Pilots’ fury as ground workers allowed to carry knives

AIRLINE pilots are to complain to the government over a relaxation of rules which means Sikh workers can wear ceremonial daggers despite tighter rules since 11 September.

Flight crew have expressed anger after ministers announced ground staff who work at Heathrow can wear their kirpans - small religious swords with three inch blades.

But the rules have not been changed for pilots and cabin crews, who are still subject to the same strict security requirements as passengers. Pilots have to check items such as penknives, nail scissors and pins into the aircraft hold along with baggage from passengers.

One Glasgow-based pilot, who flies to UK destinations including Heathrow, said: "This is making people angry because it places political correctness above common sense.

"We can’t bring little things such as penknives or tweezers into the cockpit, even inside bags, unless we can prove they are required for the job. Now ground staff wearing daggers can get access to aircraft anyway. It is illogical."

Orthodox Sikhs must have the kirpan - one of the so-called "5Ks" - on them at all times, even in the bath or bed, but the kirpan was banned in secure, airside, areas after 11 September.

The 5Ks are five items which all begin with a K in Punjabi. They are a piece of uncut hair, a wooden comb kept in the hair, a bracelet, a pair of knee-length shorts and the kirpan. The airport rules say the small knife can now be worn as long as it is discreet, cannot be snatched and the blade is less than one inch in length.

The Department of Transport ruled Sikh airport workers could carry their kirpans again after local politicians took up their case with the minister John Spellar.

A spokesman for The British Airline Pilots’ Association, (BALPA) said: "We respect the tradition and the religious requirements of the Sikh community but we cannot accept a situation where objects such as the kirpan can be allowed in areas where flight crew cannot carry similar items for their business.

"It is theoretically possible that a hijacker or terrorist could grab these items and use them, and we will be making representations to the government about this."

Airlines and passenger groups have also expressed concerns about the tightened security arrangements, which have increased check-in times at airports and forced business travellers who normally only carry hand luggage to check their bags into the hold, adding to journey times.

A BAA Heathrow spokesman said: "New guidance has been issued to all security staff noting the change in policy.

"The policy has not changed for anyone else, and we ask all people to abide by the security requirements in order to help keep the disruption caused by security checks to a minimum."

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "The kirpan can be worn as long as the blade is less than three inches in length, worn discreetly under clothing and can’t be snatched.

"The rules apply only to Sikh staff working at airports - not Sikh staff travelling or the public."

The rules do not allow staff to carry a sgian dubh as part of Highland dress because it is not for religious reasons.

Sikhs are the largest ethnic minority at Heathrow, where 86 work in cleaning, catering and customs. Sikh labourers from the Punjab built Terminal 1 in the 1950s.

Every day, security staff at BAA’s seven airports in the UK confiscate around 15,000 sharp items which are no longer permitted in hand luggage, including between 1,000 and 2,000 sharp items which are taken at Heathrow alone.

Over 2.5 million sharp items have been confiscated since the 11 September terrorist attacks on the United States.

The long list of items which can no longer be carried on aircraft under tough new rules include: toy or replica guns (metal or plastic); catapults; household cutlery, including knives with blades of any length; razor blades; tools; darts; scissors; hypodermic needles (unless required for medical reasons); knitting needles; sporting bats, billiard, snooker or pool cues.