Travel Thoughts from Darren Mak

I Just travelled through the US Gates at Calgary International Airport, and have a few observations!

CATSA staff are checking carryon sizes upon entry to the customs hall! However didn't check mine!

The Customs line was fairly long, but thankfully with Nexus, I was able to get through in under 1 minute, however unlike larger airports where as a Nexus pass holder where you just walk through, in Calgary you have to hand your card to a CBP officer at the desk, and he asked me some questions. I found that kind of strange, as the Nexus program is supposed to allow you to pass through CBP without talking to anyone... Oh well!

Next was the security stations. There is now a pad you stand on, much like you are playing Danca Dance Revolution, that displays a big green LED arrow on a board, indicating whether you go for secondary screening, or through the regular security lines.

I got the regular line!

However through the regular lines, they are still patting down everyone, and searching all of your bags, and items in the bags... Kinda scares me as to what else they are doing in the secondary screening area, but I did hear the snapping of rubber gloves and faint screams coming from that general direction!

But come on Transport Canada, although my total time from enterring the customs hall to sitting at the gate was 7 minutes, stop subjecting us to the added searches! We are the only country doing this for all passengers!

• Darren Mak's blog

According to this post on Flyertalk, by Andrew Yiu, a representative of Air Canada, Transport Canada is set to relax the carry-on baggage restrictions on January 20, 2010 which were put in place for flights bound for the US after the December 25th terrorist attack by the underpants bomber!

According to the post, the following will be effective January 20th for flights originating in Canada, with a destination in the United States.

Effective January 20, 2010, Transport Canada will ease the carry-on baggage restrictions for customers traveling to the United States. You are allowed one standard article as defined below:

The maximum size of the standard article is 23cm x 40cm x 55cm with a maximum weight of 22kg.

The definition of standard article is a roller bag or backpack or a briefcase.

In addition to the standard article, you are allowed to bring 1 or more of the following items:

* Small purse
* Coat or outerwear
* Diaper bag, when travelling with an infant
* Duty-free purchases
* Crutches, canes, walkers
* Medical equipment
* Special needs items for customers
* Musical instruments
* Computer bag with laptop and accessories only
* Camera bag with camera and accessories only

The above will be enforced strictly.

• Darren Mak's blog