Long lineups at security causing delays at Pearson
Posted Oct 7, 2011 03:16:55 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO, Ont. – If you have a flight booked out of Pearson International Airport, Friday, you’ve been advised to get there extra early.
A work-to-rule protest by Garda Security employees caused long lineups and delays for passengers at Terminal 1.
“We’re seeing a slowdown at security checkpoints going into Terminal 1, and the cause seems to be a labour disruption with guards, and they’re responsible for pre-board screening of passengers,” Greater Toronto Airports Authority spokesperson Scott Armstrong said.
People planning to fly out have been urged to check their flight status. Visit TorontoPearson.com for up-to-date information.
The lineups extended in and out throughout the terminal’s corridors, and about every 20 minutes, passengers heard an announcement over the P.A. system apologizing for the delays.
Hundreds of people were at Terminal 1 for hours, and many missed their flights and having to rebook at a cost of $400 a head.
A traveller named Mike, who was headed back home to Dallas, Tex., after spending a week in Toronto, expressed his frustration to 1310News.
“This is ludicrous. I’ve been travelling for 45 years, and I’ve never seen anything like this,” Mike said.
He said he’s never coming back to Toronto. Many other Americans also expressed the same sentiment to 680News.
Janet and her family were Georgia-bound for a wedding and tried to stay positive.
“We’re hopeful that we’re gonna make it; our bags may be late,” Janet said. “We’ll probably be delayed and we’ll have to get them later on.”
Sharon, who was headed to Mexico, was back in the lineup for a second day.
‘If an airline striking, that’s one thing. But, security? I’ve never seen the airport like this, I travel a lot — this is unreal,” another traveller said.
Airport staff have been doing what they could to keep people calm. They answered questions and handed out bottles of water.
Terminal 1 was also thrown into chaos Thursday as travellers faced long lineups and delays stretching to several hours. The protest over schedule changes ended with when the Labour Relations Board issued an injunction.
The injunction came after some passengers complained about waiting for up to three hours to pass through security and about waiting for two hours on the tarmac.
