Post by gigteam on Aug 14, 2008 22:24:40 GMT
First Turbaned Sikh Pilot in America
San Antonio, Texas – In March 2008, Arpinder Kaur, 28, was hired by American
Airlines Corporation (AMR) as a First Officer. Kaur flies Embraer Jets for
American Eagle, a regional airline that is part of AMR and she is now based out
of the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. The Sikh Research Institute is
proud to share the news that Kaur is now the first turbaned Sikh pilot to fly for a
commercial airline in the United States.“Two of the reasons I did this were: first,
my love of flying and, second, to set a precedent for the community so they know
you can be in your Sikh appearance and do anything out there; so that my
younger brothers and sisters [the rising generation] will pursue their passions
while practicing their Sikh faith,” Kaur said.
Kaur said that she knew she wanted to be a pilot the very first time she was in an
airplane. She was 14 and moving from the Panjab (since 1947 the region is
divided between India and Pakistan) to the United States. The crew let her sit in the pit and see everything
that they did. “That is the day I found in me this passion for flying,” Kaur said.
She lived in Virginia after the move and attended George Mason University (VA) where she graduated with a
degree in information systems. She did not forget her dream of flying over the years, though her mother told
her that girls should not be pilots because it was too dangerous.
Kaur said it was the love and support of her husband, Pritpal Singh that pushed her forward on the path toward
becoming a pilot. Kulbir Singh Sandhu, captain with AMR mentored her throughout her aviation career.
From 2003 to 2005 Kaur was trained by Jesse Sherwood in Kansas. “I had the passion for flying but he
[Sherwood] really instilled the professionalism of flying through the time I was training with him,” Kaur said.
In 2005, Kaur moved to San Antonio and spent two more years as a flight instructor at Wright Flyers Aviation
at the San Antonio International Airport. In January of 2008 she applied
to be a pilot at American Airlines; her application was accepted in March
and from 17 March through 7 June 2008, she underwent their pilot
training program.
Kaur said that she just recently resolved the issue of her flying turbaned
– the American Airlines manual allows “regulation approved hats” – by
filling out an Accommodation Form. Kaur received help from The Sikh
Coalition (SC), while she was planning the best way to secure an
accommodation agreement about her turban. Harsimran Kaur, a staff
attorney who consulted with Kaur said that, “the Sikh Coalition
appreciates American Eagle’s willingness to accommodate Ms. Kaur’s
religiously-mandated turban consistent with state and federal anti-discrimination law.”
Harinder Singh, executive director of the Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) in San Antonio, Texas said, “This is
a great day for the Sikhs in America. Religious accommodation, not assimilation, is what the founders of this
great nation envisioned and we are thrilled American Airlines celebrates the rich religious and cultural
diversity of all American populations.” SikhRI helped Arpinder through the process of becoming a pilot
through the use of educational and community building tools. SikhRI facilitates Sikh-Americans in integrating
the Sikh Ideals with American values.
San Antonio, Texas – In March 2008, Arpinder Kaur, 28, was hired by American
Airlines Corporation (AMR) as a First Officer. Kaur flies Embraer Jets for
American Eagle, a regional airline that is part of AMR and she is now based out
of the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. The Sikh Research Institute is
proud to share the news that Kaur is now the first turbaned Sikh pilot to fly for a
commercial airline in the United States.“Two of the reasons I did this were: first,
my love of flying and, second, to set a precedent for the community so they know
you can be in your Sikh appearance and do anything out there; so that my
younger brothers and sisters [the rising generation] will pursue their passions
while practicing their Sikh faith,” Kaur said.
Kaur said that she knew she wanted to be a pilot the very first time she was in an
airplane. She was 14 and moving from the Panjab (since 1947 the region is
divided between India and Pakistan) to the United States. The crew let her sit in the pit and see everything
that they did. “That is the day I found in me this passion for flying,” Kaur said.
She lived in Virginia after the move and attended George Mason University (VA) where she graduated with a
degree in information systems. She did not forget her dream of flying over the years, though her mother told
her that girls should not be pilots because it was too dangerous.
Kaur said it was the love and support of her husband, Pritpal Singh that pushed her forward on the path toward
becoming a pilot. Kulbir Singh Sandhu, captain with AMR mentored her throughout her aviation career.
From 2003 to 2005 Kaur was trained by Jesse Sherwood in Kansas. “I had the passion for flying but he
[Sherwood] really instilled the professionalism of flying through the time I was training with him,” Kaur said.
In 2005, Kaur moved to San Antonio and spent two more years as a flight instructor at Wright Flyers Aviation
at the San Antonio International Airport. In January of 2008 she applied
to be a pilot at American Airlines; her application was accepted in March
and from 17 March through 7 June 2008, she underwent their pilot
training program.
Kaur said that she just recently resolved the issue of her flying turbaned
– the American Airlines manual allows “regulation approved hats” – by
filling out an Accommodation Form. Kaur received help from The Sikh
Coalition (SC), while she was planning the best way to secure an
accommodation agreement about her turban. Harsimran Kaur, a staff
attorney who consulted with Kaur said that, “the Sikh Coalition
appreciates American Eagle’s willingness to accommodate Ms. Kaur’s
religiously-mandated turban consistent with state and federal anti-discrimination law.”
Harinder Singh, executive director of the Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) in San Antonio, Texas said, “This is
a great day for the Sikhs in America. Religious accommodation, not assimilation, is what the founders of this
great nation envisioned and we are thrilled American Airlines celebrates the rich religious and cultural
diversity of all American populations.” SikhRI helped Arpinder through the process of becoming a pilot
through the use of educational and community building tools. SikhRI facilitates Sikh-Americans in integrating
the Sikh Ideals with American values.
