YYZ Security News and Websites Incorrect
 

Just went through security and customs to the USA in Terminal 3 at YYZ, not too bad, but wish the information posted on websites and on the news was better. Said no roller bags, roller bags everwhere (asked TSA and hey said small ones are fine), said no backpacks, backpacks everywhere. Said can't enter customs till 2 hours before, not true, just walked right in about 3 hours before flight time, breezed through security, then the fun started, you have a mob of people in the breezeway before heading to the gates, that is where the pat downs start (nothing like a morning massage), then they go through your carry on.

Every news channel and website I visited said no roller bags, very limited carry ons, here at the airport you see a mix of everthing, small bags, large bags, wheeled bags. Just love the news and difference between it and reality.

That's what makes FT so invaluable!

The newsies were focused so much on Obama's statement yesterday, and I think they feel the TSA has done its thing, they don't care what CATSA does.

Is YYZ forcing counter check of all but the smallest bags?
 

I just had a report from a coworker that just went through YYZ security (so, noon on a Wednesday). He flew Continental, Terminal 3, heading to the States.

He reports that all bags needed to be checked, except he thought for very small laptop bags, the sleeve type. He reports to have had to check his laptop bag, so he carried the laptop and power supply.

I'm looking to confirm this...are they really requiring ALL bags except for very small bags be checked? It sounds like typical laptop shoulder bags and backpacks would need to be checked from his description. I don't know, maybe he's just saying "have to check" to avoid hassles, but he actually wrote had to check.

I'd rather not check my laptop bag, and all the things I have in it: iPod, Blackberry, backup hard drive, RSA VPN kepfob, work papers, etc.

I'll be flying AA. Maybe this is a CO policy?

He also reports patdowns are typical.

I agree-don't want to check my laptop bag either-usually have ipod, PDA, cameras and important docs in there.

OK, I went through. Not really a problem.

You're asked to check whatever is not a purse, laptop, etc.

US customs was typical, Canadian magnetometer station typical. However, on the way to the actual gates, there is mandatory pat-downs and bag searches (Canadian Security). Check your bag to keep these lines down, as a courtesy to your fellow travelers. Baggage wait was only slightly longer than typical, they had our bags on the carousel about 10 minutes after we all got down there.

Nothing to see here... :-)

As a courtesy I should let the airline lose my bag or have their trusted and trained workers steal my small valuable electronics? Uh, no.

If they can't guarantee the security of my items while checked then I won't check them. If they say I have to do so to fly then I won't fly. And when the airlines whine about another bail out I'll say "too bad".

As a courtesy? Sorry, RyeGuy, like JakiChan I don't generally check bags -- unless on an extended trip.

If the airlines will guarantee the safety of my checked items, not lose my luggage, and deliver it in a timely manner to the baggage carousel at my final destination, then I might be inclined to check luggage.

RyeGuy, how often do you travel internationally and how often is your luggage lost?

I'll never forget one multi-city trip I took when I made the mistake of checking my roll-a-board. I checked it in BUD for BUD-AMS-BOS. Luggage doesn't show in BOS because MA didn't load it on my flight from BUD.

Thankfully I did have one change of clothes in my small carry-on.

24 hrs later I travel from BOS to LAX. I leave for LAX just before AMS flight comes in. When I make my claim at BOS they are unable to route bag AMS-LAX, but make arrangements to rush it to LAX when recv'd in BOS.

My luggage arrives LAX after I depart, so I request they send it onto my next destination. Two cities later the luggage was still trailing me and I finally told them to send it to SDF.

I could go on about how AA, UA, CO, US, DL, KL/AF, and other carriers have lost / delayed my luggage on various trips. The only carriers that have never lost my luggage have been QF and full service Asian carriers -- I don't know if that is luck, or that QF and Asian carriers in general know what they're doing.

On this page:

http://www.catsa.gc.ca/Page.aspx?ID=...esures&lang=en

There is a link to the .pdf entitled: "Items not counted as carry-on (US)

This is dated Jan 8 and is, to the best of my knowledge the current set of rules. In Terminal 1 of YYZ, people are still, as of today, being told to choose between laptop case or purse, or laptop case or camera case. I'm just relieved hat is now allowed. It is friggin cold here in YOW and I often have to board the plane from the tarmac. Of course gloves aren't on the list....

Note, while there are a large number of item allowed, you are not allowed to carry those items in a bag, they must be on your person. The only exception appears to be computer (in a small case) and cameras (in a special-purpose case designed for you camera and lens, not a regular suitcase.)