What you CAN bring on the plane

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

there is a place on the CATSA website where you can ask a question. I sent one asking about DS's but it says they can take 5 business days to respond and it's only been 2

thx i'll have to do that.

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

there is a place on the CATSA website where you can ask a question. I sent one asking about DS's but it says they can take 5 business days to respond and it's only been 2

if you check the thread with todays date on it for allowances- theres a link showing pics of purses that can be brought on and it says dvd and discs are allowed and i think it also says ds's are allowed, along with coloring books and crayons for kids.

 

[Lizziejane]

their updated link actually makes it much clearer.

 

[sjerrott]

Thanks for the updates guys! I feel much less confused now that they have the pictures and lists on the website - it still sucks, but at least we're allowed books, magazines and DS's.

Now my question is: will United be waving their luggage charges while we can't take carryons?

Susan

 

[Lizziejane]

Thanks for the updates guys! I feel much less confused now that they have the pictures and lists on the website - it still sucks, but at least we're allowed books, magazines and DS's.

Now my question is: will United be waving their luggage charges while we can't take carryons?

Susan

I think I read that they will waive the charges if you check a typical carry-on bag. In other words, the smaller type luggage. If it's "normal" size luggage, you'll pay as normal.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I understand the need for the extra security and etc, but if the security people at the Airports didn't need to search everyone's carryon bags then we wouldn't need these new rules. I can not speak for all the Airports across Canada but while flying home on WestJet from Tampa - Toronto, one flight attendant told us Toronto had the worst lines at security because it's the busiest Airport in Canada. A few days after the attempted bombing on Christmas Day someone who does business with my dad's company was supposed to go on vacation from Toronto to Florida (I forget which specific city) with his family and 8 grandkids. Well he said the lines at security at YYZ were 5 - 6 hours and so he missed his flight. He then said all Air Canada said was to bad and they couldn't re-book him for 5 days because no seats were available. So basically they ended up canceling their trip.

 

[M&M mom]

A friend of mine flew out of Moncton, NB on January 5 to Bahamas with a connecting flight in Newark, NJ. He said he took a carry on and so were many others boarding the plane. They did go through them but didn't say they couldn't take them on. Is this because his final destination wasn't in the U.S?

 

[eryn the pooh]

So I have an idea....Sice we are Northerners and we all live in igloos and its always really cold here, Im going to wear all my clothes on instead of putting them in my luggage.....our moms always told us to layer, right?
I dont mind looking a few pounds over, if its for a good cause!

Any other suggestions?

 

[Salinger]

So, I'm flying in just over 2 weeks, and I had hoped some of these restrictions would have eased a little by then, but now it seems unlikely.

What I'm concerned about is the "backpack" thing that's been mentioned a couple of times. As others have indicated, my camera case is "backpack style" but it is definitely a "purpose-designed" camera case.

I've scoured Air Canada, CATSA and Transport Canada websites, and can find absolutely no mention of the specific ban on backpacks that I've read on here.

Can someone please point me to the policy on some website so I can determine whether I have to buy a new camera bag or not?

Cheers

 

[Susie63]

So, I'm flying in just over 2 weeks, and I had hoped some of these restrictions would have eased a little by then, but now it seems unlikely.

What I'm concerned about is the "backpack" thing that's been mentioned a couple of times. As others have indicated, my camera case is "backpack style" but it is definitely a "purpose-designed" camera case.

I've scoured Air Canada, CATSA and Transport Canada websites, and can find absolutely no mention of the specific ban on backpacks that I've read on here.

Can someone please point me to the policy on some website so I can determine whether I have to buy a new camera bag or not?

Cheers

Sorry, but what I had originally posted was direct info from my neighbour,who is a check in agent at AC. DH's laptop bag is a backpack syle and DD has a backpack as well. She told me neither would be permitted. You should call CATSA or your airline. Please post if you find any more info as it would make all our lives a little easier.

