In response to the failed Dec. 25 terrorist attack aboard an aircraft headed from Amsterdam to Detroit, the U.S. Transportation Security Administration and the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority have enacted stricter guidelines for airport and in-flight security.
TSA said it may strengthen its use of detection canine teams, law enforcement officers, gate screening, behavior detection and other measures seen and unseen. At this time, security checkpoint requirements for passengers departing U.S. airports remain the same. Passengers do not need to do anything differently, but they should allow extra time to check in and proceed through the security checkpoint before their flight.
Many airlines are recommending passengers arrive at the airport three hours before their flight’s scheduled departure if traveling to the U.S. from abroad in order to allow additional time for heightened security measures. TSA has asked airlines to modify the way they do pat downs for flights headed to the United States. Citing security concerns, the new comprehensive request asks airlines, internationally, to do a “full body pat down,” which will require more time at the security lines.
In Canada, CATSA has implemented temporary emergency measures at security checkpoints under the direction of Transport Canada. U.S.-bound passengers are permitted no carry-on bags. Passengers will still be allowed one personal item, such as a purse or briefcase, to carry on board the aircraft. Passengers traveling within Canada are still permitted two carry-on bags. The measures affect all flights from Canada to the United States.
According to CATSA, a “carry-on bag” is defined as an item to which a passenger has access during a flight, but does NOT include personal items such as small purses, cameras, coats, items for care of infants, laptop computers, diplomatic or consular bags, crutches, canes, walkers, containers carrying life sustaining items, medication or medical devices, musical instruments or any special needs items.
In addition, nine Canadian airports will install full-body scanners in response to requests from officials in the U.S. who want to boost security on flights from Canada to the U.S.
The U.S. ordered increased scrutiny of passengers arriving in the U.S. from 14 countries designated “state sponsors of terrorism” or “countries of interest.” The intensified screening may include body searches by hand, hand searching of luggage, full-body scanning and searches for explosives. The countries on the list include Cuba, Iran, Sudan, Syria, Nigeria, Yemen, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Algeria, Lebanon, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Somalia.
BCD Travel has reached out to the Canadian Transport Ministry and the Association of Canadian Travel Agents in an effort to learn more about the strict security regulations that have been placed on flights from Canada to the U.S. We will continue to monitor the evolving situation closely and will alert our clients of any critical updates. For the latest official information from the TSA and CATSA, please visit www.tsa.gov, www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca or visit the Transport Canada Web site.