Yellowknife (Sep 06/06) - From bullets and bearspray to shampoo and toothpaste, people travelling through the Yellowknife Airport continue to snarl security screening when they're found with banned items.

Lee Stroman, acting safety and security manager at the Yellowknife Airport, speaks about banned items from checked and carry-on luggage that airport personnel have confiscated over the past few months. They include already banned items like bullets, aerosol chemicals and sprays, and camp fuel to newly banned things in carry-on luggage like perfume and liquid makeup. - Jessica Gray/NNSL photo

In recent weeks, security personnel have confiscated dozens of chemicals, canisters of camping fuel, scissors, gels, liquids and other banned items from checked and carry-on baggage.

The biggest problem has been items found in carry-on bags, including shampoo, deodorant and toothpaste, after all liquids and gels were banned after authorities in Britain say they foiled a plot to blow up several transatlantic flights with liquid explosives.

"Some simply forgot that they had (the banned items) on them," said Lee Stroman, acting security manager at the Yellowknife Airport, during a press conference last week where dozens of items seized from luggage were put on display.

Travellers often forget things like hairspray, toothpaste, liquid makeup, perfume, and aerosol deodorant because they're common items, said Stroman.

Finding and confiscating these materials, however, causes delays for passengers travelling to and from Yellowknife, he said.

Stroman couldn't say how many delays the ban has caused, or how long they are.

But he said the days of coming a half-hour before your flight takes off are over.

"For screened flights, you should be here at least an hour in advance. Sometimes more than that," said Stroman.

The table was filled with items like small scissors and clippers, aerosol cans and lots of makeup, lip balm, and perfumes.

All of these items can be taken in baggage passengers check at airline ticket counters.

The exceptions to the ban are baby food, breast milk and formula, prescription medication, essential non-prescription medication, and gel-filled bras or prosthetics. Baby food was banned until recently.

Some travellers are still coming through with banned items in checked luggage, including spray paint, bear spray, fuel for camp stoves and bullets.

Meanwhile, many Yellowknife air travellers seem to be taking the new rules to heart.

Abraham was returning to Winnipeg, Man. after working at a nursing station in Deline.

Todd Mayer, travelling from Yellowknife to Vancouver, said the new regulations haven't made much difference in his travel plans.

"It's the same as it's always been, basically," said Mayer.

People travelling from Yellowknife to outlying communities do not have to abide by the new rules.

But travellers heading from a community to Yellowknife, then on to a southern airport are subject to the bans.

Stroman could not say when or if the restrictions would be lifted.