Security breach at YYZ - CATSA drops the ball two days in a row

[HighFlyer]

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_12653.aspx

On Sunday, for the second night in a row, a security breach delayed flights at Pearson International Airport and for the second time it involved an Air India jet.

Some planes at Terminal 3 were grounded Sunday night after an elderly passenger was allegedly about to board and a second security check at the gate turned up a small pen knife.

That's exactly what happened Saturday night when the discovery of six box cutters in a carry-on bag caused a big headache for hundreds on their way overseas. At least eight flights were grounded just before 11pm Saturday after an elderly couple boarding an Air India flight made it past initial security with about six box cutters and a potato peeler in their carry-on.

[cwb27]

Kinda makes me think.... I wonder if they will ever put some responsibility on the traveller by way of fines or in an extreme case, arrest? I know, this can be somewhat overboard.... But think about, the people are not being held responsible for THEIR actions (i.e having the blade/peeler in their bag).


Don't get me wrong here... CATSA Screeners are there to check for the said objects and it seems aren't being as vigilant as they should be...

[HighFlyer]

Kinda makes me think.... I wonder if they will ever put some responsibility on the traveller by way of fines or in an extreme case, arrest? I know, this can be somewhat overboard.... But think about, the people are not being held responsible for THEIR actions (i.e having the blade/peeler in their bag).
I agree. Fines should have applied in the Saturday incident. Six box cutters? They potentially disrupted travel plans for 1600 people. That area of T3 (the 'C' gates) is home to many overseas flights, with connections at the other side.


Don't get me wrong here... CATSA Screeners are there to check for the said objects and it seems aren't being as vigilant as they should be...
They were too busy looking for Dasani and Colgate that they 'forgot' about the other things they were supposed to be looking for.

[konfusion666]

Keep in mind that Air India @ Pearson has "special security procedures" for their flights. By this I'm referring to the supposedly blastproof waiting area (!) as well as the mandatory "check-everything-passengers-bring-on-the-plane" security check in the tunnel before you enter the plane. I'm not surprised that those checks are much more thorough than the common CATSA checks done at Terminal 3 (or was it 1?)

[HighFlyer]

I'm not surprised that those checks are much more thorough than the common CATSA checks done at Terminal 3 (or was it 1?)
AI uses T3... the 'C' concourse.

[canabiz]

CATSA Pre-board Screening Officers are employed with security firms.

http://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/english/about_propos/opp/pbslist.shtml

Obviously, we don't know the *qualifications* and *standards* required to get hired with these private security agencies but one can only hope that they are stringent enough. They are human beings just like us and will make mistakes from time to time and you certainly don't want to second-guess anything but I would really be curious to find out what sort of credentials is required to get those gigs at the airport.

When you read about this alleged murderer's story on how he got onto the airplane with some weed in his pocket, allegedly, and a pellet gun in his checked in baggage, then it's certainly cause for discomfort.

http://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/english/about_propos/opp/pbslist.shtml

[HighFlyer]

CATSA Pre-board Screening Officers are employed with security firms.

"officers"? aha ha ha! :lol:

[canabiz]

"officers"? aha ha ha! :lol:

Next time you travel, ask any of them how they got those jobs :cheesygri

[HighFlyer]

Next time you travel, ask any of them how they got those jobs :cheesygri
That's easy. They've graduated from saying "Would you like fries with that?" to "Would you like to fly today?" :cheesygri

[dazz]

I bought a 4" steel swiss army knife in London and accidentally put it in my carry on. Well,I found it in my plane,at the bottom of a side pocket,while trying to find my ipod...

[chasbos]

The last time we went to St. Maarten we flew out of Terminal 3 at YYZ and of course went through all the screening and security - no problems, all of us made it through just fine.

Coming home though - the alert security staff in St. Maarten found a jack knife on one of my travel mates. He had totally forgot he had it with him - he carries it in his coat pocket - always! And he made it through Pearson without it being noticed! But in St. Maarten, where the person who checks you in for your flight is also the same person who screens you through security - they detected it.

He had to leave the jackknife in St. Maarten and we were on our way - but it made through Toronto - no problems!

[singhownethu]

That's easy. They've graduated from saying "Would you like fries with that?" to "Would you like to fly today?" :cheesygri

Lol.
They graduated the pay too.