HerpaYvr

She was alone! She had a young man sit next to her with his mom way in the back. He switched seats with her so his mom sat next to her and he sat in the back.

I was three folks behind her when her assistance was at the door. i walked behind the two of them all the way to the customs hall. They turned right and I turned left to my Nexus machine. She was very comfortably dressed and he was a pretty suited young man. I was thinking to myself, to look that good, dressed up at 5:30 AM takes talent!

CZAMFlyer

As she is a federal cabinet minister, there would have been an RCMP protective detail with her at all times. That HerpaYVR did not recognize them as such verifies they did their job as designed.

Mr. Harper is a private citizen. If one is concerned about delaying breathless accounts of seeing him in the flesh, let's hope the same courtesy would be extended to every other private citizen we see.

I simply do not understand the need to state who we happened to see, and when it occurred, no matter how famous or powerful. It strikes me as creepy.

RangerNS

I don't think dignitary protection doctrine requires the guard to be attached at the hip. A Minister on a foreign trip is going to have several staff with them, but that isn't to say that they need to sit with her, or even acknowledge her, on the safe - controlled - flight home.

And the airside of a Canadian airport is going to be pretty safe, from anything but hecklers.

ridefar

RCyyz

I believe that Ministers have the right to waive protection if they choose. Only the Prime Minister is obligated to have protection attached to him at the hip.

Aside - I've seen the PM in public a few times and the protection detail has been discrete in their presence.

CZAMFlyer

You're correct; the mandate is only compulsory for the PM (& family) and the Governor General. However, I have it on good authority that the current Minister of Foreign Affairs no longer travels internationally without protective detail. Or for the most part anywhere beyond the corner grocery store. Claims that she "was very obviously alone at the time" are admissions that "well, I didn't notice anybody near her at the time". Admittedly, the details, date and context of where she was observed in this case are absent.

HerpaYvr

I think I am pretty good in spotting security folks. The PY cabin was full and mostly kettles, the gentleman in 12D complained that he was not upgraded and the SD apologized as the gate agents made errors so she brought him beers and snacks free of charge to keep him happy.

When walking i was very aware of my surroundings and there was no one who resembled any kind of security. Most folks wore clothing unable to conceal any form of hardware. Dignitary security have their RCMP badge mounted on their belt in front and then the side arm holster with side arm with a dark blazer as outerwear. When she turned right to go through customs it was just her and her staffer standing alone. I was across on the Nexus side and i could see the two walk towards the customs booth and then I lost interest.

Adam Smith

The simple solution to that is to just not read this thread.

CZAMFlyer

People with growth mindsets often read things they don't understand and listen to those with contrary opinions, in order to gain a wider understanding. Those with fixed mindsets, well, never mind.

tcook052

I showed my 14 & 11 year old nieces this photo and they were suitably impressed at your encounter.

ffsim

InTheAirGuy

YYZ-YEG.

Sitting beside two cops with badges who are with a guy in leg and arm chains. Prisoner transfer. They are having just a normal discussion about weather and Instagram and stuff.

It’s pretty weird.

I wold think this would qualify for celebrity.

(They weren't in J. They did board before Zone 1.)

canadiancow

How exactly is "celebrity" defined these days?

Bohemian1

Not celebrity, but certainly high profile.

yyznomad

So all the FTers here who were or are currently DHP are considered celebrities as well?