TSA & Turban, Post 911 Airport Security
The distinctive Sikh appearance of beard and turban is often at odds with society's dictates. Schools and government agencies periodically challenge the wearing of five kakars, the required articles of faith. Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack of the World Trade Center, some people view Sikhs wearing a turban and kirpan, the ceremonial short sword, with suspicion. Sikhs have been victims of sporadic hate crimes across the United States. Air travel has become more difficult for everyone, and Sikhs in particular. In October of 2007 the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued new regulations for checking headwear including patting down by hand and removal of religious head gear such as turbans by Transportation Security Officers (TSO).
What are the TSA regulations, regarding the Sikh turban and travel?
TSA regulations and screening procedures, as well as advice for the Sikh traveler are provided on the Sikh Coalition website.
Airport Security Screening Procedures:
Travelers are advised to remove shoes, coats, and headwear for screening.
- Removal of headwear does not apply to Sikh travelers wearing turbans, or religious head coverings.
- Sikh travelers should request to stand in line for the Puffer, a machine which blows air at the turban, without touching it, in order to detect chemical traces, such as gunpowder, or other explosives.
Metallic:
Security officers may ask a Sikh traveler to remove a turban or other headwear.
- A Sikh traveler who does not wish to do so, must refuse, and explain that their turban, or other head covering, is a religious article.
- If the metal detector alarm goes off, a screener uses a hand wand to try to identify the source of the metal.
- If a hand wand alarm sounds near or around a Sikh travelers head, the screener may want to pat down the turban, or other headwear.
- If a Sikh traveler knows what is triggering the alarm, the object may be surrendered to avoid a pat down.
Non Metallic:
Whether or not an alarm is triggered, a security officer may select a Sikh traveler for non metallic screening.
- An officer may suspect a turban or other head covering which is bulky or lumpy.
- An officer may elect to further screen the Sikh traveler and ask to pat down the turban or other religious headwear for a chemical trace test.
- A different officer will take the Sikh traveler aside and supervise the pat down.
- The officer will rub the Sikh traveler’s hands after the pat down with a small piece of cotton cloth and put it into a machine that checks for trace chemical residues.
- The Sikh traveler, who does not object to the officer doing the pat down, may still request a private screening area.
Additional Screening:
An officer may request removal of a turban, or religious headgear, only when the Sikh traveler is unable to pass metal detection, or after a pat down when a concern has not been resolved.
- The Sikh traveler always has the right to request a private screening area for any search requiring the removal of the turban.
Sikh travelers who have cleared all screening procedures are allowed to board their flights.
How can a Sikh traveler report a complaint or violation of civil right and liberties?
The TSA website provides all necessary information for reporting concerns regarding civil liberties.
Respect for Hair & Turban
Why is so much emphasis put on the Sikh Turban?
All Sikhs have a code of conduct they are expected to follow. A Sikh is expected to keep all hair intact and the head covered. The rule of dress for Sikh attire, is a turban for the Sikh man. The Sikh woman may wear a turban or elect instead to wear a kind of traditional headscarf with or without the turban.
What is the significance of keeping the hair covered?
At the time of initiation, immortalizing amrit nectar is sprinkled directly on the kes (hair). Khalsa consider the kes to be sacred thereafter. The baptized Sikh, initiated into the order of Khalsa, has specific mandatory requirements which must be adhered to or be held liable for chastisement. It is forbidden to dishonor the kes.
Why the concern about removing the turban?
A Sikh feels naked without the turban and normally removes it only in the most intimate of circumstances such as bathing the head and hair daily. Care and cleanliness of the kes is stressed. After washing the kes:
- The kanga, a wooden comb, is used to detangle the kes.
- The kes is twisted into a joora, a knot atop the head.
- The kanga helps to secure the joora and is kept with the hair at all times.
- The keski, a protective length of cloth, binds the hair atop the head and may be covered by a turban or chunni.
From the purely practical aspect it is inconvenient to remove a turban in public:
- A Sikhs hair, uncut from birth, or re-birth as Khalsa, may grow to shoulder, waist, hip, knee length or longer.
- A turban maybe be 4-6 yards in length or longer and a half yard to 2 yards in width.
- The turban may take 20 minutes or more to tie, requiring the use of both hands, and is not to touch the floor at any time during the process.
- The salaee, a small pointed tool used for tucking ends of hair and smoothing the folds of the turban, is unlikely to be permitted past a check point.
Why are Sikhs so concerned about having the turban touched?
It is considered a great dishonor for anyone to violate another’s turban by removing It, and very disrespectful if touched with unwashed hands, or by one who does not themselves respect and adhere to Khalsa principals, especially where use of tobacco is involved.
More About Sikhs & Turbans
Sikh Religion and Beliefs
Sikh Initiation
Related Reading & Turban Tying Videos
Sikh Woman & TurbansHow to Tie a Turban
Related Reading Turbans and Travel
SikhismSikhs & Motorcycle Helmet Law
