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Airport worker steals half a million dollars of personal items

<p>A trusted worker at Sydney Airport has been jailed for two years after stealing more than $450,000 worth of personal items from airport cargo. </p> <p>The 38-year-old man from Western Sydney, who was a freight handler at the airport, was identified as a potential suspect when the thefts of personal electronic items were first reported in February 2022.</p> <p>Several months later, he was found with $189,000 cash in the boot of his car, according to Australian Federal Police. </p> <p>The AFP then found that a further $261,000 had been transferred into the man’s personal bank accounts, after a number of stolen devices had been “sold, gifted, or kept for personal use”.</p> <p>“This money, which totalled $450,000, was criminal proceeds generated from the sale of the stolen electronic devices,” AFP said.</p> <p>The man was charged with receiving stolen property and knowingly dealing with proceeds of crime, while his partner, a 45-year-old woman, was charged with two counts of dealing with money or other property reasonable to be suspected of being proceeds of crime under $100,000.</p> <p>The pair pleaded guilty to the charges in December 2023, and on Wednesday the man was sentenced to three years and four months in jail, with a non-parole period of two years.</p> <p>The woman was to an intensive corrections order of 70 hours community service.</p> <p>AFP Sydney Airport Police Commander Morgen Blunden said the pair was “motivated by profit and greed”.</p> <p>“People with trusted access in an airport precinct are critical to the successful operation of Australia’s tourism and trade sectors,” Blunden said.</p> <p>“But the AFP will not hesitate to investigate and prosecute those who abuse this trust. AFP has zero tolerance for those to abuse their access to air-side operations for their illegal pursuits.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Ship seized carrying $6m in illegal cargo – but it's not what anyone expected to find

<p>A ship containing 12.3 million illegally caught seahorses that was bound for Asia has been seized by Peruvian authorities.</p> <p>A Coast Guard ship detected the vessel “Adonay”, which was almost 200 miles off the  seaside city of Callao before it was steered back to Peru’s main seafood port.</p> <p>Officials said that the seahorses were illegally taken from Pacific Ocean waters and packed into 55 boxes that weighed more than 2,300 pounds.</p> <p>The seahorses were expected to be sold on the international market, as the small marine fish has a value of more than $6 million.</p> <p><img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7831542/seahorse-body.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/60515ae019f74291bcfcdec5a842a075" /></p> <p>Investigators explained the reason behind the large number of seahorses, by explaining that they are viewed as a prime source of traditional Chinese medicine. The use of seahorses is thought to play a large role in curing infertility, baldness, asthma and arthritis.</p> <p>Authorities arrested three Peruvian men and a male Venezuelan national. The suspects face between three to five years in prison if they’re found guilty.</p> <p>Fishing, transportation and commercialisation of seahorses has been prohibited in Peru since August, 2004.</p> <p><em>Photo source: <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.gob.pe/institucion/produce/noticias/52025-produce-decomisa-mas-de-12-3-millones-de-caballitos-de-mar-extraidos-ilegalmente-en-el-mar-del-callao" target="_blank">GOB.PE</a> </em></p>

Travel Trouble

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This might be the cheapest way to travel the world

