Topic: How bad has airline travel become in North America?

[NFLD Sapper]

Explain to me why the agents  in Halifax refuse to take an NDI 20 as valid government ID but a provincial drivers license is.....

[Chief Stoker]

Explain to me why the agents  in Halifax refuse to take an NDI 20 as valid government ID but a provincial drivers license is.....

Happens to me all the time when I fly at Westjet, they say its because our gender is not printed on it. Transport Canada actually says that, however goes on to list Military ID as valid identification.

[Chief Stoker]

My concern re:scanners is primarily o nthe testing and maintenance; I'm not confident that calibration and safety checks will be done regularly and properly.

And re: Security theatre: http://www.salon.com/2012/01/04/what_do_cupcakes_and_lightsabers_have_in_common/singleton

Apparently, cupcakes are dangerous - gel-like icing is a potential threat (at least according to TSA screeners in Vegas).

Funny that you say that, usually going through a metal detector with a pusser belt sets it off every time. I forgot to take it off last time I flew and it never set it off when I went through. I mentioned it to the screener and she shrugged her shoulders and told me to move along.

[dapaterson]

In the early 90s I trained as an airport screener, got issued my "Go anywhere in the airport" pass... and then the company realized they'd hired too many, so I (and a bunch of others) were told "Thanks, but no thanks."

Meaning I was not an airport screener, but I still had the nifty full-access pass for the airport.


SInce then I have remained underwhelmed by what we call security in many places. Over time I've learned not to be too aggressive in pointing out such problems - surprising as it may be, you can get labelled as a troublemaker.   

[Chief Stoker]

In the early 90s I trained as an airport screener, got issued my "Go anywhere in the airport" pass... and then the company realized they'd hired too many, so I (and a bunch of others) were told "Thanks, but no thanks."

Meaning I was not an airport screener, but I still had the nifty full-access pass for the airport.


SInce then I have remained underwhelmed by what we call security in many places. Over time I've learned not to be too aggressive in pointing out such problems - surprising as it may be, you can get labelled as a troublemaker.   

I hear you, I know in Halifax quite a few of the screeners are ex mil and they seem the best to keep things moving.

[PuckChaser]

Only issue I had was with one TSA employee at a small airport in California. It was 0430, 10 people on the aircraft and all CF members. He proceeds to give us a lecture on how our bags are too full, and how he can't close them alone. I mentioned we've been living out of a duffel bag for a month in a hotel, and he then carries on about how we shouldn't be bringing a 60 of Crown Royal back to Canada since we'll pay duty (they were 30 USD, couldn't resist, duty would have still been cheaper). Every other security employee I've run into has never given me an issue.

[Chief Stoker]

Only issue I had was with one TSA employee at a small airport in California. It was 0430, 10 people on the aircraft and all CF members. He proceeds to give us a lecture on how our bags are too full, and how he can't close them alone. I mentioned we've been living out of a duffel bag for a month in a hotel, and he then carries on about how we shouldn't be bringing a 60 of Crown Royal back to Canada since we'll pay duty (they were 30 USD, couldn't resist, duty would have still been cheaper). Every other security employee I've run into has never given me an issue.

Never had any real problems while I been traveling in the states. I noticed they do no frig around when it comes to security. On one trip when I was clearing in, I was actually upgraded to 1st class. The agent thanked me for my service and told me to have a nice day. I doubt if you'll ever get that in Canada.

[Jim Seggie]

Never had any real problems while I been traveling in the states. I noticed they do no frig around when it comes to security. On one trip when I was clearing in, I was actually upgraded to 1st class. The agent thanked me for my service and told me to have a nice day. I doubt if you'll ever get that in Canada.

Actually Air Canada did that for me once. Upgrade to business class. Very nice of them!!

[Chief Stoker]

Actually Air Canada did that for me once. Upgrade to business class. Very nice of them!!

Air Canada too, good show.

[PuckChaser]

Never had any real problems while I been traveling in the states. I noticed they do no frig around when it comes to security. On one trip when I was clearing in, I was actually upgraded to 1st class. The agent thanked me for my service and told me to have a nice day. I doubt if you'll ever get that in Canada.

The funny part about the dude giving us a hard time, was that he missed a 3 inch pocket knife that a coworker forgot in his carryon. LAX security caught it, and we told them we were already screened at the previous airport and were pretty ticked off.

I had a CBSA employee doing a passport check in the jetway when I came from Heathrow and he looked at my mil ID, green passport and short haircut and said "Welcome home". I was the only person on the jetway as everyone else was scrutinized quite thoroughly.

[Chief Stoker]

The funny part about the dude giving us a hard time, was that he missed a 3 inch pocket knife that a coworker forgot in his carry on. LAX security caught it, and we told them we were already screened at the previous airport and were pretty ticked off.

I had a CBSA employee doing a passport check in the jetway when I came from Heathrow and he looked at my mil ID, green passport and short haircut and said "Welcome home". I was the only person on the jetway as everyone else was scrutinized quite thoroughly.

Nice. I flew out once after just getting back from sea and I had my kit bag with a pocket folder in a side pocket I missed as I usually check for that sort of thing.Went thru security and they stopped me for a drafting set. When back out and mailed it to myself, when thru the second time and they found the knife this time and accused me of putting it there to get it on the plane
I got pretty mad and demanded to see the supervisor and we has a chat, in the end I ended up mailing that to myself as well.

