Meeting with the TSA
Guru Fateh to all.
I was invited at the meeting of the TSA yesterday. It went very smoothly and was very fruitful for all. There were all kinds of people; mute, deaf, with disabilities- hidden and/or the visible ones, blind and many on the wheel chairs for the same.
Some of the TSA members came from Washington DC and many from the Las Vegas McCarran Airport. The TSA chief from Las Vegas was also there. We talked about different things affecting different people. The meeting lasted for three hours and then I was invited to stay with the officers to talk about the things that affect Sikh passengers.
I am glad to say that the following will be implemented:
1. No TSA officer will ask any Sikh, a lady or a gentleman to take their turban off, not even in the private room.
2. People with the turbans on are asked to touch their turbans after having their hands swabbed. If any Sikh wants, s/he can opt that to be done in a private room with the presence of a witness.
3. They have eased the restrictions on a "Pre-check" for Sikhs. Any Sikh can apply and, if his/her background is OK, then they will be permitted without any extra paperwork.
4. As many of you know, I have a pacemaker and because of this, they have to pat me down because I cannot go through the scanner nor be scanned via a wand over my body. There were a couple of people with the same.
The TSA workers at times hit very hard on the pacemaker. In order to avoid that, TSA will be trained by the Medical doctors to solve this and many other problems.
I will scan some pamphlets and post them here.
Lastly, I have been invited by the Las Vegas TSA to educate the workers about Sikhi every three months and also learn from them what obstacles they may have faced so that we can solve the things where it is can be easier for all kinds of passengers to check in. If anyone of you has faced any other problems at the airport, then please let me know because now we do not only have our foot in the door but a seat at the table.
I will keep you informed of any other progress but your input about any difficulties you may have faced at the airports is of the utmost importance so I can bring that over to the TSA.
Thanks & regards
Tejwant Singh