<p>There's no climbing wall or karaoke to be found. No uniforms or luxury restaurants. And there are only a handful of passengers. In other words, cargo cruises are a little bit different than your classic cruise ships.</p> <p>On cargo cruises, passengers join crew members on monstrous container ships that deliver goods to ports across the globe. Aside from being a unique immersive experience, it's a way to see the world for a fraction of the cost of plane tickets or regular cruises.</p> <p>Here's what you need to know before embarking on the open seas in a cargo ship.</p> <p><strong>To book a cargo cruise, you’ll need to go through an agent that specialises in cargo cruise travel</strong></p> <p>There's a reason you probably haven't heard of cargo cruises — most travel agents don't book them. You'll need to go through an agent that specialises in cargo cruise travel or get in touch with a ship's manager.</p> <p>Freighter voyages usually require months of advance planning, but they rarely have set schedules. Arrivals and departures can depend on how long it takes to load or unload cargo, how busy a port is, and weather conditions. Sometimes, a departure window is given instead of an exact date. Bottom line: flexibility is a must.</p> <p><strong>It’s cheaper (and cooler) than flying</strong></p> <p>Cargo cruises cost as little as $65 a day but most people are looking at between $160 and $190 a day. This fee includes lodging, three meals a day, and taxes. Voyages usually last between 40 and 50 days, but some people opt for segmented trips that last a few weeks, leaving on a boat, disembarking at a port, and returning home by plane.</p> <p><strong>It’s not a luxury liner, but it’s pretty great</strong></p> <p>Cargo ships are utilitarian boats. They don't have stabilisers, but with a big enough ship and a heavy enough load of cargo, you won't feel the waves. There are also lots of stairs, so hold on to the railings and wear sturdy shoes.</p> <p>The accommodations are spacious and comfortable, as nice as those on regular cruise ships. And since container ships don't take more than a dozen passengers, there's plenty of room to spread out.</p> <p>Think you could hack it on a cargo ship?</p> <p><em>Written by Talia Lakritz. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/cruising/2017/02/the-other-side-of-the-multibillion-dollar-cruising-industry/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>The other side of the multibillion dollar cruising industry</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/cruising/2017/02/what-to-expect-if-you-get-hurt-or-sick-on-a-cruise/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>What to expect if you get hurt or sick on a cruise</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/cruising/2017/01/beat-post-cruise-holiday-blues/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>5 ways to beat the post-cruise blues</strong></em></span></a></p>

Cruising

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The cheapest cruise you can go on

<p>There's no climbing wall or karaoke to be found. No uniforms or luxury restaurants. And there are only a handful of passengers. In other words, cargo cruises are a little bit different than your classic cruise ships.</p> <p>On cargo cruises, passengers join crew members on monstrous container ships that deliver goods to ports across the globe. Aside from being a unique immersive experience, it's a way to see the world for a fraction of the cost of plane tickets or regular cruises.</p> <p>Here's what you need to know before embarking on the open seas in a cargo ship.</p> <p>There's a reason you probably haven't heard of cargo cruises – most travel agents don't book them. You'll need to go through an agent that specialises in cargo cruise travel or get in touch with a ship's manager.</p> <p>Freighter voyages usually require months of advance planning, but they rarely have set schedules. Arrivals and departures can depend on how long it takes to load or unload cargo, how busy a port is, and weather conditions. Sometimes, a departure window is given instead of an exact date. Bottom line: flexibility is a must.</p> <p><strong>It’s cheaper (and cooler) than flying</strong></p> <p>Cargo cruises cost as little as $65 a day, but most people are looking at between $160 and $190 a day. This fee includes lodging, three meals a day, and taxes. Voyages usually last between 40 and 50 days, but some people opt for segmented trips that last a few weeks, leaving on a boat, disembarking at a port, and returning home by plane.</p> <p><strong>It’s not a luxury liner, but it’s pretty great</strong></p> <p>Cargo ships are utilitarian boats. They don't have stabilisers, but with a big enough ship and a heavy enough load of cargo, you won't feel the waves. There are also lots of stairs, so hold on to the railings and wear sturdy shoes.</p> <p>The accommodations are spacious and comfortable, as nice as those on regular cruise ships. And since container ships don't take more than a dozen passengers, there's plenty of room to spread out.</p> <p><strong>You’ll have to keep yourself entertained</strong></p> <p>The crew is there to work, not entertain, but everyone on the ship eats meals together, which gives you plenty of great opportunities to chat. There's no wifi, and phone access is limited to a ship's single satellite phone, so make sure you come equipped with plenty of books, games, writing materials, knitting projects, or whatever will keep you occupied. There will also be gorgeous views of sunrises, sunsets, and constellations to marvel at.</p> <p>Most ships also feature a rec room, bar, and swimming pool. Some even have a sauna and a gym.</p> <p>Is travelling on a container ship for you? If you've got a flexible schedule and a sense of adventure, go for it.</p> <p>Have you or someone you know ever travelled on a cargo cruise? We’d love to hear your experience. Tell us all about it in the comments below.</p> <p><em>Written by Talia Lakritz. First appeared on<a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz"><strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/cruising/2016/06/cruise-ship-captains-reveal-their-favourite-locations/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Cruise ship captains reveal their favourite locations</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/cruising/2016/04/7-cruises-full-of-action-and-adventure/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>7 cruises full of action and adventure</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/12/cheapest-way-to-cruise-the-world/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Retired Aussie discovers the cheapest way to cruise the world</strong></em></span></a></p>

