Pre-Board Screening Procedures for Passengers with Medical or Special Needs 

CATSA recognizes that the screening process can be difficult or uncomfortable for individuals with medical or special needs. CATSA has to screen every person and item before they enter the secure boarding area and the tips below will help make this process as easy as possible.   

• Planning your trip
• At check-in
• At the screening checkpoint
• Tips for visually-impaired passengers
• Tips for passengers with medically necessary equipment
• List of mobility aids and medical items permitted  

Planning Your Trip: 

• Check with your doctor to determine if it is safe for you to go through the metal detector or be screened using a hand-held detector that checks for metal objects.
• As the needs of some medical conditions can be difficult to explain, it might be easier to show supporting documentation (i.e. doctor's note) to the screening officer confirming your medical condition.
• When packing, ensure that any liquid or gel-based prescription medicine is properly labelled (manufacturer's name or pharmaceutical label identifying the medication). Prescription medication is exempt from the liquid restrictions, but must be presented to the screening officer separately from your carry-on baggage.
• If you have someone assisting you through the pre-board screening checkpoint, please contact your air carrier in advance. The person assisting you will need a gate pass or authorization from the air carrier check-in counter, and will have to undergo the same security screening as other passengers.
• Review the tips for passengers with medically necessary equipment and the list of permitted mobility aids and medical items.  

 Back to top

At Check-In:

• When your boarding pass is issued, please advise the air carrier check-in staff if you are unable to lift your carry-on baggage. For health and safety reasons, air carrier personnel familiar with baggage handling should provide you with any assistance necessary.
• You can bring medical supplies, equipment and mobility aids. They can be brought in addition to the  two carry-on bag limit.   

  Back to top

At the Screening Checkpoint:

• When you arrive at the checkpoint, look for the Family/Special Needs lane. This lane features larger screening equipment to accommodate larger items, and screening officers who offer additional assistance to passengers needing more time or help with their belongings to get through security.
• If you have a medical condition or implant (like a pacemaker, insulin pump) that you would like to remain confidential, please let the screening officer know. Remember, you may request a private search area at any time during the screening process if a physical search is required.
• Let the screening officer know your level of ability. This will help the screening officer identify which of the following options for pre-board screening best suits your needs :
  • Walk through the metal detector unassisted
  • Bypass the metal detector and be screened with a hand-held metal detector or full body scanner
  • Undergo a physical search
• Screening officers will visually inspect your wheelchair or scooter and perform explosive trace detection samples of the cushion. These inspections can be conducted while you remain seated if you are unable to get out of your wheelchair or scooter.

  Back to top

Tips for Visually-impaired passengers

• If you are travelling with a service animal, contact your air carrier or travel agent in advance to determine the air carrier’s policy regarding passengers travelling with service animals.
• Visually impaired passengers and their service animals should pass through the walk-through metal detector together. While your service animal’s harness does not need to be removed, carrying bags or pouches need to be removed so they can be screened. The screening officer can assist you with placing these items into the X-ray if you wish.  
• A screening officer will guide you through the screening process. After passing through the walk-through metal detector, you may be required to undergo further screening.   You may request that this additional screening be conducted in a private search area. 

  Back to top

Tips for Passengers with Medically Necessary Equipment

• CATSA recommends that you make advance arrangements with your air carrier to transport your battery-operated wheelchair or mobility aids.
• Since CPAP devices require distilled water to operate, we recommended that you bring documentation that supports your medical condition if you bring distilled water with the device as a carry-on. The distilled water used by this device is exempted from the liquid restrictions.
• Medical defibrillators and small oxygen or air cylinders for medical use may be packed in carry-on or checked baggage with the air carrier’s approval.
• Small gas cylinders for operating mechanical limbs are permitted in both carry-on and checked baggage.
• Passengers with a prosthesis are not required to carry a medical certificate or letter from a medical professional. However, to aid in the screening process, we encourage you to let the screening officer know prior to the start of the process. Depending on whether your prosthesis contains metal or not, the screening officer will select the appropriate screening method for you.
• Passengers with an ostomy pouch should inform the screening officer before the screening process begins. Although not mandatory, documentation that supports your medical condition can facilitate the screening process.  Ostomy supplies (pouches and flanges) can be packed in your carry-on bag and will be screened at the screening checkpoint. We suggest preparing your flanges by cutting them in advance for your trip, in case you need them on board the aircraft. Paste tubes must comply with the liquids, aerosols and gels regulations (100 ml or less) and be placed in a clear 1 L plastic bag.

  Back to top

The following mobility aids and medical items are examples of items that are permitted through the security checkpoint: 

For information on pre-board screening procedures or air travel within the US, please consult the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website, or your travel agent.

  Back to top