Are Flightcrew Exempt From the Ban on Liquid in Carry-ons?

[DHC-1 Jockey]

I've searched the CATSA and TC websites but I can't find any information on this... only stuff relating to passengers. If anyone could provide a link to where this information can be found, it would be appreciated. Also, do the rules change for pilots acting as flight crew to those deadheading to those traveling for pleasure?

[TopperHarley]

When we're deadheading or working, we are exempt. Ive had my bag searched and fondled, but Ive never had anything confiscated, other than a pair of scissors. If you're travelling for pleasure, in uniform, you are not exempt and they will take your lotions and potions away.

[TopperHarley]

I dont know of a link either, sorry, but there's probably one around somewhere.

[oldncold]

Not from what i saw last thursday , captain (transat) uniform with red pass ahead of me in yyz got the full security meal deal> crew bags pat down the works. . he was gracious but seemed steamed . the people that did this, I thought were doing this because it looked like he worked out alot and the ladies (rather plain may i add) at the security checkpoint wanted a show besides doing a routine screening. i don't think he' d ever give his ph# to them that way .

[Black Sheep]

Yes you can, there is a CATSA bulletin from last summer, but unauthorized disclosure is prohibited. I always carry it with me. Ask your employer to provide it. Should make your life easier.
Cheers.

[TyrellCorp]

You know who you can thank for helping bring about this exemption? The ACPA security committee. Please remember that next time you're bashing Team Red.

[Jack In The Box]

Anyone able to provide anything further on this? I am deadheading home from work and just got told that becaus I dont work for a 'real' airline (I work for a 704 carrier...) that I could not take my liquids thru security. And this isnt the first time this has happened at this paticular location (nowhere else does this happen). Id like to find some kind of documentation regarding this for future incidents.

[mbav8r]

Carole Giard, Chief Inspection and Compliance Programs.
Look her up, send an email requesting the latest security notice
and you are exempt from LAGS while in uniform, commuting or deadheading.

[FICU]

The information is found in the document: "Security Notice G/V-003"

When deadheading and not in uniform you must use a restricted area access point with a valid RAIC and have the proper documentation from your employer stating you are deadheading to reposition.

When commuting you must be in uniform with a valid RAIC and will be allowed expedited screening either through a crew lane (if available), a family lane, a NEXUS lane (where available), or taken to the front of the queue.

Hope this helps!

[DHC-1 Jockey]

To add to the above, from Transport's Website:

"Pilots should understand the security requirements set out in the Canadian Aviation Security Regulations and review Security Notice GV – 003. For additional guidance a copy of the security notice can be obtained by contacting Michel Beland, Director, Aviation Security Operations."

I used to carry it with me when working at a previous 704 gig but don't have it anymore. Essentially it broke it down into 3 sections, and I'm paraphrasing here.

1. A crewmember IN UNIFORM can deadead on their own company aircraft by proceeding through a restricted area access point (RAIC scan) and are EXEMPT from the liquids and gels ban.

2. A crewmember NOT IN UNIFORM can deadhead on their own company aircraft by proceeding through a restricted area access point (RAIC scan) but ARE NOT exempt from the liquids and gels ban.

3. A crewmember deadheading ON ANOTHER CARRIER can proceed directly to that flight's gate if you are already on the secure side of the airport. If you leave the secure area and wish to return to the secure area, you must do so through regular passenger screening and NOT through a RAIC access point. The same rules apply as in cases 1 and 2 regarding to liquids and gels depending on if you are in uniform or not (i.e. in uniform: good to bring liquids and gels, no uniform: you are limited to the same limits as regular passengers). Your boarding pass must display that you are a deadheading passenger as well, otherwise regular passengers could play dress-up as a pilot and start to bring things through security.

Funny story, the reason I carried the notice with me was because of an incident in YOW. I was deadheading home on another carrier and had changed out of my uniform into casual clothes. I had a lunch bag with me with a frozen gel block. When trying to go through regular security, I was told I couldn't bring the gel pack, even though I had my RAIC card. The CATSA agent said however that if I went and changed back into my uniform, he would let me through. So I asked him "So it's the uniform that makes the gel pack safe, and I could come back here and see you again in 5 minutes in different clothes and then the gel pack would be 'safe'?" Seems silly, right?

I didn't have time to change and catch my flight so I left the pack behind, but while he was right in this case, it's nice to know if you ever get into a situation with an over zealous CATSA agent that you can pull out the notice and let them know what's what!

[North Shore]

"So it's the uniform that makes the gel pack safe, and I could come back here and see you again in 5 minutes in different clothes and then the gel pack would be 'safe'?" Seems silly, right?

Silly? No, it's ASININE!

Who thinks this crap up? Either you're safe with a RAIC, or you're not

[ahramin]

Lots of incorrect information on here. The rules have changed many times so it's hard to keep track. The real answer is call and get the current security notice for yourself, read it through several times until you understand it thoroughly, and keep a copy with you. It's not written very well. If a bunch of pilots can't keep track of the current rules, it's highly unlikely that the McDonalds rejects manning the security checkpoints are going to do a better job. Also keep in mind that individual airport authorities can make up any security rules they want, and Transport Canada will back them up.

To answer your question though, according to the security notice aircrew are always exempt from LAG rules within reasonable amounts when in uniform regardless of purpose of travel, and never exempt from LAG rules when out of uniform regardless of purpose of travel.

It's the uniform that makes it possible to transubstantiate the highly explosive water into harmless non-terrorist water. Flattering really when you think about it.

