Safety a priority?

For those who love to travel to destinations unknown or even to our neighbour in the south, flying just became a bigger hassle.
When Trans-Canada Airlines (TCA), Air Canada's predecessor, was created as a substitute of the Canadian National Railway and began its passenger operations on Sept. 1, 1937, the price of a ticket then may surprise the frequent flier.
The maiden voyage, on board an Electra airplane, carried two passengers and mail from Vancouver to Seattle for $14.20 - round trip. For those who fly, that price has went up considerably, with airport security fees added since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and luggage fees added on to already steep ticket prices and taxes.
By 1965, the TCA officially became Air Canada and is an airline that is recognized around the world - the red and white steel bird in the sky. However, their reputation has been repeatedly "pulled through the mud", so to speak.
From damaged and lost luggage to customer service and delays - since flights have become more and more popular as a means of travel, Air Canada has been at the end of many passengers' jokes.
This year is no exception. For passengers who want to visit the United States, there will be many inconveniences, even without leaving the ground.
After a Christmas Day bombing attempt by 23-year-old Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab onboard Northwest flight 253, Transport Canada and the Transportation Security Administration has made lip balm and other liquids an international security issue.
Among many of the new regulations, a U.S. bound passenger will have to ensure their carry-on meets all limits, endure two hand-screenings of their carry-on luggage and a pat-down. This slows down security at airports, especially larger ones across the country and can be very frustrating.
Also, if you have to use the facilities during the last hour of the flight before descending upon a U.S. airport, that's out of the question. Air Canada passengers must now remain in their seats, without baggage on their laps and without leaving the confines of their rather uncomfortable seating arrangements, until the plane is landed on the runway.
Many passengers take security seriously and appreciate the efforts to ensure all baggage is checked and passengers are searched for any weapons or worse - however, the airlines have recently went off the deep end with the implementation of body scanners and an enhancement to the "no-fly" list.
Are these new heightened security measures keeping us safe? No. It's not a matter of Superman-like advances in technology, additional screening or a "no liquids" policy, but a matter of attention to detail and pride in the job that airport security officers do for their fellow Canadians - the job of keeping us safe, both on the ground and in the air.

- Pam Snow