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...Sydney Airport on Wednesday which saw Virgin Blue staff make a "final boarding call" announcement for five late passengers, including one which sounded suspiciously like Mr Al Qaeda and another which sounded like Mr Terrorist.

The satirical show's executive producer, Julian Morrow, said two tickets were booked online under the names "Mr Al Kyder" and "Mr Terry Wrist" for an 8.30am Virgin Blue flight from Sydney to Melbourne.

"Good morning ladies and gentleman," the announcement said. "This is the final boarding call for [name withheld], [name withheld], Al Kyder, [name withheld], and Terry Wrist, all travelling to Melbourne today on Virgin Blue flight 822."

Virgin Blue described The Chaser's stunt as "childish humour" but said security was never at risk.

More from the Sydney Morning Herald

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Hilarious video here

lol, well childish yes, but never the less funny.

Imagine if this was done in LAX? The TSA would have gone apeshit and probably arrested about 100 people, and i wouldn't be surprised if there were some calling for the airspace or the airport to be closed until further investigation. And notice what happened in Australia? Virgin Blue basically said "yeah very funny...we still got your bloody money".

So, it's that easy to buy a ticket get a boarding pass and sit in the waiting area at the gate (meaning get through security) without showing proper ID? Somebody can be one distracted attendant away from boarding an Australian domestic flight? And despite the fact that this is a criminal offense, it is laughed off? You're right...so much wiser than those stupid Americans...

Quoting Cwapilot (Reply 2): this is a criminal offense

I'm sorry but I fail to see how this can be a criminal offense... If they paid for the tickets, how can the name of a "person" be a criminal offense?

The video is so funny!

While I appreciate the seriousness of the 'prank', it brought to mind an email I got some years ago, about some people who had announcements made for middle-eastern passengers at Heathrow and Gatwick. The announcements included names that sounded like 'my colleague just farted'... i wish I still had it, as it appeals to my childish humour  
Paul

Watch the funny video and notice the red Virgin sign that says such a thing will be criminally prosecuted.

The video was entertaining, in a "call the bar and ask for Mike Hunt or Hugh G. Rection" sort of way. However, I was referring to the arrogant comments left by the second poster. However, how they were able to succeed with this gag given today's security climate is rather troubling when you think about it. They got to the boarding gate with a boarding pass with no proper ID.

They wouldn't have needed to go through security or even go to the airport. They could have just checked in online. Although maybe they bought other tickets with their real names in order to be there to hear the announcements.

Thats in the same boat as a girl/woman getting on the high school PA and saying "has anybody seen Mike Hunt." Or reading the name in a text book that says Dick Hurtz and saying in a puzzled voice "Who's Dick Hurtz?" There are plenty more out there.

KD

The video showed them using an express kiosk for check in, so they wouldn't have had to show ID then except possibly at security.

As Peter said they probably checked in under their own names too to be in the departure lounge, so that got them through security.

And they didn't make any jokes about security, they just had bloody funny names - last I heard that wasn't a criminal offence!!

Freaking hilarious though - you could even see the gate agent crack a smile when she read out "Al Kyda"!!

LOL.. Pretty funny if you ask me.

After everything that is going on lately it is refreshing to see the lighter side of things.

A joke is a joke and no one was getting hurt in anyway

        

It reminds of the classic Airport Announcement Prank that was emailed around several years ago. Hilarious!!

Quoting MANYQB (Reply 4): announcements included names that sounded like 'my colleague just farted'...

... you mean these...

Foreign Name
Sounds Like

Arheddis Varkenjaab and Aywellbe Fayed
I hate this fucking job, and I will be fired

Arhevbin Fayed and Bybeiev Rhibodie
I‘ve just been fired, and bye-bye everybody

Aynayda Pizaqvick and Malexa Kriest
I need a piss quick, and my legs are crossed

Awul Dasfilshabeda and Nowaynayda Zheet
Oo-ah, that ‘ s better and now I need a shit

Makollig Jezvahted and Levdaroum DeBahzted
My colleague just farted, and left the room, the bastard

Steelaygot Maowenbach and Tuka Piziniztee
Still, I got my own back and took a piss in his tea

Quoting BHXFAOTIPYYC (Reply 12): you mean these... Foreign Name Sounds Like Arheddis Varkenjaab and Aywellbe Fayed I hate this fucking job, and I will be fired

Quoting IFEMaster (Reply 11): Airport Announcement Prank

That's the one... Thanks 

Paul

Quoting AIRCANL1011 (Reply 10): A joke is a joke and no one was getting hurt in anyway

...the only pain was a few hundred $$ that the tv producers had to shell for the tixs. Harmless prank and it did not involve any security snafus.

