AC staff at SFO allegedly asked a 12yr old to remove her hijab before boarding
Aug 6, 19, 11:15 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 4,305
AC staff at SFO allegedly asked a 12yr old to remove her hijab before boarding
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canad...aIP?li=AAggNb9
US national team 12 year old squash player allegedly asked to remove hijab before boarding at the gate (obviously post security).
US national team 12 year old squash player allegedly asked to remove hijab before boarding at the gate (obviously post security).
Aug 6, 19, 11:42 am
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, UA Gold, Bonvoy Tit LT Sil, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Accor Silver
Posts: 42,027
Without yet reading the article, I thought all headwear had to be removed for boarding? Or is that just non-religious headwear (which would make the whole security aspect pointless)?
Edit: Having read the article, it focuses entirely "after I'd already passed through security", which is irrelevant.
I know hats must be removed for boarding, and my only question would be whether religious attire is exempted from this (which, again, means the whole policy is pointless).
Edit: Having read the article, it focuses entirely "after I'd already passed through security", which is irrelevant.
I know hats must be removed for boarding, and my only question would be whether religious attire is exempted from this (which, again, means the whole policy is pointless).
Aug 6, 19, 11:56 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 14,026
Without yet reading the article, I thought all headwear had to be removed for boarding? Or is that just non-religious headwear (which would make the whole security aspect pointless)?
Edit: Having read the article, it focuses entirely "after I'd already passed through security", which is irrelevant.
I know hats must be removed for boarding, and my only question would be whether religious attire is exempted from this (which, again, means the whole policy is pointless).
Edit: Having read the article, it focuses entirely "after I'd already passed through security", which is irrelevant.
I know hats must be removed for boarding, and my only question would be whether religious attire is exempted from this (which, again, means the whole policy is pointless).
Aug 6, 19, 12:05 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, UA Gold, Bonvoy Tit LT Sil, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Accor Silver
Posts: 42,027
That's probably where I'm remembering this from.
However, if your headwear prevents the GA from matching your face to your ID, it may not explicitly say "pax must remove hats", but the result would be the same.
I don't know if that's right or wrong, but if they asked white people to remove baseball hats as well (which was the topic of at least two other threads on this forum), then it wasn't racism. Insensitive, maybe. But not racism.
Aug 6, 19, 12:09 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 14,026
A quick search actually pointed me back at FT: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29634675-post8.html
That's probably where I'm remembering this from.
However, if your headwear prevents the GA from matching your face to your ID, it may not explicitly say "pax must remove hats", but the result would be the same.
I don't know if that's right or wrong, but if they asked white people to remove baseball hats as well (which was the topic of at least two other threads on this forum), then it wasn't racism. Insensitive, maybe. But not racism.
That's probably where I'm remembering this from.
However, if your headwear prevents the GA from matching your face to your ID, it may not explicitly say "pax must remove hats", but the result would be the same.
I don't know if that's right or wrong, but if they asked white people to remove baseball hats as well (which was the topic of at least two other threads on this forum), then it wasn't racism. Insensitive, maybe. But not racism.
Headscarves don't have brims like baseball caps.. Are people required to remove a toque or, more analogous, a skullcap?
Aug 6, 19, 12:21 pm
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, UA Gold, Bonvoy Tit LT Sil, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Accor Silver
Posts: 42,027
Though now I'm reminded of the "passengers over 16 must present photo ID" announcements. Though I suspect the rules are different for international.
Aug 6, 19, 12:31 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 14,026
Does a headscarf really? In a way that it couldn't just be pushed aside to recall the full face? Hasn't AC already tacitly admitted that if it was a headscarf as we all think of one, not a veil, that their agents were likely overzealous? Let's not also forget this was a 12 year old girl.
Aug 6, 19, 12:32 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE100K, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 2,132
For AC's sake I am hoping that several people come forward and say they were asked to remove their hats prior to boarding.
CC would know best around here, but my experience with the SFO GAs is that they are militant about boarding process, bag size etc - more than most other places I have experienced. Perhaps this was just the enforcement of a (little known?) rule that is in place?
Edit to add: I really hate the general public on social media. It's all just bloody noise. There is ONE legitimate and "necessary" tweet - the sister's. Everyone else is just looking for their moment and having generally no idea what they're talking about. "AC is the worst airline for stuff like this" is based on what, exactly?