[Phlyer]

It's the uniform that makes it possible to transubstantiate the highly explosive water into harmless non-terrorist water. Flattering really when you think about it.

K - I am going to have to steal that. Gold.

[FICU]

3. A crewmember deadheading ON ANOTHER CARRIER can proceed directly to that flight's gate if you are already on the secure side of the airport. If you leave the secure area and wish to return to the secure area, you must do so through regular passenger screening and NOT through a RAIC access point. The same rules apply as in cases 1 and 2 regarding to liquids and gels depending on if you are in uniform or not (i.e. in uniform: good to bring liquids and gels, no uniform: you are limited to the same limits as regular passengers). Your boarding pass must display that you are a deadheading passenger as well, otherwise regular passengers could play dress-up as a pilot and start to bring things through security.

Just a few more details...

As a deadheading crew member on another carrier you can still use the restricted area access point but you must have company documents verifying you are in fact deadheading and remember you are always subject to search and if not in uniform you are restricted to the LAG limits. So, if you have excess and you're not in uniform you take your chances on getting searched or not.

[ea306]

"So it's the uniform that makes the gel pack safe, and I could come back here and see you again in 5 minutes in different clothes and then the gel pack would be 'safe'?" Seems silly, right?

Silly? No, it's ASININE!

Who thinks this crap up? Either you're safe with a RAIC, or you're not

Makes me recall something similar I had happen to me in YYJ. Was deadheading wearing business casual... CATSA Agent would not let me pass with my liquids... Said I had to be in uniform.

No problem says I. I open my Rollie bag and get changed right there with all the other passengers cued up behind me. Made a few people laugh...including the staff. None-the-less.... I was now in compliance with their silly rules (which seem to vary from airport to airport).

They let me through.

And once through... I promptly changed back to business casual clothes before leaving the screening area.

[FICU]

Next time you are caught with a Leatherman at an access point go out to the plane and get the crash axe. Go back in and then go back through that same access point. "It's mandatory equipment and I can't depart with out it." "So you will let me take this huge crash axe with me to the plane but not a puny Leatherman? Fun with CATSA!

[ea306]

Had my nail clippers taken away once....guess the CATSA guys in YUL thought I would give the FO a pedicure or something....weird thinks I. Oh well.

Told him I have a crash axe in the flight deck...in fact every airplane has one. Maybe you ought to make us all safer and remove them. If you stop us from flying airplanes I guess then no will ever get hurt right? All the silliness since 9-11 .... I should not of bothered I know. I am over it now.

Once in Halifax just after 911 I was screened by an RCMP member (after having just flown across the Atlantic and having to clear customs and security before continuing on the domestic sector from YHZ to YYZ) The RCMP officer found a flash light in my flight bag and upon inspection found that the batteries were dead. He wanted to take it away from me.

I enquire incredulously: "Your are a real RCMP member right?"
"Yes but of course! Why?" He responds.

"Well I have a question for you: You must be an intelligent fellow, I expect so...I see you have a real gun...does any of this make any sense? I am only trying to do my job you know."....

After a brief reflective moment, he hands me my flash light back.

I used to find all the nonsense frustrating and wondered if normalcy will ever return. It has gotten better, but I have just resigned myself to accept it these days. Life is short enough I guess.

[justwork]

My experience is hit or miss. DH'ing in uniform I've never had a problem, about 70/30 out of uniform with a red pass.

[bcflyer]

[
They let me through. And once through... I promptly changed back to business casual clothes before leaving the screening area.

I would be careful changing to civies once through security. I'm too lazy to look it up but I'm pretty sure its not allowed. If you use your uniform to get your liquids through, then you must stay in your uniform. I agree its ridiculous but if you got stopped after changing clothes you likely wouldn't have much recourse.

[ea306]

Good to know.

The thing that did not make any sense was that I was deadheading... Had an itinerary from the company in my hand. Oh well. It was a couple years ago.

Thanks for sharing.

[bcflyer]

The sooner you stop trying to make sense of the security policies the better off you'll be!! lol

[ywg9]

Operating and deadheading crew are always l and g exempt. deadheading crew in civies using the by pass could carry l and g in theory depending what the fom/com says for dress code and how big of a stink you want to make. commuting or flying for pleasure as long as you go through regular screening you are l and g exempt and also random pull over exempt you can change after if you want. the only time you shouldnt would be if you used you raic to get by security and not a boarding pass. that being said every airport authority use the security regs are a guide line, which is why some airports pull over everyone in the by pass and some just do just an id check. if you get pulled over in places like yow that have no xray and they want to go through your bag, rather than having the crew watch you dont forget you can always ask for a private room for the search....this will generally shut down screening and let others by with just an id check..

[bcflyer]

You are only exempt if you are working (operating or deadheading) or commuting and in uniform. Our FOM clearly states that we can deadhead in civies if we want but I know from experience that if you are NOT in uniform, you are NOT exempt. If you are travelling for pleasure you are never L and G exempt. You definitely can't use your RAIC to bypass security if you are not either operating or deadheading. (you can use it to go the front of the security line but not to bypass)

[dashx]

Wow......

You have made all this a simple as getting a low price on an Air Canada flight ........

http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information ... ited-items

I know, I know its the FAA but look Ma I can bring my skates onboard!!!!!!!!!!

And look if my tool is less than 7" (no comment ...) I can bring that with me.. Uniform or no uniform......

There should be no special treatment for anyone. My 2c.