Sikh Woman: First Turbaned Pilot In America

The Sikh Research Institute (SikhRI) reported today that Arpinder Kaur, 28, of San Antonio, Texas has become the first turbaned pilot hired by a commercial airline in the Unitedimage002.jpg States. As a Sikhni, she has helped pave the way for both Sikh men and women who wear a dastaar/turban to fulfill their passion for flying. No longer does flying just have to be an extra-curricular activity for these Sikhs, but it can also be an every-day job!

In March 2008, after resolving the issue of wearing her dastaar on-the-job, with the help of the Sikh Coalition, Arpinder Kaur was officially hired by American Airlines Corporation (AMR) as a First Officer. She filed her grievance for accommodation of her religious article of faith based on American Airlines’ allowance of “regulation approved hats”. An agreement was reached that is consistent with state and federal anti-discrimination law. In June 2008 she finished her pilot training program and is now flying Embraer Jets for American Eagle, a regional airline that is part of AMR based out of the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

When Arpinder Kaur was asked why she chose to do this, she said:

“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.”

Her passion for flying first started when at the age of 15 she got to sit in the cockpit of an airplane when moving from Panjab. Despite having a degree in Information Systems and her mother’s belief that it was too dangerous for a girl to be a pilot, Kaur has chosen to follow her passion; while using it as a means for supporting her family. 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. With the help of these individuals and others along with her own perseverance and determination, Kaur and American Airlines have shown that accommodation and not assimilation is the way to harness the strength of diversity in America.

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.”

Here is a short film on Arpinder Kaur and “piloting”:

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Comments (84)

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This is awesome news! Good to hear. I remember watching the video about her that was submitted for the SikhNet Youth Film Festival back when she was still training.

This summer I had some good fun with another Sikh friend of mine who is also into flying and took me for a ride. You can see the video at:

http://www.mrsikhnet.com/index.php/2008/06/18/fly...
This is a great news for Sikh community , I cong the Arpinder Kaur and wish her all the best.

Surjit Singh Flora

Journalist and Photographer

www.Hamdardweekly.com
Toronto, Canada

flosurj@aol.com
That's great. Congrats to Arpinder Kaur & her family.

Congratulations to the entire community.

H S Bawa

Journalist,

Daily Ajit, Jalanadhar.

hsbawaajit@hotmail.com

098722-41041
This is awesome news! Good to hear. I remember watching the video about her that was submitted for the SikhNet Youth Film Festival back when she was still training.

This summer I had some good fun with another Sikh friend of mine who is also into flying and took me for a ride. You can see the video at:
http://www.mrsikhnet.com/index.php/2008/06/18/fly...
This is a great news for Sikh community , I cong the Arpinder Kaur and wish her all the best.

Surjit Singh Flora

Journalist and Photographer
www.Hamdardweekly.com
Toronto, Canada

flosurj@aol.com
Gurjant Singh's avatar

Gurjant Singh · 867 weeks ago

FIrst and foremost Congratulations bhenji.

I was curious to know what a SIKHni is ? Seems pretty odd, I guess all this time I was wrong in thinking a woman is also a Sikh ? This article was def written from a male perspective; sikhni lmao
Parminder Singh's avatar

Parminder Singh · 867 weeks ago

Congrats to our sister!!

Awesome development for people of all faiths.

Just one concern with this article. The term "sikhni" is very unusual. The last time I heard it was in a Bollywood flick. The term "sikh" is genderless, and using words such as "sikhni" implies that "sikh" is a male member of the sikh faith. Gurbaani doesn't differentiate between a female and a male sikh, so why are we?

It is not a good trend to set, as it distorts the spirit of sikhi.

thank you.

fateh!
Rajan, Deepi, and Ghazal is very proud of you and the family. Congratulations!!!!
That's great. Congrats to Arpinder Kaur & her family.

Congratulations to the entire community.

