Canadian Air Transport Security Authority

CATSA'S FIRST PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER!

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority has its first President and Chief Executive Officer—Jacques Duchesneau. Originally from Montreal, Mr. Duchesneau was the Vice-President of Datacom Wireless Corporation. He brings with him many years of experience in the business world as well as the security field. Mr. Duchesneau was also the Director and Chief of Police for the Montreal Urban Community Police Department from 1994 to 1998, and had worked for the department since 1968. He is also Colonel-Commandant of the Canadian Force's Military Police.

Among his many prestigious awards, Mr. Duchesneau was honoured with the Order of Canada in 1996, recognizing his police work as well as his volunteering efforts in the Montreal area. CATSA will certainly benefit from his wealth of security expertise.

Interview with the President and CEO - Jacques Duchesneau

Jacques Duchesneau

CN: Why did you accept to become CATSA's new President and CEO?

JD: The challenge! On September 11, 2001, like everyone else, I was sitting in front of my TV set and I remember thinking: “This is so big, it's so terrible.” But what was even worse was the feeling of helplessness. I felt I had to do something.

The following year, someone told me about CATSA and its mission. It was a dream come true: a safe sky over Canada, and I have a chance to be part of it. Thirty years in the police force makes you think you can change things. And we will.

CN: How do you think your many years of experience in the police service will benefit you as you assume a key leadership role with CATSA?

JD: When I was with the police force, I was trained to protect 1.8 million citizens 24/7. But I didn't do it alone. On my first day at CATSA, I realized that changes were already underway, and I knew then there was already a great team in place. We want to enhance customer relations with the flying public, build a close relationship with our stakeholders, and restore Canadians' faith in their aviation security system. And we're all going to do it together.

CN: What do you see as the key challenges/issues for CATSA?

JD: The immediate key challenge is assuming operational responsibility for pre-board screening at the designated airports by December 31, 2002. This will be a seamless transition, a smooth process.

CN: What is your vision for CATSA this year?

JD: It would have to be a vision of reassurance. We want Canada's flying public to know there are people working to guarantee their security, people with experience and who can make a difference. Our aviation system has always been one of the best in the world, but there's always room for improvement. If we rest on our laurels, it becomes dangerous. We are not resting on our laurels.

CN: How do you plan on realizing this vision?

JD: The way we will reach this vision is through training, customer service and extensive communication with our aviation industry partners. My job is to ensure that everything is being done to improve the system. We have citizens to protect. The dream, the goal, is for Canadians to say that their airlines are well-protected.

CN: What is your message to Canadians regarding air security in Canada?

JD: We're going to have a safer sky over Canada. Our mandate is clear: To make sure that everyone boarding a plane in Canada is safe. And we will succeed. We are going to empower our screening officers so they can take this mission and make it their own. We want every employee to write a page of history on this great ongoing project that is CATSA.

CN: Throughout your career, you have founded many organizations and assumed many leadership positions. In your opinion, what makes a great founder and leader?

JD: You have to believe in your vision. If you don't believe in it, then go home. A good leader communicates the vision to his staff, empowers them and provides them with the tools and training to realize this vision.

CN: You received many awards throughout the years. Which one means most to you and why?

JD: The Order of Canada meant a great deal to me. It's the highest honor a Canadian can receive. I remember being so nervous that day. On one side of me sat a famous surgeon, and on the other, a renowned dancer. And here I was—Jacques Duchesneau from Montreal. It was a great honour for me.

CN: What do you consider your most rewarding experience throughout your career?

JD: Surviving the ice storm in Montreal was my most rewarding experience. People didn't lose faith in the administration as a whole. There were 250,000 houses without electricity and police officers knocked on every door to ensure the safety of the citizens. A great team of people working together helped our community survive that terrible ordeal.

CN:Where do you see CATSA in the future?

JD: The sky's the limit!

CATSA's Board of Directors

Brian Flemming, Chairman (Halifax, NS)
Ghislaine Richard, Vice-Chairman (Montreal, QC)

Steve J. Baker (London, ON)
Pierre Beaudry (Aylmer, QC)
Gordon F. Cheesbrough (Toronto, ON)
Ronald K. Clark (Guelph, ON)
Mary Martin (Richmond, BC)
Murray Sigler (Calgary, AB)
Darrel Smith (White Rock, BC)
Lecia Stewart (Westmount, QC)
Anil Wirasekara (West Vancouver, BC)

CATSA's Research and Operational Information Management Initiative

CATSA's Research and Operational Information Management Initiative is an advanced intelligence gathering project that will keep CATSA on the forefront of security technology and human resource strategy. For example, CATSA must be kept aware of new trends, technology breakthroughs, international procedures in pre-board security, and changes to regulations governing aviation security activities.

This initiative will focus on five main areas of study: security research and best practices; statistics and forecasting; regulatory monitoring; information reporting/dissemination; and operational information management services.

After conducting an open, competitive tendering process, a team from Sypher-Qunara-IATA-NSAI was selected to implement this project. Sypher:Mueller International Inc (Sypher) has expertise in all aspects of airport planning, management and operations, as well as civil aviation regulation of the airport and aviation sectors. As part of the Sypher team, Qunara Inc. will assist CATSA Operations to define needs and propose an appropriate information management service and potential technology solutions. IATA Consultancy Services with world wide contacts in the aviation industry will provide a window on international developments in airport security technology, regulatory change, practices, policies, incidents, and trends.

