Airport Security Measures

Airport Security Measures

Ottawa Airport is complying fully with new government-issued security measures to help ensure the safety of travelers.

Holiday Report

If you are flying into the US from Canada -
You will need to be at the airport 3 hours before departure

and

Passengers headed to the United States will not be allowed to travel with carry-on bags

Starting June 18, 2007 Canadian airlines will begin cross-checking names against a Canadian no-fly list of passengers deemed to be a potential threat to aircraft security

The Passenger Protect program is an aviation security initiative aimed at keeping people who may pose an immediate threat to aviation security from boarding a flight. It adds another layer of security to our aviation system to help address potential threats, and includes the following key elements:

Identity Screening Regulations
Specified Persons List
Reconsideration and Appeals
Privacy and Human Rights

This made-in-Canada program will enhance security, respect the needs and realities of the aviation industry, and ensure that the privacy and human rights of Canadians are protected.

Checking-in
We ask travelers for their collaboration by having all documentation, including tickets and photo ID, ready for review by airline personnel at the time of check-in.

Airlines are requesting that travelers arrive at the airport two hours prior to boarding flights within Canada and the United States and three hours for flights to Europe.

As result of suspected security breaches in the UK (August 10, 2006) , the following is an update for passengers starting their journey from the UK and USA

To all passengers starting their journey at a UK, and USA airports and to those transferring between flights at those airports.

All cabin baggage must be processed as hold baggage and carried in the hold of passenger aircraft departing UK, and USA.

Passengers may take through the airport security search point, in a single (ideally transparent) plastic carrier bag, only the following items.

Passengers are restricted to carry liquids and gels in a one-litre bag in containers of no more than 100 millilitres.

Nothing may be carried in pockets:

Pocket-size wallets and pocket-size purses plus contents (for example money, credit cards, identity cards etc (not handbags)

Travel documents essential for the journey (for example passports and travel tickets)

Prescription medicines and medical items sufficient and essential for the flight (eg, diabetic kit), except in liquid form unless verified as authentic

Spectacles and sunglasses, without cases

Contact lens holders, without bottles of solution

For those traveling with an infant: baby food, milk (the contents of each bottle must be tasted by the accompanying passenger) and sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight (nappies, wipes, creams and nappy disposal bags)

Female sanitary items sufficient and essential for the flight, if unboxed (eg tampons, pads, towels and wipes)

Tissues (unboxed) and/or handkerchiefs

Keys (but no electrical key fobs). All passengers must be hand searched, and their footwear and all the items they are carrying must be X-ray screened.

Pushchairs and walking aids must be X-ray screened, and only airport-provided wheelchairs may pass through the screening point.

In addition to the above, all passengers boarding flights to the USA and all the items they are carrying, including those acquired after the central screening point, must be subjected to secondary search at the boarding gate.

Extra time

Any liquids discovered must be removed from the passenger.

There are no changes to current hold baggage security measures.

Regrettably, significant delays at airports are inevitable. Passengers are being asked to allow themselves plenty of extra time and to ensure that other than the few permitted items listed above, all their belongings are placed in their hold baggage and checked in.

These additional security measures will make travel more difficult for passengers, particularly at such a busy time of the year. But they are necessary and will continue to keep flights from UK airports properly secure.

We hope that these measures, which are being kept under review by the government, will need to be in place for a limited period only.

In light of the threat to aviation and the need to respond to it, we are asking the traveling public to be patient and understanding and to cooperate fully with airport security staff and the police.

If passengers have any questions on their travel arrangements or security in place at airports they should contact their airline or carrier.

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority issued new rules effective noon on Aug. 10, 2006 after British police announced a plot to bomb commercial aircraft from Britain to the United States. These rules will be in effective for an indefinite period of time.

The rules will affect you if you're flying from any Canadian airport, including on a domestic trip.

You can take carry-on luggage but it can't contain any liquids or gels, including:

All beverages.
Shampoo.
Suntan lotion.
Creams.
Toothpaste.
Hair gel.

Exceptions:

Baby formula.
Breast milk in bottles.
Juice for a baby or small child.
Prescription medicine with a name that matches the passenger's ticket.
Insulin.
Essential non-prescription medicine.
Put all liquids and gels in checked baggage.

If you're boarding a flight to the United States, you'll be asked to take off your shoes for screening.

