"Australian airport's ban on chewing gum a pain in the ear"

Sunday, January 16, 2005

Airport's ban on chewing gum a pain in the ear
By Angela Cuming
Australia - The Sydney Sun-Herald

 
Irate retailers at Sydney Airport's domestic terminal say they are sick of
customers asking to buy chewing gum, which is banned from sale, and may
resort to putting up signs warning people not to ask for it.

"We get about 20 people a day ask us and we have to keep saying, 'We can't
sell it, sorry'," said one retailer, who did not want to be named.

"It is very frustrating, that's for sure."

Domestic terminal retailers were recently reminded in writing by Sydney
Airport Corporation about the ban.

"I am not sure if someone was selling chewing gum," a Sydney Airport
Corporation spokeswoman said. "It may have crept back into some retailers."

The ban on chewing gum sales in the domestic and international terminals was
introduced five years ago because of a cleanliness issue, she said.

"We were finding it under seats, on the carpets, at check-in counters,
everywhere," she said.

"A decision was made to stop selling it to avoid that."

People could still bring their own chewing gum into terminals, the
spokeswoman said.

But the ban still appears to catch out travellers who are not aware of the
rule.

"People still come up to us before they catch their flight and want to buy
chewing gum," the retailer said.

"They want the gum to chew on take-off and landing so their ears don't hurt.
Most figure they can buy gum at the airport after they check in. They go to
a newsagent and are surprised to find none there.

"They ask us and then we have to tell them about the ban. I am thinking
about putting a sign up informing [everyone] about the ban so they stop
asking all the time.

"I don't know about the international terminal but I am sure it happens
quite a lot there too."

The Sydney Airport Corporation spokeswoman said the ban was supported by
"all airport communities".

Other types of breath mints and chewable lollies were sold at airport retail
outlets, she said.


 Do you have an opinion about this story?
Share it with other readers in our CAA Discussion Forums

http://www.californiaaviation.org/dcfp/dcboard.php


*****************************************