Airport Security

[Incinerator]

<rant>

Eastern Girl: I'm not surprised at all to hear experiences like yours considering the pre-board screening contractor at Pearson is Garda, along with BC, Edmonton and QC, other than Vancouver and Montreal. For anyone who doesn't know about Garda and its reputation in the private security, let me put it in hockey terms: they are the late '90s Tampa Bay Lightning of the industry. Worst of the worst, it just does not get any worse than that. The person who screened you likely makes the minimum wage in Ontario and was on a huge power trip. Calgarians will know what I'm talking about regarding Garda's quality control with their employees if they've been to the Stampede in the past few years.


You can voice your concerns to CATSA (the crown corp. who gives out these contracts) Here, and with any luck, maybe those fiberals will stop wasting money on advertising and give out a decent contract to a respectable security firm.

MMM: the YYC is run by Servisair, they only do airports like Aeroguard but they are European based, Group 4 pulled out a few years ago IIRC and really, they weren't all that bad.

As for CBSA agents I would rank Wancouver's as the worst bunch of asswipes in the country, or North America for that matter. I've had some very unpleasant experiences with Tampa and New York's US customs but none of them could touch YVR's Canadians with a 10 foot pole. My advice to everyone is if you're not Caucasion, it's better to fly thru LAX or NYC back into Calgary on an international flight. Calgary on the other hand probably has the best custom staff I've dealt with around the world, but I agree with fotze, avoid the Caucasion middle-aged women agents.


</longer than expected rant>

[Papa Gino]

When I left on Aug 2 to go to Hawaii, we got on the airplane without our names on our tickets, which apparently is a big no no. We flew Air Canada to Los Angeles as a connection to Hawaii, but when we were using the tickets we got from Calgary to get on the United Flight to Hawaii, it didnt have our names, so we had to go back to a check in desk and get names on them. I still wonder how we got through on air canada, pretty slack security if you ask me.

[InTheSlot]

Originally posted by Eastern Girl@Aug 18 2005, 02:34 PM
I understand that it's for safety purposes. I understand the need to step up security after 9/11. That's why I was more than happy to oblige, but this woman was just unbelieveable. I was answering her questions, I was doing exactly what she told me to do, but she kept accusing me of lying to her and trying to hide things from her. I eventually had to pull my pockets inside out to prove that I wasn't lying to her about them. The only thing that I wasn't entirely cooperative with was turning around and facing the lineup of passengers with my pants totally open. When I asked if I could do up my pants before turning around, she said no and grabbed my arm and turned me around. By the time I left that checkpoint, she practically had me convinced that I was a criminal and doing something horribly wrong.

And as for my belt, I have worn that belt tons of times through security and never once had that much of a problem with it. I have had to undo it before, but never my pants as well and i was always allowed to do it up before turning around.

This might be a stupid question based on your name, but hey you never know.... are you male or female? I guess it doesn't matter because either way I would be surprised that they made you take off your pants in front of everyone. I probably wouldn't have the patience to deal with an ******* like that and would most likely find myself being dragged away by airport security guards, one of them with a bloodied nose after getting donkey-punched in the face by me.

[Tron_fdc]

I shut down a row of metal detectors in Seattle once....all because I was wearing steel toe boots. They had to x-ray them and wave the magic wand over my toes, as well as check my belt buckle for a hidden uzi. I didn't really care that much, but I was wondering what the customs agent was thinking as she knealt over my holey socks and sweaty feet trying to find wapons stashed in my cheese toes.

Has anyone used the new retina scan thingy at the airport to streamline the Canada/US crossing? Is it worth doing?

[Incinerator]

Originally posted by Tron_fdc@Aug 19 2005, 01:27 AM
I shut down a row of metal detectors in Seattle once....all because I was wearing steel toe boots. They had to x-ray them and wave the magic wand over my toes, as well as check my belt buckle for a hidden uzi. I didn't really care that much, but I was wondering what the customs agent was thinking as she knealt over my holey socks and sweaty feet trying to find wapons stashed in my cheese toes.

Has anyone used the new retina scan thingy at the airport to streamline the Canada/US crossing? Is it worth doing?

It cost $50 bucks a year and you have to go thru a comprehensive background check plus an interview with CBSA so unless you're a frequent traveller I wouldn't bother.

