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The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA)

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) is a corporation responsible for
securing specific elements of the air transportation system, from passenger and baggage
screening to screening airport workers. CATSA was Established on April 1, 2002, following the
terrorist attacks in the US. After September 11, the government of Canada took the responsibility
for airport screening which was the responsibility of the airlines as per direction from Transport
Canada. The main headquarter office is in Ottawa, while the corporation has many other regional
offices across Canada’s major airports.
CATSA is fully funded by parliament and is accountable to Parliament through the Minister of
Transport, and is governed by a Board of Directors, whereas its operations directed by a Senior
Management Team. Each year, more than 52 million passengers and their belongings are
inspected before they board planes at Canadian airports. Screening activities are carried out by
5,400 screening officers. It is CATSA’s responsibility to ensure that nothing from Transport
Canada’s list of prohibited items is allowed on aircraft. Screening officers look for dangerous or
potentially dangerous items such as knives, firearms and explosives.
CATSA is committed with protecting the public through effective and efficient screening of air
travellers and their baggage. The organization main goal is to provide a professional, effective
and consistent level of security service across the country, and to exceed the standards set
by Transport Canada. CATSA has many channels on the media, in order to spread the passenger
and baggage screening rules and regulation widely to everyone.
According to Edmonton Journal In 2019 CATSA PLUS has been introduced as a new system
that allows airport passengers to speed up the security process, this system serves four people at
the same time.
This is in addition to the free mobile App “Breeze through security” which makes it easier for
most of the travellers to get through airport security screening and to review all information and
baggage screening regulations prior to their flight, such as checking the wait times at security
screening checkpoints in major Canadian airports, and search the “ What Can I Bring” list to find
out if the item is allowed in carry-on baggage or in checked baggage, as well as finding a device
for families, passengers with special needs and senior to help them to get through airport security
screening quickly and easy.
“Full Body Scanner” is one of the methods that CATSCA uses to check for weapons and
explosives that can be hidden under clothing. This method has always been controversial, and
there are many common questions about it, such as how do the full body scanner work, and can
the scanner see inside your body. As per the official website for CATSA there are no privacy
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The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA)

concerns with the full body scanner, and when a passenger is scanned, the screening officer sees
a generic picture that has nothing to do with privacy. Is it safe? this is another common question
that passengers may ask. The scanner works using low radio frequency that doesn’t affect the
health and safety of our human bodies, it’s safe even for pregnant women as well as passengers
with pacemakers or surgical metal implants.
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority provides corporate publications for everyone to
review, which contains annual reports, quarterly financial reports, corporate plans summaries,
and reports on access to information & privacy acts. These reports are available through the
official website of CATSA.
CATSA has a diverse workforce represented by men and women from different backgrounds
located in the headquarters in Ottawa and other regional offices across Canada’s major
airports. To qualify and to be considered for employment, you must be a Canadian citizen or
permanent resident, and to be eligible to obtain and maintain a secret security clearance. There
are many different career opportunities available in CATSA. The role of screening officer is a
very common job within CATSA, and it’s an important part of ensuring the security of
passengers, airline staff, airport employees and others who work in and travel through Canada’s
airports. Screening officers are also very important to Canada’s overall security measures. I had a
look to the other available career opportunities through CATSA’s official website, there are
some other available & distinguished roles, including: officer -information management,
operator- security operations center and advisor- total rewards. However, if a person is unable to
find and opportunity that interests him, he can submit his resume for general consideration.
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References :

1-CATSA. (n.d.). CATSA. https://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/en

2- E.J. (2018, July 12). CATSA PLUS. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=7K1cFAoW7XM

3- CATSA. (2021, September 6). Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Air_Transport_Security_Authority