Go Back   Alberta Outdoorsmen Forum > Main Category > General Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-15-2011, 09:14 PM
twofifty twofifty is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: S.E. British Columbia
Posts: 4,579
Default 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?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-15-2011, 09:23 PM
Boss442's Avatar
Boss442 Boss442 is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 444
Default

Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-15-2011, 09:40 PM
alacringa's Avatar
alacringa alacringa is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: With my dogs
Posts: 4,545
Default

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.
__________________
alacringa

"This Brittany is my most cherished possession — the darndest bird-finder I have ever seen, a tough and wiry little dog with a choke-bored nose and the ability to read birds’ minds." -Jack O'Connor
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-15-2011, 09:46 PM
Boss442's Avatar
Boss442 Boss442 is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 444
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by twofifty View Post
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?
Was there alot of people? Maybe just trying to rush everyone thru?
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-15-2011, 09:56 PM
Arn?Narn.'s Avatar
Arn?Narn. Arn?Narn. is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Peace Country (again)
Posts: 3,495
Default

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
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-15-2011, 10:00 PM
goober's Avatar
goober goober is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Never Never Land
Posts: 1,751
Default

I have never had any issues at all.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-15-2011, 10:12 PM
twofifty twofifty is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: S.E. British Columbia
Posts: 4,579
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-15-2011, 10:22 PM
KegRiver's Avatar
KegRiver KegRiver is offline
Gone Hunting
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: North of Peace River
Posts: 11,346
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-15-2011, 10:22 PM
Boss442's Avatar
Boss442 Boss442 is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 444
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by twofifty View Post
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.
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.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-15-2011, 10:24 PM
pogo pogo is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,136
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-15-2011, 10:27 PM
leeaspell's Avatar
leeaspell leeaspell is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Whitecourt
Posts: 7,024
Default

Ive flown maybe 20 times last 2 years, never had an issue once
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-15-2011, 10:30 PM
Boss442's Avatar
Boss442 Boss442 is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 444
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by pogo View Post
The Hell's Angels have operated airside, have they not? Do they still?
?
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-15-2011, 10:36 PM
pogo pogo is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,136
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Boss442 View Post
?
You first.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 01-15-2011, 10:42 PM
Boss442's Avatar
Boss442 Boss442 is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 444
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by pogo View Post
You first.
I'm not sure what that means is all.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 01-15-2011, 10:43 PM
sonny42 sonny42 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 124
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #16  
Old 01-15-2011, 10:46 PM
horsetrader horsetrader is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 4,018
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by pogo View Post
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.
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.
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 01-15-2011, 10:46 PM
pogo pogo is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,136
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Boss442 View Post
I'm not sure what that means is all.
Don't lose any sleep over it.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 01-15-2011, 10:48 PM
pogo pogo is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,136
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by horsetrader View Post
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.
That's good. Everything must be fine then.
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 01-15-2011, 10:49 PM
Boss442's Avatar
Boss442 Boss442 is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 444
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sonny42 View Post
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.
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.
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 01-15-2011, 10:51 PM
Boss442's Avatar
Boss442 Boss442 is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 444
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by pogo View Post
Don't lose any sleep over it.
If its about the HA, I might suprise you!
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 01-15-2011, 10:54 PM
horsetrader horsetrader is offline
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 4,018
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by pogo View Post
You first.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pogo View Post
Don't lose any sleep over it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pogo View Post
That's good. Everything must be fine then.
If you can't explain your posts why waste everyones time
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 01-15-2011, 10:58 PM
Gorram's Avatar
Gorram Gorram is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Crossfield, AB
Posts: 328
Default

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.
__________________
Individuals exercising their inalienable right to self defence are naturally perceived as a direct threat to the supremacy of the state.

It's never been about the Earth. It's always been about power. Limit the resources, decree that limited resources must be state controlled - power.
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 01-15-2011, 11:01 PM
New Hunter Okotoks New Hunter Okotoks is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Okotoks
Posts: 3,033
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 01-15-2011, 11:02 PM
pogo pogo is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,136
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Boss442 View Post
If its about the HA, I might suprise you!
Not much surprises me.
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 01-15-2011, 11:06 PM
Boss442's Avatar
Boss442 Boss442 is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 444
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by pogo View Post
Not much surprises me.
..............Oooook then
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 01-15-2011, 11:07 PM
pogo pogo is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,136
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gorram View Post
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.
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?
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 01-15-2011, 11:10 PM
Nait Hadya's Avatar
Nait Hadya Nait Hadya is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Red Deer
Posts: 2,163
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by twofifty View Post
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?
they are not doing a very good job.
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 01-15-2011, 11:11 PM
Boss442's Avatar
Boss442 Boss442 is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 444
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by pogo View Post
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?
So the The Hell's Angels can operated airside.
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 01-15-2011, 11:13 PM
Boss442's Avatar
Boss442 Boss442 is offline
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 444
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by pogo View Post
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?
Were you born some time after 2001? Google twin towers hi-jackers
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 01-15-2011, 11:14 PM
pogo pogo is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,136
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Boss442 View Post
So the The Hell's Angels can operated airside.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:38 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.