Airport baggage handling systems face multiple strict requirements these days from accurate transit between airports to heightened security measures. Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Canada recently added even one more condition at its newest terminal: move passenger luggage to the plane faster than passengers can walk from the check-in counter to the gate.

The airport, in fact, accomplishes this baggage transfer in as little as 6 minutes using over 3 miles of conveyor, bar code readers, in-line sorters and an integrated control system. A thorough multi-step scanning process ensures all baggage is fully screened along the way.

On the outbound side are three subsystems of conveyors for domestic/commuter flights, international flights and transborder flights, all of which are fed by 164 ticket check-in counters. Each subsystem includes two automatic bar code tag readers utilizing eight laser scanners, two manual encode stations and transfer bag inputs.

The check-in counter uses a low profile, modular system consisting of a scale conveyor, dispatch conveyor and a tipper to weigh, transport and lay down luggage onto a belt conveyor.

Once it is indexed to an assigned spot on the gathering belt conveyor, luggage proceeds to a security station. Here, every suitcase travels through a scanning system that combines manual and electronic surveillance with x-ray and explosive detection equipment. Any suspect bags are removed from the in-feed by high-speed sortation conveyors that deliver bags to an off-line inspection area.

After baggage is fully scanned and inspected, it receives a bar coded tag, which is read by a series of laser scanners to confirm passenger name, flight number and destination. This scanning, in turn, activates the in-line bag sorters.

Directed by a baggage handling control system, the bag sorters divert bags to adjacent conveyors and chutes, which route luggage to the correct gate and plane. Belt conveyors spanning up to 70 feet quickly transport bags to outbound planes from check-in as well as between gates for connecting flights and to carousels from inbound flights.

With an intuitive user interface, the Windows-based control software assures on-time, accurate, efficient delivery of luggage. Its advanced control functions direct bag tracking, sortation, bar code scanning and data collection.

This intricate baggage handling system also works efficiently with inbound flights as well. Once removed from a plane, luggage is quickly carried on belt conveyors to one of 14 baggage carousels on the arrivals level.

The airport's automated system screens and transports more than 35,000 bags a day with 100% security screening, according to airport officials. Best of all, the system creates a seamless transition of baggage from passenger to plane in record time without compromising security. It's a tough balance, but one the Toronto airport has found.