Air Canada Travel Advisory: New U.S. security procedures
#1126
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,555
I apologize if this has already been posted (I must have missed it).
But it's too funny so I'll risk posting it again.
Message from Transport Canada.
But it's too funny so I'll risk posting it again.
Message from Transport Canada.
#1127
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Toronto, Canada
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,365
#1128
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: YOW
Programs: Marriot Silver Elite
Posts: 440
It must be because it's YOW...but then again
So I get to YOW this morning 90 mins before my CO flight to MHT with a pit stop in EWR, with my carry on bag which I will check and my Lowepro CompuDaypack which I will not check. The backpack has my laptop, charger and mouse as well as my DSLR with the biggest lens attached and two smaller prime lenses and a flash. I was also armed with the printout from CATSA that says that cameras in "purpose-designed carrying cases" are not considered carry on and thereby allowable. I get to the security point/secondary search point and I'm told by the young lady that I will have to check my backpack. I pointed to her that my camera was in it and that I would not be able to check it. She pointed out the very form I had in my bag and said "no backpacks". It took a call to a supervisor and a 5 minute discussion between he and I to get him to let me through with it. It would appear that the agents are free to determine if any given rule is superceded by another rule in their interpetation.
This is my second time going through the new "enhanced security" and I have say...enough is enough. If TC/CATSA can't get enough people in place to do secondary searches on rolling suitcases ~20 days after this was put in place, at least change the guidelines so that there is some clear direction for the things we CAN take onboard. To have the agent say that my purpose-designed camera bag which also holds a laptop is not allowed because it has straps and those are not allowed is ridiculous. Nowhere in that sub section does it say that camera cases can't have straps on them. The ultimate suggestion from the supervisor was that I should to out and buy a camera case that doesn't have straps on it and carry my laptop on a regular laptop bag. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him what I thought of his suggestion, but I'm travelling for work and it might not have been received very well.
This is my second time going through the new "enhanced security" and I have say...enough is enough. If TC/CATSA can't get enough people in place to do secondary searches on rolling suitcases ~20 days after this was put in place, at least change the guidelines so that there is some clear direction for the things we CAN take onboard. To have the agent say that my purpose-designed camera bag which also holds a laptop is not allowed because it has straps and those are not allowed is ridiculous. Nowhere in that sub section does it say that camera cases can't have straps on them. The ultimate suggestion from the supervisor was that I should to out and buy a camera case that doesn't have straps on it and carry my laptop on a regular laptop bag. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him what I thought of his suggestion, but I'm travelling for work and it might not have been received very well.
#1129
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,555
![Wink](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif)
Am also considering same for last week of Jan. Still missing 2 credits to max out on NA promo.
#1130
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 27
So I get to YOW this morning 90 mins before my CO flight to MHT with a pit stop in EWR, with my carry on bag which I will check and my Lowepro CompuDaypack which I will not check. The backpack has my laptop, charger and mouse as well as my DSLR with the biggest lens attached and two smaller prime lenses and a flash. I was also armed with the printout from CATSA that says that cameras in "purpose-designed carrying cases" are not considered carry on and thereby allowable. I get to the security point/secondary search point and I'm told by the young lady that I will have to check my backpack. I pointed to her that my camera was in it and that I would not be able to check it. She pointed out the very form I had in my bag and said "no backpacks". It took a call to a supervisor and a 5 minute discussion between he and I to get him to let me through with it. It would appear that the agents are free to determine if any given rule is superceded by another rule in their interpetation.
This is my second time going through the new "enhanced security" and I have say...enough is enough. If TC/CATSA can't get enough people in place to do secondary searches on rolling suitcases ~20 days after this was put in place, at least change the guidelines so that there is some clear direction for the things we CAN take onboard. To have the agent say that my purpose-designed camera bag which also holds a laptop is not allowed because it has straps and those are not allowed is ridiculous. Nowhere in that sub section does it say that camera cases can't have straps on them. The ultimate suggestion from the supervisor was that I should to out and buy a camera case that doesn't have straps on it and carry my laptop on a regular laptop bag. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him what I thought of his suggestion, but I'm travelling for work and it might not have been received very well.
This is my second time going through the new "enhanced security" and I have say...enough is enough. If TC/CATSA can't get enough people in place to do secondary searches on rolling suitcases ~20 days after this was put in place, at least change the guidelines so that there is some clear direction for the things we CAN take onboard. To have the agent say that my purpose-designed camera bag which also holds a laptop is not allowed because it has straps and those are not allowed is ridiculous. Nowhere in that sub section does it say that camera cases can't have straps on them. The ultimate suggestion from the supervisor was that I should to out and buy a camera case that doesn't have straps on it and carry my laptop on a regular laptop bag. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell him what I thought of his suggestion, but I'm travelling for work and it might not have been received very well.
I also have a Tenba Messenger bag that holds all of that and a laptop. It also doesn't look like a camera bag.... cause isn't that what they tell you these days? Don't go travelling with a bag that looks like a camera's in it??? Would they stop me because it doesn't look like a camera bag? I'm not about to go out there and spend an extra $100-$200 for another camera bag because somebody at security believes my bag doesn't look like what camera bags looked like 40 years old!!!
#1131
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Mississauga Ontario
Posts: 4,109
First time through.
What a bunch of stoopid ....ing nonsense.
Anyways, a jacket with pockets bulging with remote control, Apple VGA-to-DVI adaptor, glasses, pads of paper, iPod wire, iPod charger, watch, keys, contacts, contact lens solution, medication, gel, lip balm, etc etc etc.
