CATSA Security??

hind sight · Post by **hind sight** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 9:05 am

JBI wrote: I will defend them on a couple of points though. To begin with, while I would always apologize to flight crew if I had to search them, and I know it is frustrating having meaningless things confiscated when you've got a fire axe in the cockpit, you have to keep in mind that non-pilots have stolen uniforms before and gotten onto planes.

That is the biggest point about confiscating meaningless things.
We get searched but the airport workers walk right on through untouched and yes the can get access to an airplane. A bit of a double standard. It is equally possible to steal other uniforms and get passed security I am sure. But with a proper ID and now the bio metrics ID? Come on people!
There are occations when the screeners seem to have a sense of humor and we can chat and have fun with the process but it is more often then not the chip on the shoulder that prevails.
Oh and one other issue. There should be a mandatory crew line only area to do this in.
We should not be forced to jump the line !

rigpiggy · Post by **rigpiggy** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 12:38 pm

JBI wrote: you have to keep in mind that non-pilots have stolen uniforms before and gotten onto planes.
.

I'd like to see documentation on that one besides the TC clowns wearing a uniform w/ there pix taped over the card. No disrespect to the CATSA folks, but I am the line of defense. I control gravity, one of the reasons that it's SOP to have the seatbelts on whenever seated, you don't know when I may give you some pilot induced turbulence.

RNAV · Post by **RNAV** » Mon Nov 13, 2006 7:45 pm

The one that gets me each time is watching a bunch of airport employees/rampies walk through the checkpoint without being stopped or searched. They might go through there a few times each day, so the people working the checkpoint get to know them.

Pilots, on the other hand, go through there once every few days (depending on where you are / what you do), and you are the one that gets searched.

Talk about frustrating!

canpilot · Post by **canpilot** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 6:46 pm

Don't even get me started on these jokers!

On a commerical cross country flight, (300 nm) I was denied access airside after going into the terminal to take a piss break. Apparently, I am not allowed to airside at a screened airport unless I have a valid RAP for that airport. * rolls eyes * My crew license,my RAP for another airport did not count, showing her/him my aircraft keys clearly marked C-GABC then pointing to the aircraft sitting impaitently in the ramp didn't work either!! I DIDN'T HAVE A RAP FOR THE AIRPORT I WAS VISITING!! LOL!
Finally, a employee of the airport came to my rescue and I was allowed airside.

The other good one is when I have to remove shoes, socks, belt, hat you name it to clear security. Meanwhile ,the person behind me in certain specified clothing types similar to that of the secuity screener makes it through no questions asked.

I have seen similar things happen at YVR with crew from other airports. Often they will ask "What is YEG...that rap doesen't work here in ..YVR" In general, security at airports in Canada is a JOKE!

my .02

Chop&Drop · Post by **Chop&Drop** » Tue Nov 14, 2006 7:13 pm

The worst is when two or three of us rampies go through and they are actually wanding people, we pick which one of us will get wanded. How dumb is that??

Also this biometrics stuff is crap. I had to give them my fingerprints -which they already had from my application - and I only have to use one of my index fingers but they took the whole hand. They dudes reasoning was because if I lost a finger they'd have a back-up already on file.

WTF!

Can't wait till my finger print and retnal scan aren't enough and I have to give some DNA to prove I am whom I claim to be.

overrun · Post by **overrun** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:15 am

I love YWG security, there's a new face every week, some young, most old. So I go thru security yesterday with only my jacket, wallet and some change (in the jacket pocket). No line up thank God but the "new - Old Lady - 60ish, stops the scanner to ponder the contents of the container which is holding my jacket. After a good minute of looking she turns to a co-worker and says "is that a zipper?" No shit. Talk about highly trained individuals, if she can't identify a freakin' zipper how will she ever know what something like a gun would look like. I think she will need some remedial training. Anyhoo, I digress, at least I didn't beep this time.

airplane rider · Post by **airplane rider** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:56 am

At least they aren't asking for a rectal scan.

hind sight · Post by **hind sight** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 11:32 am

Being in this industry we have ALL had the rectal exam at least once.

wallypilot · Post by **wallypilot** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:19 pm

I went through YXY on a jazz flight back to YVR and the screeners made me put my chapstick in a clear plastic bag. Fair enough, those are the rules. post security, as I was putting my laptop back in my bag, etc, i removed the chapstick from the ziploc, chapstick back in pocket, discard plastic bag. one screener noticed the bag in the garbage a few minutes later, and searched the departure lounge for whoever had discarded it(me). Once i piped up and admitted it was I, she insisted that I dig out my chapstick, and put it back in the ziploc for the duration of the flight. So, accordingly, i rumaged around in my many jacket pockets, found the chapstick, put said chapstick back in ziploc, then returned the ziploc enclosed chapstick to the depths of my pockets, feeling much safer now that I had done as the CATSA screener required.

