CATSA News Release

For immediate release

December 17, 2004

Make your List and Check it Twice:
Tips for Travellers for the Holiday Season

Ottawa (Ontario) - The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) is asking air travellers to follow these tips for a safe and enjoyable trip during the busy holiday season.

"We understand that the holiday season is an exciting and hectic time of year for many travellers and we hope that the following tips will help facilitate the security screening process and make passengers' travelling experience as stress-free as possible," said Jacques Duchesneau, CATSA's President and Chief Executive Officer.

Certain items are not permitted in CHECKED BAGGAGE such as flammable liquids, strike-anywhere matches and prohibited weapons.

CARRY-ON BAGGAGE must not contain prohibited items such as sharp and penetrating objects or any gun/weapon shaped objects, including toy guns.

The most important considerations when packing your CARRY-ON BAGGAGE are:

• GIFTS - Please do not wrap gifts. Their contents may need to be inspected.
• CAMERA FILM - Pack all camera film, used or unused, in your carry-on baggage. Screening equipment used for checked baggage may damage your camera film. If your film is over 800 ASA/ISO, you may request a physical search and screening officers will do their best to accommodate you, provided security is not jeopardized or compromised. Digital disks are unaffected and can be packed in any baggage.
• WINE/ALCOHOL/LIQUIDS - All alcoholic beverages must be in their original container, with the commercial seal intact. Passengers may bring alcoholic beverages, in retail packaging, containing no more than 70 per cent alcohol by volume, in receptacles not exceeding 5 L with a total net quantity of 5 L per person. Homemade wine will not be accepted as carry-on. To avoid delays, do not carry any open bottles or containers of liquids as they may not be permitted through the screening checkpoint. 
• FOOD - Pack your food products in carry-on baggage.
• MEDICATION - Ensure all medication is properly labelled, with a clearly visible pharmaceutical label or with information identifying the medication, such as the manufacturer's name. Place it in your carry-on baggage in case it is required. Syringes and hypodermic needles accompanying certain medication are permitted on board the aircraft provided needle guards are in place and accompanied by properly labelled medication.
• ELECTRONIC DEVICES - Electronic devices may be screened by special equipment. Take electronic equipment, such as portable computers and video cameras, out of their carrying case or your carry-on and place them in a tray. In most circumstances, electronic devices do not need to be turned on. However, you should always be prepared to turn them on if asked by a screening officer. Other electronic equipment such as cellular phones, pagers or digital assistants worn on a person should also be placed in a tray prior to proceeding through the screening point.
• SPORTS EQUIPMENT - Skis, snowboards and skates are not allowed as carry-on baggage. You must place these items in your checked baggage. If you are planning a trip south, golf clubs should be thoroughly cleaned as they may trigger baggage screening equipment alarms and cause delays. 
• DRESS FOR TRAVEL - Dress for travel. Avoid jewellery or other metal objects that could trigger alarms and delay your trip.
• DO NOT DELAY- Make sure you arrive at the airport well before your flight and proceed to security as soon as you have checked in with your air carrier.

For more information on how to pack your carry-on and checked baggage, please visit www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca or call 1-888-294-2202.

The creation of CATSA was the centerpiece of the Government of Canada's response to the events of September 11, 2001, to further enhance air security in Canada. A Crown Corporation based in the National Capital Region, CATSA reports to Parliament through the Minister of Transport and is responsible for delivering consistent, effective and highly professional service that is set at or above the standards established by federal regulations.

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For more information, please contact:
Hélène Branch (613) 990-7715