[Eastern Girl]

Originally posted by InTheSlot+Aug 18 2005, 05:56 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (InTheSlot @ Aug 18 2005, 05:56 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Eastern Girl@Aug 18 2005, 02:34 PM
I understand that it's for safety purposes. I understand the need to step up security after 9/11. That's why I was more than happy to oblige, but this woman was just unbelieveable. I was answering her questions, I was doing exactly what she told me to do, but she kept accusing me of lying to her and trying to hide things from her. I eventually had to pull my pockets inside out to prove that I wasn't lying to her about them. The only thing that I wasn't entirely cooperative with was turning around and facing the lineup of passengers with my pants totally open. When I asked if I could do up my pants before turning around, she said no and grabbed my arm and turned me around. By the time I left that checkpoint, she practically had me convinced that I was a criminal and doing something horribly wrong.

And as for my belt, I have worn that belt tons of times through security and never once had that much of a problem with it. I have had to undo it before, but never my pants as well and i was always allowed to do it up before turning around.

This might be a stupid question based on your name, but hey you never know.... are you male or female? I guess it doesn't matter because either way I would be surprised that they made you take off your pants in front of everyone. I probably wouldn't have the patience to deal with an ******* like that and would most likely find myself being dragged away by airport security guards, one of them with a bloodied nose after getting donkey-punched in the face by me. [/b][/quote]
I am in fact a girl. I am more than willing to let them do what they feel they need to do when doing the security. It's just that this happens to me all the time.

Today, when I went through, I was by myself. I was standing in line, reading a book, so they couldn't say that I was being unruly or anything like that. So I am not entirely sure why I was treated as though I had a lengthy criminal record or had been making threats to various other passengers. I am a white girl, so I think I can say it wasn't a matter of racial profiling, which I think is incredibly sad, as I have a lot of friends that fall victim to that.

They didn't make me take my pants off, but I had to undo my belt, the button and the zipper and then turn around while she used the metal detector thingie, which i think is a little bit excessive. I was being cooperative up to that point and I don't think it would be unreasonable for a girl, or guy, to not want to face the crowd of passengers with their shirt pulled up a little, and their pants undone. It's ridiculous.

[InTheSlot]

Originally posted by Eastern Girl+Aug 18 2005, 08:07 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Eastern Girl @ Aug 18 2005, 08:07 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

This might be a stupid question based on your name, but hey you never know.... are you male or female? I guess it doesn't matter because either way I would be surprised that they made you take off your pants in front of everyone. I probably wouldn't have the patience to deal with an ******* like that and would most likely find myself being dragged away by airport security guards, one of them with a bloodied nose after getting donkey-punched in the face by me.

I am in fact a girl. I am more than willing to let them do what they feel they need to do when doing the security. It's just that this happens to me all the time.

Today, when I went through, I was by myself. I was standing in line, reading a book, so they couldn't say that I was being unruly or anything like that. So I am not entirely sure why I was treated as though I had a lengthy criminal record or had been making threats to various other passengers. I am a white girl, so I think I can say it wasn't a matter of racial profiling, which I think is incredibly sad, as I have a lot of friends that fall victim to that.

They didn't make me take my pants off, but I had to undo my belt, the button and the zipper and then turn around while she used the metal detector thingie, which i think is a little bit excessive. I was being cooperative up to that point and I don't think it would be unreasonable for a girl, or guy, to not want to face the crowd of passengers with their shirt pulled up a little, and their pants undone. It's ridiculous. [/b][/quote]
Yeah I totally agree that some of their so called "precautionary measures" are rather unnecessary and overboard. I too would be somewhat embarrassed and of course very annoyed if I were strip-searched in front of a crowd of people, albeit strangers.

[Claeren]

I never really thought anything of airport security. I have flown a LOT this year and it is about the same every time. Don't you just prepare for it ahead of time to avoid the typical flash points?


I remove my belt, my shoes, and empty my pockets (placing all in the tray) BEFORE going through the metal detector. I also remove any electronic device's from my bag and leave them in the plastic try as well, so they can be easily turned on and tested.

I then go through with a meek smile on my face...

What are they going to do to you at that point? The metal detector is unlikely to pick up much and you are being co-operative and nice. Pretty hard to power-trip on you at that point.


If anything it is likely people like me, who are prepared ahead of time and happy to oblige, that make people like you stand out as biligerant and unprepared even if you are just blissfully ignorant and trying to board your plane... ?


Claeren.

[Flashpoint]

Originally posted by fotze@Aug 19 2005, 09:57 AM
The key is to pretend you are aroused when they are patting you down. Close your eyes and really get into it.