Classic!

thats pretty funny. Some names in this world are just funny or related to other things..

Quoting Cwapilot (Reply 5): However, how they were able to succeed with this gag given today's security climate is rather troubling when you think about it. They got to the boarding gate with a boarding pass with no proper ID.

I imagine its the same in Australia as it is in the UK in that you only need a boarding pass to go through security and not any form of ID. That is supposed to be checked at the boarding gate (but actually often isn't).

Hence it is not troubling at all, thats just the way it works in many countries outside the US.

Quoting IFEMaster (Reply 11): t reminds of the classic Airport Announcement Prank that was emailed around several years ago. Hilarious!!

        

Those announcements are hilarious.

Quoting BHXFAOTIPYYC (Reply 12): Aynayda Pizaqvick and Malexa Kriest I need a piss quick, and my legs are crossed

i sure did after nearly wetting my pants watching that vid and listening to the audio clips !!!

I don't understand how they got the boarding passes using the kiosk. Don't you need a credit card to pull up the PNR? If they made up the names then how did they access the PNR since they obviously didn't have cards with those names on them?

Couldnt this person/people have checked in online and never even gone through security and to the gate area....

Heck they could have checked in online and never even gone to the airport.

The airline would still show them checked in and page for them.

Quoting MeanGreen (Reply 19): If they made up the names then how did they access the PNR since they obviously didn't have cards with those names on them?

They didn't, but you can use your card to book tickets in other names. It's like booking a ticket for a child travelling alone. Although there may be some scrutiny of that policy after this.

Definitely in good humor.

Quoting ManchesterMAN (Reply 16): I imagine its the same in Australia as it is in the UK in that you only need a boarding pass to go through security and not any form of ID. That is supposed to be checked at the boarding gate (but actually often isn't). Hence it is not troubling at all, thats just the way it works in many countries outside the US.

Over here, you don't need a boarding pass to pass through security in domestic terminals. As long as you pass the security screen point, then you can proceed straight to the gate. The boarding pass will only be checked when you board the flight.

That's why I enjoy the Australian and British sense of humor so much, as opposed to North America. They can always find a sense of humor in any situation, no matter how bad. That's a generalization, of course, but especially Australians I find much more laid back. When I worked for Delta, and we had a delay, found the Australians in general much easier to deal with: "Well, it's not the end of the world mate, maybe now we will see another part of the US we didn't think we'd get to see!" etc.
Checking in the same flight to Atlanta one day, I had 2 separate families, one Australian and one American. In both cases, their holidays had been disrupted by delayed baggage. The Americans said: "Delta spoiled our holiday by delaying our baggage, we had to waste a whole day shopping". The Australians said: "It's OK mate, it was hot and we got to run around in our undies. Anyway, we got to spend an extra day here, because we decided to wait for the bags, and we had a great time". The American family were given a refund check by me, thanks to Delta's great empowerment policy, I didn't have to get it sent to them, or run around looking for a supervisor etc. etc. The Australians, I rebooked via an extra city, so they could spend some time there, and they were very happy. The ended up giving me their address in Sydney, and when I went over there in March this year we hooked up and had a lot of laughs. We each made new friends.
I realize these are just 2 situations, and yes, it could have happened the other way around. What gets me is the attitude: Delta did not spoil their holiday for them, they permitted a difficult situation to let it spoil their holiday. By the way, it not all the luggage was lost, just one suitcase. Even the 2 bratty kids, who were just as obese as the parents, stared daggers at me while I was preparing things for them, as though I had a part in it too. I might add, the four of them were on F-Class mileage tickets.
Don't get me wrong, this is one of few bad incidents I remember, most of my years with the airlines were very memorable in a positive way. I made friends with a lot of passengers, enjoyed meeting the regulars and helping where I could. I sat beside a lot of frequent flyers, in both first and coach, and spent many delightful hours engaged in stimulating conversation. In the end it was all good.
Cheers,
AY104

Australians do have a certain 'no worries' attitude and seem to have few problems with making fun of the sillness of their world and the world in general. No foul langage was used, it was quite obious to be a prank and no one apparently boarded the flight under those names. I would agree that the timing of the joke may have been poor, but sometimes we need to prove how stupid our way of life has become where we are slaves to computers and few human contacts.
I would agree that as in the USA and many other countries, they should check the boarding passes at security checkpoints against appropiate ID documents (passport, drivers license, national ID cards) not only for necessary security reasons, but also to prevent resale of tickets to those trying to save money by buying tickets from someone else.

