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United Airlines bars girls with leggings, igniting Twitter storm

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I've always had to wear a nice shirt, coat and slacks when flying on a buddy-pass. If I showed up wearing sweats, I wouldn't expect to fly. When flying that way, I'm a rep of the airline for the price of a free flight.

If I want to wear jeans or shorts on a flight there's a way to do that too - BUY A TICKET.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Just shows how ridiculous Twitter is. some random bystander tweets based on limited information and sets of a storm of outrage. and UA has to explain itself to who? A bunch of faux outraged Twitter users...... the sooner Twitter disappears the better for all of us.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Simple, people in Power will Abuse it, however: If you wanna' fly FREE, Follow the Rules....or don't GO.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I fly from North America to Japan in first class for about US$65.00, round trip. I am not allowed to wear jeans, or a t-shirt for said privilege. My wife (who actually works for an airline) has stressed to me over and over that it is a privilege that can easily be taken away because of said rules. Does it bother me that I have to dress a little nicer for the flight, foregoing comfort pants and sandals? Yes, indeed, but not enough to refuse to do it. These girls (or rather their parents) should have known their leggings wouldn't fly, and had them dress appropriately for the privilege. If I am going to be riding the friendly skies on my wife's company's dime, then I will certainly do my best to represent. This gun-totting ninny should just watch what she tweets and get the whole story before blowing something like this out of proportion. Unfortunately, people like her like to scream bloody fire in the movie theatre, and the media tend to love an easy target (i.e. the airlines). The fact is, flying used to be special. But with the common folk able to afford airfare these days to just about any destination, the class has dropped out the bottom. They should just go ahead and call coach "Low Class" because that is what it has become.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Their application of the rules seems a little heavy handed, but reading this:

Later, it clarified that the girls prevented from boarding were “pass riders”—those who fly free or at heavily reduced rates because they are airline employees or their relatives.

I do understand where they are coming from. These people to some degree are representative of the airline, since the airline is letting them on as guests.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

presto345 - You forgot to mention flying for free "and representing the company".

Are you allowed to dress in shorts and a tee shirt at your job?

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Airline passes generally require business casual attire. Not that long ago they required formal attire was the norm. Best case for the employee that provided the pass is they lose pass privileges. However, I wouldn't be surprised if United terminates the employee after this blows over. You don't make a big stink over things when you're flying for free and someone else has vouched for you.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Well any publicity is good publicity, or so they say.

Perso I have no issue with a 10yo wearing leggings, ugg boots or whichever casual clothes she fancies, on a plane, freebie or not. Different story for a non paying adult though.

In my experience, most ppl who think wearing leggings as pants is immodest and inappropriate were women. Why do they think that? Mix of reasons i.e perhaps overly prudish and conservative, as well as jealous (don't want 'their' man to see that) and a tad insecure (for some).

I can see where they are coming from (see thru leggings or nothing on is pretty much the same) but I have to say I do NOT mind them at all!

2 ( +2 / -0 )

One of the girl is wearing a pink leggings just below past the knees. Not inappropriate at all, but as a pass riders they broke the rules.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

presto345 - the 2 girls in question were aware of the rules. They changed on got on with their lives. Unfortunately SJWs on Twitter have no lives and decided to be offended. Again.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

"I paid my money so therefore I'm absolved of any and all social graces expected"

If I had a nickel for every similar comment I've read regarding this story, I'd be a very rich man. It also explains how badly the culture has deteriorated.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Just shows how ridiculous Twitter is. some random bystander tweets based on limited information and sets of a storm of outrage. and UA has to explain itself to who? A bunch of faux outraged Twitter users...... the sooner Twitter disappears the better for all of us.

Twitter itself has nothing to do with that, the many morons who use it as a mean to share trivial info/pov do. Many use it to follow news accounts, journos, politicians etc and it's actually a great way to follow ppl/news you trust/have filtered. I have a twitter account yet would never have heard about this story if I hadn't read JT, a site you wakarimasen deem worthy of reading/your precious time.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Flying back and fourth from the US to Japan, I always wear nice jeans and a nice shirt and a sweater or sweatshirt, nothing raggy looking. After take-off my wife and I will put sweatpants on and change back before landing. I don't have a problem with this as 1. I can't sleep too well while traveling, and 2. they've made the seats so uncomfortable.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Cotton slacks and a polo/button up shirt, jeans are too uncomfortable(for me) for longterm sitting.

