Departure

We would like to remind everyone of the phone numbers below which are to be used to report suspicious activity. In NO WAY should these numbers be used maliciously or in hopes of gaining favourable advantage while out at Pearson Airport.  Remember to treat all security officials with respect and obey their instructions.

416-776-3033  Emergencies ONLY
416-776-3055 Non Emergency

Enroute

Members Activity Logs:

Members of the YYZ Airport Watch are a dedicated group who spend a fair amount of time out and around the perimeter areas of YYZ. But just how much time do we actually spend at YYZ?  In conversation with national Airport Watch coordinator, Jacques Brunelle, he mentioned that members of the Ottawa Airport Watch log and report the hours they spend at the airport. Jacques suggested that our group should consider doing the same.  He went on to mention that this information is very useful to airport authorities in that it provides a means for them to see how many hours of additional surveillance they are receiving.  When members of the Ottawa Airport Watch started submitting their reports to authorities they were amazed at just how much time the members spend at the airport. With this in mind the YYZ committee decided to implement a similar reporting program here in Toronto.  To keep things simple and easy we have set up a webpage for "members only" to report their hours at YYZ.  Each month we will compile the total hours reported to us and submit this information to airport authorities. Members names and personal information is not included in these reports.  Since we began this initiative in mid February 2006,  some 25 members have reported over 500 hours. As the weather gets warmer and hopefully more members participate, these numbers are sure to increase. To visit our members activity logs page please click here.

Security Checks:

One of the more serious issues faced by members of the YYZ Airport Watch was undertaken during the month of February.  Peel Regional Police advised the Airport Watch committee that in order for our program to become recognized and obtain volunteer status, each member would have to submit to a Police Record Check.  This is also mandatory for any future prospective members. Peel Regional Police in conjunction with the RCMP provided the committee with the necessary forms and instructions. The committee decided that a deadline for current members would be imposed for the completion of this process. This would allow us to not only expedite things but be less of a burden for staff at Peel Regional Police and RCMP in that they would not be subjected to an ongoing barrage of forms.  We are happy to report that 86 of 97 members submitted their forms. Unfortunately 11 individuals failed to submit their forms and have had their membership revoked, additionally their airport watch ID, Caps & Jackets have now been returned to us. New ID cards will be issued to approved members in the coming weeks to reflect these security checks. Additionally a members handbook is being completed and will be distributed to members at the same time.

The YYZ Airport Watch committee would like to thank Sgt. Al Gorrill and staff at Peel Regional Police as well as Cst. Peter Simmons (RCMP) for helping coordinate and complete these checks for our members.

Calgary Airport Watch Takes Flight:

In our last issue we mentioned that plans were in the works for an Airport Watch program in Calgary, Alberta.  We are happy to report that Canada's third Airport Watch has become a reality.  Through the efforts of Committee Chair, Mark McWhirter and the Calgary airport authorities, YYC Airport Watch has taken flight and now joins Toronto (YYZ) and Ottawa (YOW) Airport Watch. A website has now been published and a membership recruitment is under way.  To visit their website, please follow this link. http://www.contrailsphotography.com/yycaw/index.html  We wish the YYC Airport Watch all the best.  Naturally we hope to see other programs come online in the near future, how about it Vancouver?, Montreal?, Halifax?, ???.......

Member Events:

As the summer months approach the YYZ Airport Watch committee continues to explore and coordinate events for members.  While this is not our number one mandate, we do intend to organize meetings and/or events for our members.  After all we share a common interest in aviation and many members often meet in groups.  The first event of the season is planned for April 22.  12 members will be visiting Goderich Aircraft Inc.  This facility specializes in aircraft painting, interiors, maintenance & avionics. Unfortunately the tour is now fully booked.
May has our members travelling to London, Ont for a tour of the Diamond Aircraft plant as well as the London Flight Information Centre. We are still coordinating this event and once details have been finalized, members will receive the details.  For June we are planning a tour of the Downsview Aerospace Museum.  Again, details for members are forthcoming.

Following on the success of last years "Fedex Hill litter pick up" see Issue 6,  the Airport Watch committee plans to coordinate similar events for this year.  While collecting litter and trash is not necessarily a choice assignment it does allow our group to give something back to the authorities and community who have been very cooperative in working with us.  Details will be e-mailed to members at the appropriate time.

The YYZ Airport Watch committee are very pleased with the progress thus far.  We appreciate your patience and understanding as we pursue this initiative forward step by step. We would also like to thank the GTAA, Peel Regional Police, & RCMP  for working with us to see that our program remains a success.

ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS MUST BE OBEYED.
Members are to treat authorities with respect and obey their instructions.

Until next time, your continued support is much appreciated.

E-mail:  admin@airportwatchcanada.com

Ph: 416-674-5959 - Mr. Andrew Cline

Website:  www.airportwatchcanada.com