H S Bawa

Journalist,

Daily Ajit, Jalanadhar.

hsbawaajit@hotmail.com

098722-41041
Gurjant Singh and Parminder Singh,

I appreciate your desire to address gender equity in Sikhi and understand your sentiments around the term “Sikh” being genderless. The word “Sikhni” was used in this post to highlight the gender component because unfortunately in our community there is a major discrepancy between the ideology of gender equity and practice. Arpinder Kaur is not just a Sikh, but a Sikh woman or “Sikhni” who has overcome gender barriers and religious bias to set an example of following your passion through perseverance and determination for ALL Sikhs. For example, not only was her right to practice her religion being questioned, but also if it was “safe” enough for a woman to be a pilot. If Arpinder would have been a Singh, I have a feeling her mom would have been more supportive of her passion to be a pilot. Thus, I used “Sikhni” because the need to write Sikh woman over and over again got pretty old and “lame” so I added in a little of my own Panjabi background and was not trying to be “bollywoodish” about Sikhi.

Lastly, I would add that gender equity in Sikhi does not mean being “genderless”, but equally valuing femininity and masculinity. We must recognize and value their similarities and differences. Only then can we begin to stop creating false barriers and ill-founded conceptions of both genders that perpetuate inequity. Our Gurus recognized there are differences between femininity and masculinity, but they did not allow them to become barriers for serving Waheguru.

Gurumustuk Singh,

Here are two youtube videos (they’re a little long) of fellow Sikhs who share the enjoyment for flying (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxAtnKcllVo&fe... & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk2SpphWn8g&fe... :)
Gurjant Singh's avatar

Gurjant Singh · 867 weeks ago

FIrst and foremost Congratulations bhenji.

I was curious to know what a SIKHni is ? Seems pretty odd, I guess all this time I was wrong in thinking a woman is also a Sikh ? This article was def written from a male perspective; sikhni lmao
Phulkari,

After reading your above post, I understand the deliberate use of Sikhni to highlight Arpinder is a Sikh woman (and to avoid using "Sikh woman" repetitively).

However, for some reason I can't quite identify, I am uncomfortable with the word 'Sikhni' (although I have no problem with the word 'Singhni' - go figure).

'Sikhni', to my ears, sounds almost like an insult - or a derogatory reference to a Sikh woman. I recall a Hindu referring to a Sikh male as 'Sikhra' in a demeaning fashion, and the word 'Sikhni' sounds equally unpleasant to me.

Maybe I just need to get used to the word.

my two cents
This phenomenon of Sikh women wearing turban originated from USA - SRM does not have any edict about turban to be worn by Sikh women. Neither were women included in Panj Payare when the first ever baptism ceremony took place in 1699.

Is this Sikh pilot also carrying a Kirpan. Is she a baptised Sikh? Sikh women denied equality in Sikhism are trying to emulate Sikh men by wearing Turban. Why are these Sikh women wearing western uniform? - Why not like true Sikh women insist on Salwar Kameez uniform to assert her true Sikhi.

It's a good publicity stunt for cheap publicity to get into the publics view by wearing a turban. She is very lucky to be born alive unlike large number of her Sikh sisters who are terminated in the womb - Perhaps having won her right to wear a turban - she could concentrate on efforts to prevent murder of innocent baby girls.

Satish
Mewa Singh's avatar

Mewa Singh · 867 weeks ago

Satish,

I have read many asinine comments on The Langar Hall. However yours may have just taken the cake.

Salwar Kameez is "Sikh" women's clothing? I assume you go to your job wearing a Kurta Pajama as that is "Sikh" male clothing. (I hope you can feel the oozing sarcasm)

Maybe you should "concentrate on efforts to prevent murder of innocent baby girls" instead of making moronic misogynistic comments.
Parminder Singh's avatar

Parminder Singh · 867 weeks ago

Congrats to our sister!!

Awesome development for people of all faiths.

Just one concern with this article. The term "sikhni" is very unusual. The last time I heard it was in a Bollywood flick. The term "sikh" is genderless, and using words such as "sikhni" implies that "sikh" is a male member of the sikh faith. Gurbaani doesn't differentiate between a female and a male sikh, so why are we?

It is not a good trend to set, as it distorts the spirit of sikhi.

thank you.

fateh!
Rajan, Deepi, and Ghazal is very proud of you and the family. Congratulations!!!!
Wrong to give this type jobs to anti-Indian fanatics. Bad very bad.
Mewa Singh, I have to agree with your assessment of Satish's post.

