I am going to be making my first flight this weekend since the Sept 11 incident and was wondering about the current security practises.

There seems to be a wide range of comments on how "thorough" the security is. Since it will only be an overnight trip I plan on taking just a carry on and was wondering do they hand search the luggage, are they still confiscating razors, nail clippers, making you turn your computer on, etc.

Not that I have a problem with the security, I just want to know what to expect.

Thanks

I've been through YXU and YYZ as well as a couple of US airports,all with a carrry-on and a briefcase. At YXU, there seemed to be no difference at all from usual. Going through the transborder line at YYZ was very slow and the staff seemed to be doing a lot more hand-searching of bags, although I didn't have to open mine despite having a laptop, electric razor, camera, etc. In fact, I didn't have to open any bags over at least six different security gates. went through domestic security at YYZ at a quiet time, but there seemd to be nothing out of the ordinary. I left my nail clippers and corkscrew at home.
My impression is that it depends where you are, what you look like and who is working the lines.
There was more checking of phot IDs by airline staff, especially in Canada.

It's still variable. Sometimes they search your carry-ons and ask you to turn on all electronic items. Sometimes they seem completely uninterested in your luggage. I'd leave the nail clippers at home for now. It tends to take a bit longer to get through security, but I haven't had any really bad experiences in the last three weeks.

I found this interesting: On my return from YEG tonight to T2/YYZ, after retrieving my bag from the carousel -- this time my priority bag did come down among the first four -- and heading for the exit, I came on two security guards who were checking baggage tag numbers with the receipt portion. This had been done at many US airports in the past -- and at YVR for a while in the 80s -- but pretty much disappeared of late. This is the first time I have seen it at YYZ. So just remember not to put your ticket envelope too far out of reach.

Its good to see that back - its seems like it would just be too easy to grab someone's bag of the carousel and walk away.

Does anyone know if the domestic baggage claim at YYZ T-New is going to be set up much like T2, where passengers are kept 'sterile' (as opposed to baggage claim in YYC, for example)?

It's so different from place to place........

That's what scares me.......

I came on two security guards who were checking baggage tag numbers with the receipt portion.

Some airports in Asia (Japan) have been doing this for many years. I always thought it was a good idea because it would make sure that no one would steal your lugguage or grab the wrong one as they all look alike!

The lack of consistency is the worst part. It would be nice to see luggage always matched with its rightful owner. In more than three years now, I've only been stopped once ever for a bag tag check. (This was at YVR picking up my bag prior to connecting to a US-bound flight and clearing US immigration/customs.) More disturbing is that they don't even check on the way out from customs after an international flight. Someone could conceivably walk off with my bag and exit the customs area while I'm still stuck in the immigration line.

See also a thread entitled "For crying out loud: Why no Positive Bag Matching??" posted by Droneklax in the OMNI forum.

FewMiles..

------------------
FlyerTalkers' Resources on the Web: http://fewmiles.tripod.com/
Unofficial Guide to AAdvantage: http://fewmiles.tripod.com/AA/
Unofficial oneworld Info Desk: http://fewmiles.tripod.com/oneworld/

Someone could conceivably walk off with my bag and exit the customs area while I'm still stuck in the immigration line.

That's the last thing I would worry about. Not knowing whether one is flagged for secondary inspection until you exit the customs area, I doubt anyone would have the "guts" to take a stranger's luggauge with them not knowing what's inside.

It's domestic flights that I am concerned about. At airports such as YVR, people could walk up to the domestic bagguage claim area and just take off with a couple of lugguage.

The other annoying inconsistency I have noticed is at boarding time. Sometimes one must show photo ID at this point -- as well as at check-in and at security point -- other times no. Going to YEG from YYZ T2, I was only asked for such ID once: at check-in [I decided not to use kiosk] and go to the SE counter. Nobody asked at Security or upon boarding. However, yesterday at YEG, I was asked at both check-in and upon boarding. Not at Security, but they did want to check my computer and cell phone, though nothing else in my carry-ons.

Not being a daily car driver, I don't make much use of a drivers license. So I have now taken to carrying my Passport in my jacket pocket just about every day, even when not travelling, photo ID is becoming more and more required. And Ontario Health cards are seldom recognized as valid photo ID due to high levels of fraud, something tough-talking Mr. Harris has yet to do anything about during his 6-year reign [soon to be at an end, eh FlyerAl!].

That's right - Ontario Health Cards are seldom recognized as valid photo ID. No bar/club/casino I know of accepts them as proof of age.

As for Mr. Harris, it certainly is a sad day for us neo-conservatives in Ontario. But I'm sure Tony Clement would do a fine job carrying on the Common Sense Revolution

Maybe Harris is going to run for the Alliance leadership. That would make things interesting...

I'm curious why this happens with the new cards, they are essentially identical to an Ontario driver's license. Is there actually any more likelihood they will be counterfeit, or is it just a mistaken impression on the part of the person demanding ID?

andrew

Big lineups at YYZ yesterday--far more than in recent weeks. They stepped up security, and I was part of a group taken to the front of the line to get through in time.

But upon entering the boarding area, I learned that our flight was delayed because the inbound plane was late, and the ATC computer had crashed.

I could have driven to Montreal in the time it took to fly (door-to-door), and when I finally arrived, I found out the meeting I'd raced like a lunatic to attend had been cancelled. Those were 500 hard-earned miles!

Surveying the planes parked at the gates, it looks like most of the 737s and DC9s have been decommissioned ... lots of DC9s parked at the AC hangar at YUL.

Tom

P.S. My 767-300 was an ex-Canadian jet with purple 1-2-2 seating in J, and blue 2-3-2 seating in Y ... is this a Purple Elvis sighting or could the real thing be even worse?

[This message has been edited by AirTom (edited 10-16-2001).]

Purple Elvis is a 2-2-2 "domestic" 767, so you were not on it. Even banks won't accept new Ontario Health cards as IDs for setting up accounts or verifying any other service. I think Mr. Harris must spend much of his future making amends to his wife for running off with Sharon Dunn like a mid-life crisis fool. His electoral chances on the federal scene for abandoning a wife are next to nil.

Now, now! Don't crush little Tim (FlyerAl)'s heart, Mr. Scrooge. Maybe Mr. Harris will become *a better person*!