First Turbaned Sikh Pilot
Arpinder Kaur is the first turbaned woman Sikh pilot for a major US airline.Since 2008, Arpinder Kaur has been a Commercial Pilot with American Airlines. Currently, she lives with her family in Dallas, Texas. When she is not working, she enjoys volunteering at the Middle School, High School, and Khalsa Schools.
It was an experience on a flight from India to the United States that inspired Arpinder Kaur then 14 years old, to pursue a career in aviation. As a child, she enjoyed climbing trees, playing cricket, and playing outside with the boys. She managed to be this lively because her parents saw how happy she was and they allowed her to be that way.
In the course of the flight, the flight attendant asked Arpinder if she would like to go inside the cockpit of the plane. That was all it took to make her sure that being a pilot was what she wanted to do. While growing up in India, Arpinder said that it is the United States that offered her the freedom to be anything she wanted to be.
Her parents encouraged her to go to George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia to pursue a degree plan in Information Technology. As a student, Arpinder excelled in her studies and graduated in 2002 with a high-grades. As soon as she graduated she married the love of her life, Pritpal Singh. After her marriage, she discussed her dream to become a pilot with him.
Arpinder's husband and family have always valued education more than anything else, and they supported her when she decided to go to aviation school. Following her discovery flight in Manassas, Virginia, she completed her pilot license at Air Associates of Kansas in Olathe, Kansas.
Kaur said it was the love and support of her husband, Pritpal Singh that pushed her forward on the path toward becoming a pilot. Kulbir Singh Sandhu, a captain with AMR mentored her throughout her aviation career.
She is the first female Sikh pilot in the U.S. and the first Sikh pilot of any gender to wear a turban while flying on the flight deck. Arpinder is grateful to American Eagle/Envoy for evaluating her request and recognizing her religious right to wear a turban, or dastar (referred by the Sikhs).
In addition to being the first pilot to wear a turban, Arpinder says she feels a sense of responsibility. As a Sikh, she believes it is important to make other Sikhs realize that they can take on any challenge and hold any position in the world.
Regardless of gender roles, Arpinder teaches young girls how to pursue their dreams. “My main thing is to tell them, you are able to do what boys are able to do,” says Arpinder. “We have so many strengths. We’re capable of so many things. I tell them to pursue those dreams because you’re able to become what you want to become.”
You can achieve anything you set your mind to. Arpinder chooses to wear the “dastaar” as a female Sikh. She believes that her wearing a turban will not only influence the Sikh girls to take the career path of their wish but at the same time remember the sacrifice made by our Gurus and follow his teachings.