Travellers accuse screening officers at Ottawa airport of ‘unprofessional’ behaviour [Video]

The most common complaint officials received about the screening process at Ottawa International Airport over the past year and a half came from travellers who accused screening officers of unprofessional, rude and invasive behaviour during body and bag searches, CBC News has learned.

The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) received about 138 complaints between January 2023 and mid-May of this year about the security checkpoint process at Ottawa International Airport. CBC News obtained the data and copies of some of the complaints through an access to information request.

Some travellers used colourful language to describe their experiences with screening officers; one said the officers appeared to be on an “absolute power trip.”

Other complainants used phrases like “truly appalling,” “disgraceful,” “insensitive” and “threatening” to describe their experiences during the screening process. Some claimed screening officers asked them to lift up or remove their tops or skirts in front of …