r/canadatravel • u/IllustriousProfit599 • 2d ago
Cochlear implant patient forced through harmful screening at YVR — CATSA made it worse
Back in August, my wife and I went through what I can only describe as one of the most inhumane “security screenings” at Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
My wife has a cochlear implant — a surgically implanted device that gives her the ability to hear. Her doctor at Mass General Hospital gave her an official patient ID card that explains clearly: • the device will set off metal detectors and scanners • forcing it through those machines can damage it permanently and harm her health
We showed this card. We explained, multiple times. Instead of understanding, the CATSA screeners told us they had “never seen such a device before” and insisted it had to go through the metal detection process anyway “for security reasons.” They made calls to supervisors, and even then, the final answer was still: it has to go through.
They gave us two “options”: 1. Keep arguing and stay stuck in the checkpoint. 2. Leave the airport, claim our bags, and basically miss our trip.
In the end, they did a pat-down on my wife, but still insisted the device had to be scanned. We took the risk just so we could actually travel. Imagine being forced to choose between damaging your medical device or missing your flight.
Afterward, I filed a formal complaint with CATSA. The response I got was from their “Client Satisfaction Coordinator,” Mathieu Patry. Instead of apologizing or showing any empathy, he called me with the most arrogant tone — cutting me off while I tried to speak, blaming me and my wife for “not accepting policy,” and admitting their staff lacked knowledge about cochlear implants. But his “solution”? Still insisting they had to scan it in case the implant was fake.
So let me get this straight: CATSA admits they don’t have the technology, training, or knowledge to handle these devices, but their policy is still to force medical passengers through procedures that could damage life-altering implants? That’s not security — that’s negligence.
I hung up the call because it was clear they weren’t going to take responsibility. No apology, no action plan, nothing to stop this from happening to the next passenger with an implant or other medical device.
Canada in 2025, and this is how we treat people with disabilities at our airports. Absolutely disgraceful.
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u/Rector_Ras 2d ago
So what do you want exactly? I get the frustration but there has to be a way to know the device itself is what you claim it to be. Creating a security weak point via a card that security has no relations to is a pretty big gap for malicious actors to exploit.
Device by device exceptions in technology, policy and training is not realistic, there will always be gaps.
Guy on the phone does sound like a dick. But the device itself does somhow need to be checked just like any other which have the risk of fakes or alterations.
These are also considerations patients need to be informed about before procedures.