Quoting ManchesterMAN (Reply 16): imagine its the same in Australia as it is in the UK in that you only need a boarding pass to go through security and not any form of ID. That is supposed to be checked at the boarding gate (but actually often isn't). Hence it is not troubling at all, thats just the way it works in many countries outside the US.

anybody who passes through security can get into the domestic depature area... with or without a boarding pass. Basically they just need to ensure that you actually aren't carrying anything you shouldn't.. regardless if you have a ticket or not. About 2 weeks ago, there was an issue in the media how Qantas self-check in machines were a weakness in the system because no ID was needed to check in. (you can type in you're reciept number from you booking and start the process this way instead using a credit card)

This would have been a direct response to that. Think about this guys. As silly as the names sounded, everybody involved had to pass thru security and were checked for dangerous items, all which would have had none on them. Therefore no real risk to security and safety was present at all.

Quoting Cwapilot (Reply 2): Somebody can be one distracted attendant away from boarding an Australian domestic flight? And despite the fact that this is a criminal offense, it is laughed off?

No flight was boarded and this can't happen. You don't need the ID to get on a domestic flight at boarding(but the usual proceedure is to show at check in) How does it make it any safer? I can produce a fake ID very easily if i want to appear to have a different name. The important thing is that no harmful substances/weapons are carryed into the secure area.

In South Africa I went through security many times and they did not check my ID once, not even at the gate to board this airplane. This was the case for both my domestic and international flights...it's not hard to pass for someone else once you check in.

I sure like Australians, last time in Koh Chang me and by boyfriend m/m, had so much fun with the couple, man and girl, in the bungalow besides us. When I meet Aussies around the world and in Copenhagen, so easy to talk and have a laugh with. They are relaxed and I think their humour are great. Nice people

Haha this was on the Chaser's War on Everything last night (Friday). As many people have said, in Australia anyone can go through security all the way to the gate for domestic flights.

Quoting Cwapilot (Reply 2): Somebody can be one distracted attendant away from boarding an Australian domestic flight? And despite the fact that this is a criminal offense, it is laughed off? You're right...so much wiser than those stupid Americans...

How is it a criminal offence? They made a booking under that name, payed with their/company credit card, went through security as usual, and just waited to hear their names be called. Yhea it was a prank, but hardly against the law.

In a seperate prank last night, two of them walked into the DJ and QF terminals, wearing nothing but underwear and huge plastic bags.

flyingKangaroo

Quoting Cwapilot (Reply 2): And despite the fact that this is a criminal offense, it is laughed off?

Do you know anything about Australian laws. How does this count as a Criminal offence??

Quoting Cwapilot (Reply 2): So, it's that easy to buy a ticket get a boarding pass and sit in the waiting area at the gate (meaning get through security) without showing proper ID? Somebody can be one distracted attendant away from boarding an Australian domestic flight? And despite the fact that this is a criminal offense, it is laughed off? You're right...so much wiser than those stupid Americans...

You are looking at it with the benifit of hindsight. Put yourself there on the day with the pressures of the job where you probably have to make PA's for pax several times a day, is anyone really going to sit down and analyse a name to see if has a double meaning? Apart from anything else, what if those names had been genuine, unfortunate, but genuine?

Mate, if you really think that you should get out abit more.

Quoting AY104 (Reply 23): Australians I find much more laid back

simply excellent!

enzedder

Good joke!!!
Given the moments is better make fun of the situation than being scared!!
It made me laugh a lot
  
Wish everyone could take the situation nowadayswith humour.

Quoting TinkerBelle (Reply 17):

Does anyone still have that?

Aaron   

Quoting Azza40 (Reply 34): Does anyone still have that? Aaron

Yeah they can be found on Ebaumsworld

Many year ago we had a passenger missing at the boarding gate and had to page for him and make announcements in the entire passenger terminal five times.

His name was Mr. Wanker.

Reminds me of how some airport staff in the UK say "f**K you" to the passengers but pronounce it so it sounds like "far queue". Hilarious to hear.

Quoting FlyingKangaroo (Reply 28): In a seperate prank last night, two of them walked into the DJ and QF terminals, wearing nothing but underwear and huge plastic bags.

