Sunday’s social-media outrage of the day is directed at United Airlines for forcing a group of female passengers, who were reportedly wearing leggings, to change their attire before being allowed to board a flight. But it turns out the passengers were not paying customers of the airline and were flying for free as part of the airline’s employee and family program, and that’s the dress code that was violated:
@PattyArquette Patricia, as stated, these were United representatives. We hold our employees to the highest of standards. ^FS
— United (@united) March 26, 2017
The incident was first reported by anti-gun crusader Shannon Watts:
1) A @united gate agent isn't letting girls in leggings get on flight from Denver to Minneapolis because spandex is not allowed?
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 26, 2017
2) She's forcing them to change or put dresses on over leggings or they can't board. Since when does @united police women's clothing?
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 26, 2017
3) Gate agent for flt 215 at 7:55. Said she doesn't make the rules, just follows them. I guess @united not letting women wear athletic wear?
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 26, 2017
Other feminists quickly jumped on United as well:
The idea that wearing yoga pants is "not properly clothed" is sexist BS @united. Don't defend gate agents who play modesty police. https://t.co/nz0gzcgY5m
— Jill Filipovic (@JillFilipovic) March 26, 2017
Next week I'm booking a month of travel. Good job @united, because of this story (& because I fly in leggings) it'll be 100% on @Delta. https://t.co/G7UDEHw2CW
— Jill Filipovic (@JillFilipovic) March 26, 2017
As did the media:
United Airlines bars two girls from flight because they were wearing leggings https://t.co/BbCq0GOVGb
— Washington Post (@washingtonpost) March 26, 2017
But as we said earlier, the passengers didn’t meet the airline’s dress code for those flying for free as a family member of an employee:
@scotia626 The customer this morning was a United pass traveler who was denied boarding this morning because her (1/2)
— United (@united) March 26, 2017
@scotia626 attire didn’t meet the United pass travel clothing requirements. We value your concern. ^FS (2/2)
— United (@united) March 26, 2017
@PattyArquette Casual attire is allowed as long as it looks neat and is in good taste for the local environment. (1/2)
— United (@united) March 26, 2017
@PattyArquette The attire of the pass traveler did not meet our rules. ^FS (2/2)
— United (@united) March 26, 2017
Game over, United wins.
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