Red-Pass

[Vlakvark]

What is the benefit of a red-pass....... Still getting the "pat" down at security...

[High Flyin]

What is the benefit of a red-pass....... Still getting the "pat" down at security...

If you're talking about working air side such as ramp, than you're not required to pass through a passenger screening checkpoint...

[plainfixer]

Not true.
In YVR, "check point charlie", now requires you to get out of your vehicle and strip down walk thru a ferris metal detector, then re-dress and get back into your vehicle.
Your red pass is first scanned to open the gate, then scanned again for your finger print, then you drive to check point, and red pass is scanned again and finger print is done again.
Then you are allowed to proceed.

[bcflyer]

What is the benefit of a red-pass....... Still getting the "pat" down at security...

If you're talking about working air side such as ramp, than you're not required to pass through a passenger screening checkpoint...

Thats odd.. If the rampies dont have to go through the screening point then why do the pilots and F/A's? Both have access to the flight deck......

[High Flyin]

It's at least true where I work.

Not sure why pilots and F/A's have to do it. Maybe because they don't hold a red pass...Do they?

[Slappy the Squirrel]

Aircrew generally do hold red passes

[Ralliart]

Question:

Let's say you're flight crew, going through one of the staff bypass areas and you scan your pass, then they ask you to step on the mat to get either a green arrow (keep going) or a red arrow (standard search required).

If you get the red arrow and have to put your bag through the machine, and walk through the metal detector, what are they looking for? Are they going to confiscate your contact lens solution from your overnight bag, or tell you to pour out your coffee that you're holding? What if you have a lighter or leatherman in your bag?

If you step on the mat and get the red arrow, could you turn around, go outside for a smoke or a piss, and come back 5 minutes later and try scanning again for the green arrow?

[bcflyer]

Once you enter start the bypass process you can't just turn around. Doing so will cost you your red pass.

My previous question in this thread was purely rhetorical.. The fact is that we all know security is a farce. Its there so the public will feel secure.

[Gawtti]

Not true.
In YVR, "check point charlie", now requires you to get out of your vehicle and strip down walk thru a ferris metal detector, then re-dress and get back into your vehicle.
Your red pass is first scanned to open the gate, then scanned again for your finger print, then you drive to check point, and red pass is scanned again and finger print is done again.
Then you are allowed to proceed.

I gotta do this numerous times on a shift, it gets real annoying when you gotta go back and forth from the Hangar !!

[Vlakvark]

Thanks for that but why the "pass" if you still have to go through security and then still a second "pat-down".

[J31]

Once upon a time after months of security checks the coveted “Red Pass” indicated that the holder was a trusted sole. Now because everyone is a suspected terrorist it is just another piece of ID that has very little security clearance. It is a make work project to keep the bureaucracy busy.

[bombardierfixer]

Ahh I hate CATSA, and half of their employees. Yeah They have a shitty job that I wouldn't want to do and some of them are okay, BUT my last few experiences with them have been pretty negative. Wanting to scan my 18 month old daughter aside, I've seen them cut into line and be rude to guests AFTER the screening process. It seems that they are starting to attract the kids who were picked on during school and now have a axe to grind with the general public. Last time I had to dump my pockets and the questioned me about my stamp? They thought it was a lighter until I stamped something, then I had to explain what the stamp was for. I should have gone through the commissionaire door. Its funny when you look forward to immigration now...

[Lpsi]

Greetings everyone,

bc flyer

Quote,
"Once you enter start the bypass process you can't just turn around. Doing so will cost you your red pass."

I didn't know this. Do you have a link or reference to this?

I recently had an extremely difficult experience with a screening person & was planning on turning around to avoid a confrontational encounter if I see him again. I know ask for a supervisor, or private room. blah blah! I will do that next time.

**** Can anyone provide the outline of what a CATSA screener can or cant do. ****
I hate to say this but "What are our rights WRT the BS we have to endure?" Looking for hard facts here. I am afraid to ask at the airport, No Joke.
Ie:
Can they "without asking" start patting you down? Rubba dub dub!!

Can they put their fingers in your pockets? Grab the waistline of your pants "fingers inside your pants" ? ( more physical contact than I get at home or during the recurrent medical)

Can they have you remove clothing or raise your pant legs?

Can they ask to see your wallet and go through it at will?

I appreciate everyone's input here. PM with details if you wish.

I did look through the Transport Canada web, then CATSA & Garda. I didn't find it. It appears as though "the authorities" do not want to reveal the rules and make the playing field fair. Why would that be I wonder?

Obviously I am ticked, as I probably have more f'kn time in secure areas than most of those sceeners have in Canada! The red light/ green light should be moved to the immigration office, LMFAO,...problemo solved!

I don't believe that the Aircrew and for that matter the General Public should be subjected to these practices. If we just "roll over" and take it up the ASS on a daily basis, we get what we deserve by not calling them on whats going on. Hope a day comes when security authorities realize that they could better allocate the time, money and resources, by doing their duo diligence. Go after the bad guys, & stop telling us you don't know who they are. Get a grip here! Security has become the biggest Joke & money Generating tool the government has found since taxes. Really, just a new form of taxation.

I can hear that argument now.
"Aviation in Canada is safer now than it ever was"...but wait "I can not recall an instance of air piracy in Canada's history"
So how are we now safer? Zero problems before and zero now equals ( drum roll) = No Change!
Oh but wait a second they arrested a terrorist in Edmonton yesterday, good job feds,... CATSA had nothing to do with it except for possibly having some workers acquainted with him. Remember The six degrees of separation.

Rant Over

BTW My red pass isn't red anymore unless its around my neck

[bcflyer]

I'm going on what I've been told by our union Security reps with regard to the turning around issue. I'll have a look and see if I can find a link for it. It may be an internal thing. As you mentioned CATSA likes to keep things hidden. There are people trying to get the silly restrictions relaxed for air crew on duty that are in possesion of a RAIC (you're right they aren't red anymore!! lol ) but its a long slow process

[zed]

Lpsi,

No idea what a CATSA minimum wage 'agent' may or may not do. I expect that the exact procedures are limited distribution, and unless one of them posts it on the web for everyone to know then we are unlikely to know how they are supposed to exactly work. This is a pretty standard and reasonable security precaution imo, but I'm not sure all the CATSA agents even know what those procedures are, but I digress.

As to your rights, you do have some... Or so says the Canadian Privacy Commissioner. Attached is a PDF to that effect.

[BeechjetYKZ]

Red passes are for crew only (pilot/FA and are Canada-wide). Rampies/everyone else are issued passes from the airport that are only good there. GTAA's are yellow (temp), green (management), purple (airside), blue (terminal), and I believe there are separate ones for people just working in the GA part of the airport.

[c170b53]

Gee, my pass is Red in YVR and can be used elsewhere. Yes we used to get a Canada wide pass but you know that cuts into the turf of some Airports who would like to think they are above the government (and we can't have efficiency cutting into the biz). The biometrics associated with the pass can work anywhere there's access to the Canadian government databanks (via retina scanner or fingerprint reader). In other words if I want to go on the ramp at another airport (with the permission of the airport and for the sole purpose of working there) my pass can be verified by reader and actuate security devices if the system is tied into the databank.

[nimbostratus]

[quote="Lpsi"]
**** Can anyone provide the outline of what a CATSA screener can or cant do. ****



Everything up to and including "Gate Rape".

Nimbo