U.S.-bound air travellers face the following additional security measures as a result of the Dec. 25 attempt to blow up a Detroit-bound plane:
• Reduced carry-on baggage. Passengers may carry only limited personal items, including one or more of the following items: small purses, laptops, cameras, coats, medication or medical devices, baby care items, crutches, canes, walkers, life-sustaining items, a special needs item, musical instruments or diplomatic or consular bags. However, a Transport Canada spokeswoman said on Thursday that travellers can also bring additional “common sense” carry-on items, including books, iPods and children’s toys.
• Additional security screening.
• Full-body pat-downs and other enhanced screening for people travelling to the U.S. from or through 14 countries deemed “state sponsors of terrorism or other countries of interest”: Afghanistan, Algeria, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. The screening also applies to Canadians holding passports from these countries.
• The additional screening is causing delays and passengers are advised to arrive at the airport three hours before their flight.
Compiled by Jill Mahoney
