How Airlines Work

Before the aircraft can begin its descent, the pilot at the controls must brief the other pilot on which runway will be used for the landing, and details about the approach and landing procedures to be followed. After this, the pilots complete pre-descent and in-range safety checks. When they receive an approach clearance, the pilots begin the descent. Once again, they must receive a clearance from Air Traffic Control before landing.

After touching down, the aircraft taxis down the runway to the taxiway, and then taxis to the arrival gate, where the engines are shut down.

As soon as the aircraft is at the gate, the cargo doors are opened so that cargo can be unloaded by the baggage handlers. Cabin crew disarm or unlock and open the cabin door.

After the cabin door has opened, passengers are instructed to disembark the aircraft. Upon leaving the aircraft, passengers follow signs to the Arrivals area of the airport where their checked baggage will arrive on the baggage carousel after it is unloaded from the aircraft by airline baggage handlers.

Passengers leave the aircraft and follow the signs marked by the baggage icon, which will lead them to the Arrivals area for entrance into Canada.

After presenting their documentation (i.e. passport) and completing entry interviews with Canada Border Services Agency authorities, passengers proceed to the baggage carousel.

Passengers collect their checked baggage and proceed to the exit where they surrender their declaration cards to Customs for final clearance. If passengers are remaining in Canada, they may then proceed to the public area and airport exits. If passengers are making connections to flights within Canada, the U.S., or international destinations, they are directed to the transfer area to re-check their baggage.

As restrictions for carriage of liquids, gels and aerosols (including any duty free items purchased) are in effect, passengers are encouraged to repack these items into their checked baggage to avoid confiscation of items over 100 ml. After re-checking baggage and receiving the ongoing boarding card, passengers proceed to the Departures level for re-screening at the security checkpoint.

The pilots complete a final safety checklist after the cabin door has been opened. Once this is complete, they leave the aircraft.

Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) are alerted by the Maintenance Operations Centre if any aircraft faults were detected during the flight. The AMEs take whatever actions are required to resolve these faults before the aircraft returns to flight.