your experience with cdn airport security
 

World events have brought about intrusive airport security screenings, a necessary pain I guess. I believe that security staff attitudes can do a lot to minimize the unpleasantness and sillyness.

While going through CATSA's airport security recently, I did not appreciate being ordered to "Step Forward!", then "Turn Around!", followed by "Open Your Belt!". Sure glad I was not ordered to get onto all fours Kelowna style!

I don't appreciate being ordered around while travelling in my own country.

So I suggested to the uniformed CATSA officer that if instead of ordering me around he said "Please step forward" and "Turn around please", etc. the necessary checks could be done in a civil and respecful way. I don't recall his exact response, but it was evident from his words and facial expression that he felt his approach was perfectly fine. I thought it wise to leave it at that and laced up my shoes.

Soon as I was waved through, I approached a CATSA manager and expressed my displeasure with being ordered around - not with the checks themselves. The manager asked a few questions, then said he would review procedures with the staff. He told me that CATSA staff are expected to remain courteous with the travelling public and that he would remind his officers.

I don't often travel by air and this is the first time I've run into bad attitude.

What has been your experience with canadian airport security lately? Was my experience an isolated incident, or are these men and women getting too big for their britches?

:scared0018:

Most of my experiences with these folks in Canada have been fairly positive. A few weeks ago, I did run into a lady working security at the Ottawa airport, who was a bit short with me ("take your belt off, put it in a tray, and walk through again"); but for the mostpart, they have been very polite, generally saying "please," and sometimes even addressing me as "sir." Americans, on the other hand, are another story entirely; and I have very little to say about either their airport security or the DHS personnel. I don't expect border folks to be friendly...but the Canadian customs officials are at least polite and reasonable. The American officials always treat me like I'm entering the country to murder their entire family. Not cool. *sigh* And I have a conference to go to in San Fran in March...better practice bending over.

Was there alot of people? Maybe just trying to rush everyone thru?

I have had minor issues with attitudes of crew and the odd airport security person being ignorant,...but I must say, I enjoy travelling and have had very few, minor issues in all the airports I've been through and even less in the canadian ones.

They do a good job the majority of the time iMO

I have never had any issues at all.

It was busy, in that they were clearing passengers for more than one flight.

I really don't care how busy a business gets, courtesy ought to be maintained.

Well I don't know if one trip counts. Yeah I'm not a frequent flier. LOL.

Years ago I did travel by air a fair bit, but in recent years, (the last 30) I have been on exactly one flight, that was this summer.

So how was security. Great, friendly professional people. Didn't mind it at all.

Personally I did'nt read anything that you said to be construed to be offensive or ignorant on thier part, just doing thier job, which is not a service industry/buisiness.

Aside from rudeness, silliness and the stupidity of it all, not much. The Hell's Angels have operated airside, have they not? Do they still?

It's a colossal show of smoke and mirrors. Besides............. the wolves are minding the sheep.

Ive flown maybe 20 times last 2 years, never had an issue once

?

You first.

I'm not sure what that means is all.

I fly out of Great Falls, Montana. I have had a knee replacement which sets scanner off, i imform the security people of my knee repacement before i go thru the scanner, it beeps , they take me aside and use the wand and go over my body, they have always been polite, I don,t have a problem , if i did have a problem it would be my choice to use some other mode of transportation.

A business partner of mine flies from Ont. to Edm. and back every month
he said the only time he has seen or heard any problems was when there was an issue started from the passengers end. Thats 24 flights a year for 4 years
thats 96 flights he's had no problems things can't be to bad.

Don't lose any sleep over it.

That's good. Everything must be fine then.

Personally I've had more troubles/hassled coming thru the Canadian Customs than American, nothing to loose any sleep over. I loved that Great Falls airport, much easyer than flying out of Calgary.

If its about the HA, I might suprise you!

If you can't explain your posts why waste everyones time

Society will always need people who "just follow the rules"... like the "staff" at a death camp. Some will enjoy the power.

The real problem lies with the managers who decide what is required. You can guess my vocation from my avatar, yet I am considered as much of a threat as any 20 something male who has purchased a one way ticket with cash, while sweating and chanting.

The stated purpose of "airport security" is to keep ANYONE from getting an item on board that they could use to "take over" the aircraft. Including the pilots, wouldn't want pilots taking control of airplanes...

This is how these people think.

sigh..... G.

I have flown about 15 times in the last 2 years and the main problem that I have had is other passengers attitudes and incompetence. It generally takes a minimum of 10 minutes and sometimes well over an hour to clear security depending on which airport. Every airport security area has several posters indicating what is not allowed on flights. Yet on every, stinkin trip there is at least 1 and usually several people who have prohibited items and then put up a fuss. Why do people insist on carrying water bottles,manicure sets,costco sized hand cream,thermos of coffee,swiss army knives,leathermans etc, etc,etc. Then the people who are holding up the show always look at the line up of passengers and give that same stupid look indicating how ridiculous it is that they have to follow the rules!! And then they mumble crap about " Do I look like a Terrorist! Oh,do you really think I'm going to blow up a plane with a nail file!"

I feel like slapping them myself!! I feel like asking if they couldn't read or notice the half dozen giant sized posters while they were waiting in line for an hour! It really is no wonder that some of these security personnel seem impatient.

Not much surprises me.

..............Oooook then

Maybe they worry the bad guys may one day simultaneously cut off the index fingers and gouge the eyes out of a dozen or so pilots in order to...............................do what?

they are not doing a very good job.

So the The Hell's Angels can operated airside.

Were you born some time after 2001? Google twin towers hi-jackers

:thinking-006: