Owais Crawford
Canadian airport security has been criticised by some as being flawed and arbitrary. Passengers are required to pass through security screening, which includes presenting a boarding pass for verification, placing personal items in bins, and sending carry-on luggage through an X-ray machine. They then proceed through a full-body scanner or a walk-through metal detector. Some passengers are randomly selected for additional screening, which may include a physical search or swabbing for explosive trace detection. While security measures aim to ensure the safety of travellers, critics argue that the system is inefficient and ineffective, focusing on checking items rather than identifying individuals with malicious intent.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Screening authority | CATSA (Canadian Air Transport Security Authority) |
| Screening process | Verification of boarding pass, X-ray scanning of personal items and carry-on bags, walk-through metal detector, full-body scanner |
| Additional screening | Random selection, alarm trigger, swabbing using explosive trace detection (ETD), hand-wand metal detection, physical search, full-body scan |
| Liquids | Allowed in containers no larger than 100ml, placed in a clear, resealable plastic bag |
| Religious accommodations | Religious head coverings allowed unless it causes an alarm, in which case a private search may be requested |
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What You'll Learn
Screening processes
All passengers at Canadian airports must go through security screening, which includes the following steps:
Firstly, passengers must present their boarding pass for verification and may need to show photo identification. Personal items should be placed in bins and sent through the X-ray machine, along with carry-on baggage. Passengers will then be asked to stand in the full-body scanner (FBS) or pass through the walk-through metal detector (WTMD).
If a passenger triggers an alarm at the FBS or WTMD, or if their bag triggers an alarm at the X-ray machine, or if they are selected at random, they may be asked to undergo additional screening. This could include a screening officer using a hand-wand device to detect metal objects, a partial or full physical search of the passenger or their baggage, a scan using a full-body scanner, or swabbing using explosive trace detection (ETD).
Passengers wearing religious head coverings may keep them on, but any head covering that triggers an alarm will require additional screening. If the alarm cannot be resolved, the passenger may be required to remove their head covering for a physical search, which can be conducted in a private room if requested.
To speed up the screening process, passengers are advised to be aware of carry-on baggage restrictions and to avoid wearing items that may set off the metal detector. Liquids, aerosols, and gels must be in containers no larger than 100ml and placed in a clear, resealable plastic bag.
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Banned items
Canadian airport security is stringent, and several items are banned from carry-on luggage. Passengers must pass through security screening, which includes presenting a boarding pass for verification and possibly photo identification. Personal items must be placed in bins and sent through an X-ray machine, and passengers must walk through a metal detector or stand in a full-body scanner.
Passengers are advised to be aware of carry-on baggage restrictions to speed up the screening process and avoid setting off the metal detector. Banned items from carry-on luggage include liquids, gels, and aerosols in containers larger than 100ml. These must be placed in a clear, resealable plastic bag, with only one bag per passenger.
Other prohibited items include belts with fake bullets, aerosol laundry starch, lacrosse sticks, and any sharp or potentially dangerous items. Passengers are advised to keep liquids to a minimum and purchase any additional liquids after passing through security.
In addition to these restrictions, certain items are subject to explosive trace detection (ETD) testing. Screening officers may swab carry-on baggage, clothing, shoes, or laptops, as well as a passenger's hands, waist, and footwear if a trace of a person is required.
Religious head coverings are generally permitted, but if they trigger an alarm, additional screening or a physical search in a private room may be necessary.
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Passenger profiling
Canadian airport security has been criticised as "useless and arbitrary", with security experts arguing that it assumes every passenger poses a potential terrorist threat. This approach involves treating every passenger as a potential terrorist, rather than focusing on identifying those with terrorist intentions.
The unpredictability of passenger profiling can make it challenging for potential threats to plot their way around airport security. By introducing a layer of intervention and disruption, profiling can make it more difficult for terrorists to anticipate and bypass security measures.
However, the effectiveness of passenger profiling is debated. There is currently no accurate data proving its success, and it has a large margin of error. Critics argue that it can lead to the unfair treatment and questioning of passengers, especially when considering factors that may cause nervous or unusual behaviour, such as fear of flying or feeling unwell.
The balance between security and civil liberties remains a contentious issue in the debate surrounding passenger profiling. While some experts argue that profiling is a crucial bulwark in airport security, others emphasise the potential for discrimination and the infringement of civil rights.
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Additional screening
All passengers at Canadian airports must undergo security screening, which includes the following:
If a passenger triggers an alarm at the full-body scanner or walk-through metal detector, or if their bag triggers an alarm at the X-ray machine, they may be subjected to additional screening. This is also the case if a passenger is randomly selected. This additional screening may include:
- The use of a hand-wand device to detect metal objects.
- A partial or full physical pat-down.
- A partial or full physical search of the passenger's carry-on bag.
- A full-body scan.
- Swabbing for explosive trace detection (ETD).
Passengers wearing religious head coverings may keep them on during screening. However, if the head covering triggers an alarm, additional screening of the head covering is required. If the alarm cannot be resolved, the passenger may be asked to remove the head covering for a physical search, which can be conducted in a private room upon request.
Screening officers may also swab carry-on baggage, clothing, shoes, or laptops for ETD. When a trace of a person is required, the officer will swab the passenger's hands, waist, and foot (or footwear) and then use ETD technology to test for explosives.
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Screening assistance
Firstly, passengers must present their boarding pass for verification and may be asked to show photo identification. Personal items and carry-on bags must then be sent through an X-ray machine. Passengers will be asked to stand in a full-body scanner (FBS) or pass through a walk-through metal detector (WTMD).
If a passenger triggers an alarm, they may be asked to undergo additional screening. This may include a screening officer using a hand-wand device to detect metal objects, a partial or full physical search, a scan using a full-body scanner, or swabbing using explosive trace detection (ETD).
Passengers with religious head coverings may keep them on, but any head covering that triggers an alarm will require additional screening. If the alarm cannot be resolved, the passenger may be asked to remove their head covering for a physical search, which can be conducted in a private room if requested.
To speed up the screening process, passengers are advised to be aware of carry-on baggage restrictions and to avoid wearing items that may set off the metal detector. Liquids, aerosols, and gels must be in containers no larger than 100ml and placed in a clear, resealable plastic bag.
CATSA has also introduced an innovative new screening system called CATSA Plus, designed to simplify and improve the passenger experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Canadian airport security is similar to the US airport security system. Every passenger at Canada's airports must pass through security screening provided by CATSA (Canadian Air Transport Security Authority). This includes presenting your boarding pass for verification, placing personal items in bins, sending your carry-on luggage through an X-ray machine, and passing through a walk-through metal detector (WTMD) or a full-body scanner (FBS).
Liquids must be in containers no larger than 100ml and placed in a clear, resealable plastic bag.
If you trigger an alarm, you may be asked to undergo additional screening, which may include a partial or full physical search (pat-down) and a swab using explosive trace detection (ETD).
Unlike in the US, you do not need to remove your shoes when flying domestically in Canada.
It is recommended to arrive at the airport at least 2-3 hours before your flight to account for potential delays and wait times at security.