[jollyjacktar]

The funny part about the dude giving us a hard time, was that he missed a 3 inch pocket knife that a coworker forgot in his carryon. LAX security caught it, and we told them we were already screened at the previous airport and were pretty ticked off.

I had a CBSA employee doing a passport check in the jetway when I came from Heathrow and he looked at my mil ID, green passport and short haircut and said "Welcome home". I was the only person on the jetway as everyone else was scrutinized quite thoroughly.

I was returning from course in Norfolk, on a green passport with mil ID.  I was the only one taken off to the side and searched like crazy by the CBSA.  They also went through me with a fine tooth comb in Quebec when I came home from decompression in Cyprus.  When I was flying down to Norfolk for the course I was given the stink eye in Detroit, mind you, Chretien had just told Bush we were not going to join the festivities in Iraq.  I got a bit of stink eye here and there those two weeks.  Meh, maybe it's just me.

[dapaterson]

I've had things hit and miss.  Generaly, a CF miilitary ID makes entering the US much easier.  On the other hand, back before a passport was needed, I once made the mistake of trying to re-enter Canada using my CF ID card.


"Not valid ID."  I was told.

"It's government issue photo ID."  I said.

"Not valid ID."  I was told.

"Here's a laminated wallet-size birth certificate that could be from anyone in the world and provides absolutely no proof of who I am."  I said.

"That works."  he said.

[CBH99]

I find it somewhat frightening just how "hit n miss" it is with US security at airports.

I had to take a last minute flight a few months back.  I didn't have anything except my driver's license, and a soggy/ripped/torn/crumbled birth certificate.  I slide the 2 under the glass window at YYC, the US Customs guy looked at me and said "What the heck is this??"  To which I replied...."Birth certificate...been in the wash a few times since I was 1yo..."

He shrugged his shoulders, and told me to have a good flight.  I find getting back into Canada INFINIATELY more diffiult than getting into the US (Which I don't mind at all).

[cupper]

And then there's the story I read recently about the guy who used a scanned copy of his Canadian passport to enter the US, and then return to Canada.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2012/01/03/ipad-passport-scan-gets-montreal-man-into-united-states.html


However, it seems that CBP is disputing the story.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2012/01/04/united-states-customs-denies-montreal-man-allowed-into-country-with-passport-scan.html

[bcbarman]

In regard to the Nexus application, do not read too much into it, trust me, I have firsthand knowlege.

As for the Ipad scanned passport, all a traveller has to do is satisfy the examining officer that the person is who they claim to be, that their purpose of trip is legitimate and that they will leave the country after a specific time.  A Birth Certificate and provincial ID was all that was needed for years, and technically all that is needed to this day for travel from US-Canada and back.   Try that at the mexico-US border and good luck.

[David1997]

Thats pretty,bad

[Journeyman]

Thats pretty,bad

What is "pretty,bad"....and why?

[Colin P]

Just flew allegiant from Belligham to Vegas, I think all their pilots must belong to the air National Guard as they really crank it leaving and coming into the airport. Service is decent and about 1/3-1/2 cheaper than Air Canada. My friend arrived at the Vegas counter with somewhat overweight bags, but since the airline just screwed over the counter clerks, she let it pass without extra billing, sort of a F you to the airline.

[Get Nautical]

The way airlines are now a days, sometimes I feel its better to just save up the money and take the train, went Edmt to Van had a bed and incredible meals included in the ticket price, a nice way to relax

[jollyjacktar]

The way airlines are now a days, sometimes I feel its better to just save up the money and take the train, went Edmt to Van had a bed and incredible meals included in the ticket price, a nice way to relax

Train would be nice, but I only have two arms and legs for the price.  If they were more resonable in price I'd give them a thought.  On a side note, its about time now that the airlines have started putting the full fare price in their ads, shame they had to be pulled into it kicking and screaming.

[kratz]

Flying through Halifax, I have been almost always "been chosen for additional screening".
It's really annoying since it's the only airport that does this to me so often, but I just go through the motions.
This current trip I stunned them by opting for the pat down. They were not ready for that answer. 

[Colin P]

Just flew to Ft St John, price was $1100 round trip. The screeners found my swiss army knife, I put it in storage at $7.00 a day, I was not able to get to the desk in time to pick it up on my return, so there it sits, now it's not worth getting it back and will get a new one. At the same time they missed the 2 cannisters of dog spray in my jacket pocket. I wasn't intending to test the system, just forgot to leave them in the truck.

Now for another $100 I could have flown round trip to Malaysia.

[GAP]

Flying through Halifax, I have been almost always "been chosen for additional screening".
It's really annoying since it's the only airport that does this to me so often, but I just go through the motions.
This current trip I stunned them by opting for the pat down. They were not ready for that answer. 

Is that because it makes them miss their morning coffee break? Is it a group project or something?

Just asking.......

[RangerRay]

I find going through smaller airports, I get the equivalent of a rectal exam.  I'm usually met by at least half a dozen security pers who make me take half my clothes off, go through my bags before going through the x-ray and ask me all sorts of questions (there is only one gate!).  Gotta be vigilant for terrorists to justify all that man power in Fort Bumf***, BC.

At larger airports, it is relatively quick and smooth.