Cruising

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Baggage handler locked in cargo hold for flight

<p>A baggage handler was locked inside an airplane's cargo area during a 1.5 hour flight from North Carolina to northern Virginia.</p> <p>A United Airlines spokeswoman said Monday that the airline was looking into how it had happened. The baggage handler was unharmed.</p> <p>United Express flight 6060, operated by Mesa Airlines, took off from Charlotte Douglas Airport just before 3pm on Sunday and landed at Washington-Dulles on schedule about 90 minutes later.</p> <p>The plane, a 50-seat Embraer 170, rose to 27,000 feet, according to flight records. A United spokeswoman could not say Monday whether the plane's cargo hold was temperature controlled or pressurised.</p> <p>At some point, workers in Charlotte, North Carolina, realised there was a possibility that someone was locked in the belly of the airplane and contacted the Federal Aviation Administration. They, in turn, alerted officials at Dulles, according to airport officials there.</p> <p>Emergency responders at Dulles were waiting at the gate.</p> <p>The baggage handler was an employee of G2 Secure Staff, a United vendor based in Texas that supplies baggage handling services, airline officials said.</p> <p>A company representative did not respond to a message or email Monday evening.</p> <p>What a scary situation! Have you ever lost baggage?</p> <p><em>Written by Shawn Boburg. First appeared on <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz">Stuff.co.nz.</a></span></strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2017/01/passengers-should-be-weighed-for-flights-according-to-fellow-flyers/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Passengers should be weighed for flights, according to fellow flyers</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/travel-tips/2017/01/snake-on-a-plane-grounds-emirates-flight/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Snake on a plane grounds Emirates flight</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2017/01/why-passengers-always-board-planes-from-the-left-side/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Why passengers always board planes from the left side</strong></em></span></a></p>

Travel Tips

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Controversial new plane design has passengers sitting in the cargo hold