Meetings have been held with CATSA personnel to clarify CATSA needs and requirements, roles and responsibilities. A first workshop was held with CATSA staff and a number of other stakeholders. Participants reviewed the initial concepts for the five services as presented in the original proposal to CATSA and provided feedback to clarify, confirm and revise the initial concept. A second workshop is being planned for next month.

Work plans were developed to address two immediate forecasting issues (Levels of Service and Monthly Traffic Flow Estimates).
Research has begun to determine the plans for the deployment of EDS and checked baggage screening in other countries around the world.

A second workshop is being planned for next month. Stay tuned for more updates over the next editions of this newsletter.

Profile on a Screening Officer - Linda Bouchard

In our last edition of CATSA NEWS, we profiled a point leader/supervisor who has been working at the Calgary airport security for 15 years. For this edition, we are heading east to Ottawa and are turning the focus on a “new recruit”—to examine the screening officer career from a different point of view.

When early-morning travelers approach the pre-board screening checkpoint at Ottawa's International Airport, they are greeted by a smiling face—the face of Linda Bouchard, a fairly new addition in the air transport security world.

“Sometimes in the early morning, passengers will show up grumpy or irritable, and I enjoy the challenge of having them leave the screening checkpoint in a better mood than when they arrived,” says Linda. “When they try to bring their coffee through, I'll jokingly tell them that they cannot bring their coffee (and donuts) on board and that they have to leave it with me—when they realize I'm just joking, it usually brings a smile to their faces.”

Linda has been working as a “Pre-board Passenger Screening Officer” for more than two months for Aeroguard—the company which is contracted to provide pre-board security services to the Ottawa airport. Having moved to the Ottawa area from New Brunswick a few months previous, Linda decided to concentrate on finding work at the Ottawa airport. Not only was the location ideal for her, the hours of work fit in nicely with her family's schedule. “I knew I wanted to find an exciting job—something that would challenge me daily,” adds Linda. “I applied for a few jobs at the airport and was hired as a screening officer.” After successfully completing the training course and being certified, Linda assumed her duties as screening officer.

As with any job, there are some things she would like to see changed; however, Linda says she really enjoys her job. Obviously blessed with “people skills”, she notes that she likes meeting new people every day and finds the work interesting. Linda points out that not only is concentration and focus important in detecting harmful items in carry-on baggage, observing people and their behaviour is also a big part of the job.

Although she is relatively new to the job, Linda is quick to provide advice to people considering careers as screening officer: “In a new job, inevitably, everyone hears negative things starting out. Take the time to discover what the job has to offer and form your own opinions. Every job has good points and bad points—for me, being a screening officer is a great job. It has a lot to offer.”

Linda has a lot to offer in her new job, including a great attitude and a beautiful smile. Ottawa International Airport is a better place having people like her working there. Thanks, Linda!

Update on Screening Officer Training

Chrystal Miller receives her certificate from CATSA's, Director of Certification and Training, Tom Hodge.

As noted in previous editions of CATSA NEWS, CATSA—in collaboration with Galaxy Canada—has developed upgrade training (L3U) for screening officers and for Point Leader positions.

The training is being rolled out now following the successful “Train the Trainer” sessions held in Ottawa and Toronto, and the beta testing for the Level 3 Upgrade, and Point Leaders successfully held at the Ottawa International Airport in September.

From all reports, the feedback has been very positive. All screening officers who have taken the training to date have successfully completed the courses. Specifically, since October 11, there have been six L3U classes given, with 67 students trained and certified. There have been three Point Leader classes given with 22 students trained and passed. There have been four classes of Trainer Evaluation given, with 28 students trained and passed. And finally, there has been one Trainer course with 12 successfully trained students.

A ceremony was recently held in Toronto after the completion of the training to award certificates to the successful students of the “Train the Trainer” course. It was a chance to recognize the hard work of all who took and passed the course. “It was a very intense 9-day course, but we learned a lot of valuable information,” said Trainer Chrystal Miller. “Certainly, the customer service element is a welcomed addition to our training.” Chrystal will be training screening officers for Shanahan's on the East Coast.

It is expected that all currently certified screening officers will receive their upgrade training by December 31, 2002. Again, if you have any specific questions regarding the training schedule, please contact your security company directly. If they cannot answer your questions, they can contact Galaxy Canada directly for assistance.

Media Inquiries – Change of Contact

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 Press Advisor, Marianne Keriakos at (613) 998-0311.
Thanks!

CATSA's Small Capital Program

In order to facilitate the “common look and feel” to pre-board screening stations at airports across the country, CATSA has introduced a Small Capital Program. Under this program, funds will be made available to Canadian airport authorities for the purchase of small capital assets and completion of facility improvements required for pre-board screening. For example, the purchase of trays and search tables.

In addition to supporting the consistency of screening areas, the program will ensure:

Fiscal prudence and integrity with respect to small capital assets and facility improvements;
The institution of an increasingly standardized pre-board screening process;
The fostering of a safe and healthy work environment; and
The provision of means to continuously improve pre-board screening stations.

Small Capital Program funds will serve to reimburse eligible recipients for the cost of purchasing small capital assets and paying for minor facility improvements required to conduct pre-board screening of airline passengers. All reimbursable costs will require a sign-off from the CATSA Regional Manager. Eligible recipients may apply for reimbursement using the claim form provided by CATSA.

Inquiries

Questions about claim documentation or any inquiries about the CATSA Small Capital Program should be addressed to:

CATSA Newsletter

October 2002