Frequently Asked Questions

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How early should I arrive at the airport to provide myself with enough time to go through pre-board screening?

How should I pack before my flight?

• Remember to bring your air carrier ticket and up-to-date government-issued photo identification, which includes a passport or a valid driver’s license.
• Be sure to tag your carry-on and checked baggage, including laptop computers. If you have a business address, write it on the tag instead of your home address, for security reasons.
• Do not wrap gifts as their contents may need to be inspected.
• Your checked baggage may be subject to a physical search. Please pack your baggage efficiently and place personal items (e.g. toothbrushes) in see-through bags.
• Avoid over-packing so that the Screening Officer can easily close your bag if it is opened for inspection.
• Only bring liquids, gels and aerosols that are packaged in containers with a capacity of 100 ml / 100 grams (3.4 oz) or less, and ensure that the containers fit comfortably in one clear, closed and resealable plastic bag with a capacity of no more than 1 litre (1 quart). The approximate dimensions of a one litre/quart bag are 15 cm by 23 cm (6 in. by 9 in.) or 20 cm by 18 cm (8 in. by 7 in.). One bag per passenger is permitted.
• Larger containers (i.e. greater than 100 ml or 100 g (3.4 oz)) of liquids, gels and aerosols can be placed in checked baggage as long as they do not constitute a dangerous good or non-permitted item.
• Ensure your medication is properly labelled (professionally printed label identifying the medication or a manufacturer’s name or pharmaceutical label) and with a name that matches the passenger's ticket/boarding pass and placed in your carry-on baggage.
• Pack all camera film in your carry-on baggage. Camera film under 800 ASA/ISO will not be damaged by equipment at the pre-board screening checkpoint
• Flammable, corrosive or toxic items and most aerosols are considered dangerous goods and are not permitted in carry-on and checked baggage. For further details, review Transport Canada’s Dangerous Goods Directorate website.
• It is recommended that you pack all solid food products in your carry-on baggage. Liquid food items should be packed in checked baggage or in accordance with liquid restrictions for carry-on baggage. See the permitted and non-permitted item list on our website for more information.
• If you are carrying firearms or ammunition in your checked baggage, you must immediately inform the air carrier when you arrive at the check-in counter. You must also ensure that they are securely packed.
• Please contact your air carrier for additional information.

How can I facilitate pre-board screening?

• Make sure to go through the screening checkpoint well in advance of your flight, especially during peak periods (early morning, noon, and early evening). Avoid the rush!
• Please leave your empty baggage cart outside the screening checkpoint.
• Only passengers are allowed in the screening checkpoint unless special arrangements have been made with the air carrier in advance.
• It is not necessary to remove small jewellery items (rings, earrings, watches) or eyeglasses. You can however, save time by not wearing large amounts of jewellery or metal items or by placing such items in your carry-on baggage before you get in line; if you are wearing metal items, as you proceed through the walk-through metal detector, you may be required to undergo further screening.
• When travelling with liquids, gels and aerosols of 100 ml / 100 grams (3.4 oz) or less, that are placed in the one clear, closed and resealable plastic bag with a capacity of no more than 1 litre (1 quart) as required, you should remove the plastic bag from your carry-on for screening and place it separately in the trays provided.
• You should remove laptop computers, video cameras with cassettes and cameras with film from their carry-on cases at the pre-board screening checkpoint and place them in the tray provided. You do not need to remove any other personal electronic devices (cell phones, portable media players, MP3’s etc.) from your carry-on baggage. Your carry-on baggage and tray will go through the X-ray for careful examination by a Screening Officer. You may also be asked to authorize the Screening Officer to open baggage for further examination of such items. These items will not be damaged by the screening equipment.
• Avoid over-packing so that the Screening Officer can easily close your bag if it is opened for inspection.
• Avoid bringing non-permitted items or dangerous goods by checking CATSA’s permitted and non-permitted items list.
• Always declare the presence of firearms and ammunition to the air carrier when checking in.
• Do not pack wrapped gifts and do not bring wrapped gifts to the checkpoint as you may be asked to unwrap the gift for further inspection.
• Never joke or make “small talk” about bombs, firearms or other weapons while going through pre-board screening.  Depending on the circumstances, you could be charged with an offence under the law and penalties could be severe.  Check Transport Canada’s website for details.

How should I dress when travelling by air?

All individuals must pass through a walk-through metal detector at the pre-board screening checkpoint. All individuals who set off the alarm must undergo further screening to determine the source of the alarm; this may include hand “wanding” and a physical search.

The following are some tips to minimize your chances of setting off the alarm and avoiding a physical search.

It is not necessary to remove small jewellery items (rings, earrings, watches) or eyeglasses. You can however, save time by not wearing large amounts of jewellery or metal items or by placing such items in your carry-on baggage before you get in line; if you are wearing metal items, as you proceed through the walk-through metal detector, you may be required to undergo further screening, which may include hand “wanding” and a physical search. These items include:

• Pins, necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches, earrings, cuff links, lanyards or bolo (“cowboy”) ties
• Clothing with metal buttons, snaps or studs
• Belt buckles
• If you are wearing boots, platform shoes, footwear with a flat sole or heel, or footwear containing metal, you may be asked to remove your footwear for additional screening.
• If you have a body piercing in areas covered by clothing, you may be subject to a physical search. If further screening is necessary, you have the option to remove your body piercing in a private search room as an alternative to the physical search.
• Items such as keys and loose change need to be removed from your pockets prior to passing through the walk-through metal detector.
• Remove laptop computers, video cameras with cassettes and cameras with film should from their carry-on cases at the security checkpoint and place them in the tray provided. You do not need to remove any other personal electronic devices (cell phones, portable media players, MP3’s etc.) from your carry-on baggage. These items will not be damaged by the screening equipment.
• Pack outer coats or jackets and suit jackets in your carry-on baggage or place them in the tray provided for screening.

Am I wearing appropriate shoes to go through pre-board screening?

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