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Proactive Disclosure
Frequently Asked Questions
We've compiled the following list of Frequently Asked Questions to address travellers' most common questions about CATSA.
- What is CATSA?
- Why did the Government of Canada create CATSA?
- How do CATSA's responsibilities differ from Transport Canada's?
- Where will I see a change in airport security?
- What's CATSA doing about the screening of checked baggage?
- Will all Canadian airports see the same changes?
- What can I do to make pre-board screening as easy as possible?
- Should I lock my baggage or not?
- How early should I arrive at the airport?
- How do I get off the "No Fly List"?
- What can I bring on board my flight? What items are prohibited?
- What are prohibited items?
- What happens if I bring a prohibited item to a pre-board screening checkpoint?
- What will happen to my prohibited item?
- What will happen if I stand at the pre-board screening checkpoint carrying a weapon?
- Can I access the gate area if I am not a passenger?
- What will happen to electronic devices I take in my carry-on baggage?
- What will happen to electronic devices in my checked baggage?
- Where should I pack my camera film?
- Who do I contact if I have a complaint regarding the level of service at the airport?
- Any final tips?
1. What is CATSA?
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA/The Authority) is a Crown corporation based in the National Capital Region. It reports to Parliament through the Minister of Transport and is responsible for:
Pre-board screening of passengers and their belongings;
Acquisition, deployment, operation and maintenance of explosives detection equipment at airports;
Federal contributions for airport policing related to civil aviation security measures;
Working with the RCMP to provide police on board aircraft;
The implementation of a restricted area identification card for people who have access to aircraft, like refuelers, caterers and technicians; and
The screening of non-passengers entering restricted areas at airports.
CATSA takes pride in delivering consistent, effective and highly professional
service that is at or above the standards set by federal regulations.
2. Why did the Government of Canada create CATSA?
CATSA was the centrepiece of the Government of Canada's plan to enhance the country's air transport security system following the events of September 11, 2001. CATSA's main goal is to deliver an effective screening program to ensure air security.
3. How do CATSA's responsibilities differ from Transport Canada's?
Transport Canada (TC) remains the regulator and policymaker regarding
aviation security, while CATSA is responsible for implementing a number
of key aviation security services. For example, TC decides which items
are prohibited on an aircraft while CATSA enforces that policy.
4. Where will I see a change in airport security?
As a passenger, you will notice new cutting-edge equipment at pre-board screening checkpoints as well as enhanced customer service.
CATSA is devoting $128 million to pre-board screening (PBS) which represents a 78 per cent increase over what the airlines spent in the past. These additional funds have been used to hire extra screening officers, provide enhanced training, as well as wage increases.
CATSA has implemented a training program for new screening officers across the country. Screening officers have received special upgrade training, designed to teach them how to use some of the new equipment as well as ensure a consistent and professional level of service across the country.
In addition to training and certification, CATSA has produced a standard
uniform for pre-board screening officers.
5. What's CATSA doing about the screening of checked baggage?
CATSA has deployed and continues to deploy Explosives Detection Systems (EDS) to screen checked baggage. CATSA is committing $1 billion for the purchase and deployment of EDS at airports covering 99 per cent of all passengers in Canada.
6. Will all Canadian airports see the same changes?
One of CATSA's main goals is consistency. All pre-board screening officers now have identical uniforms as part of CATSA's plan to achieve a 'common look and feel' at all major Canadian airports.
7. What can I do to make pre-board screening as easy as possible?
There are preparations you can make before you arrive at the airport to help you move more quickly and efficiently through the new security procedures.
Be aware that any metal detected at the checkpoint must be identified. If you set off the alarm, you will be required to undergo a secondary screening, which may include a hand-wanding inspection and physical search.
You can remove metal items at the screening checkpoint and place them in the tray provided. The tray will be sent through the X-ray machine. You can save time by not wearing metal items or by placing such items in your carry-on baggage before you get in line.
Finally, you should never joke or make 'small talk' about
bombs, firearms or other weapons while going through pre-board screening.
