On Day 4 of Canadian Airports Safety Week (CASW), we will focus on safe and secure movement across the airport. From access control and Need and Right requirements to secure door practices and restricted area access, every employee plays a role in helping protect people, aircraft and airport operations.
On-site activities
Safety Road-eo
When: Thursday, September 24
Where: T3 Satellite Pier A (A1C/A1D)
What: The annual Safety Week Road-eo is back! This driving challenge is an exhilarating opportunity to test your airside driving skills with an obstacle course and a chance to win an amazing cash prize. This activity is meant to showcase the challenges that ramp agents face on a daily basis while servicing aircraft. A valid provincial driver license and an Airside Vehicle Operator’s Permit is required to participate in the Road-eo, but those who don’t compete are welcome to watch and cheer on our colleagues.
How: To participate in the Road-eo, register here by September 18!
Online learning
Aligning Human Performance Management Activities Webinar
Join the Canadian Airports Council for their webinar featuring Jonathan Histon, Manager of Human Performance at NAV CANADA, as he presents "Aligning Human Performance Management Activities."
When: September 24, 1 to 2 p.m.
How: Join with this Teams link.
On Day 4 of CASW, we will review:
- Lock then Walk
- Need and Right requirements
- Restricted area access
- Transborder area requirements
- Security Control Pass holder responsibilities
- Scoopers
- Airside driving
- Signs of aircraft pushback and arriving aircraft
Once you have reviewed the day’s learning material, test your knowledge by taking today’s quiz.
Participants in today's quiz will be automatically entered into a prize draw for a chance to win one of our amazing prizes. Read the Terms and Conditions here.
Lock then Walk
Do your part in promoting a culture of security vigilance and reporting.
By maintaining the security of the airport, we contribute to an environment where workers, passengers, aircraft and our facilities can remain safe from threats.
Unauthorized movement of passengers and employees between security areas is a serious concern. These incidents can impact airport operations and inconvenience airlines and passengers through delays and security breaches.
Here's how you can help prevent incidents:
- Swipe your RAIC or keycard every time it is required.
- When going through a secure door, always make sure you push or pull it closed until it locks before walking away.
- Some doors have closers that cause them to shut slowly, which can allow someone to enter if the door is unattended. Monitor these doors until they are fully closed behind you.
- Stop anyone who tries to follow you through doors opened with a RAIC swipe.
- Do not prop doors open with stanchions
- Do your part in promoting a culture of security and report any concerns in the moment.
- Visit the Safety Stop to learn more about safe movement. Download the shift briefing.
Access reminders
Need and Right
You must have a Need and Right to be in a Restricted Area.
- Need = your work-related duties.
- Right = your airport pass.
Restricted Area
Only authorized persons may enter the Restricted Area and must carry a valid Restricted Area Identity Card (RAIC) or other valid Document of Entitlement.
Download the shift briefing.
Transborder Area
Access into and through the Transborder Sector is strictly prohibited unless you have both a need and right to be in the area and are scheduled to work there.
Only personnel with a need and right to be in this area, while performing work-related duties assigned by their employer, may enter.
Employees working within the restricted and sterile areas must keep their Restricted Area Identity Cards visible at all times.
You are prohibited from:
- Accessing these areas if you are not working in the area.
- Loitering in these areas.
- Using these areas as a shortcut.
- Using concessions or other facilities in these areas unless you are working directly in the U.S. Transborder area.
Controlled Areas: CBSA inspection areas at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3
CBSA areas are strictly controlled and enforced. Employees are prohibited from entering these areas unless they have a need and right to do so.
Employees are also prohibited from meeting or escorting family members or friends in these areas, or elsewhere within the Restricted Area. Please make arrangements to meet family and friends on the public side of the terminal.
Security Control Pass holders (yellow passes)
- A Temporary Security Control Pass is issued to employees who are awaiting transportation security clearance.
- If working airside as a Security Control Pass holder, you must remain with a valid RAIC holder (escort) at all times for the duration of your work until you return to the public side.
Scoopers
A scooper is someone who solicits passengers for paid transportation without a valid GTAA permit.
Scooping creates a poor passenger experience and can negatively impact the reputation of the airport and licensed transportation providers. If you see passengers being approached by unlicensed individuals offering transportation, offer assistance and report the activity immediately to Security Operations at 416‑776‑7381 a Public Safety Officer will respond to the situation.
The aviation hazards we're focused on in 2026
Each year, Aviation Safety Management reviews Toronto Pearson's safety hazards and risk controls to identify areas that require continued focus and mitigation.
