's way from LA to Auckland NZ. Lunchtime; passengers get their lunchpack which also includes an apple. As so often happens, many people put the apple away for later when they might feel peckish. Plane arrives in Auckland and it soon becomes apparent to Agriculture&Fisheries Inspectors that passengers have been given an apple on the flight, so everyone's hand-luggage gets searched, resulting in dozens of passengers getting an instant NZ$200 fine for attempting to import undeclared prohibited foods, ie; the apple supplied on the flight. The A&F inspectors appeared to be unperturbed by all the passengers' plights and were quick to point out that no 'illegal contraband' will be tolerated whatsoever.

Yes, I know there are posters listing prohibited imports in the arrival lounge, and generally I fully support each country's bio-security, but would a rap over the knuckles not have sufficed in this instance?

[3s_a_crowd]

Yes.

[sft42]

Wins this weeks award in the longest question/shortest answer category at least.

Rules is rules and they're there for reasons......our is not to question why and all that eh?

[mikewith]

wildwood - I know what you mean but they were all bringing in apples despite large notices (as I recall) to the contrary. Where do you draw the line? Apples bought before or after passing through customs? One apple or two?

[wildwood]

Thanks sft42, never won an award before:-)

Well, I couldn't help but feel sorry for all those souls, given the circumstance. I've had my rant, will get back to work now.

[sylvday]

Are we quite sure this isn't an "urban myth" type story. I've done quite a lot of flying, and have never had an apple (or any other piece of fruit) as part of an airline meal - though I certainly would have welcomed it from time to time in place of some of the processed rubbish usually provided.

[filthiestfis]

They certainly werent very civil about it. If this really happened then what a bunch of *******. I would be outraged! I would definetly NOT pay the fine and seek legal action.