 

[xipetotec]

So, I'm flying in just over 2 weeks, and I had hoped some of these restrictions would have eased a little by then, but now it seems unlikely.

What I'm concerned about is the "backpack" thing that's been mentioned a couple of times. As others have indicated, my camera case is "backpack style" but it is definitely a "purpose-designed" camera case.

I've scoured Air Canada, CATSA and Transport Canada websites, and can find absolutely no mention of the specific ban on backpacks that I've read on here.

Can someone please point me to the policy on some website so I can determine whether I have to buy a new camera bag or not?

Cheers

I've written to both CASTA and Transport Canada about this. I will share any responses I receive from them in the coming days... ( I have a LowePro 350 for my camera AND Backpack! It's my case for these and don't know what I'll do if I can't use it )

 

[Susie63]

I've written to both CASTA and Transport Canada about this. I will share any responses I receive from them in the coming days... ( I have a LowePro 350 for my camera AND Backpack! It's my case for these and don't know what I'll do if I can't use it )

I wrote CATSA before I started this thread almost two weeks ago and I still haven't got a response. It is very frustrating.

 

[YukiPhnx]

I'm glad I took a look here or I wouldn't have known anything has changed!

No large bags? That completely ruins my plans, and many other people's plans of packing extra clothing! Now I'm going to have to look for a bag that's an acceptable size and decide which of my important things I'd like with me.

The backpacks rule also sounds ridiculous. Looks like it's time for all the men to buy messenger bags!

 

[Starwater]

To my wonderful fellow DISers. It would be so helpful if anyone who is travelling to the US from Canada in the next few weeks could post a quick note about their experience. I've read all the forums but there is conflicting info from post to post, most likely due to the airline workers also not knowing the rules and giving different info.

I'd love to hear from somebody who has actually flown from Can to US to know if they were allowed a book, a DS, a backpack, whatever.

Let's help our fellow Canadians - I'm happy to post on February 6th when we travel.

Susan

Ditto!

We leave on February 6 as well - Hurrah!

But... we're transferring through Minneapolis and La Guardia, NYC. Really great deal on airfare = drastically increasing the risk of having our luggage lost...

I would love to hear recent stories of what people are being/have been getting away with/not getting away! Any posts of that sort would be greatly appreciated!

I usually bring a small carry-on with toothbrush, change of clothes, etc. Sounds like they're basically making that kind of smart travel packing impossible...

The thing that gets me is that the airlines must be in heaven right now as everyone now has to check their bags! They must be making a killing in fees! They could charge anything and we'd have to pay it. What choice do we have now??

In the past, I'd see people smuggling nearly full sized suitcases and duffel bags into the overhead bins -- to the annoyance of flight attendants and other passengers. But I guess those days of taking advantage of the system are gone...

 

[mcgraws]

To add a little more "frustration" to this whole situation.... There was an article in our local paper late last week that passengers were on the tarmac and discovered that baggage handlers were removing bags from the hold. Seems that with all bags having to be checked and AC allowing 1 additional checked bag do to this new policy, the baggage hold was overcrowded and bags had to be removed so some passengers arrived at their destination without their luggage. Apparently this is happening on many flights!

So for my early February trip we are going to pack some of everyone's stuff in each suitcase in case one or more of our bags don't make it to destination with us. That leads to a question: What happens if ME can't retreive all your luggage? Will they get it later when it arrives or do we have to find a way to get it from the airport if it only arrives the next day?

Traveling is getting really complicated! Oh bother!