Note: Are you traveling to the U.S.?

More information is required. The United States Customs and Border Protection Agency recently implemented new requirements of air carriers to provide new additional passenger information in advance of travel to/from the USA. Effective October 4, 2005, in addition to the current requirements, passengers must now provide the following information upon check-in:

• Passport expiry date
• Passport country of issuance
• Country of residence
• For non US citizens or US legal permanent residents, the address for the 1st night
in the USA.

Current Ottawa International Airport Departures Times

Luggage tips
Do not bring any wrapped packages.

Passengers should be thoroughly aware of the contents of their carry-on and checked luggage, particularly with regards to electronic or battery-operated articles. Passengers must be ready to declare those items, as luggage will be searched. If any undeclared electronic items are found, the luggage may not be transported. Whenever possible, passengers should minimize the packing of such items.

Image Courtesy Air Canada

Security checkpoints
As all carry-on luggage will be searched, minimize your carry-ons to reduce processing time.

Avoid putting the following items in your carry-ons: razors, scissors, letter-openers or any other sharp object that may be considered a weapon.

Air Canada Tips for Holiday Travel
Under Enhanced Security Measures

If you are flying out of a US Airport

Stepped-Up Security Measures

A thorough search and security check of all airplanes and airports before
     passengers are allowed to enter and board aircraft.

U.S. bans lighters on flights.

Discontinue curbside check-in at the airport. Passengers will be asked to go
      to the ticket counters to check in.

Discontinue off-airport check-in. No longer allow passengers to check in for
    their flights at hotels or other venues. Passengers must check in at the airports.

Reserve boarding areas for passengers only. Only ticketed passengers will be
    allowed to proceed past airport screeners to catch their flights.

E-ticketed passengers require copy of receipt with airline or travel rep logo
   as well as government issued id.

Vehicles near airport terminals will be monitored more closely. Some airports
     will require vehicles to remain hundreds of feet back affecting passenger pick
     up and drop off.

No knives allowed on planes or in airport facilities such as restaurants.

Expect long delays at every point of entry - parking lots, airport entrance,
     ticket counters, security and gates.

Prepare to be searched and have items confiscated if they appear remotely
    dangerous including nail clippers, razors and sewing kits.

Carry on luggage may be restricted and you may be forced to completely
      unpack and repack luggage. Some airlines may ban it all together.

Baggage matching to each passenger may be required before take-off.

Pre-flight cabin checks may be required before take-off.

Check the airlines' Web sites for updates and advice, including delays,
     recommended check-in times and items to avoid bringing.

Do not joke about terrorism, bombs or other such topics.

To avoid causing delays, take laptops out of bags well before you reach the
     scanners. Be prepared to go through a full security check, including taking off
      your shoes.

If you have an electronic ticket, use automatic check-in kiosks. If you are
    checking baggage, though, you will have to go to the ticket counter if there is
     no agent next to the kiosk.

Prepare children for stringent security measures. Baby strollers will have to go
     through X-ray machines, and children might have their bags and toys
     inspected. Toy guns will be confiscated. Some airlines require children
     traveling alone to show identification.

Airline may ban or restrict unaccompanied minors. Check with your airline
      first.

The US Office of Homeland Security Administration issued a list of items that
     are not allowed in carry-on luggage and that will not be allowed through
      security checkpoints.

The items include: Ammunition, Automatic weapons, Axes, Baseball bats, BB guns, Billy clubs, Blackjacks, Blasting caps, Bows and arrows, Box cutters, Brass knuckles, Bull whips, Cattle prods, Compressed air guns, Cricket bats, Crow bars, Disabling chemicals or gases, Dog repellent spray, Dynamite, Fire extinguishers, Flare pistols, Golf clubs, Gun lighters, Gunpowder, Hammers, Hand grenades, Hatchets, Hockey sticks, Hunting knives, Ice axe/Ice pick, Knives (any length, Large, heavy tools (such as wrenches, pliers, etc.), Mace, Martial arts devices, Meat cleavers, Metal scissors with pointed tips, Numchucks, Pellet guns, Pen knives, Pepper spray, Pistols, Plastic explosives, Pool cues, Portable power drills, Portable power saws , Razor blades (not in a cartridge), Religious knives, Replica weapons, Revolvers, Rifles, Road flares, SCUBA knives, Sabers, Screwdrivers, Shot guns, Ski poles, Spear guns, Starter pistols, Straight razors, Stun guns/shocking devices, Swords, Tear gas, Throwing stars, Toy transformer robots (this toy forms a toy gun), Toy weapons...

