So as not to fall victim to racism .. 10 rights to passengers at US airports

Najwan Ahmed - Washington

No one likes the heavy minutes of airport check-ups, and we should all know that the aim is passenger safety and airport security, but some are not lucky and are subjected to double remarks by security personnel, and although the examination is not supposed to be related to religion or race, Some bad situations occur during inspection, some linking them to the origins of religious or ethnic passengers.

A survey conducted by the ACLU may be based on thousands of documented incidents, which indicate that Arabs, Muslims and Latinos are being targeted in exceptional examinations, so all travelers from these countries should know their rights at airports US territory.

Just stated that US airport security officers are not law enforcement officers, but rather their work is administrative, so they do not have the right to confiscate passports, belongings, or unexplained inspection, according to the TSA laws.

1. The Airport Security Administration has the right to conduct an "administrative inspection" of passengers and their property and to search for prohibited items to ensure the safety of passengers. However, "criminal inspections" may only be carried out by law enforcement agents such as the FBI, Passenger possession of weapons or dangerous materials.

2. Passengers are not entitled to refrain from passing through full-body scanners. However, scanners can not be requested for health reasons, and security management has the right to refuse or accept.

3. The passenger has the right to request an airport security officer of the same sex (male / female), even if more time is required.

4. The passenger is entitled to object if he feels that the inspection touches sensitive areas of his body and requests that a member of his family or travel companions attend the inspection.

The presence of an employee of the same sex as the passenger for the self-inspection in closed rooms has an absolute right to observe the inspection, even if the passenger has not requested it.

5. The passenger has the right to ask the airport inspection officer to change the gloves to keep his body safe, especially as the inspectors' gloves touch explosive or sticky and unclean material throughout the day.

6. The passenger has the right to refuse inspection in a closed room, provided that the employee is allowed to search in front of all.

7. The inspection officer is not entitled to request the disclosure of any sensitive area of ​​the body or the removal of clothing related to a religious belief such as the veil or the turban of the Sikh, which is strictly forbidden. In cases of extreme necessity, the inspector may request that the traveler remove the turban himself, Matt Pinsker, professor of internal security at Wilderg College at Virginia Commonwealth University.

The airport security officer is not entitled to strip the traveler of his clothes or to take off any underwear. Naturally, the passenger is required to take off the coat, neck scarves and other outdoor clothing.

If a person refuses to take off his or her coat for not wearing other clothes under it, or a woman who refuses to take off an outer garment, the traveler may apply for a check in a closed room.

8. Checking crutches, wheelchairs and strollers is normal. In the case of a wheelchair examination, a suitable place for the passenger to sit until completion of the examination should be provided, according to a report by the Travelers United website.

9. If the traveler refuses the screening procedures, the security of the airport shall not have the right to detain him, he shall not be able to catch up with his flight.

10. If the traveler feels at any time that he is being treated inappropriately, he or she may submit a written or online complaint to the TSA against the inspection personnel.