So we’re in Calgary and it’s wonderful. Visiting my in-laws is always a blast and we are fully enjoying the beautiful weather, company and scenery the city has to offer. Unfortunately, our trip got off to a rocky start when we arrived at Pearson airport yesterday morning.
We were in excellent spirits. It was our first flight as a family of five, and were excited to take our Baby on her first trip to Calgary. We were directed by the Air Canada agent to retrieve our boarding passes at the self-serve kiosks. After this didn’t work, we lined up to check in with a real person. The agent behind the desk asked for our ID’s, and proceeded to type our info into the computer.
Suddenly, as she typed in my confirmation number, her hand went to her chest and she exclaimed "Oh My God!". She looked at me suspiciously, and asked me – only me not my husband or any of my kids – for my passport. I said I didn’t have it and reiterated that I had my driver’s licence and other forms of ID that a domestic flight check-in required.
"Oh." she replied. She then grabbed the phone and started whispering furtively while I watched. I heard her muttering my birthday and it clicked! Once again, for the fourth time, I was the victim of racial profiling while traveling because I’m a Muslim! I couldn’t keep my mouth shut, and I exclaimed "Oh – did my name turn up on SOME LIST BECAUSE OF MY ETHNICITY!" At this point, I am shouting and very emotional (please note that 3 weeks after 9/11 I was removed from an Air Canada flight because I was "suspicious" and then in September 2005, I missed a friend’s wedding because once again, I triggered a high-alert security check).
After some more whispering and secretive typing, the agent in question grudgingly gave me a boarding pass. Before she handed it to me she said, "You should calm down. I don’t know why you’re angry with me – be angry with Air Canada." Listen, woman, right now you are the face of Air Canada and the voice of their offensive policies. I hope you read this.
The icing on the cake was when we reached the gate and I realised they had no seat for me. My husband and kids were all seated together, and I, horrifying threat to society that I am, was seated in the very back, shoved against a wall with my infant.
bloody hell – b/c you and your toddlers look so threatening i’m sure. stumbled on this post from sufia’s blog… can’t believe this. on a ‘lighter’ (or just ironic) note, bought this great t-shirt last year off the web; it says ‘Frisk Me, I’m Muslim’. you might try travelling wearing that from now on, you know, just to cut to the chase…
Ai-yai-yai..That’s just CRAZY Amreen!! I’m so sorry! Have you contacted them? Do they try to make up for it? (did they the last 3 times?)
Do they give you any indication of what it says on their monitor? What made her gasp “Oh My God”? I’m so sorry this happened to you. You’re right, that it must be much worse for those wearing traditional Middle Eastern dress.
what really gets me is that – here i am, layered hair, Lululemon-wearing, three-kids and stroller toting Toronto mom – getting interrogated and treated like crap. What must it be like for someone who is wearing hijab and abaya (the traditional head covering and long dress worn by many Middle Eastern women)? It’s just appalling. And then, we’re not even supposed to get upset or we’re labelled as “difficult” and treated accordingly…
That’s horrible. It is TERRIBLE that you were put through that. I’m almost speechless, actually.
Yuck. I’m sorry. This is just so wrong in so many ways.
I love WestJet, please try them from Hamilton and let us know if it’s any better….
My eight year old always gets pulled out of line too. She’s eight, hazel eyed fair skinned and blonde to boot. Someone with a similar name is on the ‘watch list’. I always end up steaming, I mean she’s a KID and about the size of a five year old. Stupid, stupid system.
OH. MY. GOD.
That just makes me SICK! I am sooooo sorry Amreen! What a nightmare. And WestJet is certainly better than AC in terms of service, but I cant’ vouch for their racial profiling. Significantly, though, when Jen and I both flew out of Newark, she was searched on grounds of being “suspicious” and I just swept right through. 2 points of difference: I was flying WestJet and Jen was on AC, and I am pale and freckled, while Jen is more olive-skinned with dark curly hair.
What a nightmare. But enjoy Calgary while you’re here…the weather is certainly beautiful!
OMG Amreen! What a disaster. And I thought my thrice canceled flight from Newark by AC was an insult. At least it wasn’t personal. Strangely, both there and back this time I was “removed” from the line, searched, frisked and questioned. They explained that there was something indicated on my boarding pass that indicated I was “suspicious”. However, I have done a lot of travel and never had anything happen to me like it did to you. Brutal. Just brutal.