Flying While Muslim

Summer is traditionally a time for traveling... and this year I did more than my share.  In the past three months, I have embarked on a total of 13 air flights, both within the U.S. and international.  On all but two of those flights, I was "randomly" selected for extra scrutiny at airport security.  Whether it was my one-way tickets here and yonder, or the fact that I was easily identified as a Muslim, I don't know.  But along the way, the airline and security officers I met (without a single exception) were polite, professional, quick, thorough, and friendly.

It's not easy, especially with lots of heavy luggage and tired children in tow, to maintain patience while waiting for x-ray machines to be available, for strangers to rifle through personal belongings, or for one's shoes to be retrieved at the other end of the security zone.  But it is possible to get through, and even maintain a smile and a sense of humor along the way.

There are some important tips I have learned that can help one to maintain composure, and make travel more smooth and pleasant for everyone:

Arrive early.  Expect that you will be screened carefully, so allow yourself extra time.  It becomes more difficult for everyone if things are rushed.  If you are not selected for extra screening, or breeze through quickly, there's still no harm done by arriving early.

Pack carefully.  Be aware of prohibited items and do not carry anything (even something innocent) if it possibly could be construed as a weapon.

Don't over-stuff your bags.  This is hard for some of us, as we tend to cram every square-inch of space with gifts, hard-to-find items from overseas, children's belongings, etc.  But if the security personnel need to open your bag, be sure that they can get it closed back up again!

If you expect to be selected for extra screening, you will need to go to the ticket counter inside to check your bags in.  But that doesn't mean you can't try checking in at curbside.  As soon as your name is flagged, the porter will walk your things in, to the front of the line.  You will need more time to go through the process, so it's only fair that you be jumped ahead.

Listen carefully to the airline personnel.  An airline employee may take your checked baggage to the x-ray machine, and you need to know where your stuff is going.  Stay with your bags until you are sure that they have cleared and are on their way.  Often the airline employee in charge of your bags will keep your boarding pass until that time, so don't lose him!

If you go through extra screening at baggage check-in, you will also need to go through extra screening at the security checkpoint leading to the gates.  Your boarding pass will be coded or marked, and when you arrive they will often send you to a separate line for "TSA" (Transportation Security Administration).

When going through the checkpoint, put everything in a separate plastic bucket, laying flat.  Again, listen to what the personnel ask you to do.  They will lead you through the process, and signal when they are ready for you to proceed.  You will be scanned with a hand-wand (by a TSA officer of the same gender) and your carry-on bags will be hand checked.  Be patient, smile, and keep an eye on your stuff.

Sisters... be aware that TSA has the right, if necessary, to ask you to remove a headcovering so that they can check underneath it.  And if you are wearing an abaya/jilbab, you may be asked you to take off your "coat" so that it can go through the x-ray machine.  Simply explain that these items are part of your dress and cannot be removed in public.  You have the right, under TSA policy, to request a private area with a female TSA officer in order to complete this part of the screening.

Smile and be pleasant -- airport personnel are doing their job to make travel safe for everyone.  If you have an attitude or a chip on your shoulder, it will only give people a bad impression.

Be patient, and have a good trip!