@Lee-Ann ******

5 seconds to remove glasses vs 1 minute the manual way, more if you have a more complex passport to process

It's gone, mentally write it off and report it stolen. It was stolen for a reason. Never trust Hostels.

@Robert ********

Not Hanoi either, the reviews are razor accurate

@David ********

No, they intentionally make it very hard to break and do not have a clear 180 day rule.

Even if you live in Thailand 365 days a year living in a Condo you bought, if you merely think Australia is still your home, you're still a tax resident. The battle and onus is proving your not.

I recommend keeping an Australian licence valid, an Aussi phone number and Australian bank accounts ope. On your tax return say you are still an Australian tax resident

Its a real pain to to meet their tests, ie have you taken yourself off the electoral role, closed bank accounts, sold all your assets in Aus etc

Ais, go to a physical store with your passport. They should have an English letter of all the plans and are often cheaper than online

@Carlos ********

No problem. Just trying to clear up some misconceptions.

The pressures and discomfort on the ears is a good point I dont have any answers on.

Some animals were lightly sedated with a xanax like medication for anxiety. Most were not was my understanding and that it required extra steps.

@Carlos ********

Our A320’s had cargo hold heaters. ~23c sounds about right for a cabin temp.

The 787 was even more advanced and had multiple zones including a specific hold that could even be turned into a fridge for perishables. Certainly not a design afterthought!

More likely a small turboprop would be noiser, bumpier and have a less sophisticated heating system such as the cabin air vents you mention.

The level of pressurisation you experience would be about the same between turbo props and airliners (8000ft) regardless of how high the plane actually flys. The latest long haul 787/a350’s are pressurised to an even lower altitude (6000ft) which might be a consideration to what airline you choose compared to an older a.

@Jo *********

I agree and don’t deny deaths and injuries occur. Even people die on a very regular basis flying due to these same factors!

This is a valid issue and why the suitability of transporting a particular animal needs to be done on a case by case basis and avoided where possible.

At least where I worked the animal was assessed by a Vet before and after every sector. Time spent on the ramp (noisy/fumes) was also planned and minimised.

Temperature in the cargo hold (at least on the Airbus A320) is selectable and able to be set/monitored by the flightcrew. No doubt the case for other modern airliners.

Flight crew are explicitly made aware if animals are being transported and have procedures to follow when that is the case. Ive even seen live fish, birds and even bees loaded!

Never been in a cargo hold during flight but wouldn’t be surprised if it was quieter than the cabin due to the amount of bags. It still is insulated the same as the cabin.

Not trying to dispute you, just worked in the industry and know some of the dedicated teams who look after the animals at airports. They take their jobs very seriously.

@Carlos ********

This is false. All airliners including regional turboprops have pressurised cargo holds and are carefully monitored.

If it wasn’t, 100% of animals transported would die.