Excuse for Not Attending to Call Button on Int'l Flights

[James P]

Last October we took a trip to Honkers in Y class. In Adelaide and at the Melbourne stopover on the way there, we could buy water to drink on the plane before departure, after clearing customs. Following this practice for the homeward leg, we purchased drinking water in the departure lounge. It was confiscated by Australian customs at their check point on the aerobridge, by the door of the aircraft. Trying to get a soft drink or water from flight attendants on the 9 hour flight home was nigh-on impossible. I eventually went to the galley and asked for water and was given about 100mls in a disposable cup. I stood there, drank it, and asked for a re-fill. You would have thought I was asking for liquid gold. Arrived home feeling very dehyrated. I understand the Australian government's liquids rule, but I wish we had been told the implementation was different when leaving a foreign port to come to Australia. I also think if you can't bring water on with you, the airline has an obligation to keep you hydrated. We only ever saw the flight attendants during a meal service/drinks service. Apart from that they hid in the galley.