Ask Away: Ear plugs or noise-cancelling headphones can block out noises

Ear plugs or noise-cancelling headphones can help if a fellow passenger is snoring. Photo / Getty Images

I have read the article by Pamela Wade regarding luggage locks and noted her comments about travel to the USA.

As I will be travelling to the USA in the near future do you have any info on what type of locks are acceptable? Or are there any websites that have this info?

I usually just use a small padlock (which probably wouldn't stop anybody who wanted to open it).

- David

In the US, the TSA screen every bag before they are placed on an aircraft. Some of the screening is done electronically, but there are times bags might need to be opened. It's recommended you use a TSA-approved lock, which can be opened by their master key.

These can be purchased at The Warehouse, Kathmandu and other shops.

There have still been complaints of TSA compliant locks being snipped off, so some travellers opt to just use cable ties instead.

You're right though — a lock won't necessarily stop anyone who wants to open a suitcase.

Many can easily be bypassed by sticking a pen through the zipper - unless you buy a very expensive suitcase that prevents it.

We are a couple, 77 and 74, planning to travel later this year. What medical cover does the reciprocal agreement between our country and Australia provide?

- John

I've covered this earlier, but the reciprocal agreement with Australia offers limited subsidised health services and only covers medically necessary treatment. This means any ill health or injury that happens while in Australia that requires treatment before you return home. However, this doesn't cover emergency ambulance treatment or subsidised care from a GP.

It's still recommended that you get travel insurance as well.

What can I do if I'm sitting next to someone who snores all the way through a long-haul flight? Can I get away with waking them to shut them up?

- Colin

If you've been reading our online travel section, you'll be aware that "air rage" incidents are on the rise. Don't be that guy! I've been known to snore on occasion and I can tell you I feel terribly guilty about it, so I wouldn't be too offended if someone "accidentally" nudged me gently to wake me up. Others might not feel the same way though, and dramas could ensue.

Anyone who really wants to sleep on a flight should be prepared - that means ear plugs, noise-cancelling headphones, or even better, a sleeping pill. And even in perfect conditions, the sleep isn't going to be great.

Readers respond:

A hearing-impaired reader wrote in to share his experiences — he recommended not using a hearing aid while using headphones in an aircraft, as it will amplify the noise as well as the music. It's best to adjust the volume on your device.

"Then the aircraft noise is reduced compared to the music/movie signal. That's even before using noise-cancelling.

For this reason, being hearing-impaired can actually be an advantage to a degree.

"I have used about 4 different makes and models of noise-cancelling headphones in aircraft. Without quoting models I can say that some noise-cancelling is way better than others, and it's best to test if you can, maybe as a passenger in a car."

This last tip would be of use to anyone with noise-cancelling headphones: "Don't forget to remove the battery when not being used. A leaking battery destroyed one set for me."

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