Secondary Security Check in YYZ
 

Is it just me or a coincidence that for the past 5 weeks clearing domestic security in YYZ, I was randomly tagged for a secondary search 4 times? Although I travel every week, I have rarely been tagged for secondary search (and no, I did not have 'SSSSS' printed on my boarding pass) until now, but lately it seems to be stepped up. It happens when entering the metal detector and it 'randomly' goes off to alert TSA to perform a secondary search.

Have others seen the same?

TSA at YYZ? Does this mean the US finally annexed Canada? ;)

Ever heard of Harper?

I have never heard of the metal detectors going off randomly. Did you get new shoes? I used to leave mine on through domestic security, then got new shoes that set off the detector, so in the trays they went from then on, and no more trouble.

I saw this in YVR domestic last week. The metal detector chirped in a different tone when the passenger in front of me went thru. Overheard CATSA screener advise that the machine had randomly selected him for additional screening, and he underwent the (brief) secondary screening.

Last week in Moncton when I was pulled aside for more screening in response to my aside 'what metal did I miss this time' the screener said 'You were OK, the computer randomly selected you for additional inspection'.

I know, I meant CATSA, and I was waiting for someone to correct :D

There is nothing 'random' about the secondary searches, despite what CATSA tries to tell you. Some are selected because they meet some target requirements for additional attention; others are selected from non-target groups to make it appear that there is no targeting.

'Random' selection is routine at YOW
 

I haven't seen this at YYZ, but at YOW all passengers must stand on a 'magic mat' that determines whether they are sent to a normal screening line or the pat-down/full body scan line.

I have also had this happen quite frequently in the last few months. It's interesting how sometimes the screening ends up being quite haphazard as they know full well there is nothing to be found since nothing alarmed in any way. I always figure I'm the one that gets targeted to show there's no targeting.

I absolutely agree with your statement! Getting tagged 4 times out of 5 is getting somewhat ridicules. It always seems that those who travel frequently and know the routine are selected when those who travel infrequently are not selected.

Just my 2 cents….

Did this happen going through one of the regular lanes or through the NEXUS fast track lane? Could be a new routine, but seems rather redundant now that they have the scatter scanners which should be used for any such "secondaries", or even primaries.

The transborder security line at YYZ uses this mat, it's been that way for about a year and a half now. Priority pass line doesn't use the mat.

That mat in fact insulates you from the rebar in the floor's concrete, which used to set off too many false alarms in the wands.

Whether you're going domestic or X-border, they have them all across this country. It was only a CATSA guy at YYG who took the time to tell me why they have these rubber mats.

This happened at the domestic connecting security gate (second flr) in YYZ, using the priority lane.

The Canadian government must be quite sophisticated! There is no way that the US TSA could ever pull off something as complicated as you explain.:D

Not sure what mat you're talking about, but I'm sure encampbe was referring to the mat at the entrance to the security lines, which, when stepped on, randomly lights up either a left- or right-pointing arrow on an attached sign, directing you to either the regular security line or the line for more thorough screening. There are no wands anywhere nearby at this point.

I think hascaddy was talking about something else because that arrow mat we step on protects us from rebar in the concrete almost as much as it protects us from Niburu coming into the solar system in 2012.

Yesterday I spoke with the CATSA agents in YYZ regarding the secondary check, and I was informed that you will be tagged if you walk through the scanner very quickly. It does make since. Since then, I walk slowly through the scanner and so far, so good.

Ah, the modern day de-lousing before stepping onto the cattle train cars.
Technology has progressed: now they zap your DNA using radiation. No more showers. :o :(