Oh so odd again
Attempting to access /admin/packages
Redirected to /admin
My hosting company recently changed folder permissions to get cron running
I see a new htaccess file in public_html/temporary
allow from none deny from all
Well it looks like I was attempting to access it from admin user vs. superuser. I am guessing thats the issue - I didnt know they were diffrent
My mistake
Glad you figured it out. Maybe someday SE will address the FR about security levels/access within ADMINcp instead of (basically) and all in or out scenario, especially since a 3PD can't develop it (well, at least not a Certified product) since it will be majorly modifying Core.