What to Expect at the Airport

Special Needs

Passengers will be permitted to bring liquids, gels and aerosols through security screening at Canadian airports provided that the items are packaged in containers with a capacity of 90 ml / 90 grams (3 oz.) or less, and that the containers fit comfortably in one clear, closed and resealable plastic bag with a capacity of no more than 1 litre (1 quart). One bag per passenger will be permitted. Learn more

All disability related equipment, aids and devices continue to be allowed through security screening checkpoints.

Pre-board screening officers have been specially trained to accommodate passengers with special needs.

Screening of all passengers and their belongings must be conducted at the pre-board screening (PBS) checkpoints. Pre-board screening officers have been specially trained to accommodate passengers with special needs and are dedicated to ensuring the safety and comfort of the passenger during the entire screening process.

Persons with Disabilities

Mobility Disability

Advise the screening officer if you require assistance with your carry-on baggage or mobility aid while proceeding through the PBS checkpoint.

Visual Disability

Ask the screening officer to explain the pre-board screening process and assist you through the checkpoint.

Hearing Disability

If you need clarification, ask the screening officer about the process at the PBS checkpoint or to repeat the information slowly while looking directly at you.

Pain or Sensitivity

If a physical search is conducted, advise the screening officer of any pain or sensitivity you may be experiencing due to a recent surgery or medical procedure.

Persons Travelling with Prescription Drugs

Ensure your medication is properly labelled (professionally printed label identifying the medication or a manufacturer's name or pharmaceutical label) and place it in your carry-on baggage in case it is required. Medication requiring syringes and hypodermic needles must be for personal medical use, with the needle guards in place and accompanied by labelled medication.

Medical Implants, Artificial Limbs and Mobility Aids

Notify the screening officer upon entering the PBS checkpoint if you have medical implants (i.e. pacemaker, insulin pump, etc...) that may be affected by the magnetic fields of metal detection equipment. If your medical implant is sensitive to the metal detectors, you can ask the screening officer to perform a physical search. Inform the screening officer of any other implants (i.e. artificial hip, knee, pins or plates) as they may set off the metal detection equipment.

Also, notify the screening officer of any artificial limbs or mobility aids that may trigger the metal detectors. A screening officer will ask permission to see and touch the artificial limb or mobility aid as part of the screening process. The mobility aid (i.e. walkers, canes, crutches, wheelchairs, etc...) will either be X-rayed or physically searched as part of the screening process. The physical search may be conducted at the PBS checkpoint, or upon your request, in a private search room.

It is recommended that you bring medical information verifying your condition.

Religious, Cultural or Ceremonial Items

Notify the screening officer if you are carrying articles that are considered to have special religious or cultural significance. All items will be subjected to screening. Certain items within this category are not permitted through the PBS checkpoint (i.e., religious knives, swords). Any item that may not be allowed past the PBS checkpoint should be placed in your checked baggage, unless otherwise specified in the Permitted and Non-Permitted Items list.

Screening of the passenger's head with head covering on will be performed as part of the screening process. You will not be asked to remove wigs, toupees, or turbans. Please remove all metal from head coverings prior to proceeding through the PBS checkpoint. It may be necessary for you to remove your head covering during the screening process if the metal detector sounds, in which case you may request a private screening.

Assisting Unaccompanied Children, Elderly Persons or Persons with Other Special Needs Through the PBS Checkpoint

If you are assisting an unaccompanied child, elderly person, or person with special needs through the PBS checkpoint, you will need to get a gate pass/authorization at the airport ticket counter of your airline. Please contact your airline for further details.

Passengers with Infants or Small Children

All passengers, even infants, must be screened before boarding an aircraft. You will not be asked to do anything that will separate you from your child:

• Infants should be removed from their strollers or infant carriers so that they may be screened with the hand held metal detector while in the parent's arms;

• Do not hand your child to the pre-board screening officer for them to hold;

• The pre-board screening officer may ask for your assistance with any secondary screening of your child;

• Strollers/infant carriers and all other child related equipment will be screened through the X-ray machine and may also undergo additional screening;

• Please remember that toy or replica guns/weapons will not be allowed past the PBS checkpoint.

Pregnant Women

The equipment used at PBS checkpoints will not affect you or your unborn child. Notify a screening officer if you are concerned and you may

request a physical search instead of a search with metal detection equipment.

Passengers Travelling with Pets

You should contact your airline or travel agent in advance to determine your airline's policy on travelling with pets.

• If you are planning on bringing your pet on board the plane, you will be asked to take your pet out of its carrier and proceed through the metal detector archway with your pet. The carrier will be screened by the X-ray machine;

• The pre-board screening officer may ask for your assistance with the screening of your pet.

Passengers Travelling with Service Animals

You should contact your airline or travel agent in advance to determine your airline's policy on travelling with service animals.

• A screening officer will conduct a visual inspection of your service animal and its harness. The service animal's harness will not be removed;

• You may proceed through the metal detector archway with your service animal;

• You will be asked to remove any bags or parcels carried by your service animal in order for them to be screened by the X-ray machine.

Passengers Travelling with Cremated Human Remains

You may carry cremated human remains in a container/receptacle. There are special procedures in place for the screening of cremated human remains. The container/receptacle containing cremated human remains must be accompanied by a certificate of death and a certificate of cremation.