(Geesh, they don't even care about the baggie rule anymore? I even had a baggie in there in case they spazzed out)
One carryon. Latop, power wire.
Get the laptop bag past the idiots near the front, and it doesn't matter how much .... you have in your coat. Just cram it full. Never mind it probably costs them more time to now open the pockets and search the coat.
Remember, these are stoopid stoopid people..
These people are stunningly stoopid. I used to criticize the incompetence of CATSA, but I can't go far enough.
What is utterly fascinating is that on one in this airport (YYZ) looks happy. Lots of miserable people around, and they're all probably thinking the same thing: this is an utterly stoopid exercise. Almost four weeks in, and they can't figure things out?
If anyone doesn't think this is going to have a downward impact on the Canadian economy, they must do really good drugs.
Stoopid stoopid people
Throw Harper and the bums out. Shutting down Parliament is one thing. Letting stoopid people continue to do this type of .... is just abdysmal.
What a bunch of stoopid ....ing nonsense.
Anyways, a jacket with pockets bulging with remote control, Apple VGA-to-DVI adaptor, glasses, pads of paper, iPod wire, iPod charger, watch, keys, contacts, contact lens solution, medication, gel, lip balm, etc etc etc.
(Geesh, they don't even care about the baggie rule anymore? I even had a baggie in there in case they spazzed out)
One carryon. Latop, power wire.
Get the laptop bag past the idiots near the front, and it doesn't matter how much .... you have in your coat. Just cram it full. Never mind it probably costs them more time to now open the pockets and search the coat.
Remember, these are stoopid stoopid people..
These people are stunningly stoopid. I used to criticize the incompetence of CATSA, but I can't go far enough.
What is utterly fascinating is that on one in this airport (YYZ) looks happy. Lots of miserable people around, and they're all probably thinking the same thing: this is an utterly stoopid exercise. Almost four weeks in, and they can't figure things out?
If anyone doesn't think this is going to have a downward impact on the Canadian economy, they must do really good drugs.
Stoopid stoopid people
Throw Harper and the bums out. Shutting down Parliament is one thing. Letting stoopid people continue to do this type of .... is just abdysmal.
#1132
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA1K2MM ACMME50 SQPPS HHDiamond Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 4,391
And if this stupidity is over even on day of Travel, even if its is 4 hours before my EX: BUF , United has given me an undertaking I can head to YYZ and will reroute me via YYZ.
I second it safe for people to book EX: BUF. on the major US carriers
#1133
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE100K, HH G
Posts: 2,454
#1134
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 14,942
AFAIK, UA has not been charging to check in bags for pax originating in Canada since the carry on ban has been in place. Unless something very recently changed. I expect that will continue until we are allowed carry on's again out of Canada. Flights from the US to Canada are allowed carry on's per normal regulations, and so these new fees would apply to those flights.
#1135
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: AC MM E50 , Former SPG, now Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 6,292
I apologize if this has already been posted (I must have missed it).
But it's too funny so I'll risk posting it again.
Message from Transport Canada.
But it's too funny so I'll risk posting it again.
Message from Transport Canada.
#1136
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E75K 2MM * DL MM * HH Diamond * Marriott Lifetime Titanium * Queen's '92
Posts: 5,953
#1137
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Body in Downtown YYZ, heart and mind elsewhere
Programs: UA 50K, refugee from AC E50K, Marriott Lifetime Plat
Posts: 5,133
Let's see if we can have some fun with this ...
OK, so the girlfriend is flying YYZ - PHX next week. I've been following this thread and have prepared her for the no carry-on thing. She's planning on stuffing coat pockets with everything.
So as an experiment she's volunteering to put two (2) pieces of 8.5 x 11 paper with the laptop which will be in a standard laptop bag. She is prepared to either stuff paper in bra or simply toss it if there are issues.![Smilie](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Is there anything else simple we need tested besides the "no paper as carry-on" rule?
So as an experiment she's volunteering to put two (2) pieces of 8.5 x 11 paper with the laptop which will be in a standard laptop bag. She is prepared to either stuff paper in bra or simply toss it if there are issues.
![Smilie](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Is there anything else simple we need tested besides the "no paper as carry-on" rule?
#1139
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE100K, HH G
Posts: 2,454
Flying from YYZ to EWR in the morning again. By choice. Speaking of that, I should go get some sleep now ...
#1140
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: YYG
Programs: Air Canada SE
Posts: 132
YYZ last Sunday afternoon (01/10/10): My two colleagues were through the patdown in 3 mins. I was there for over 15 minutes. The flunky went as far as to go through my wallet card-by-card ... even removing the Nexus card from the foil envelope and a Chapters gift card from its envelope. After going through the empty laptop bag, he had a second agent go through it again while he checked out my socks & shoes.
My colleagues were sitting at the gate 30 feet away busting a gut watching this experience, and we all had a good laugh when I got over to the gate. My fault for showing all the signs of being a menace to society: A Nexus-carrying SuperElite business traveller in a suit... with 15 pages of documents in my bag.
This idiocity must be stopped. Although it was a good joke last week, it is ....ing childish.
My colleagues were sitting at the gate 30 feet away busting a gut watching this experience, and we all had a good laugh when I got over to the gate. My fault for showing all the signs of being a menace to society: A Nexus-carrying SuperElite business traveller in a suit... with 15 pages of documents in my bag.
![Roll Eyes (Sarcastic)](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/smilies/rolleyes.gif)
This idiocity must be stopped. Although it was a good joke last week, it is ....ing childish.