Travel Talk

Breeze Through Airport Security This Summer

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We’re approaching busy season once more; below is another note from our friends at Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) to ensure you have a safe and swift experience at airport security. SHABL & CATSA both wish you and your family a fun and hassle free vacation this summer wherever your travels take you.

Summer is the busiest air travel time in Canada. Whether you’re packing for a family vacation, visiting relatives or exploring new corners of the world, an easy and stress-free travel experience starts by preparing for the security checkpoint. These tips from the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) can help.

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One of the most common mistakes travellers make is bringing liquids, aerosols and gels (LAGs) exceeding the 100ml limit in their carry-on baggage. That includes sunscreen, tanning lotion or hand cream, alcohol, maple syrup, etc. To go in your carry-on LAGs must be in containers of 100 mL or less.

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If you’re going play on land or water, there are a few rules to watch for:

– Baseball bats, golf clubs and surfboards are only allowed in your checked baggage, but sports racquets are clear to fly in carry-on.
– Going fishing? Poles without hooks are fine in carry-on, but those with hooks and tackle need to be checked.
– Scuba tanks are permitted in checked bags. Consult your air carrier for other restrictions before getting to the airport.
Have a few souvenirs coming back with you?
– Gifts should not be wrapped as screening officers may have to open them for inspection.
– Jackknives, decorative or ceremonial knives and multitools with blades cannot travel in carry-on bags. Butterfly knives, switchblades and other illegal knives (and replicas) are prohibited and cannot go in carry-on or checked bags.

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Going camping?

– While one lighter for personal use is allowed in carry-on, lighters are not permitted in checked baggage.
– Strike-anywhere matches are NOT permitted in carry-on or checked baggage.
– Flammable materials – for example, white gas or butane for camping stoves – are NOT permitted in carry-on or checked baggage.

For everything else, here are some tried-and-true tips for breezing through security to your summer destination:

– Check wait times online.
– Arrive early and allow for ample time to be screened. Keeping your boarding pass out helps the line flow quickly and smoothly.
– Small personal items like keys, coins, cell phones or tablets should be put into your carry-on at security to keep everything more organized.
– Laptops must be removed from your bag and placed in a bin.
– Bring your re-usable water bottle through security empty, then fill it up after for a refreshing drink on a hot travel day.
– When travelling with kids under the age of two, use the family Family/Special needs line.
– Remember that baby food, breast milk, formula, water, and juice are exempt from the 100 ml limit.
– Visit catsa.gc.ca, CATSA_gc on Twitter, or pinterest.com/catsagc for more information.

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