This year's safety risk profile highlights several key areas across the manoeuvring area and apron environment, including:
- Runway Incursions: Incorrect presence of an aircraft, vehicle, or pedestrian on a runway
- Airfield Electrical: Non-compliance/technical failure in airfield lighting and signage
- Airside Works: Gaps within the process of opening/closing a surface on the maneuvering area
- Turn Around Operations: Any inconvenience taking place while performing turnaround operations near the involved aircraft
- Aircraft Ground Movements: A/C parked unsafely/improperly and A/C parked at wrong gate
- Vehicle Ground Movements: Collision-Vehicle/Equipment/Bridge/Building = Contact between vehicle/equipment/bridge and buildings Aircraft cut-off - Aircraft/Vehicle, failing to yield right of way to an aircraft or aircraft tow crew
Our goal is to reduce trended incidents in these categories by five per cent by working with hazard owners and airport partners to identify opportunities for improvement.
Top 5 AVOP infractions
Failure to yield to aircraft and marshalling crews continues to be one of the most common airside driving violations at Toronto Pearson.
- Failure to yield to aircraft/marshalling crew (Level 2)
- Driving 1-9 km/h above the speed limit
- Unsafe operation of vehicle (Level 2)
- Unsafe operation of vehicle (Level 3)
- Failure to yield to aircraft/marshalling crew (Level 1)
Let's work together to keep our airside safe. Know your speed limits in baggage roadways and on Head of Stand Road.
Airside driving
Safe airside driving requires drivers to stay aware of conditions and focused on safe behaviours. Remember to:
- Observe posted speed limits.
- Do not drive under jet bridges.
- Give way to aircraft, including aircraft under tow. If you see one of the nine signs of pushback, stop and assess before proceeding.
- Do not use a cell phone while driving. If you need to use your phone and do not have a hands-free option, pull over in a safe location first.
- Complete a circle check before operating your vehicle. Ensure the vehicle has a valid GTAA sticker, which must be renewed annually.
Click it or ticket
Drivers and passengers must wear seat belts whenever vehicles and equipment are in motion on the airside. This requirement is no different than driving on city streets outside the apron or manoeuvring area.
Failure to wear a seatbelt is enforceable under the AVOP Program Demerit Point System and may result in six demerit points and a five-day suspension.
Stay aware of your surroundings, avoid distractions while driving and report any equipment deficiencies or concerns to your supervisor or manager.
Marshals matter
Aircraft always have the right-of-way.
Failing to yield to an aircraft or aircraft tow crew may result in an aircraft cut-off. Failure to yield to aircraft or an aircraft's marshalling crew is an AVOP major infraction and, depending on the circumstances, may also constitute a violation of the Aeronautics Act.
Vehicle operators involved in an aircraft cut-off must immediately notify the Airport Operations Centre at 416-776-3055. In an emergency, call 416-776-3033.
9 signs of departing aircraft
The following may indicate that an aircraft is preparing to push back from the gate:
- The bridge is retracted.
- The chocks are removed.
- A tug or towbarless tractor is attached to the aircraft.
- Servicing equipment and aircraft utilities are moved away from the aircraft.
- Aircraft doors and hatches are secured.
- A marshaller may be in position.
- A wingwalker(s) may be in position.
- The aircraft engines may be running or started.
- The aircraft anti-collision beacon(s) may be illuminated.
When you see any pushback indicators, comply with the following requirements:
- Yield right-of-way to the marshalling crew when they are marshalling the aircraft and when they are returning to the gate after the aircraft is released.
- Never drive between a marshaller or wingwalker and the aircraft, or proceed around, in front of or behind the aircraft unless authorized by the marshaller or wingwalker.
- Prior to pushback, proceed behind the aircraft only when the marshaller signals permission to continue.
- Do not deviate from vehicle corridors to drive around an aircraft on pushback. Remain within the corridor until the ground crew and tug have cleared the apron side of the corridor.
Signs of arriving aircraft
The presence of the following at a gate may indicate that an aircraft arrival is imminent:
- A marshaller is in position.
- A wingwalker(s) is in position.
- Servicing equipment is staged.
- Equipment is cleared to enable safe aircraft docking (Visual Docking Guidance Systems (VDGS) may be activated).
Exercise caution while driving near any towed aircraft. A marshalling crew does not always accompany towed aircraft, and a tow crew may turn the aircraft toward a gate without warning.
Failure-to-yield infractions
Upon receipt of a Level 2 failure-to-yield infraction, an Aviation Safety Officer will confiscate the AVOP on site.
There is no appeal period for individuals who receive an infraction for failure to yield to aircraft or marshalling crews. The incident will be reviewed by the AVOP Office, and the employee will receive instructions to complete the required training module.
The suspension period begins at the time the infraction is issued. Before the AVOP can be returned, the passholder must successfully complete the required aircraft cut-off training, which includes both classroom and practical instruction. The AVOP permit will be returned upon successful completion of the training and suspension period.
After you take today’s quiz, be sure to join us again tomorrow for another learning opportunity and chance to win great prizes!