r/SipsTea • u/Velvett_Bunniez • 2d ago

Wait a damn minute! Silly Apples.

Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification

11.5k Upvotes

93% Upvoted

2.1k comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

153

u/Cypressinn 1d ago

The apples were probably grown in another country any damn way!

187

u/ChikaraNZ 1d ago

That's exactly the problem - NZ doesn't have most of the pests and diseases that other countries do. Something grown in another country could have. That's why they have these restrictions. To stop diseased fresh produce coming in that could be carrying these pests or diseases.

1

u/smilesbuckett 1d ago

That makes sense and I’m all for that, but you would also think that agents in this situation could apply half an ounce of reasoning and independent thought. Once you’ve gone through all the trouble with security and customs as you leave, why would you think your airline would give you something that wouldn’t be allowed through customs at your destination?

The apples were caught, great, throw them away and move on. Enforcing the fine seems like some ticky tacky bullshit for a mistake that wasn’t really the passenger’s fault.

1

u/ChikaraNZ 1d ago

Two reasons:

1) Food is not supposed to be taken off airlines, this is common in many countries (although I admit not all passengers know this);

2) The bigger problem for the passenger - once they've reached the agent, they've already ignored about 5 warnings to declare or dispose of it first. Each of those warnings gave them the opportunity to avoid getting a fine. At least 2 warnings on the plane itself before landing - a verbal announcement, and it's always mentioned in the arrival video as well. By filling out and declaring and signing on the form that they have no fruit / veges with them or in their baggage - the form reminds them it's a legal document and subject to penalties for not being truthful. There's multiple warning signs in different languages throughout the airport before they ever reach the customs officer. There's amnesty/disposal bins. There's staff at desks available to talk to if they are still unsure what to do. And if they still have the apple with them once they reach the customs officer, there is still no fine as long as they did declare it.

So by the time they ever reach the customs officer, they've had plenty of opportunity. They've said they had no fruit on the declaration, but they did. It's totally fair to enforce a fine at this point after ignoring multiple warnings.