CC would know best around here, but my experience with the SFO GAs is that they are militant about boarding process, bag size etc - more than most other places I have experienced. Perhaps this was just the enforcement of a (little known?) rule that is in place?
Edit to add: I really hate the general public on social media. It's all just bloody noise. There is ONE legitimate and "necessary" tweet - the sister's. Everyone else is just looking for their moment and having generally no idea what they're talking about. "AC is the worst airline for stuff like this" is based on what, exactly?
Aug 6, 19, 12:35 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 4,305
I believe religous headgear may have some finer points compared to a baseball cap. I do not think you can ask a Sikh to remove his turban. In any case, the passenger can request private screening which is easy to do at security checkpoint but much more difficult at the gate. A hijab does not cover the face. A burqa does cover the face.
May be a bigger issue here because she is a minor - there is no mention here about whether an accompanying adult (coach in this case) was present or asked for consent.
May be a bigger issue here because she is a minor - there is no mention here about whether an accompanying adult (coach in this case) was present or asked for consent.
Aug 6, 19, 12:38 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: YUL
Programs: ✈ AC 1MM / S100K - SPG Lifetime Platinum = BONVoY Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,424
Not sure CC would know best. I more inclined to think someone who flies many many many segments , and boards last usually, so they see others boarding.
Aug 6, 19, 12:40 pm
#11
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YHZ/YQM
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 1,606
I'm all for a religious exemption, or at least an option where if ID is somehow hard to match then they can to go to a private spot (no men) to remove the covering for an ID match. Do not ask someone to remove a religious covering in a public place. I am highly in favour of protecting the rights of religious minorities. I'd better stop before I get too political for this forum...
Aug 6, 19, 12:41 pm
#12
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE100K, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 2,132
Aug 6, 19, 12:46 pm
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 4,305
For AC's sake I am hoping that several people come forward and say they were asked to remove their hats prior to boarding.
CC would know best around here, but my experience with the SFO GAs is that they are militant about boarding process, bag size etc - more than most other places I have experienced. Perhaps this was just the enforcement of a (little known?) rule that is in place?
Edit to add: I really hate the general public on social media. It's all just bloody noise. There is ONE legitimate and "necessary" tweet - the sister's. Everyone else is just looking for their moment and having generally no idea what they're talking about. "AC is the worst airline for stuff like this" is based on what, exactly?
CC would know best around here, but my experience with the SFO GAs is that they are militant about boarding process, bag size etc - more than most other places I have experienced. Perhaps this was just the enforcement of a (little known?) rule that is in place?
Edit to add: I really hate the general public on social media. It's all just bloody noise. There is ONE legitimate and "necessary" tweet - the sister's. Everyone else is just looking for their moment and having generally no idea what they're talking about. "AC is the worst airline for stuff like this" is based on what, exactly?
I have no idea what US federal or state law is on this issue. In Canada, its a lot more strict - I seem to recall a Sikh guy having his DUI tossed because of charter right violation - the cops pulled his turban off.
In this case it seem a bit over zealous to do this to a 12 year old. Since all they are checking at the gate is ID, not security.
Aug 6, 19, 12:56 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC*E75 (*A Gold), Bonvoy Gold Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,588
I’ve boarded Canada-bound flights from the US without ever having my ID checked at the gate. I was under the impression that the burden of identification (for lack of a better, real term) lies with TSA in the US and airlines’ gate agents in Canada*. If so, then the AC GA displayed an even greater lack of judgment than one may safely assume.
*I realize that I have routinely had my ID checked at the gate when boarding AC flights in the US. However, at the time of the incident above, I sought the interpretation of someone familiar with airport procedures and the takeaway was “the only necessary ID check at US airports must occur at security screening by a TSA agent.” Take that as you may.
*I realize that I have routinely had my ID checked at the gate when boarding AC flights in the US. However, at the time of the incident above, I sought the interpretation of someone familiar with airport procedures and the takeaway was “the only necessary ID check at US airports must occur at security screening by a TSA agent.” Take that as you may.
Aug 6, 19, 12:56 pm
#15
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: AC SE MM
Posts: 300
I rarely wear hats but the last 2 times this year I've been asked to remove them from the gate agent. One was a baseball cap and was a cowboy hat. As long as everyone else has to remove them, I don't see any issue regardless of age.