Damn straight!

They want your pants open? Drop those fataers down to your ankles! Turn around and show the world the old tighty whities. Embarass the crap outta those clowns! Embrace their incompetence and throw it back at em! Offer to let them check your junk!

That's the way to play it. That's a plan right there!

[The Goon]

For me, the patting down is the most action I'm getting that day. If it didn't seem rude I'd ask for the cavity search.

In all seriousness, I can't imagine having that job. Like any service position, you're going to run into good and bad people. It's just (hopefully) a momentary inconvenience.

Last week, on my flight to Vancouver for the weekend, one of the security line butter-inners was Tiger Williams! I figured it was best not to challenge him to throw down, though.

[kipperiggy]

I am honestly amazed at how some of the workers are so clueless, or at least seem to be. My family went to Disney World, and when we returned, we had to wait twice as long in our line at Customs because the woman was interrogating absolutely everyone about who knows what. When we finally got to the front she asked us this and that. Then she looked at us up and down, all of us decked out in Disney t-shirts, and asked, straightfaced, "Was the purpose of your trip business-related?"

On another note, never ever ever take pictures in an airport, because I'm sure they would drag you off and burn your camera.

I never wear a belt or anything that could possibly set off the metal detector when I'm going to the airport, because it'll hopefully just make the process for me that much easier. After an absence from flying for seven years though, it never occurred to me about having a discman, etc in my carry-on. I think I unloaded my entire backpack into one of those trays.


EasternGirl: I would most definitely write a letter of complaint. How ridiculous!

[Flame On]

another way sometimes to stir them up a bit is to ask them for their name and what time their shift starts. That way you can report them to their superiors and tell them you're doing so. Also you can always pretend you're loaded and your family attorney will look into whether jerking you around physically, or whatever, was legal. At least they'll maybe think twice for the next poor sod.
What a load of bas**rds and losers!

[Ro]

I don't travel a lot, but I have been through the Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Victoria, and Kelowna airports at least once within the past year.

Victoria was no problem. Edmonton, Calgary, and Toronto were about average. I didn't think anything was out of the ordinary in T.O.- I have travelled abroad quite a bit, and a fair amount since 9-11, so I am used to the belt buckle, shoes off, drink your water sorta thing.

The trick is to not make the metal detector go off. Yeah, duh. But honestly, just take everything off that might set it off. I put everything on the belt. Jacket, hat, shoes in bin, entire belt, etc. The last thing you want is that thing going off. Once you get through there, unless you have a bowling ball candle in your baggage, you're good most of the time.

Although try to remember about odd items in your suitcase. I had some rolled coin once I forgot about, and I had to dig that out. Another time in Kelowna they made me empty my entire suitcase because I had a ring in there.

Speaking of Kelowna, they are BY FAR the worst. I have had every single stupid security problem imaginable there- the seal on my water is broken, can't go through security with it. My luggage has a lock on it- hauled into private room for interview about luggage, and to unlock it for the rest of the trip. Socks off when I go through the metal detector. School ID is not an acceptable piece of ID (my 2nd piece of ID after my DL). Etc, etc, etc.

But the worst by far was the metal detector going off in Kelowna because of my anti-perspirant!! I guess aluminum is a common ingredient in underarm AP, and mine kept setting the lady's wand off. It wasn't until they brought another guy over, who thoroughly and not so gently frisked my entire upper body, that they decided to let me through.

Apparently the same anti-perspirant thing happened to my Dad in San Fran, and they actually took him to an interrogation room. Maybe it's a genetic reaction to AP we have, who knows. But I'm sure it's happened to other people.

[CaptainCrunch]

Actually I had a very pleasant experience going thought La Guardia (sp?) in New York, they were very professional, and very quick. I also dealt with an awesome U.S. customs agent in Toronto when I was flying down. On the opposite side of things, the Canadian Customs agents in Toronto were down right rude and ignorant and snotty.

I tend to have more professional experiences in the U.S. then Canada. Maybe its because they pay thier customs agents better.

[Eastern Girl]

Originally posted by Claeren@Aug 19 2005, 07:54 AM
I never really thought anything of airport security. I have flown a LOT this year and it is about the same every time. Don't you just prepare for it ahead of time to avoid the typical flash points?


I remove my belt, my shoes, and empty my pockets (placing all in the tray) BEFORE going through the metal detector. I also remove any electronic device's from my bag and leave them in the plastic try as well, so they can be easily turned on and tested.

I then go through with a meek smile on my face...

