Comments on: Canada-to-US Flights Allow Carry On Baggage Again

By: John

John — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:25:30 +0000

I cannot believe our purse size is restricted! What possible risk is the size??? Next they will restrict what colors or material!

In a country like Canada where staff, baggage handlers & tarmac employees can come and go indiscriminately we are worried about a purse size!!

Because the Government is scared to take on Unions they cause the passenger anguish instead of shoring the real “terrorist” holes. Canada’s leaders too often go about things backward. Shameful.

By: William Campion

William Campion — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 21:30:19 +0000

Based on the restrictions imposed, I choose not to fly,
It the trip is to far to travel by car, train or bus within the the time I have, then I will not make the trip.

By: Michael Robertson

Michael Robertson — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 02:45:01 +0000

I have an extensive post about traveling from Toronto to San Francisco on January 10th. I was permitted to carry my camera bag, a Lowepro Stealth AW 650, with 2 bodies, three lenses, flash and assorted batteries, filters etc.

I simply told security I was a working photographer (which I am), the camera bag was xray’d, after which it was chem-checked and hand inspected, piece by piece. Following that first security check all passengers were subjected to a second RCMP check.

That check consisted of a body pat down and a second piece by piece hand check of the camera bag… it included demonstrating both cameras functioned (showed menus).

The only bags other passengers had were laptop bags. I probably had the largest piece of carry on of any passenger.

I didn’t mind the double searches… there was a little uncertainty with the TSA officers, but ultimately the equipment came onboard without issue.

I’m glad to hear that rollers are being allowed again. I normally travel with a ThinkTank roller.

My original post is here http://www.velodramatic.com/archives/4700

By: Abbey Hesser

Abbey Hesser — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 17:01:55 +0000

Ya, I was sad to see the books/notebook go but I understand. The problem isn’t with the rules themselves but with the communication. Neither the airlines, nor the customs officials really knew exactly what would be stopped at security. The safari vest idea, honestly, isn’t a bad one

By: Sam Oebid

Sam Oebid — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:48:08 +0000

Abby, that is just nuts, though I hope after today that nonsense stops. I’m off to San Diego next week YYZ-YYC-SAN and hope the YYC people don’t cause me any problems with my ThinkTank International.

By: 20 January, 2010 - Sanity (a bit) Returns For Photographers Flying from Canada to U.S. « Photographer’s Spot

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:21:52 +0000

[...] can read more about it here. This means that photographers can once again travel with their photographic equipment in [...]

By: Maria

Maria — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:04:17 +0000

Oooo, hell ya, back to the days of tan safari vests! Huzzah!

As a side note to Abby, I’m astounded that they made you throw away a book. I can just see it now, you’re going to rip it to shreds and rub two sticks together to make a fire.

I get SO pissed off about airline security smoke and mirrors… when an entire nation goes on blood pressure medication and anger management therapy sessions you’ll know the terrorists have won. Oof. sorry. Needed to rant, won’t happen again.

By: flyingfish

flyingfish — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:47:25 +0000

Abby,

The change in CATSA carry on policy, via Transport Canada, goes into place tomorrow. Laptop bags have always been allowed, bu “small laptop bags”

The key to getting around the restrictions in many ways has been to wear a jacket or vest with a lot of pockets. Clothing is exempt.

Sorry you had to toss some items.

Happy Flying!

-Fish

By: Abbey Hesser

Abbey Hesser — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 04:43:34 +0000

I actually flew from Calgary to Houston earlier today and was allowed my laptop carrying case. I did not get thru smoothly tho an had an extensive conversation with an agent about allowances. The most important thing to note is that (especially as a female, but not to discriminate) you can not carry a purse AND a laptop case. And if you do carry a laptop case, it cannot contain any non-electronic equipment. I was asked to carry my personal belongings (wallet, cell phone, keys, passport) in my hands/pockets and could have my laptop, charger, camera, and other electronic equipment in my laptop bag but was forced to throw away two journals, a power adapter, a pencil bag and a hardback book that they would not allow me to keep in my laptop bag. The airlines are still not 100% sure of the policies so although they advised on the one bag limit they did not tell me about the issues with only having certain items in certain bags. Regardless, thanks for being the most up to date source on the issue. I had difficulty locating info last night from either the TSA or the Calgary airport websites.