To the OP - Canada's system is not really one to rail against, but one the US should copy. I wish they would dump their naked machines, but the pat down is done far more efficiently and respectfully. The use of 100% contract screening means CATSA doesn't play politics in this. They always have someone to blame and can do the customer service job much more progressively.
Originally Posted by
Jetbee
1. MMW IS primary if you are "randomly" picked for additional screening. Of course, one can opt out and then get a pat down.
2. Not all airports are using the randomizer mat. YYC (at gate A and going to U.S.) no longer uses the mat -- they scan the boarding pass and apparently it tells them whether or not the passenger gets additional screening. I seriously have my doubts about this method because I have been picked every, single time. That, in my mind, is not a random occurrence.
3. As mentioned earlier, with secondary screening, you definitely have to opt out if you do not want to go through the MMW.
4. I just had the new pat down on February 1st (after opting out) and it is much more intrusive than the old one. Waistband is checked. Breasts are now thoroughly checked with the palm, not the back of the hand. The hand runs up each leg until it meets resistance. The whole body (front and back) receives a pat down and the bottom of the feet are also checked. How is this not invasive?
1. The naked machine is not primary. First, not all people who are randomized to the secondary line are directed through the MMW. In my two directs to that lane, I've took a pat down once and the second one I didn't even have my bags opened. Second, you are told, directly, if you are selected that you are absolutely allowed to choose a pat down.
2) Interesting, and a bit surprising. BP scans are supposed to be to check line timing, because of all the complaints CATSA has received about how slow their lines are. Interesting to see this shift. I would write a complaint.
3) You are told, directly, that you have the option of the MMW or a pat down. If you aren't told this, very clearly, you should file a complaint.
4) I've had both pat downs. The Canadian one is similar to the TSA one, if the TSA one follows SOP. If you feel it is getting too intrusive, file a complaint.
Originally Posted by
Mimi111
It seems there are a couple of airports that are worse than others. I'm going to break tradition and use city names instead. Much like any country, each city in Canada has a different "culture". Calgary has had numerous incidents of what one might call "abuse" of overzealous screeners. Montreal has attitude but is still professional. Toronto is larger, loud and busy. You'll get fewer "Canadian" niceties there but they are still professional. Ottawa is fairly innocuous. London is much the same. I can't speak for Vancouver or any others at this time as I've not flown out of any others in years.
I can understand how flying in the US, or even hearing what's going on, would make you especially sensitive or nervous about the any CP experience. Best of luck in whatever decision you make and hopefully your trip is a good one.
A big issue is that there are different contractors that do the security, so different training regimes.
The positive thing about Canada is that they have a very strong customer complaint team in place at CATSA that will go the extra mile. I think the main reason is because they have the political high ground, as all screening clerks are contract.
Originally Posted by
yyzvoyageur
They do have the mandate to do identity screening now in limited circumstances. See
this post.
On a related matter (nothing to do with you, Wally Bird), am I the only one who believes that thanks to a growing handful of people, this forum is getting nuttier by the minute?
Honestly, and I like you, but someone in your position cannot really point and comment. When you are part of a police apparatus, commenting on those who are railing against abuses is a dicey situation.
That said, I agree that this specific OP is being completely unreasonable.