India outraged over Kalam frisking

[KS]

I don't care who gets frisked and cavity searched, frisk the queen of England, the Pope and Obama. All I care about is the aircraft I'm on arriving safely at its destination. I've learnt long ago to check in my ego along with my luggage when getting on an airplane.

Empty words.

There is a protocol to be followed which should be followed no matter what.

Dr.Kalam is not your average Joe that you even suspect. He is beyond that and protocol dictates that.

Ofcourse, I keep forgetting that the people in question are the American TSA - not exactly the paragon of common sense or courtesy.

 

[53fd]

I must say, the TSA isn't made up of the 'smartest of people'. I would support Kalam sahab, & I think the ignorance of the TSA is really appalling. This is not how one treats the ex-president of a country.

 

[dbc]

Empty words.

There is a protocol to be followed which should be followed no matter what.

Dr.Kalam is not your average Joe that you even suspect. He is beyond that and protocol dictates that.

Ofcourse, I keep forgetting that the people in question are the American TSA - not exactly the paragon of common sense or courtesy.

Sorry don't care, TSA is doing its job and doing it well. If Indian dignitaries are so easily offended bubble wrap 'em and keep them home.

 

[Hulk]

If there is protocol for ex president and is not followed then there is an issue, if US is treating everyone same way, then problem lies with Indians.

99% of Indians does not understand that TSA is just doing their job, there is nothing wrong and they treat you well with respect.

 

[dbc]

If there is protocol for ex president and is not followed then there is an issue, if US is treating everyone same way, then problem lies with Indians.

99% of Indians does not understand that TSA is just doing their job, there is nothing wrong and they treat you well with respect.

If Obama or a former US President decide to fly out of India on a commercial airliner by all means frisk them. The safety of 300 odd passengers is far more important that some dignitaries ego.

 

[Hulk]

If Obama or a former US President decide to fly out of India on a commercial airliner by all means frisk them. The safety of 300 odd passengers is far more important that some dignitaries ego.

The TSA does a very good job, this is best thing I like about USA. They treat people equally, Indians still have old mindset.

I was frisked once and the TSA guys asked me do you know why we are doing this? I said you are helping us keep safe. It is your perspective that makes you feel one way or the other.

 

[KS]

If there is protocol for ex president and is not followed then there is an issue, if US is treating everyone same way, then problem lies with Indians.

99% of Indians does not understand that TSA is just doing their job, there is nothing wrong and they treat you well with respect.

Yes there is a protocol.

Its not simply an issue of dignity, but a breach of established protocols.

 

[Hulk]

Yes there is a protocol.

Its not simply an issue of dignity, but a breach of established protocols.

Can you point me to the protocol please, as per news here it does not seems to be the case.

---------- Post added at 09:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:53 PM ----------

On the other hand, we should return the favor when someone from US visits India.

 

[ApparentRaceTraitor]

Come on people, it's not like he was snatched at gunpoint and sent to G.Bay. As classless as the TSA is, they're still doing their job. At the same time, both parties should keep their shitty "don't search me, I'm a diplomat" lists updated.

 

[KS]

Can you point me to the protocol please, as per news here it does not seems to be the case.

I am sure there is a protocol for ex-Presidents but I am not able to find it. Will edit this post once I google it sucessfully.

Come on people, it's not like he was snatched at gunpoint and sent to G.Bay. As classless as the TSA is, they're still doing their job. At the same time, both parties should keep their shitty "don't search me, I'm a diplomat" lists updated.

Actually they are NOT doing their job.

Exempting ex-Presidents from their 'searches' is a part of their job.

 

[Mech]

Forget it, says Kalam..


While the United States Embassy in New Delhi had expressed its regret over the frisking of A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the former President said here on Monday that the issue was not worth talking about.

“Forget it. It is not worth talking [about],” he said to repeated questions from journalists on the sidelines of a programme at the Indian Institute of Management here.

Mr. Kalam was frisked twice on September 29 this year at New York's JFK Airport on his way back to India.

He was subjected to ‘private screening' as he did not come under the category of dignitaries exempted from screening, under stringent American guidelines.

The Hindu : News : Forget frisking, says Kalam

 

[NeutralCitizen]

Get over it

 

[Chogy]

Arrogant racist pricks...

Yes, that is a Muslim woman frisking a Catholic Nun in the USA. Examine, and ponder.

Dr.Kalam is not your average Joe that you even suspect. He is beyond that and protocol dictates that.

I've never heard of this guy before this moment. Sorry, your famous and respected and revered politicians are none of those things outside your nation.

The TSA are equal-opportunity idiots. It's not some plot to insult. Do you guys think "Hey, we're all racists, right? Let's mess with this goob and create an international incident!!"

They have already apologized profusely, in writing. Again, what do you want? Should we send him a gift certificate to Cracker Barrel, or give him a foot massage? Geez....

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

i'd be willing to go through that if they compensated me with an all expenses paid 2 hr back rub session at a nice clinic.....these knots in my back are killing me

 

[rockstarIN]

US sacks two officials for frisking Kalam inside aircraft

US authorities have sacked two officials of their Transport Security Agency for “exceeding their brief” by subjecting former President APJ Abdul Kalam to humiliation at New York’s JFK airport on September 29.

The officials had not only frisked Kalam but went to the extent of taking his
jacket and shoes from a flight he had already boarded — as first reported by Hindustan Times on November 13.

Following what can at best be described as over-zealousness by the American security officials, the two countries are discussing ways to draw up a common “no-frisk” list so that such blunders do not take place in future.

“But the task is proving to be difficult as there are too many VIPs in India,” a senior government official said here on Wednesday.

The action against the two security officials was taken after US authorities carried out an enquiry following India's complaint and found that they had indeed frisked Kalam and later forced the crew of the Air India plane he had boarded to open its door and hand over the former president's jacket and shoes to check for explosives.

President Kalam is not exempt from screening in the US but as a part of mutual courtesies, he gets an escort and a place for private screening. Such courtesies are extended even up to a secretary-level official.