Depending on the circumstance, this can be an offence under the Criminal
Code of Canada.
8. Should I lock my baggage or not?
While there is currently no legislative requirement to leave baggage unlocked, it may help to speed up the screening process should your baggage be selected for a physical search. In the meantime, if a prohibited item is detected through screening, CATSA will try to match the baggage with the owner and ask that it be opened so it can be searched.
9. How early should I arrive at the airport?
Check with your airline or travel agent. Recommended check-in times differ by airline and destination.
10. How do I get off the "No Fly List"?
The "No Fly List" is officially referred to as the "Watch List", and is managed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a part of the Department of Homeland Security in the USA. For matters relating to this list, visit the TSA web site.
11. What can I bring on board my flight? What items are prohibited?
You'll find an abbreviated Permitted and Non-Permitted Items list on our website. For more detailed information on permitted and prohibited items, please refer to Transport Canada's website. For information on Dangerous Goods, refer to Transport Canada's website.
12. What are prohibited items?
Prohibited items are items prohibited by Transport Canada regulations such as weapons, explosives, incendiary devices, and include items that are seemingly harmless but may be used as weapons - so-called "dual use" items.
13. What happens if I bring a prohibited item to a pre-board screening checkpoint?
You can choose to abandon the item or to turn back from the screening checkpoint and not board the flight. The PBS officer is trained to detect these items and prevent passengers from proceeding through the screening checkpoint with the prohibited item(s). In more serious cases, where a weapon is involved, law enforcement officers will be called and charges under the Criminal Code of Canada may be laid.
14. What will happen to my prohibited item?
At the discretion of the screening officer or law enforcement officer, you may be allowed to: consult with the airlines for possible assistance in placing the prohibited item in checked baggage, withdraw with the item from the screening checkpoint at that time and make other arrangements for the item, such as taking it to your car, or you may voluntarily abandon the item. Certain airports offer a service with MailBoxes Etc. which enables passengers to mail the item back to their home/office.
15. What will happen if I stand at the pre-board screening checkpoint carrying a weapon?
It is an offence under the Aeronautics Act to approach the pre-board screening checkpoint with a weapon and you will be prosecuted.
16. Can I access the gate area if I am not a passenger?
Under certain circumstances, you may be allowed access to the gate area although you are not a passenger. For example, if you are going to assist an unaccompanied child, elderly person, or person with special needs through the screening checkpoint. However, you will need to get a gate pass/authorization at the airport ticket counter of your airline. Please contact your airline for further details.
17. What will happen to electronic devices I take in my carry-on baggage?
It is not necessary to turn on your electronic devices since they will be checked by special screening equipment. Nonetheless, you should always be prepared to turn them on if asked by a pre-board screening officer.
18. What will happen to electronic devices in my checked baggage?
They will be treated as checked baggage and will be screened following the standard screening procedures for checked baggage.
19. Where should I pack my camera film?
Passengers are advised to pack their film in their carry-on baggage. The equipment used at pre-board screening (PBS) areas will not damage film under 800 ISO/ASA. However, multiple exposures (more than 5 times) of the same roll of film to PBS x-ray inspection may cause damage. Most amateur photographers use film in the 100-400 ISO/ASA range. Specialty film is defined as film with an ASA/ISO 800 or higher and typically used by professionals. If passengers are concerned about their film, once they have placed it in their carry-on baggage, they may request a hand search at the PBS area. Please note that physical search of films will be carried when circumstances permit.
20. Who do I contact if I have a complaint regarding the level of service at the airport?
For any complaints regarding the level of service received at the airport, you should contact the airport authority. For any questions/complaints about pre-board screening, you should contact CATSA at 1-888-294-2202 or by completing the Contact Us online form.
21. Any final tips?
Before leaving home, contact the airline to make sure that your flight is on time. If you are driving to the airport, give yourself extra time. Cars should not be left unattended in front of the terminal, and drivers should observe all parking restrictions, as security requirements dictate that local parking rules be strictly enforced.
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