The time is calculate from when you start in the line to when you begin the actual screening process. If there is a bottle neck at the WTMD, then it back logs everything else.

Immigrant communities--yes. I haven't been struck by any age differences between them and TSA employees.

In general, CATSA people are better behaved. As far as modesty in screening goes, it may also have something to do with the protocols which are in place.

I think that "culturally diverse" is a big difference. Even in pasty white YEG we have at least 3 or 4 cultures covered during the late shift. While I'm as white as Casper, I derive some comfort from this arrangement.

"Obviously, this passenger did not have a pleasant screening experience."
 

Quote from Canadian Air Transport Security Authority spokesman Mathieu Larocque.

http://www.vancouversun.com/health/w...074/story.html

It seems even CATSA is in freefall.

If our TSA was as ethical as Canada's, I wouldn't be worried about our civil liberties. Note this:

The Canadian government readily admits there are limits to what is acceptable. They recognize a responsibility to behave with a modicum of decency.

Our TSA could have avoided at least half of the litigation they're presently facing if they'd admitted that there are boundaries which they should not cross.

CATSA seems to be trying to out-do TSA. Here's another REALLY UGLY report from the great white north:
A “terrified” four-year-old Saskatoon girl was subjected to a 20-minute airport security inspection in Calgary Thursday evening that included pat downs, restraint and multiple scans of her doll, her parents say.
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/Little...194/story.html

:mad::mad::mad:

Exactly Elizabeth.^

When have you ever seen this said about the TSA:

"Officials from the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA), the federal agency in charge of airport security screening, left two phone messages for Strecker Friday attempting to apologize, but Strecker was not home to take the calls, she said."

Same airport as the previous one. I suspect, and I am not defending CATSA, a few bad apples at one specific airport.

Well, you have to have a certain number of French speakers anyway. I'm guessing that pat down certified people are supposed to have the Francais/English pin. My one pat down in Canada, which was my one and only need to opt out of any NOS so far (knock on wood), involved me going on in French about how ridiculous the situation was with the guy doing the pat down and him laughing and agreeing.

I've noticed definite age differences. There are youngsters at CATSA/Garda and older people at TSA, but I do think they tend older at CATSA.

I agree. It makes me feel FAR more comfortable, as many have likely been subject to similar problems.

Wow. That is going to get someone fired.

And that is the biggest difference between CATSA and the TSA.

Most of my flying is out of YYZ T1, but I can attest to the slowness of the staff. OTOH, there are more lanes open TB than at the typical airport in the US, so the time to clear security may be the same.

Have to agree again, that the CATSA folks are a little order, and more polite. I usually greet everyone I interact with by saying 'hello', CATSA folks always respond back and usually with a smile, NOT TSA!

I really don't see a lot wrong with that. Yes it's quite silly that a child's doll must be scanned (cue the 'teddy bear gun' story), but it's just one of a number of silly things.

The girl was obviously tired and threw a tantrum. That's what children do :rolleyes:. Don't see how CATSA screwed up, and using UGLY to describe it is just a tad histrionic I think.

Nobody's going to get fired over it. Over what ? Calm down.

That's because they know that the likely response to their apology full of crocodile tears will be "Where do I sen the notice of claim?"

The Phoenix Star is the newspaper in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada -- the hometown of the people involved in the story.

With all due respect to some who have posted here and not had any problems with CATSA, there are many of us who HAVE had problems, especially in Calgary. And, trust me, they all talk big to the media (i.e. Chuck Strahl -- head of Transport Canada) but I seriously doubt anything will be done regarding the latest complaint other than a slap on the hands of the screeners involved. They all belong to a union so it is very difficult to fire them. Time will tell...

BTW, since the first story, another has come out, as well. I'm sure there are more!

http://bit.ly/hG4cCe

Meanwhile, after hearing of what happened to Strecker, another B.C. family came forward to describe a similar incident at the Calgary airport.

Thierry Gudel said staff mistreated his 80-year-old mother Lena as she made her way through security last August. She was using a wheelchair after shattering her shoulder.

"My mom does not speak English, she speaks French. She asked for assistance from somebody who speaks French and was completely ignored," he said.

"And she was searched everywhere, and in front of all the people the hand went in the back, in the underwear. She was touched underneath her sweater and underneath her skirt."

And, here is additional info on the screening of the other woman.

http://bit.ly/dQji7j

He said he was appalled by what he describes as airport security's lack of respect in dealing with his 80-year-old mother Lena last August. She was in a wheelchair after shattering her shoulder in a fall.

"They tried to push her up several times, they shook both her shoulders, and she said that the hand went up her skirt, went under her sweater, on her breasts and it went in the back in her underwear," Gudel said.

"They grabbed her arm and pushed it up, and she screamed ‘ouch' and then tried to push it down. They did it three times and she started to cry because of the pain."

He says he plans to file a complaint about his mother's experience.

"I think those people should also be trained in recognizing if there is a disability and how to treat people with respect."

I did not know that so thank you for correcting me. Odd name.

As reported on Canoe, Calgary airport officials have called to apologize to Mrs. Strecker for the incident. While it was only a voicemail, I hope they follow up with a live person apology. CATSA also noted that they are continuing the investigation using the video footage and regardless of the outcome, the apology stands.

In addition, the complainants MP has offered to assist in filing the complaint.