CATSA News Release

For Immediate Release

July 9, 2004

Pack Right, Enjoy your Flight

OTTAWA (Ontario) - With over 900,000 items intercepted in the past 14 months, resulting in over 15,000 hours of delays, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) has these summer travel tips to help make your travel experience a safe and enjoyable one.

1) PACK YOUR BAGS WISELY - Check the list of items that are not permitted in carry-on or checked baggage. The list may be found on our website at www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca or Transport Canada's website at www.tc.gc.ca.

Pack only what is necessary in your carry-on baggage. All other items should be packed in checked baggage.

Be prepared for screening officers to open your bags and physically search the contents.

2) 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, providing security is not jeopardized or compromised. Digital disks are unaffected and can be packed in any baggage.

3) LOTIONS AND SPRAYS - It is recommended that you pack your non-aerosol lotions in your checked baggage. Some aerosol containers are flammable and therefore prohibited in both carry-on and checked baggage.

4) WINE/ALCOHOL/LIQUIDS - All alcoholic beverages must be in their original container, sealed with the provincial liquor control seal.
Home-made wine will not be accepted as carry-on. 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. To avoid delays, do not carry any open bottles or containers of liquids as they may not be permitted through the screening checkpoint. Please refer to www.tc.gc.ca for additional restrictions that may apply.

5) CAMPING/SPORTS EQUIPMENT - Camping items such as gas containers for grills/stoves and strike-anywhere wooden matches are NOT allowed in carry-on and checked baggage. Pocket knives, scissors, sharp fishing gear (such as fishing hooks) and other sharp objects must be packed in checked baggage. Sports equipment such as baseball bats and golf clubs must be packed in checked baggage. Golf clubs should be thoroughly cleaned to avoid additional screening and cause delays.

6) SENDING THE CHILDREN TO CAMP - Remember to pack all camera film in carry-on baggage ! If you wish to accompany your child to the gate, call the airline ahead of time to make appropriate arrangements.

7) TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN - Toys such as plastic guns and transformer robots that form into toy guns should be packed in your checked baggage as they could be deemed suspicious and delay your journey.

8) FOOD - Pack your food products in carry-on baggage. If you are travelling outside the country, you should check with your airline or the Canada Border Services Agency at http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/menu-e.html regarding bringing foreign products into Canada as some restrictions may apply.

A list of items that are not permitted can be found at: www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca or www.tc.gc.ca. For more information, please contact: 1-888-294-2202.

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:
Renée Fairweather (613) 998-4527