Fline@9 · Post by **Fline@9** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 9:40 pm

Hindsite..... YYZ has always led the race to the bottom of pretty much everything.

As for CATASS... They sucked when they were shopping mall security dinks. They sucked when our GOV made them comb their hair, gave them fancy uniforms and big pay raises from 6 to 7 dollars per hour. And as sure as this post will piss off the one lone completely lost CATSA boob lurking here reading this.... they will live to suck another day.

Brantford Beech Boy · Post by **Brantford Beech Boy** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:33 pm

I love the security at the smaller airports.

YFB used to be just as bad (if not worse than) YZF, but that was several yaers ago! Nothing like seeing the same security dude several times every day for 2 weeks as a crewmember and then getting the third degree like I'm some stranger when I'm leaving on the jet.

In Cranbrook, I'm not allowed to enter the terminal building from airside if there is a sked flight on the ramp. WTF!? You have to use the gate at the FSS and walk "street side" to get a cup of coffee!

We did a charter to YMM last weekend, arrived at 2000L on a Sunday night. Land, park, dis-embark 7 pax and escort them into the terminal.
We were just dropping off, so after a quick hygiene break, try to get back to my airplane, only to be denied ramp access until we were screened by CATSA. I had a retarded moment and tried to explain that we were a charter crew with no passengers, just trying to get back to our plane.
This drew very blank stares. No passengers? Get back to airplane? Charter?

Last time I allow myself to be talked into dropping people off at a terminal instead of an FBO.

Yep, love those small airports!

BBB

whoop_whoop · Post by **whoop_whoop** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 12:43 am

Terrain...I'm onto you

Yeah, doing a physical of somebody's bald head doesn't make sense....the person is in training and you have to do it because they are grading you on the process. You don't, you fail. They teach that on the first course you do and if you fail, you're out for a year before you can re-attempt.

Part of the reason crew are searched is that in years past, some crew have determined that they wanted to carry banned substances past security and that's a big part of why the crew are checked.

The caterers and janitors and other busy-bodys who run through with a cart full of commercial food for a vending machine are searched randomly because they would be proxying through a staff bypass door...same as crew being searched in the same manner. I haven't worked one of those crew doors, but from flight crews and rampies in Van, I hear it's pretty stupid. Ex. 2 ppl want to get through in a group...the security person asks them who wants to volunteer for the random search. Obviously, you'd pick the person who isn't carrying the stuff you wanna get through. That's not allowed according to SOP...a random should be exactly that.

Yeah, a lot of the security 'minions' may not be caucasion or speak english very well. The vast majority are just trying to do their job well and make an honest effort...you get one lazy slob and it just ruins the entire image of everybody else working there. As a frequent pax through security, I'm apalled at the dismal work performance of a few ppl. It's very scary how much of a loophole it creates.

Anyhow, sorry for the lengthy read...I know where you're coming from and comparing what should happen to what I see is sickening. When I'm on the point, I really go that extra mile to be courteous and straight-forward with ppl. Still, I had one guy tell me on sat that it's complete bullshit that he should have to open his belt after it beeps...they've found knives and other martial arts weapons behind ppl's belt buckles...I'm not trying to be an a**hole.

WW

the_professor · Post by **the_professor** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 8:40 am

wallypilot wrote:I went through YXY on a jazz flight back to YVR and the screeners made me put my chapstick in a clear plastic bag. Fair enough, those are the rules. post security, as I was putting my laptop back in my bag, etc, i removed the chapstick from the ziploc, chapstick back in pocket, discard plastic bag. one screener noticed the bag in the garbage a few minutes later, and searched the departure lounge for whoever had discarded it(me). Once i piped up and admitted it was I, she insisted that I dig out my chapstick, and put it back in the ziploc for the duration of the flight. So, accordingly, i rumaged around in my many jacket pockets, found the chapstick, put said chapstick back in ziploc, then returned the ziploc enclosed chapstick to the depths of my pockets, feeling much safer now that I had done as the CATSA screener required.

What is with the ziploc bags? What does that accomplish? Does anyone know?

mellow_pilot · Post by **mellow_pilot** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 9:04 am

Terrorist can't work the 'red and yellow makes green' seal. Scientific fact.

benice · Post by **benice** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 9:31 am

RNAV wrote:The only difference with CATSA now is that you have people wearing the same uniforms coast to coast. Standards and procedures are different EVERYWHERE.