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

dh was conversing with the inlaws last nite about these new rules. course they, inlaws and him being even mroe seasoned travellers than i despote all my trips to disney raised the point a fw pp's have said. dh has always packed atleast one spare set of clothes in his carry on incase of lost bags. i literally went oh beep last nite. which scares me to say the least since atleast two friends over xmas who travelled lost their bags on the plane. good god.

seems as tho they are changing the site every day, altho id still wish this would be lifted before we travel in april. i mean you cantake the listed items as okay for carry on as its not really carry on, but it has to be on " your person" as said on the website. im still in a quandry as to all my meds and what im going to pack them in. theres no way all my meds and the meds dd is on will fit in a small purse- that i havent even found yet- mines too big.

so does that mean the kids can take a smallish bag-read purse- and put their coloring books in it and then on top of that carry their stuffies they want to take? seems like they are clarifying every day but yet theres still more confusion.

i think the travelling is going to be more stressful than the trip and all the planning thats gone on!

 

[Susie63]

To add a little more "frustration" to this whole situation.... There was an article in our local paper late last week that passengers were on the tarmac and discovered that baggage handlers were removing bags from the hold. Seems that with all bags having to be checked and AC allowing 1 additional checked bag do to this new policy, the baggage hold was overcrowded and bags had to be removed so some passengers arrived at their destination without their luggage. Apparently this is happening on many flights!

So for my early February trip we are going to pack some of everyone's stuff in each suitcase in case one or more of our bags don't make it to destination with us. That leads to a question: What happens if ME can't retreive all your luggage? Will they get it later when it arrives or do we have to find a way to get it from the airport if it only arrives the next day?

Traveling is getting really complicated! Oh bother!

What a great idea! Splitting the clothes up. I am so going to do that

I understand that it is frustrating to not get your luggage(been there...done that).However the alternative is not good. Overloaded airplanes tend to not fly well We always pack a change of clothes for each of us and the basic toiletries. This time I am taking a clean pair of underwear and a toothbrush

My experience with AC after they have "misplaced " my luggage, is that they have delivered it. Just my experience though.

 

[mom_rules]

Sure this won't help any-I was concerned because they ask you to check in early for US flights-3-4 hours. I called AC-they were nice on the phone but - AC flight leaves at 6:30am and I have to be at the airport say 3:30-are they going to staff the check in desks that early-Well no, earliest they open is 4am (some airports not until 4:30). They suggested if we know we have an early flight like this we be the first ones standing in line-huh?
And did I know that I can only bring a handbag, camera case or laptop computer in briefcase type bag with me on the plane- no exceptions.

 

[pxlbarrel]

If you guys want anecdotes about what people are experiencing when flying out of the various Canadian airports and what they're carrying with them to see if you're going to be ok with what you plan on taking, I suggest you visit a thread in the Flyertalk.com forum.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-canada-aeroplan/1032026-air-canada-travel-advisory-new-u-s-security-procedures-70.html

Mixed in with all the usual commentary are reports from people who have flown into the U.S. over the past two weeks. Just head to the end of the thread and go backwards so you don't have to wade through a lot of stuff that's irrelevant because it's dated around Christmas.

If you want to know what you can and cannot bring, do NOT call the airline. They are not the authority at the airport that's going to top you from bringing your bag of goodies on board. It's the security guy at the first checkpoint that's gonna do that.... and don't think that because you spoke to somebody at CATSA or got an email from them that the guy at that checkpoint got the same information or memo. The name of the game here is INCONSISTENCY.... in information as well as application. While somebody might get through with a backpack, the guy behind doesn't. People are reporting problems with even getting their travel papers through (rental car information, tickets, hotel information, etc.) CATSA's pdf document, posted last week, helps a LOT but I would suggest that people print that out and take it with you to the checkpoint in case there's a dispute. It may not help but it gives you more of fighting chance.

I'm not flying to the U.S. any time soon but if these restrictions are still in place and are still inconsistently being applied when I do go, I'll probably use my messenger bag camera bag or traditional looking camera bag over my very nice, big, and useful KATA backpack. I fly to London, UK next Friday and am afraid that while I'm there, they'll change the rules on me and the next thing I know, I'm flying back to Canada without carry on. Consequently, my head is about to explode as I try to plan for every possible scenario (from 2 carry on is ok to no carry on).

 

[Starwater]

Thanks for the link, pxlbarrel! I will definitely be checking that out.