Continental did no wrong in frisking Kalam: US regulator
According to TSA, its regulations require pre-embarkation screening of all passengers, irrespective of their rank or position.
By TNN |
NEW DELHI: There may have been an uproar in India over the treatment meted out to former President APJ Abdul Kalam by the staff of Continental Airlines in April, but US regulatory body Transportation Security Administration (TSA) insists that the airline was not at fault. According to TSA, its regulations require pre-embarkation screening of all passengers, irrespective of their rank or position.
Kalam was frisked by Continental Airline staff before boarding a flight to the US on April 21, in a clear violation of norms laid down by India's Bureau of Civil Aviation Security. BCAS has issued a showcause notice to the airline and filed a police complaint against the staff.
On its website, TSA states: "TSA requires that all passengers and their accessible property are screened for any items listed on the prohibited items list. There are reports that the government of India has an official list of VIPs and their spouses that are exempt from pre-board screening procedures. However, such a list does not mirror US requirements for passengers that are exempted from pre-board screening when travelling aboard US commercial aircraft. While travelling from an international location to the US on an US commercial aircraft, former heads of state and other VIPs, are screened according to the same screening procedures as for any other passenger.''
The statement adds that if required, private screening would be made available to such dignitaries on request.
While the airline, under severe political pressure, has already issued an apology to Kalam, TSA has stated that its review of the incident confirms that Continental was only following TSA regulations.
With BCAS asking specifically for an FIR to be filed against the concerned employees, police sources said that BCAS had been asked to approach the court for redressal of the complaint.
Kalam was frisked by Continental Airline staff before boarding a flight to the US on April 21, in a clear violation of norms laid down by India's Bureau of Civil Aviation Security. BCAS has issued a showcause notice to the airline and filed a police complaint against the staff.
On its website, TSA states: "TSA requires that all passengers and their accessible property are screened for any items listed on the prohibited items list. There are reports that the government of India has an official list of VIPs and their spouses that are exempt from pre-board screening procedures. However, such a list does not mirror US requirements for passengers that are exempted from pre-board screening when travelling aboard US commercial aircraft. While travelling from an international location to the US on an US commercial aircraft, former heads of state and other VIPs, are screened according to the same screening procedures as for any other passenger.''
The statement adds that if required, private screening would be made available to such dignitaries on request.
While the airline, under severe political pressure, has already issued an apology to Kalam, TSA has stated that its review of the incident confirms that Continental was only following TSA regulations.
With BCAS asking specifically for an FIR to be filed against the concerned employees, police sources said that BCAS had been asked to approach the court for redressal of the complaint.
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