Red pass

stallnfall · Post by **stallnfall** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 7:25 am

I hate to bring up an old topic, but have we straightened out the problems with getting a red pass if you have been outside the country for a while?

ramp_agent · Post by **ramp_agent** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 11:13 am

good luck, took me about 4 1/2 months because I was in other countries. The most painful process.

Flybabe · Post by **Flybabe** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 11:32 am

I got my pass in about a month and a half - except the winner at the security office forgot to call me.

I spent almost 5 years in the US but no time overseas ( other than 3 weeks in South Africa).

Front. · Post by **Front.** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 10:09 am

should a middle eastern have problems getting this pass? will they delay the process just cause of that? I returned my iranian passport and nationality as a) it is a messed up place b) i have nothing to do with iran, i lived my life in sweden since i was 5 months old c) I don't intend on going to Iran anymore.

So anyway, all i am holding is a swedish EU Passport and a Canadian PR card. Should i have any issues?

WRX · Post by **WRX** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 3:26 pm

My co-worker's parents are born in Iran. But he was born in Canada and never been to overseas. It took him 9 months.

His brother's pass only took about a week though. (the brother applied about 3 months after he got it)

I lived in australia for 4 years and lived in Canada 3 years before I applied and it wook me 2 and half months to get it. and another month for someone to notify me that it's in.

kavupilot · Post by **kavupilot** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 6:39 pm

took me 6 months to get one because i had lived in 2 other countries besides canada in the last 6 months...my initial application was rejected and i had to provide evidence of what i was doing in these countries and that i was not up to no good

flystraightin · Post by **flystraightin** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 8:39 pm

it took me about 3months, I hear 6months is the new standard now...its really too bad

Front. · Post by **Front.** » Mon Jul 17, 2006 10:21 pm

so how does it work, can you apply for it anytime? or do you need a letter from an airline to apply? how does the process work and where can you apply for it...

pingcat · Post by **pingcat** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 5:25 am

To C182
I'm thinkin', if you have to ask about the red pass procedure you probably don't need one and I doubt very much that any one on a private board would be willing to show how the procedure could be circumvented - at least I would hope that would be the case.

confuzed · Post by **confuzed** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 11:49 am

I've been waiting for about 2 months, and still no sign of mine. I haven't lived outside the country, just moved a lot over the last 5 years. When I did up my application though, I was told that it could take upwards of 2-3 months as they were pretty backlogged right now. I just hope I filled everything in right, as it would really suck to get it returned after 3 months of waiting

Dockjock · Post by **Dockjock** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 12:13 pm

Everyone in Ottawa in government jobs is on vacation right now. It's summer, and work is for private-sector SUCKERS!

Lommer · Post by **Lommer** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 12:55 pm

C182, for a red-pass to any airport, you need to be sponsored by a company at that airport. You/your company can apply for the pass as soon as your job description requires that you have one (ie when you get hired or promoted or whatever). If you are an independant operator looking to get a red pass (i.e. a garbage truck driver who needs airside access) then good luck if your company hasn't already been certified - it will take a while.

Usually each airport has a department called "access control" or something like that that handles the issuing of passes, AVOPs, background checks, fingerprinting, retinal scans, and assloads of paperwork. If you think you have a justifiable reason for getting a pass, go talk to them. Be forewarned that you will need to demonstrate a totally legit need for a pass, and I've never heard of anyone being issued a pass that wasn't employed at the airport.

flystraightin · Post by **flystraightin** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 2:42 pm

Yeah, no kidding...you have talk to the local PCO or Pass Control Office. Then you apply for a RAP (Restricted Area Pass) to gain airside access.

During the application you need to have the supervisor or manager's sig of the company you work for on the application and, at my airport, they have to be beside you when you first apply. They you get the eye scans, finger prints (both ink and electic) and you have to fill out a $hitload of paperwork detailling the exact location of you for the last 5 (or maybe 7...i cant remember) years. If you miss a day, you application is rejected.

Then they ask you some family questions...if you're from overseas, stuff about your parents etc. I wont go into details...

After that they take about 6 pics of you from different agles and choose one for your pass...then they issue you a temp. RAP pass, or yellow pass, that allows you to be airside (with an escort 24/7) while your application is being processed (investigated by CSIS) in Ottawa...which usually takes 3-6 months. After you pass the background checks in Ottawa your name gets added to a 'go' list that now will allow you airside access without supervision...you will get keys, swipe and scrable cards, and your eye scans and finger prints will added to the system. Then you can apply for D , DR and DA AVOPs and other ratings for your RAP.

Things that will slow you down:

-immagrant
-living abroad
-police record
-FLQ affiliations (some new guy's parents used to be in FLQ...true story!)
-any public or known rebellions against the government
-anyone from or of middle eastern decent
-screwing up shit on the application

It all depends on your situation....if you dont need one, you probably wont get one. They are given out on a case-by-case basis. Dont try to get a red pass unless you actually need one....everyone at PCO is an asshole (for a good reason) and if you piss them off, they'll call the cops and put your ass in jail. Dont try screwing around with airport security cause they take it very seriously, especially after 9/11

PPP · Post by **PPP** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:13 pm

It took me for ever to get one. The best part was I had a security clearance for outside the country too. Long as all the docs you have prove your self and are correct, it just takes time. Also Using the sue word works well and speeds up the process
Here's who to ask at TC Intelligance Branch on what's going on and where you sit
Mary-Ann Mattioli
Work Number 613-9989773

Front. · Post by **Front.** » Tue Jul 18, 2006 3:58 pm

okey so i guess i'll just wait till i need one, ie when it's time to work for an airline.

And if i am from middle eastern descent, would airlines consider me for an interview then knowing that getting that clearance will take more time due to my middle eastern background?

flystraightin · Post by **flystraightin** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 12:07 am

No, it shouldnt be a big problem. As long as you've been here for awhile.

Good luck

Front. · Post by **Front.** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 1:51 pm

oh okey cool thanks

Rem · Post by **Rem** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 3:02 pm

In the mean time enjoy your Yellow Pass. I just renewed mine because the 3 month expiry date was up and no red card yet. This means that next time I go to Saskatoon I'll be searched, wanded, have my bags searched, and have -get this- TWO security guards escort me to the airplane. Simply because it says search OR escort required at the back. Apparently a yellow card combined with a pilot's licence makes you a menace to society these days.

2R · Post by 2R » Wed Jul 19, 2006 3:18 pm

I do wish they would warm their hands

And they have no sense of HA HA.
"But i hardly now you " and " Please be gentle this is my first time "
Should get a laugh in peacetime you would think

Oh well they must be burdened thinking that what they do is really important.

No red cards for anyone posting on avcanada (untrue just a joke )

RidersRule · Post by **RidersRule** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 4:29 pm

Still got me one of those yellow passes, or targets as I like to call them. Stick out like a sore thumb. Been waiting for about 4 months, never been out of the country but lived on a few reservations back when I was "living the dream".

flystraightin · Post by **flystraightin** » Thu Jul 20, 2006 6:08 pm

our red passes are being changed to blue when our new security system gets activated

...its gunna be werid