westjet..camera's..new rules??

[grover]

Just heard from a friend--flew wesjet in the last week, was told at check in that her camera had to go into her checked luggage-she could not carry it on. Of course it got damaged.
I have read the westjet site-no mention of any change to the rules about carrying on electronics of any sort.
Anyone heard anything?
Freaking out..no way am i throwing my S3 into checked luggage!

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

We flew with Westjet last weekend (Oct 8 and Oct 21) and carried our camera's on both times. We had it packed in the carry on - we were asked to turn it on but that's all!

 

[seashoreCM]

Ask to see the rules in writing.

Every airline has brochures saing don't put valuables in checked luggage.

Was this at a security counter or at a ticket counter? If push came to shove you would be better off not flying that day (do not actually say the answer to that question if they ask but simply say you are not putting valuables in checked luggage) and demanding a refund of the fare.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[coastgirl]

My dh flew Westjet a couple of weeks ago and had our digital in the laptop case as carry on--no hassles.

Somebody misinterpreting the rules who needed to be called on it, is my bet.

 

[wee-haggis]

My dh flew Westjet a couple of weeks ago and had our digital in the laptop case as carry on--no hassles.

Somebody misinterpreting the rules who needed to be called on it, is my bet.

Quote from Westjet website
Consumer electronic devices:

Passengers may bring consumer electronic devices (watches, calculating machines, cameras, cellular phones, laptop computers, camcorders, etc.) containing lithium or lithium ion cells or batteries when carried for personal use. Spare batteries must be individually protected so as to prevent short circuits and carried in carry-on baggage only. In addition, each spare battery must not exceed the following quantities:

for lithium metal or lithium alloy batteries, a lithium content
of not more than 2 grams; or
for lithium ion batteries, an aggregate equivalent lithium
content of not more than 8 grams.
Lithium ion batteries with an aggregate equivalent lithium content of
more than 8 grams but not more than 25 grams may be carried in carry-on
baggage if they are individually protected so as to prevent short
circuits and are limited to two spare batteries per person.

For further information please contact a WestJet agent.

 

[Timon]

Apart from small exceptions (such as oxygen tanks, oversized luggage etc.) Airlines don't have a say in what can and cannot go with you on a plane. Those rules are made and regulated by CATSA.
http://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/english/index.shtml

The security screeners at the airport do not work for the airlines, they work for CATSA, so if someone at Westjet tells you that you have to put your camera in your checked luggage you can tell them to bite you

You will always run into people who are on power trips, whether they are airline personel or security screeners (I was one for almost 3 years and worked with those kind of people, so I know!) but if they ever tell you something that doesn't make sense to you such as putting your camera in checked luggage, ask for a manager and to see the rule in writing. Every security check point has a book with all the rules, don't be afraid to ask to see it in writing. But do double check with CATSA's website before you fly for any updates and changes to what you are allowed to take on the plane.

 

[madonna31]

Was this at a security counter or at a ticket counter?

Exactly!

I flew Sunwing back in September and the girl at the Sunwing ticket counter wanted me to empty out the liquid I had in my carry-on (after she asked me if I had any and I answered "yes, my contact solution").

I refused to empty it, as I knew as per the CATSA rules that I was allowed to carry on saline solution with me.

I knew I was in my right and therefore I argued with her until she finally said "fine, but they are going to make you throw it out at security".

"Fine. I'll worry about it then." I told her.

Needless to say, security never told me to throw it out.

What's the moral of the story? Like Timon said; the individual airlines have no say in this stuff, only the CATSA (airport security) does!

 

[grover]

she said it was the westjet agent..
but now reading what ya'll have to say i feel completely okay about this!
i will also let her know about this..perhaps it will give her some basis for compensation?

 

[seashoreCM]

she said it was the westjet agent..
but now reading what ya'll have to say i feel completely okay about this!
i will also let her know about this..perhaps it will give her some basis for compensation?

I am not sure whether you can get compensation for the lost or damaged camera but I think you would get refunded the airfare (or the cost to change to the next flight) if you had let the original issue go all the way to a standoff and were denied boarding.