Were they clear plastic bags?   
Please, with the way things are going as to security issues, that may become the way we will all have to dress on an aircraft. Don't give the security managers any bright ideas.

Cwapilot: Lighten up mate! This was a totally harmless TV stunt by a team of well known comedians.

The Chaser is possibly the funniest show on Australian TV - on the government funded network no less - and they often do stunts that push the boundaries. Just a couple of weeks ago they ran up to the Prime Minister (a.k.a. the Texas village idiot's lapdog) giving him a hug. The stunt was inspired by news footage of high school girls mobbing him like a rock star. That is the kind of free society that we still live in here despite a certain amount of scare mongering from the conservative side of government. "War on Terror" is always written in the media here in quotation marks showing the healthy spirit of Australian suspicion for being told what to think.

Having said all that, airport security is thorough and effective. The fact that the chaser's stunt could happen shows that the whole thing was totally harmless. If there was any danger to anyone, security would have prevented it.

Quoting CX777Fan (Reply 39):

Well explained. You couldn't have said it any better.

Quoting Cwapilot (Reply 2): Somebody can be one distracted attendant away from boarding an Australian domestic flight? And despite the fact that this is a criminal offense, it is laughed off? You're right...so much wiser than those stupid Americans...

CWApilot, have you ever been to Australia? Where did I or anybody else suggest we (and I AM AUSTRALIAN) are so much better then those stupid americans. Furthermore, Virgins signs are in reference to using the "b" word. (people get in the joking mood around virgin, especially when they're in holiday mode and have been sitting in the airport bar on the weekends)I'm glad most people here can see can see the funny side of it all, but i'm afraid you just proved my original point regarding "what would happen" at LAX by your reaction dude. This is my country and I'm glade it still has a sense of humour, and doesn't take it self too seriously. Not to throw fuel on the fire, but we can still manage to run secure and profitable airlines here and manage with our attitude. Our staff are still reasonably paid and there's still somewhat decent level of service. So maybe,...just maybe we haven't got everything wrong.

Quoting CX777Fan (Reply 39): The Chaser is possibly the funniest show on Australian TV - on the government funded network no less - and they often do stunts that push the boundaries.

So The Chaser is somewhat like the Australian version of our Jackass. (Except it went off the air, though I movie is coming out soon)

Sounds like similar stuff...On Jackass they once rented a car, declined the insurance, and then entered the car in a destruction derby. They of course then returned it and the great tag line to the whole thing is when they tell the rental guy, "I hit a dog".

The Chaser, like much comedy in Australia tends mostly towards irreverent topical and political satire - as shown by the silly names and plastic bag stunts. Never saw Jackass, but it might be a bit similar.

Another recent stunt was when they pulled up in front of a Navy base in a car with a helicopter rotor on the roof and tried to sell the Navy a helicopter that didn't fly for much less than the real ones that didn't work that they had recently bought for billions of dollars.

I wish we had a show like that here, sounds interesting and funny. Jackass is more like gross out humour and taking pain for no reason.
I guess the closest show we have is the Daily Show. It is pretty funny to see them interview a politician (who always seems to think he is taking part in a serious interview) and then they ask him stupid questions.
I remember Steven Colbert was interviewing a pornstar who was running for governor of california, and every minute or so there would be a knock on the door and a pizza boy would be there. And of course he would start the "Pizza, I didn't order any pizza!"

Good on the Australians for poking fun at the mass hysteria that has gripped much of the West. The U.S. and British governments can issue all the orange, red, purple or mauve alerts that they want, but they cannot make everyone by their propoganda. Sure we have to take security precautions to make sure that we never have another 9-11 or Air India disaster, but we can't grind our transport infrastructure to a hault.

Quoting Singapore_Air (Thread starter): Virgin Blue described The Chaser's stunt as "childish humour" but said security was never at risk.

I agree.. lame joke.

Yeah, if this this kind of stuff akes you laugh it just goes to show how a lot of you smoothly switch between Anet aviation "experts" and being childish.

There's also a classic SNL sketch with Robert Deniro done a few years ago where he is supposed to be a spokesman for TSA or DHS and he's reading off some hilarious suspect terrorist names.....

http://www.gorillamask.net/denirosnl.shtml

Quoting N702ML (Reply 20): The airline would still show them checked in and page for them.

I never page any passengers who have no luggage checked in. If they don't show up it's their problem, not the flight's because there are no bags to unload. I suppose these guys never checked any bags, right?