TC airport pass.

[express315]

I'v been an airline pilot for 15 years now, but I'm new to Canada.
All airlines in their job ads mention "be able to obtain TC security pass
within six weeks". Would anyone tell me what it takes in reality.
Any advise is appreciated.

[PJ_Slick]

I've only done it through an airline, but it is an application(background history for the past 5 years-jobs,addresses,etc) that you get from the security office from your base airport-I had tp provide a letter from my airline saying I was an employee and the pass (when recieved) specified I was flight crew for that particular airline.It has been a few years though-you might want to check Transports web site.-good luck.

PJ

[Rollingthunder]

It takes a very long form and fingerprints and a criminal background check. Usually the pass is supplied in less that six weeks.

After that you breeze through security, having been previously checked out, not like the USA.

[express315]

Thanks a lot guys. Of course I had checked TC web site before. Not too
much info on it. It seems it's the same prosedure as everywhere in the world. And you can do it through airline only.
Good luck and safe flying!

[CaptW5]

Here is the link to the TC security pass application:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/pdf/25-0356.pdf

[Carrier]

What is the current situation regarding this issue?
To start with, is it now possible for an individual pilot to apply from overseas and obtain security clearance? This is what happens with legal immigrants. All the police, medical, employment, professional qualification checks, etc are done overseas before they are given permission to move to Canada. It makes sense for a Canadian pilot intending to return to Canada to get the TC security approval before giving up his job overseas. It would be rather dumb to give up a good job overseas and move back to Canada, only to find that the clearance is refused on some technicality, because certain information is simply not available or because of a bullying TC official on a power trip.
How essential is it to have a pass? What happens if the pass is refused? Does this mean that a pilot is grounded or can he still fly into and out of all Canadian airports but has to be escorted to and from the plane on the ground? What would be the problem with this? It is fairly normal in some countries where I operate to be met on the apron or seen off the premises by a couple of government goons with AK47s.
There was some talk of litigation and a Human Rights case. What has happened on these fronts? Has the issue been taken up by any consumer and citizen personalities such as Dale Goldhawk in Ontario or the open-line show hosts at CKNW in BC? Surely all Canadian citizens should be regarded as innocent until proven guilty and all Canadian citizens should have the right to work in their chosen occupation anywhere in Canada unless the authorities actually possess concrete evidence as to why they should not. Is TC now complying with such a basis and doing the checks with appropriate speed?

[aintsaying]

express315,
If you have been living overseas within the last 5 years you will need an original letter from the people who issued you your security airside pass.
This letter should state that you have had some sort of security check done and how long you held that pass for.
You will also need to provide original bills(hydro,phone,cable,etc) to prove that you were actually living in that country.
You have to prove where you were living with this evidence. Its not written anywhere in the Transport Canada rules, even when they quote the rules and you read it, its not there.
The main reason for not getting a airside pass is because the "Special Unit" branch in Ottawa will not conduct overseas enquiries on your behalf any more.
Most guys go to CSIS and RCMP gett letters and still get refuses a pass, this is because CSIS and RCMP only do Canada in their investigations.
As long you have original letters from the guys who issued your pass in the foreign country you worked in and you kept some original bill with your name and address on it you should have no real problems.

[doo]

I don't know, but I would also think that a photocopy of the overseas pass wouldn't be a bad idea as well.

[md 580]

For the last 2 years, I have been based in Taiwan...No security pass required or issued. For the 2 previous years....Angola....No security pass required or issued. Does that mean that I am a bad person who should not have the right to a security pass in Canada???:*

[Panama Jack]

As I see it, the security pass issue is one of the riskiest aspects of establishing or re-establishing an aviation career in Canada. The risk is that you leave a position overseas, move everything including forks and spoons to Canada, start the job, and then find out that you have no job because the RCMP is unwilling or unable to get records from where you have been. I heard this can be not only a problem with hard-to-spell "third-worldish" countries, but even for countries like Germany (they will not release records-- so I have been told) or South Africa-- where no records are kept on foreigners.

Whether all of this is true or not is really besides the point. The fact of the matter is, having lived outside of Canada and the United States will increase the waiting time, normally for months, and either make you unmarketable for a Canadian aviation job or in the meantime keep you in a situation of doubt on when the answer will come, and what it will be. I also understand that after two years of absence from Canada, Transport Canada flushes their records, so even though your red pass may have still been valid if you had one before, you will need to begin the process anew. Something to really consider before you make the move.

It's almost like the ideal Canadian is one who has lived in Fort Watapuchuk, Smallville and Toronto, and whose exotic foreign travel has been limited to two to three week vacations to Mexico, France and Hawaii.

[RatherBeFlying]

Canucks returning from flying O/S beware!

http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/viewtopic.php?t=3473&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0
Bureaucrats have one mission in life. To not make any decision which may cost their job. When a letter lands on his desk with threats of legal action, it gets noticed... This cost me $500 but it was like suddenly someone had rolled out the red carpet down at the GTAA pass office. I went straight to the front of the line and collected my pass and even got an apology from the clerk.

The Lawyers name is David Locke and his office is in Yorkville, downtown Toronto. I don't know what he wrote but it sure worked!


There is also a suggestion to stay in close touch with the local Canadian embassy when overseas so that they can [perhaps] issue a verificaton letter.

[click]

Cool, thanks for the tips. I am trying to figure out which way to go right now...east or west. The ship I am on sprung a leak and the outlook isn't that great. Gotta make sure the missus and the little clicks are taken care of so I have a major decision to make in the next few months. The pass is something I've been dreading given the nuttiness of the local yokels. Take a look at
http://www.eurocockpit.be/media/CockpitNewsDec05.pdf
The funniest story I heard so far was about a fella who was drafted into the army for his two year stint. Just before his tenure was up, there was a going away party which involved copius amounts of fermented liquid and some ....ergh, ....questionable female company. Now, keep in mind that this is still under the old communist system, Seems that some vulgarities prevailed against the old political system, combining various body parts and the president in one sentence. He was busted. To keep him from solitary confinment and further service to the great socialist cause, the squadron/unit doctor made a notation in his file about 'stress' and temporary nuttiness. This followed him to our Aviation Medical Examiner, who of course enquired about this but after hearing the full story, they both had a good laugh and continued on. Fast forward a decade and a few years. The secret service roots around this fellas military record, finds a report which would normally result in a dishonorable discharge and finds a notation refering to a medical file which is in possession of the AME. They subpoena our friend to deliver said records posthaste or face the consequences. Under Czech law, our friend is not allowed to see what is in his file, so he calls the AME. The AME says that to release the information to people other than fellow doctors, he would be sued for breach of privacy. Secret service not amused but by the time the legal wranglings start, our union succeeded in passing some temporary laws that will stop the insanity.
Not that this has anything to do with a TC pass but I just thought I'd share that with you because sometimes we complain about how bad things are....and they could be a lot worse.