A full list of Carry-On or Checked
can be obtained in .pdf format from the
US Office of Homeland Security

Transport Canada's list of items prohibitive to carry on an airplane as carry
      on luggage.

The list includes:
Ammunition
Automatic weapons
Axes and hatchets (unless part of aircraft equipment)
Billiard cues
Billy clubs and blackjacks
Bows and arrows
Box cutters
Brass knuckles
Carbon dioxide cartridges and other compressed gases (except those required for medical purposes or to be used for aircraft maintenance or for aerodrome maintenance or construction)
Caustic materials (including acids)
Chemicals or gases that are disabling (such as incapacitating sprays, pepper spray, mace and tear gas)
Dangerous goods within the meaning of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992, and the regulations under it, unless specific approval has been granted by a person authorized by the Minister to carry out an inspection under section 8.7 of the Aeronautics Act (such as wet cell batteries, dry ice, large quantities of matches and radioactive material, except those required for medical purposes or that are part of aircraft equipment)
Darts
Devices for shocking (such as stun guns and cattle prods, except defibrillators that are required for medical purposes or that are part of aircraft equipment)
Explosives (such as blasting caps, detonating cord, dynamite, black and smokeless powder, gun powder, hand grenades, slurries and all products labeled as being explosive) and military explosives (such as C-4, DM12 and sheet explosives)
Fire extinguishers (except those that are part of aircraft equipment or aerodrome safety equipment)
Golf clubs
Guns (such as revolvers, rifles, shot guns, BB guns, pellet guns, compressed air guns, starter pistols, flare pistols and spear guns)
Gun lighters
Hockey sticks
Syringes and hypodermic needles (except for personal medical use, and with the needle’s guard in place, and when accompanied by labelled medication)
Ice axes and ice picks
Ice skates
Insecticides (except those to be used by crew members for disinsection purposes)
Knives or knife-like objects of any length (such as hunting knives, scuba knives, swords, sabers, meat cleavers, straight razors and religious knives)
Lacrosse sticks
Liquids marked as flammable (such as gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid and turpentine)
Liquids that are unidentifiable in unmarked containers
Martial arts devices (such as throwing stars, kubasaunt, kubatons and numchucks)
Oxygen tanks (except those required for medical purposes or that are part of aircraft equipment)
Paint
Paint thinner
Penetrating objects (such as scissors with pointed tips and knitting needles)
Pyrotechnics (such as fireworks, road flares, flare pistol cartridges and starter pistol cartridges)
Razor blades (not in cartridges)
Replica weapons
Restraining devices (except those used by peace officers or crew members or by escort officers escorting prisoners)
Scuba tanks
Sports racquets (such as tennis, squash and racquet ball)
Ski poles
Sling shots and catapults
Sporting bats (such as baseball bats and cricket bats)
Tools (such as hammers, screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, drills, saws, crow bars and heavy tools, except those to be used for aircraft maintenance or for aerodrome maintenance or construction)
Toy weapons including toy transformer robots that form into toy guns
Whips

September 2002

Can Anyone Help?

E-mail received November 8, 2008 from Mary E. Holt ( bombaymama@tadaust.org.au )

I don't know who to inform about our horrendous experience at all USA airports we negotiated. We certainly would not recommend any overseas person to travel in USA. Our tickets were marked SSSS and we were informed that we would be thoroughly checked at every USA Airport. We went through Honolulu, L.A. Las Vegas, Houston, Miami and New York. I lost my wallet with MasterCard, driver's license and USA$ and suffered the repercussions of being without MasterCard throughout USA. We dreaded having our baggage searched i.e. parcels being cut open etc.

We are from Australia. I am 69 (in a wheelchair at Airports) and my son is 50 (he's on a mentally disabled pension).

Our hold baggage was battered and the inside of one case was in fragments. I purchased this suitcase last year. Please tell me who to approach about this dreadful experience. Nobody will tell me who was responsible for us being targeted - it was not random checking.

Hoping to hear from you.

Regards,
Mary Holt

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