Pack wisely before taking off

Sunblock, laundry detergent, fondue sticks, a potato peeler, and even a grenade-shaped belt buckle were all among the hundreds of items spread across a table at the Pierre-Elliott Trudeau Airport in Dorval Thursday – forbidden items confiscated from passengers’ luggage over only three days.

“Every week across Canada, it happens that something dangerous is found in a bag,” said Dennis Lazaris, the Quebec regional manager for screening operations at the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA). The federal Crown corporation is in charge of aviation security services at all Canadian airports.

For the first time, CATSA invited media to visit its baggage screening operations at Trudeau airport to get a message out: travelers should think twice about what they are packing in their bags.

For example, Lazaris said many people continue to pack items such as knives and toy guns, and are still not adhering to the restrictions on liquids, gels, and aerosols which limit such items to 100mL each, packed in one one-litre resealable plastic bag per passenger.

“The message we’re trying to get across is, we’re working toward the security for everyone, and everyone has their part to do,” Lazaris said, adding Thursday’s special event was not connected to recent airport security breaches published in the media, including a drug bust last month involving three employees of Cara Enterprises, the company that handles the majority of airline catering contracts at the airport.

Reporters were also able to see first-hand how CATSA employees screen bags using CTX imaging equipment to look for explosives.

Lazaris said that, while no bag gets on a plane without being checked, travellers should also do their part to make sure they aren’t packing any prohibited items.

For example, bottled water and other beverages are not allowed through the pre-board screening checkpoint, and sunscreen and insect repellent should be packed in checked baggage, and not in carry-on luggage. Camping items, like gas containers and matches (the strike-anywhere type) are completely prohibited, while sharp objects like pocket knives, scissors, and fishing hooks can only be put in checked baggage. Toy guns should be left home completely.

During the summer months, the Trudeau airport sees over 19,000 passengers pass through every day. If everybody does their part to pack wisely, Lazaris said the pre-board screening process will be improved.

“Sometimes, people don’t realize just transporting vegetable oil will show up (in the screening process,” he said. “There are steps travellers can take to (improve the process).

For more information on CATSA and packing your bags before taking off this summer, visit www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca