Every passenger at Canada’s airports must pass through security screening, which includes:

1. Have your boarding pass ready to present for verification.  You may need to show photo identification.

2. Placing personal items in bins. Check our What Do I Put in the Bins? page for tips.

3. Sending your bin(s) as well as your carry-on bag through the X-ray machine. See How to Pack your Carry-on to make this process easier.

4. Passing through the walk-through metal detector.

Once this process is complete, you may retrieve your carry-on baggage at the X-ray machine. You can speed up the screening process by being aware of carry-on baggage restrictions and what to wear to ensure you don’t set off the alarm at the walk-through metal detector.

Additional screening or separate screening of particular items

At times, additional screening or separate screening of particular items is required in addition to the regular process.

• Additional Screening
• Religious or Cultural Items and Clothing
• Head Coverings

Additional Screening

If you trigger an alarm at the walk-through metal detector or, if your bag triggers an alarm at the X-ray machine, or if you are or your bag is chosen at random, you may be asked to undergo additional screening. This may involve:

• A screening officer using a hand-wand device that detects metal objects.
• A partial or full physical search (pat-down) of your person
• A partial or full physical search of your carry-on bag
• A scan of the body using a full-body scanner.
• Swabbing using explosive trace detection (ETD).

Random additional screening

Random selection for additional screening helps us ensure the highest standards of security. We use an automated process to select people for random screening, which ensures that everyone has an equal chance of being chosen.

Swabbing or Explosive Trace Detection

CATSA uses Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) on a random basis. Screening officers may swab your carry-on baggage, laptop, shoes, clothing or hands and then use ETD technology to test for explosives.

Religious and Cultural Items and Clothing

• Screening officers are trained to use common sense and courtesy when screening people carrying or wearing objects of religious or cultural significance.
• You can undergo security screening while wearing a head covering for religious reasons. For more detail, please see Screening of Head Coverings.
• When you enter the screening checkpoint, let the screening officer know you are carrying an item of religious or cultural significance (e.g. staff, mask, sacred bundle or medicine bundle). You may ask the screening officer to screen the item separately. The screening officer will provide you with screening options for the item based on the nature of the item and your preference.
• Certain items are not permitted through the pre-board screening checkpoint because they are sharp objects – this includes ceremonials knives and swords (e.g. a kirpan). These items should be packed in your checked baggage, unless they are on Transport Canada's list of prohibited items for passengers on all flights.

Screening of Head Coverings

There are different screening procedures for head coverings depending on your flight’s destination.

Domestic and international flights:

• You will be asked to remove your head covering and place it in a bin for X-ray screening. If you do not remove your head covering, you will need to remove it after the walk-through metal detector for a physical search if it is not worn for religious or medical reasons.
• Any head covering worn through the walk-through metal detector that causes an alarm to sound will require additional screening. If a physical search is required, it may be conducted in a private search room at your request.

Flights to U.S.:

• You will be asked to remove your head covering and place it in a bin for X-ray screening. If you do not remove your head covering and alarm at the walk-through metal detector, additional screening will be required. If a physical search is required, it may be conducted in a private search room at your request.
• If there is no alarm at the walk-through metal detector, you will be asked to pat down your own head covering and present your hands to the screening officer for Explosive Trace Detection.
• If you remove your head covering at any point in the screening process, trace of the head covering is no longer required.