TORONTO - Thousands of angry and frustrated U.S.-bound travellers were left waiting yesterday for up to six hours at Pearson International yesterday to board flights because of new security measures imposed after a failed Christmas Day terror attack.

The massive lineup at Terminal 3 started in the U.S. departures area and wound its way around check-in counters to the customs area. Some travellers said they had moved about 600 metres, about half the length of the line, in three hours.

The increased security, which led to the delay of dozens of U.S.-bound flights, stemmed from the attempted blowing up a of Detroit-bound Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam. Umar Abdulmutallab, 23, of Nigeria, is charged.

An irate Doug Heckler, 51, a U.S. citizen, said he was trying to make it home to Fort Wayne, Ind., after a Christmas visit to relatives in Toronto.

"This is a nightmare and if I had known this, I wouldn't have come here," Heckler said. "I didn't expect anything like this in Toronto."

Heading to the Philippines, Roland Bauzon, 42, his wife, Jocelyn, 38, and their friend, Juny Paler, 31, were loaded with huge boxes containing gifts as they waited for a flight.

"Our flight is at 1 p.m. and we arrived here at 10 a.m. and are still waiting in line," Jocelyn said. "This is the last time any of us will be travelling through the U.S. again."

The couple were in the middle of the lineup and had little chance of catching their flight on time. Paler said he doubted he would make his fourth connection on time in Manila.

"We are all worried because we have family meeting us at the airport when we arrive," he said. "My family have to drive four hours to get to the airport."

U.S. resident Yomi Ishola, 49, said he was visiting relatives in Toronto and had to return to work today in Houston.

"I haven't moved much in this line for three hours and I am frustrated," Ishola said. "I can understand all the security but this is ridiculous."

Alyson McNaughton, 29, of Toronto, said it was important that she get to an appointment today in Jacksonville, Fla.

"We are being kept in the dark by airport officials about what's going on," McNaughton said. "We are not receiving any information from anyone."

Officials of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority couldn't be reached for comment yesterday.

Air Canada, in a statement, said some of its flights to the U.S. were cancelled due to security measures.

"Air Canada and Jazz are being forced to cancel select short-haul flights to the U.S. beginning today," the airline said, adding the cancellations will be implemented with multiple daily flights between Toronto and the north-east U.S.

The airline plans to operate larger aircraft on these routes to minimize the impact on passengers.

"Air Canada staff are doing everything possible to ensure that flights operate as closely to their schedules as possible," airline COO Duncan Dee said.

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HURRY AND WAIT

Expect delays at Pearson

- Travellers flying to the U.S. are restricted to one carry-on item, such as a purse, computer bag, diaper bag or small backpack.

- All other baggage must be checked in.

- Passengers and their carry-on baggage will be subject to full searches at airport screening points.

- Air Canada is waiving excess-baggage charges for checked baggage on a temporary basis for U.S.-bound customers travelling from Canada.

- Air Canada recommends passengers travelling to the U.S. to arrive early at the airport for their flights in order to allow adequate time for additional searches.