INSIDE THIS EDITION

Letter from the Chairman
List of Board of Directors
CATSA to Launch its Website
Questions and Answers for Screeners
CATSA to Introduce new Logo
Media Inquiries
Feedback

Questions and Answers for Screeners

Q1. What is CATSA?

A1. The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority—CATSA—is a Crown corporation which operates on a not-for-profit basis. The Authority is accountable to the Minister of Transport for the delivery of consistent, effective, and highly professional service at or above the standards set by federal regulations. CATSA is responsible for several key security initiatives, including:
• pre-board screening of passengers and their belongings;
• training and certification of screening officers;
• all security equipment at airports;
• purchase, deployment, maintenance and operation of explosives detection systems;
• federal contributions toward airport policing related to civil aviation security; and
• working with the RCMP on the Air Carrier Protection Program which assigns officers
on board selected domestic and international flights.

Q2. Which organization is currently responsible for screening?

A2. The airlines are still responsible for screening. “Transition Agreements” were signed with all lead carriers, to cover the costs of screening during the transition period of April 1, 2002, to December 31, 2002. Because CATSA was responsible for the cost of screening as of April 1, 2002, these transition arrangements allow airlines to retain this regulatory responsibility and be compensated for it, until such a time as CATSA assumes screening duties on a site-by-site basis.

Q3. When does the transition to CATSA take place?

A3. To ensure a smooth transition, CATSA will assume regulatory responsibility for screening on an airport-by-airport basis between September and December 2002. It will be making decisions on service providers based on site conditions, current contract conditions and individual airport requirements. A national site-by-site transition plan and schedule will be developed in cooperation with the airlines, airports and guard companies and will be announced in September.

Q4. What is a service provider?

A4. While CATSA will be responsible for the management and delivery of pre-board screening at airports, taking over this function from the airlines on a site-by-site basis over the coming months, it will have the power to recruit and deploy its own security officers or to enter into arrangements for local delivery. The service provider will be the organization through which CATSA will manage screening at a particular airport.

For example, CATSA will be able to authorize airport operators to deliver screening services. In the case of large airports, for instance, it may be more effective for the new Authority to rely on airport authorities for personnel management and local recruitment, while retaining overall accountability. CATSA, however, must be satisfied that the airport operator has the capability to deliver efficient, effective, and consistent screening services.

Q5. What does this transition mean to screeners?

A5. This transition will mean a change for screeners. All existing and qualified screening personnel will be required to take additional training and become re-certified.

We are now finalizing requirements for screening officer training and certification under the new CATSA mandate. We will be creating several training levels leading to certification as well as adding customer service and supervision requirements.

This multi-level certification structure divides staff and training into levels. More comprehensive and focused training will be developed to address the needs of the different levels. Additionally, this new structure will provide career development opportunities for screening officers, as they aspire to lead officer, or supervisor.

Q6. When will screeners be required to take the new training?

A6. A firm is now being selected to develop and roll out this training. We will work with this company to define training and certification requirements based on the multi-level screening program. The demanding roll out of training and certification will commence in September. All screeners will be kept informed of the new requirements.

Q7. Will screeners receive any recognition/compensation for the work done since September 11?

A7. Yes. As announced on May 29, 2002, in addition to their regular pay, screening officers will receive the equivalent of one week's pay on a quarterly basis during the transition period. This compensation reflects the increased demands screeners have faced following the September terrorist attacks. The first set of payments have been sent out.

Q8. Are screeners' wages expected to increase?

A8. With the help of a compensation firm, CATSA is currently defining appropriate pay levels for qualified and re-certified screening officer staff. They will be announced shortly.

Q9. Will screeners be getting new uniforms?

A9. It is expected that CATSA will be unveiling a logo. In the short term, screeners will be provided new badges containing a CATSA identifier—with a logo to come. Over the longer term, full uniforms will be made and distributed to all screeners.

Q10. Where should screeners address additional questions about the new training and compensation?

A10. The airlines are still responsible for screening. They, along with screening guard companies, will be kept in the loop about CATSA operations and they would be a good place to address initial questions. As things progress, CATSA's Website will provide regular updates, along with subsequent editions of this information bulletin—CATSA NEWS.

In addition, plans are underway for the development of a 1-800 # which would serve as an information line for stakeholders, and for Canadians. Stay tuned for more news about that!

Media Inquiries

If you are approached by the media who would like to question you about any security-related matters, or CATSA in general, please direct them to CATSA's Manager of Communications, Jacqueline Roy at (613) 998-4527. Thanks!