Ahmed, don't lose hope - given the stupidity encapsulated in your one, short sentence, you certainly have the innate ability to surpass Satish in the "most assinine comment" sweepstakes.

Satish, you've got your work cut out for you.
Gurjant Singh and Parminder Singh,

I appreciate your desire to address gender equity in Sikhi and understand your sentiments around the term “Sikh” being genderless. The word “Sikhni” was used in this post to highlight the gender component because unfortunately in our community there is a major discrepancy between the ideology of gender equity and practice. Arpinder Kaur is not just a Sikh, but a Sikh woman or “Sikhni” who has overcome gender barriers and religious bias to set an example of following your passion through perseverance and determination for ALL Sikhs. For example, not only was her right to practice her religion being questioned, but also if it was “safe” enough for a woman to be a pilot. If Arpinder would have been a Singh, I have a feeling her mom would have been more supportive of her passion to be a pilot. Thus, I used “Sikhni” because the need to write Sikh woman over and over again got pretty old and “lame” so I added in a little of my own Panjabi background and was not trying to be “bollywoodish” about Sikhi.

Lastly, I would add that gender equity in Sikhi does not mean being “genderless”, but equally valuing femininity and masculinity. We must recognize and value their similarities and differences. Only then can we begin to stop creating false barriers and ill-founded conceptions of both genders that perpetuate inequity. Our Gurus recognized there are differences between femininity and masculinity, but they did not allow them to become barriers for serving Waheguru.

Gurumustuk Singh,

Here are two youtube videos (they’re a little long) of fellow Sikhs who share the enjoyment for flying (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxAtnKcllVo&feature=related & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kk2SpphWn8g&fe...! :)
Phulkari,

After reading your above post, I understand the deliberate use of Sikhni to highlight Arpinder is a Sikh woman (and to avoid using "Sikh woman" repetitively).

However, for some reason I can't quite identify, I am uncomfortable with the word 'Sikhni' (although I have no problem with the word 'Singhni' - go figure).

'Sikhni', to my ears, sounds almost like an insult - or a derogatory reference to a Sikh woman. I recall a Hindu referring to a Sikh male as 'Sikhra' in a demeaning fashion, and the word 'Sikhni' sounds equally unpleasant to me.

Maybe I just need to get used to the word.

my two cents
This phenomenon of Sikh women wearing turban originated from USA - SRM does not have any edict about turban to be worn by Sikh women. Neither were women included in Panj Payare when the first ever baptism ceremony took place in 1699.

Is this Sikh pilot also carrying a Kirpan. Is she a baptised Sikh? Sikh women denied equality in Sikhism are trying to emulate Sikh men by wearing Turban. Why are these Sikh women wearing western uniform? - Why not like true Sikh women insist on Salwar Kameez uniform to assert her true Sikhi.

It's a good publicity stunt for cheap publicity to get into the publics view by wearing a turban. She is very lucky to be born alive unlike large number of her Sikh sisters who are terminated in the womb - Perhaps having won her right to wear a turban - she could concentrate on efforts to prevent murder of innocent baby girls.

Satish
Mewa Singh's avatar

Mewa Singh · 867 weeks ago

Satish,

I have read many asinine comments on The Langar Hall. However yours may have just taken the cake.

Salwar Kameez is "Sikh" women's clothing? I assume you go to your job wearing a Kurta Pajama as that is "Sikh" male clothing. (I hope you can feel the oozing sarcasm)

Maybe you should "concentrate on efforts to prevent murder of innocent baby girls" instead of making moronic misogynistic comments.
Wrong to give this type jobs to anti-Indian fanatics. Bad very bad.
Mewa Singh, I have to agree with your assessment of Satish's post.

Ahmed, don't lose hope - given the stupidity encapsulated in your one, short sentence, you certainly have the innate ability to surpass Satish in the "most assinine comment" sweepstakes.

Satish, you've got your work cut out for you.
Satish,

you are one of the thankless who never appreciated the sacrfices of Sikhs to protect your religion, otherwise your name would have been Satish Mohammed when muslim rulers were baptising Hindus to accept Muslim religion by force.

You must appreciate the courage of Arpinder Kaur to take the challange in male dominating profession and come out winner.How many of Hindu women Pilot you are aware who dare to be a pilot wearing a Saree?

Bill

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