What are they going to do to you at that point? The metal detector is unlikely to pick up much and you are being co-operative and nice. Pretty hard to power-trip on you at that point.


If anything it is likely people like me, who are prepared ahead of time and happy to oblige, that make people like you stand out as biligerant and unprepared even if you are just blissfully ignorant and trying to board your plane... ?


Claeren.

I travel all the time so I am as ready as anyone when going through the security check points. I take off my watch and jewelry, never wear clips in my hair, I clean out my pockets and put everything in my purse so I can just plop it down on the counter, let them scan it and I can just walk through and pick up my purse and move on quickly. I know the drill. I am not a biligerant traveller. I just draw the line at taking off my belt before getting to the front of the line. I made the choice to leave it on so I guess you can fault me for that if you would like, but I had worn that belt before and they asked me to open it up and I did and that was the end of it. Like i have said, I am more than happy to oblige. My problem was with them not letting me do them up when they asked me to turn around. Also, she accused me several times of lying to her about having things in my pockets. By the end of it, i just felt like I was doing something wrong.

[Eddie Bronze]

Originally posted by Eastern Girl@Aug 18 2005, 02:53 PM
Not fun to have people staring at me when I am standing at security in bare feet with my pants undone.

Anyone else having problems like this or do they just like to pick on me?

It's definitely not just you. They did the exact same thing to me in the Calgary airport when I went home last Christmas. Made me unbuckle my belt and didn't let me do it back up before making me turn around to face the long lineup. They almost pulled the same crap in Halifax when I came back but I just buckled it back up and made the b*tch wait.

[Loosh]

I had one really bad experience

Well my story goes back two summers ago when i was coming back from a trip in the Turks and Caicus islands and Miami. This is about 2 yrs after the 9/11 attacks and I am Lebanese so I did understand certain precautions that were needed but this was far to extreme.

I was heading out of miami to chicago and while i was going through customs I was asked who i was travelling with. I said my cousin over there (pointing). The customs agent replied with "why dont I believe you". With a stun look on my face i asked him why i would lie. He replied with "i seem to get a lot of liars like you". I was stunned but figured fata it, he then wants me to prove that we are related. So he asks to see my cousins passport, I through a lil fit, through out some harsh words but security quickly extinguished the scene and we were excorted to our bags that were waiting for us with an older lady. She asked us to go into a room so it can be looked through. I had no problem with that and totally understood considering what transpired earlier. After 20 mins of searchin us and the bags we were free to go. Cool Beans....yeah no.

We get to chicago and we have plans to stay the night and check out the city. next day get back to the airport and while we check in we are asked to go into a room. We were obviously red flagged in miami. They searched us again but this one went by quick and the people were very friendly. Off to homeland.

We get to cgy and after we get our bags we are "randomly" selected from a lineup to get our bags checked. I walked into the room and chuckled as 3 of the 4 others in the room were of middle eastern decent. I asked if this is done randomly and the lady said yes. I then asked why i have been stopped and searched in all three stops within 24 hrs. She had no answer. No biggie i just wanna catch my flight to edmonton and get home. She begins to ask questions to which i was honest with excpet "did you use any drugs on your trip", my obvious answer no...why, because its none of her business, as long as i didnt bring any back with me.

the lady who was checking my cousins bag comes over to me and says "your cousin tells me you guys smoked some pot on your trip, was it as good as this?" she then showed me a picture of her and some guy with a pot plant. I have no idea why she carries that picture and why she pulled it out, but nevertheless the lady who was checking me flipped because i had lied to her. I had told her it was none of her business what i did on my trip and if i did smoke a bit of pot who cares i did not bring any illegal substances down with me. She is still very angry, goes into a room and makes a call. We are asked to sit tight. 5 minutes later a police man shows up with a nice lil doggy, the doggy begins to sniff around but finds nothing on me or my cousin. they leave and were told it wont be much longer. Then they take them cotton swaps and run them around our bags. They test mine and comes out clean, they run my cousins through and it sounds off. They go to a room and come back saying that his bag tested positive for an illegal substance, one that him or I do not use. he tries to explain that its imposible and that its a misunderstanding, they dont buy it and begin attacking us with questions. We are now in different rooms and after a few more questions i was told i could leave. My cousin had to stay for a few more tests and questions but was let go after 15 mins later. We barely caught our flight thanx to the 2 hour layover and got home with a bitter taste in our mouths.

i have travelled a lot since but havent had a problem since.