Do Catsa guys speak English in other airports. cuz in yyz they speak anything else but English or french

Fline@9 · Post by **Fline@9** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 9:46 am

Now now.... Thats not nice....

Puddle Jumper · Post by **Puddle Jumper** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 11:33 am

Sorry to bust in on this discussion guys ‘n’ gals, but I have a question to put to the floor.

Are there any non Canadian citizens, non landed immigrants, or individuals NOT working for a foreign government or company, but are working for a Canadian company on a valid Canadian work visa, that have managed to obtain transport security clearance pass? If yes, how did you go about applying for it?

I would love to tell you all about the situation I find myself in with the security people, but it's still work-in-progress at the moment - if you know what I mean!

Jumper

bcflyer · Post by **bcflyer** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 12:48 pm

Professer, have a look on the first page of this thread. The ziplock baggie is explained there.

Flybaby · Post by **Flybaby** » Thu Nov 30, 2006 12:52 pm

I used to work in YVR as a rampie, and the random employee screening was a F***ing joke. If we drove airside instead of walking there would be no screening.
I had a folding pair of scissors taken away because it was an concealed weapon since it was in my pocket, but depending on the scanner I was allowed a multi-tool on my belt as long as I could justify that I needed it to do my job.
The thing that always got to me was after getting searched, loading a cart load of hunting rifles and ammunition on to an aircraft. I had access to enough firepower to run a small army, but folding scissors are a definite no.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 3:45 pm

Sarnia has the most thorough people in the frickin country. I think it's because they get so bored and like to play alittle CSI swabbing peoples labtops. I do the usual, coat in the bucket, stuff out of pockets and walk through with my belt open...its a joke.

TO on the other hand I cant stand. Everytime I walk through security I have to ask myself if Im still in Canada. Im not being mean, but its true..cocky ones too.

One kid, looked about 18 asked me to take off my shoes...I looked at him...didnt say anything, and started taking them off. As I went to un tie them he said like a big oaf "well its not like you have a choice"!

I looked up (i noticed he had a non-cleared pass and said) I bet you have to do this to everytime you start a shift eh rookie as I looked at his pass. I believe security should be taken VERY seriously, but leave the cop shit for the cops/customs.

While Im on the topic and it being the x-mas season...is there anything against taking wrapped presents through security with that grand system...or is there something against that (only asking because I can bet there probably is...cant take shaving cream on a carry on, i bet wrapped gifts are out of the question too) Thanks guys.

whoop_whoop · Post by **whoop_whoop** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 7:35 pm

Pete wrote:While Im on the topic and it being the x-mas season...is there anything against taking wrapped presents through security with that grand system...or is there something against that (only asking because I can bet there probably is...cant take shaving cream on a carry on, i bet wrapped gifts are out of the question too) Thanks guys.

Yeah, there is nothing against it, but it's not recommended because if there's something in the gift that we can't see through or don't know what it is, they'll have to open the gift to see....which really sucks. If at all possible, try to bring non-wrapped ones.

the_professor · Post by **the_professor** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 9:39 pm

bcflyer wrote:Professer, have a look on the first page of this thread. The ziplock baggie is explained there.

Looking..... can't find it? Quote?

bij · Post by **bij** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 9:59 pm

whoop_whoop wrote:There are standards for CATSA ppl to follow and it is embarrassing to see that the 'standard' is not being followed. Driving Rain, there is absolutely NO mandate for them to direct you to a private room and proceed to "...undo my pants" We are only allowed to do screening of ppl, not searches, except in the case where you have caused an alarm in the metal detector. And we have to ASK if you would prefer a private room or is your current position fine to conduct a physical search.

The purpose of the baggie for liquids and gels is so that they are grouped and easily identifiable to us when we process you through security. If anything exceeds the limit, we can quickly locate it and dispose of it, or give it to you to put in a checked bag.
PM if you want clarification.

ihatecatsa · Post by **ihatecatsa** » Tue Feb 27, 2007 9:53 pm

I hate CATSA screeners. everytime I walk through the detector doens't go off but the power-tripper on the other side still deems it necessary to wave his wand around me. and I mean everytime. Why is that? and he also asks me to undo my pants. one time he just stuck his hand on my bare skin on my waist well below my belly button to check the jean button for a bomb and i snapped at him to get his hand off of me and ask before doing such a thing. i hate these people. one time without the wand going off i had to sit down and have my legs scanned and remove my shoes. what the hell is the point of this? meanwhile the other morons have started digging through my bags without me watching them. I snap at them to wait until i am present. unebelieveable. winnipeg does seem to have a uniquely idiotic crew.

CATSA Security??

Security Pass