Smart casual is the best, IMHO.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

If you are flying with a ticket largely sponsored by the airline, then the airline makes and can enforce the dress code

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Presto 345

First of all, I am not in the habit of dressing in shorts and T-shirts when at work, although I am self employed. So that is now clear. I still cannot see the reason for the airline maintaining a double standard. If they are so worried about the 'dress code' they should encourage everyone on board to observe it so no one would be offended as I presume is the purpose of the rules.

I don't see anything wrong with companies having strict regulations about dresscodes. They have to serve everyone and not all customers are open minded like you, many are also conservative types. I understand that United Airlines has to balance and be neutral to serve everyone and having a safe clothing that can be acceptable for everyone is the best approach. These passengers were flying for FREE and these regulations are written on the conditions, how hard it is to just adjust tot heir rules since the company is saving them thousands of dollars. The airline company was actually too nice to ask them just to change and will still be admitted in the plane.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

So girls can't wear fashionable leggings, but people can wear shorts with ugly tattoos all over their legs, lol.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

They were 10 years old... just saying.

and...?

0 ( +5 / -5 )

I'll never understand those who say they need to wear sometimes embarrassing clothing so that they can "fly in comfort". I never understand how sitting down for hours at a time in a plush chair is causing such hardship.

I fairly often fly 12 hours straight to North America and have not once squirmed to get out of my regular clothing.

Lets face it. People simply have no shame in their appearance anymore and don't care.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

It's great that society has advanced to this point, where people can feel free to be relaxed, rather than live up to some arbitrary expectation that serves no particular use.

Not even gonna comment on that. Just gonna leave it up there for people to read again.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

presto345 - So if you are flying for free you need to pass the vice squad exam. If you pay you don't?

They/you can chose to pay full price for a ticket, or find a discounted ticket. Airlines still sell tickets at the airport.

However, as “pass riders” - those who fly free or at heavily reduced rates because they are airline employees or their relatives - you are asked to dress appropriately as part of the deal.

Your choice.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

presto345 - You forgot to mention flying for free "and representing the company". Are you allowed to dress in shorts and a tee shirt at your job?

First of all, I am not in the habit of dressing in shorts and T-shirts when at work, although I am self employed. So that is now clear. I still cannot see the reason for the airline maintaining a double standard. If they are so worried about the 'dress code' they should encourage everyone on board to observe it so no one would be offended as I presume is the purpose of the rules.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

So if you are flying for free you need to pass the vice squad exam. If you pay you don't?

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Its good to see that 10 yo girls represent the company as uuuummmm? SO its really crucial that they exude the corporate image, then maybe they should have dress as dominatrices and bossed all the passengers around like they all do and made flying even worse than it has already become.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

presto345 - the 2 girls in question were aware of the rules. They changed on got on with their lives. Unfortunately SJWs on Twitter have no lives and decided to be offended. Again.

They were 10 years old... just saying.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

If you are going first class or on a premium cabin, especially asking for upgrades, there is an argument for dressing the part. But flying is a completely different mode of transportation then fifty years ago. Airplanes weren’t sleeping quarters, but rather they were restaurants, social clubs, and cigar bars. if you can afford to buy the ticket, no one should be telling you what you can and cannot wear, so long as you are sufficiently covered, not smelly, etc. If the girls didn't pay they don't need to abide by that rule of thumb. On a long or ultra long haul, which no one used to do, yes I will dress for comfort.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

If you are going first class or on a premium cabin, especially asking for upgrades, there is an argument for dressing the part.

I love showing up in shorts and a t-shirt when flying first class. I paid the same fares as everyone else.

That said, I rarely fly first class. As much as I love it, I still have a hard time justifying the additional expense just to arrive at the same time as everyone else.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Smart casual is the best, IMHO.

Casual is smart!

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

If you are going first class or on a premium cabin, especially asking for upgrades, there is an argument for dressing the part.

I love showing up in shorts and a t-shirt when flying first class. I paid the same fares as everyone else.

That said, I rarely fly first class. As much as I love it, I still have a hard time justifying the additional expense just to arrive at the same time as everyone else.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

People can expect all the social graces they want. If they pay my ticket, I'll be happy to meet their expectations. Until then, I'll meet my own.

It's great that society has advanced to this point, where people can feel free to be relaxed, rather than live up to some arbitrary expectation that serves no particular use.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

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