What to Expect at the Airport

At the Pre-Board Screening Checkpoint

CATSA has put in place the people, processes, procedures and state-of-the-art equipment necessary to carry out its important mandate

Due to increased security measures, your experience at the pre-board screening (PBS) checkpoint may be different than what you've experienced in the past.

CATSA has been busy putting into place the people, processes, procedures and state-of-the-art equipment necessary to carry out its important mandate of screening passengers and their belongings.

Please be advised that no passenger is obliged to submit to a search of his or her person and goods if he or she chooses not to board the aircraft.

To make the PBS process as smooth as possible, you can do the following:

• Make sure to go through the PBS checkpoint well in advance of your flight, especially during peak periods (early morning, noon, suppertime). Avoid the rush!

• Please leave your empty baggage cart outside the PBS checkpoint;

• Only passengers are allowed in the PBS checkpoint, unless other arrangements have been made in special circumstances;

• Always have Government-issued photo ID on-hand;

• Be aware that any metal detected at the PBS checkpoint must be identified. As you proceed through the walk-through metal detector, you may be required to undergo additional screening, which may include hand-wanding and a physical search of your person;

• You can save time by not wearing metal items or by placing such items in your carry-on baggage before you get in line;

• You can remove metal items at the security checkpoint and place them in the tray provided. Your carry-on baggage and trays will go through an X-ray machine and will be carefully examined by a screening officer. You may also be asked to authorize the screening officer to open baggage for further examination.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Never joke or make 'small talk' about bombs, firearms or other weapons while going through pre-board screening. Depending on the circumstance, this can be an offence under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Top

PBS checkpoint procedures are as follows:

• Present your boarding pass to the pre-board screening officer;

• Let the screening officer know of any personal needs you may have due to a medical condition, disability, religious or cultural consideration or other Special Needs;

• Passengers are advised to pack their film in their carry-on baggage. The equipment used at pre-board screening (PBS) areas will not damage film under 800 ISO/ASA. However, multiple exposures (more than 5 times) of the same roll of film to PBS x-ray inspection may cause damage. Most amateur photographers use film in the 100-400 ISO/ASA range. Specialty film is defined as film with an ASA/ISO 800 or higher and typically used by professionals. If passengers are concerned about their film, once they have placed it in their carry-on baggage, they may request a hand search at the PBS area. Please note that physical search of films will be carried when circumstances permit;

• Place carry-on items (i.e. purse, coat, hat) in the tray provided;

• All loose and metal objects, including coins, gum, and keys must be placed in a plastic tray;

• Your portable computer and other electronic devices such as CD player and cellular phone should be taken out of the case and placed in a plastic tray;

• In most circumstances, electronic devices do not need to be turned on. Electronic devices may be screened by special screening equipment. Nonetheless, you should always be prepared to turn them on if asked by a pre-board screening officer;

• Proceed through the metal detector archway when the PBS officer signals you to do so;

• If you are selected for an additional physical search, you may request a private area and a same-sex PBS officer to conduct the search;

• Remember to take all your belongings with you when leaving the PBS checkpoint.