<p>Suddenly economy class is looking a whole lot more comfortable!</p> <p>Zodiac Aerospace, a French aerospace firm, has filed a patent for a new airplane design that would see passengers virtually sitting in the plane’s cargo hold, without windows.</p> <p>And while the idea seems outlandish now, it’s one that is increasingly gaining popularity among aviation engineers who are trying to figure out how to fit more passengers on planes.</p> <p><img width="499" height="375" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/12156/plane-one_499x375.jpg" alt="Plane One" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p><em>Section 18 and 20 would be turned into passenger cabins in the new design. Image credit: Zodiac Seats France</em></p> <p>The airfares for seats in this section of the place would of course be much cheaper than standard seats, and as Zodiac Aerospace say in the patent, “The general goal is for the passenger experience in the lower deck cabin to be similar to the passenger experience in the upper deck cabin.”</p> <p>Earlier this year Zodiac Aerospace flagged the development of another controversial new seating system that would see passengers facing each other diagonally, as detailed in the figure below.</p> <p><img width="497" height="280" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/12155/plane-three_497x280.jpg" alt="Plane Three" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p><em>Image credit: Zodiac Seats France</em></p> <p>And while the patents may not necessarily get off the ground, it’s an interesting look at the direction air travel could possibly be heading in the not so distant future. </p> <p><em><strong>No matter where you’re travelling to, making sure you know how to access your cash while away – and in the most affordable way – is very important. Easy to use and with countless benefits, the Over60 Cash Passport allows you to securely access your cash in the same way you use an ATM or credit card­.<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://oversixty.cashpassport.com.au"> To find out how you can apply for a card today, click here.</a> </span></strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Have you arranged your travel insurance yet? Tailor your cover to your needs and save money by not paying for things you don’t need. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://elevate.agatravelinsurance.com.au/oversixty?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=content&amp;utm_content=link1&amp;utm_campaign=travel-insurance">Click here</a> </span>to read more about Over60 Travel Insurance.</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>For more information about Over60 Travel Insurance, call 1800 622 966.</strong></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/travel/travel-tips/2015/11/how-to-make-cheap-calls-overseas/"><strong>5 tips for making affordable calls overseas</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/travel/travel-tips/2015/12/11-weirdest-museums-in-the-world/"><strong>11 weirdest museums in the world</strong></a></em></span></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><a href="/travel/travel-tips/2015/12/sleep-on-plane-tips/"><strong>10 tips for sleeping on a plane</strong></a></em></span></p>

Travel Tips

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Retiree discovers the cheapest way to cruise the world

<p>Seeing the world from the deck of a cruise ship might be at the top of many New Zealander’s bucket list, but for some, the high cost of a luxury cruise puts this dream out of reach. If you’re looking to see the world by cruise and save money, retiree John McGuffick might have the answer: cargo ships.</p> <p>McGuffick, 72, has been travelling the world on a budget for almost two decades, thanks to freighter. He says this unconventional holiday option has led to some incredible experiences you wouldn’t be able to have on a luxury cruise.</p> <p>“I’ve had some magnificent meals that you wouldn’t even get on passenger ships,” says McGuffick in an interview with Traveller. “One Filipino chef made crepes the size of dinner plates and stacked a foot high.”</p> <p>The Cooma local took his maiden voyage on a cargo ship in 1998 and has never looked back. His globe-trotting adventures have taken him to Southampton, Gothenburg, Philadelphia and Singapore, to name a few.</p> <p>As for his favourite freighter holiday? A trip to San Francisco stands out as highlight. “It was a magnificent sight,” he says, reminiscing on passing under the Golden Gate Bridge. “Clear sky and illuminated. It was fantastic.”</p> <p>If you’re considering a cargo ship holiday, here are McGuffick’s top tips, courtesy of Traveller.</p> <p><strong>Stock up on reading material</strong></p> <p>There’s no upper deck pool, fancy bar or casino on this ride. Make sure you bring enough activities to keep you entertained.</p> <p><strong>Bring a bike</strong></p> <p>Most container ships dock at remote ports, so bringing your own bike is a great, easy way to get to the centre of town for site seeing.</p> <p><strong>Embrace no internet</strong></p> <p>If the thought of no emails, Facebook notifications or messages excites you, this trip is the perfect opportunity to get off the grid. If you want internet, McGuffick tells Traveller the best option is to bring your own portable satellite data link.</p> <p><strong>Pack running shoes</strong></p> <p>Most vessels will give you access to working parts of the ship if you’ve got proper shoes with track. This is a working cargo ship so be sure to take note of the safety warnings. </p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/12/air-new-zealand-named-airline-of-the-year/">Kiwi airline named “Best Airline of the Year”!</a></em></strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/12/best-countries-to-visit-in-2016/">Top 10 countries to visit in 2016</a></em></strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong><em><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/travel/international/2015/11/places-to-visit-us-south/">6 must-visit destinations in American South</a></em></strong></p> <p><strong><em><a href="/travel/travel-club/2015/02/survive-a-long-haul-flight/" target="_self"> </a></em></strong></p>

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