avoid airport security harassment?

[acfreema]

I have been considering a trip to Austria, but I haven't flown since the "enhanced security" implementations in the US, and I have no interest in paying to get the cattle treatment. With this in mind, and since I'm pretty close to Canada, I was thinking of driving to Winnipeg and flying out of there.

In a nutshell: does anyone have experience with airport security in Canada vs US?

Yes, I've already looked to see that the US flights are cheaper, but my dignity is worth more than a couple hundred dollars.

 

[lxskllr]

No idea, but I congratulate you on standing up for your principles.

 

[Anubis]

i fly a lot for work and for self and i never have an issue with security, both domestic and international. its really not a big deal if you follow the dumb rules about foods and liquids. that is what seems to get most people

i flew out of toronto for something recently and TBH security seemed the same as it was in the US. but i normally just tune it all out and zombie my way through the airport

 

[IGemini]

I flew out of YUL to Europe before. Security was a breeze, but that was also pre-9/11. I know where you're coming from, I'm not looking forward to the first time I would need to take a domestic flight.

 

[Northern Lawn]

you will have no diginity in winnipeg either.

 

[Lifted]

Are you "brown"?

While you may avoid the cattle treatment by flying out of someplace with less invasive security measures, I personally wouldn't go out of my way to fly on a plane with lesser security measures, although I'm sure many would say that these procedures don't increase security much, and they may be right.

From my experience, security at airports in all countries has been increased, though cultural differences can make the increases not so readily apparent.

 

[Platypus]

have a foreign last name? look non-white? avoid the 'advanced' security line, it has become a trap that mostly leads into the full body irradiator. enjoy your patdown.

 

[SandEagle]

i flew out of the Toronto airport about 10 years ago and it was a breeze. Air Canada at the time.

 

[SSSnail]

Want to avoid the "cattle" treatment? Buy your own plane and airport; otherwise, deal with it.

 

[Anubis]

it really isnt that bad, in the past 5 years ive flown out of, toronto, boston, philly, denver, reno, Buffalo, rochester, roanoke, charlotte (sp), abq and orlando, as well as some other small ones

never had an issue, been selected for "special" search twice, once because i had a ton of camera equipment in my carry on and once because my electric toothbrush or razor flagged something in the scan

 

[ThePresence]

I flew out of Pearson a bunch of times, never had the slightest issue. then again, I never had a real issue flying from Newark.

 

[Jaskalas]

i flew out of toronto for something recently and TBH security seemed the same as it was in the US. but i normally just tune it all out and zombie my way through the airport

Just how does one tune out being molested?

 

[MarkXIX]

Yep, I have flown three times (going on my 4th this weekend) in the past two months.

Bottom line, pack according to TSA website and/or just check your baggage but keep enough clothing and supplies on your carry-on to last a day or two if they lose your luggage. Remember that just about any hotel will provide hygiene items even toothbrush and toothpaste if you ask for them. Might be different in Europe, but doubt it.

Dress for travel as well. Slip on shoes of some kind, no metalic items or belts and getting through security is a breeze.

 

[manimal]

Meh its not that bad. I hate taking my shoes off more than getting touched or wanded.

 

[surfsatwerk]

Just how does one tune out being molested?

Start singing the Duck Tales theme song, it helps them "finish" faster and then you can be about your business.

 

[Anubis]

Just how does one tune out being molested?

ask pen state



anyway ive never been molested, been patted down once (not a huge deal) and i also dont care about the damn full body scan, the line is generally shorter so i go through it often

 

[mmntech]

Just how does one tune out being molested?

Be something if they had the common courtesy to give you a reach around.

I've only flown once since the advanced measures, out of a small airport. Security seemed pretty lax by today's standards. It was a domestic flight though. I refuse to fly internationally because I still hold the "enhanced" security is illegal and robs you of your dignity. I'd rather take the risk of being blown up than give up my personal liberty, dignity. and privacy to some government lackey who's literally above the law.

 

[LookBehindYou]

I've traveled a bunch and really haven't had any issues with security. Not that big of a deal imo.

 

[NikolaeVarius]

I've flown international plenty. I didn't give a damn about the security. Just walked right through, x-ray, got patted, and I was done. Took about 45 seconds..

Loss of personal liberty, dignity and privacy not found.

 

[terry107]

i also dont care about the damn full body scan, the line is generally shorter so i go through it often

Last time I flew (February) there wasn't a choice - everyone was getting the full body scans.

 

[jaha2000]

Last time I flew (February) there wasn't a choice - everyone was getting the full body scans.

You can still opt out, but you will get a pat down instead.

Last time i flew out of Toronto the security was the same that we have in the states.

Dont try and bring things you are not supposed to bring and youll be fine.

 

[Jeeebus]

pro-tip: if you go through that swirly scan machine, they're serious about you having NOTHING in your pockets. The fact that I kept my wallet on me earned me the 'enhanced' touching of Jeeebus' junk. Of course, if you're into that sort of thing, always travel with a wallet.

 

[Anubis]

Last time I flew (February) there wasn't a choice - everyone was getting the full body scans.

prob depends on that airport, a lot of them dont have a huge number of them yet it seems.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Don't look like a terrorist and you won't have problems duh.

 

[SphinxnihpS]

Private airlines make their own security rules.