Toronto Pearson’s baggage system is as complex as it is impressive. Each day, tens of thousands of bags are loaded on and off a thousand flights. It takes a sorting system with 30-kilometres of conveyance to direct each piece of luggage to the outbound bag room or claim belt. But keeping the system moving efficiently and securely takes more than machinery. It is the combined responsibility of dozens of organizations, including our airline partners, ground handling companies, government agencies and federal and local police services.
Here’s a closer look at how luggage gets from the check-in desk to aircraft hold and luggage carousel – and who is keeping an eye on it along the way.
What happens after a passenger places their luggage in the bag drop?
Each piece of luggage begins its journey at a bag drop machine or check in counter, where its label is scanned and logged into the tracking system. Each bag moves through a complex conveyer system where scanners read the barcode on its tag and send it to the designated baggage room to be loaded onto the plane. On the way it passes through security scanners to ensure it doesn’t contain any prohibited items. Baggage of passengers heading to the United States may also go through additional checks or searches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
For arriving flights, luggage is offloaded from the plane and driven by the airline ground handler to the inbound drop off belts. From there, it is sent directly to the baggage carousels for passengers to collect.
Who is responsible for baggage in the system?
Airlines are responsible for transporting baggage from the point they accept it for travel until it is delivered to the carousel at the destination airport. Airlines or their partner companies employ the staff at check in counters and the ground handlers who load and unload baggage from planes, as well as agents who may check bags at the gate. The airport monitors the baggage handling system through a state-of-the-art baggage control room for any issues with the belts or the carousels.
How is baggage in the system secured?
Several government agencies play critical roles in ensuring security at Toronto Pearson. Each has a defined role under Canadian law and operates within its own legislative and operational framework while acting in coordination with other airport partners.
The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) is responsible for screening baggage before it is loaded onto planes. It also operates checkpoints that baggage handlers and other personnel must pass through to access restricted areas.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is responsible for border enforcement, including the interception of prohibited goods in passengers’ baggage. It also investigates organized crime linked to smuggling goods.
Peel Regional Police provides primary policing services, including law enforcement and emergency response. Peel officers are embedded at Pearson and the service plays a lead role in mitigating risks from organized crime, trafficking and insider threats. They operate in all areas of the airport, including bag-drop areas and the luggage reclaim carousels.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) enforces federal laws and supports investigations related to cross-border and national security threats.
Transport Canada establishes regulatory requirements, including security screening and clearance frameworks that protect Canada’s aviation system. These ensure that airport staff who may come into contact with baggage have passed appropriate background checks.
What role does the airport play?
The airport is responsible for providing the infrastructure and facilities needed to process baggage. This includes the check-in equipment, the sortation system and the baggage carousels in the arrivals halls.
Toronto Pearson also operates access controls, security systems and has an internal security function that regularly reviews and strengthens procedures.
Watching for and reporting unusual or suspicious activity is a cornerstone of the airport’s security culture. Toronto Pearson works with carriers and law enforcement partners to support a range of deterrence, monitoring and response activities across the airport.
What investments is the airport making in baggage systems through Pearson LIFT?
The airport is investing heavily in its baggage handling infrastructure. The LIFT revitalization program includes a multiphase baggage program that is set to deliver advanced baggage technologies and infrastructure.
Separately, Toronto Pearson continues to invest in security systems, including camera coverage and monitoring, to support detection and incident response.