C-YRT

Confused by the Title? Don't be. It's not your local rock, AM or FM station. Don't confuse it with YYZ, of which you may well be more familiar with. Perhaps you know YUL or in my case, more recently, YWG. You probably solve the mystery, a bit, when I mention JFK.

Now, your grey cells definitely recognized that last one. In 1964, it was changed from New York International Airport, established in 1948 (most commonly known as Idlewild Airport until '63). The next year it became John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) honouring that recently slain president by the FAA in the U.S.

Leaving YYZ on Wednesday morning

YYZ is officially known as the Lester B. Pearson International Airport (formerly Malton) since it was located there. In Montreal, YUL (originally DORVAL) is known by the Pierre Elliot Trudeau monicker. Recently, I became familiar with YWG. The James Armstrong Richardson International Airport in Winnipeg is named after an influential businessman and pioneer of Canadian commercial aviation from that city.

It was designated as Canada's first INTERNATIONAL airport in1958. Originally, it opened in 1928 as Stevenson Aerodrome to honour a Manitoba aviator and pioneer bush pilot, Captain Fred J. Stevenson. Seven years ago, when I was last here is was smallish, busy, and fairly compact. It's changed. The new terminal completely

It was much more snowy & colder than its Welcome sign

Inside "Departures" Level

replaced the old, which has since been demolished. Arrivals and departures are on different levels now.

Being the eighth busiest in Canada, it serves as a hub for some regional cargo and passenger services. One is Calm Air (with whom I flew north with 7 years ago). This time of year, with the outside temps in the low 20's (this is Winnipeg we're talking....in February...minuses don't count..but they are very much understood), there are many flights to Mexico, the DR (Domincan Republic), and Cuba being announced throughout my time here. People want to leave town. The airport is busy.

Flights to Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Yellowknife, Vancouver, Toronto and other canadian destinations are announced overhead. I became quite comfortable in those surroundings as I arrived, waited, cancelled, rebooked, checked out with my baggage(S), stayed overnight, returned to the airport, checked in once again and went through security a second time.

A jet has replaced the CALM AIR turbo prop I flew in January 2008

This time, I was a “victim”...of CATSA (The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority...the security staff...as they scanned my computer, my camera, my lenses, my e-reader, and my carry-on and MY PERSONAL BAG (You are allowed one carry-on plus one personal bag). Now I had been through all this in Toronto and as a passenger these days you expect these procedures. You take off your heavy coat and put it in a tray. Similar with your wallet, change purse, belt and any other removable items, empty your pockets...into another bin. These days your shoes or boots, those you can leave on....for now anyways.

You know you are in trouble when the operator of the xray machine scanning your “trays” calls over a co-worker and the belt moves back and forth a few times as they scan and re-scan and then you shudder to the announcement “Who's bag is this?” Knowing, that I was clean...I gulped...quietly raised my hand and echoed from my lungs...a weak “here?”.

“I'LL HAVE TO INSPECT!!!!”...“no problem”....“ANY SHARP OBJECTS?” as they stared at my carry-on....while under my breath “just my wit”, out loud it sounded like a weak but emphatic “no”. The case is unzipped. In front of everyone, heading to destinations everywhere, my life is dissected as the search begins in earnest. Straight to the shaving kit. No diversion...objective plainly in sight..it's now being opened. The offending article is raised for all to see...could the stainless steel bracelets be next? Will my name be added to the NO FLY listing? Am I being profiled as a white, canadian-born, north american male above the age of sixty...with an over 100 year old direct tie to the UK? I'm beginning to feel this, even though my parents had never warned me that it could happen.

I shrink at the thought that, I, travelling north to a small hamlet to help fulfill a medical need, could have committed the ultimate terrorist act, to date, in Canada's Arctic. I could have affected the entire north (those 1500 kilometers between Winnipeg and Rankin Inlet)...could have contributed to decades of contamination of a province AND a territory. My method, if not foiled, would have been quite easy and one that most had, previously, not thought about...using the deadly....STANUS FLORIDE...cavity preventing as well.....all with the help of my toxic tube of Crest toothpaste. “Yes I'm sorry eh?” “Oh? It should have been under 100 ml.?” “IS THERE AYNONE YOU CAN LEAVE IT WITH?” Under my breath again...”it's not in our Will”.

After an explanation of my options, I announce out loud “No, I'll surrender it to you”. Off it goes. Me and my "friends" from CATSA part company, once again.

Use it well...Grasshopper! 

And the YRT....you guessed right! It's
RANKIN INLET. 

The replacement tube tonight at the Northern...130 ml for $4.19