HKG Duty Free Shopping - 1
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holiday
Yes, once again, it's December, time to go home. DC is in DUB for a month, so I am flying back alone. I try to pack my suitcase as light as possible, but still, it's me, overweight is normal. However, I am lucky to arrive airport 30 minutes before take off. No time to say good-bye or let Mom has tears which make both of us easier. I am on the way home now!
I have 4 hours in HKG airport, so of course, I pay a visit to Duty Free. I find a SK-II section, it's calling me so badly... Yes, I have to treat myself well this time, after all, I am not young any more... I chat with Zoe - the salesgirl about the Irish weather and meanwhile, I am fighting myself inside if I should spend that much money. I never spend that much on skin care products. In the end, I take out my credit card. It better be that good, I am a bit worry on spending that much money. Double check with the salesgirl and the cashier on the new rule to fly into EU. Girls say as long as I don't open the package, I should be fine. I believe in them, so I am happy with my shopping...
When I arrive CDG, it's 5:30 AM, 5.5 hours to take next flight. From Terminal 2 to Terminal 1, there are less travellers and there is no information desk. Somehow, I don't feel friendly here. It's not that French place I know. There is no Duty Free shop, not even a bar or cafe. I stuck in Terminal 1 and there is no where to go. Well, at least, there is a toilet and 12 seats before security check point. So, a girl is on duty to sit on information desk for 10 minutes and she says I should be able to check in here - in Terminal 1 but she is too busy to tell me where. Plus there is no desk, I am lost again. People starts to come around from 9AM and queue up for security check. By the time, 9:20AM, I gonna do something. My flight will leave in 1 hour and I am not check in yet coz I am inside of CDG airport. So, I take my chance to queue up in security check. At least, someone has to tell me where to do my check in. And there is where it goes wrong.
I am in the queue for 10 minutes, it moves very slow coz not many ppl are familiar with new rule regarding cabin luggage. I heard of it, but not much, I was told to avoid alcohol kind. I have to remove my belt, heavy coat, laptop, boots and small make-up bag. The most amazing thing is the French security girl takes my liquid / cream state thing away and throw into trash bag. I mean ALL of them - all my duty free shopping in SK-II (HKG airport), Shiseido 5 ml travel set (clearning gel / tonic water / cream), MAC lipglass, Contact lens container, Chanel 5ml #5; she throws all of them into TRASH BIN. She moves on to next traveller who has perfume. I start to question her in English and finally, after 3 travellers, she looks at me and she only speaks French. I ask her for explaination and she says the sign is everywhere. I ask for written document and she says there is no need if I am not French. I ask to have a translator and she says I am nobody. I ask for senior officer and she says she is the boss. I am so helpless. I keep fighting for my right until the gate calls me third time. I gonna go or I will end up in jail in CDG airport for this X'mas.
I have 4 hours in HKG airport, so of course, I pay a visit to Duty Free. I find a SK-II section, it's calling me so badly... Yes, I have to treat myself well this time, after all, I am not young any more... I chat with Zoe - the salesgirl about the Irish weather and meanwhile, I am fighting myself inside if I should spend that much money. I never spend that much on skin care products. In the end, I take out my credit card. It better be that good, I am a bit worry on spending that much money. Double check with the salesgirl and the cashier on the new rule to fly into EU. Girls say as long as I don't open the package, I should be fine. I believe in them, so I am happy with my shopping...
When I arrive CDG, it's 5:30 AM, 5.5 hours to take next flight. From Terminal 2 to Terminal 1, there are less travellers and there is no information desk. Somehow, I don't feel friendly here. It's not that French place I know. There is no Duty Free shop, not even a bar or cafe. I stuck in Terminal 1 and there is no where to go. Well, at least, there is a toilet and 12 seats before security check point. So, a girl is on duty to sit on information desk for 10 minutes and she says I should be able to check in here - in Terminal 1 but she is too busy to tell me where. Plus there is no desk, I am lost again. People starts to come around from 9AM and queue up for security check. By the time, 9:20AM, I gonna do something. My flight will leave in 1 hour and I am not check in yet coz I am inside of CDG airport. So, I take my chance to queue up in security check. At least, someone has to tell me where to do my check in. And there is where it goes wrong.
I am in the queue for 10 minutes, it moves very slow coz not many ppl are familiar with new rule regarding cabin luggage. I heard of it, but not much, I was told to avoid alcohol kind. I have to remove my belt, heavy coat, laptop, boots and small make-up bag. The most amazing thing is the French security girl takes my liquid / cream state thing away and throw into trash bag. I mean ALL of them - all my duty free shopping in SK-II (HKG airport), Shiseido 5 ml travel set (clearning gel / tonic water / cream), MAC lipglass, Contact lens container, Chanel 5ml #5; she throws all of them into TRASH BIN. She moves on to next traveller who has perfume. I start to question her in English and finally, after 3 travellers, she looks at me and she only speaks French. I ask her for explaination and she says the sign is everywhere. I ask for written document and she says there is no need if I am not French. I ask to have a translator and she says I am nobody. I ask for senior officer and she says she is the boss. I am so helpless. I keep fighting for my right until the gate calls me third time. I gonna go or I will end up in jail in CDG airport for this X'mas.
When I go to Gate 23, finally, I find this girl who speaks English. Wow, she also disagrees what happen on me. So, she steps in and trys to get my stuff back. I can see this African French girl try her best to save my stuff. I appreciate her aggressive attitude and action. Meanwhile, I start to look back where goes wrong. I am sure it is not my fault to shop in Duty Free in HKG airport. So where goes wrong? Also, when I arrive DUB, I start to search the new rule of carbin luggage in CX website or HKG airport. There are very few and unclear written part. I have send them an e-mail regarding what have happened on me. I am not going to sit back and pay for this SK-II bill. Someone has to pay for this!
Following is what I found in CAA-TW website:
2006/08/17
All passengers fly to U.S. or take U.S. air carrier please observe the following rules. PASSENGERS MAY NOT HAVE LIQUIDS, GELS, OR AEROSOLS OF ANY SIZE AT THE SCREENING CHECKPOINT OR IN THE CABIN OF THE AIRCRAFT. Including beverages, shampoo, suntan lotion, creams, toothpaste, hair gel, hair spray, liquid cosmetics, and other items of similar consistency. Such items may be transported in checked baggage
Passengers may have:
►Baby formula/milk and baby food in small containers if a baby or small child is traveling
►Prescription medicine (liquid and gel) with a name that matches the passenger’s ticket
►Essential other non-prescription medicines not to exceed 4 oz. (120ml) per container, to include saline solution and eye care products such as eye drops and contact lens solution
►Liquids or gels for diabetic passengers who indicate a need for such items to address their medical condition. Quantities are limited to no greater than 5 oz. (148ml) per container.
►Solid cosmetics and personal hygiene items such as lipstick in a tube, solid deodorant, lip balm, and similar solids.Beverages purchased in the sterile area must be consumed before boarding the aircraft.
Please be reminded:Since all the US bound passenger will need to experience secondary screening for personal property before boarding, please pack your cabin baggage light and arrive earlier at airport and security check point. If you get any question, please contact the airline.
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