G'day all,

I can't see that any on my fellow OzCats has posted this masterpiece of Jobsworthery... so:

John Milce (musician of various loud assemblages) posted this tale of new security lunacy on the AusFolk form, here in Australia:

_ .- ._ .- ._ .- ._ .- ._ .- ._

I was at the Sydney Opera House yesterday at a performance of the Australian Chamber Orchestra (a friend of ours is the principle violinist). The Director (Richard Tognetti) has recently been provided with a violin worth $10mil. He, in turn, passed his previous violin, valued at only $2mil to our friend.

He normally doesn't say anything at performances, but he made an exception yesterday to recount the following tale.

The orchestra were flying from Canberra to Melbourne last week as part of their current tour. A security guard at the airport refused to let them take their violins on the plane with them because they represented a security risk. Apparently, the strings could have been used to strangle the crew. . She told them that she wasn't suggesting that they may do the strangling, but that the strings "could fall into the wrong hands". The Orchestra members were, understandably, reluctant to entrust their instruments to the baggage handlers and the hold, so she then offered the suggestion that they all (there are around 10/12 violin/viola payers in the orchestra) de-string their violins and pop the strings into the post.

Sanity eventually prevailed, and they were allowed to board the plane with their violins

John Milce

_ .- ._ .- ._ .- ._ .- ._ .- ._

Let's hope sanity prevails - otherwise what's next: No hankies in pocket allowed - buy a box of Kleenex ... and we'll carry the hanky safely in the luggage hold.

Regard(les)s,

Bob (Fully aware that my accordions and concertinas look like pipe bombs to X-ray monitors ... tin whistles could be used to beat the hostie senseless ... maybe I should dig out my old nose flute!)