United Airlines won’t be living this down for a while.
Over the weekend, UA caused quite a bit of controversy when they refused to let two girls board their flight from Denver to Minneapolis because they were wearing… leggings. Excuse us????
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Thankfully, another passenger, activist Shannon Watts, documented the situation on Twitter. She wrote:
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
That’s just not okay. However, as the incident has now gone viral, the airline has since revealed that the teens were flying using an “employee travel pass,” which enforces a specific dress code.
A spokesperson for the airline explained:
“When taking advantage of this benefit, all employees and pass riders are considered representatives of United. And like most companies, we have a dress code that we ask employees and pass riders to follow. The passengers this morning were United pass riders and not in compliance with our dress code for company benefit travel. We regularly remind our employees that when they place a family member or friend on a flight for free as a standby passenger, they need to follow our dress code.”
Huh. The airline also noted:
“…to our regular customers, your leggings are welcome.”
While this explanation does makes sense, Miz Watts called out the defense for being sexist as she clapped back :
.@tebfunk United has said that. Why does that make it ok to prevent three girls in leggings to fly, but let their dad on wearing shorts?
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 27, 2017
And it appears as though Shannon isn’t alone in her stance as Chrissy Teigen, Patricia Arquette, Sarah Silverman, and countless others have weighed in on the controversy. Be sure to ch-ch-check out their reactions on the drama for yourself (below)!
I have flown united before with literally no pants on. Just a top as a dress. Next time I will wear only jeans and a scarf.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) March 26, 2017
Meanwhile someone at the daily mail had to google stock photos of “10 year old in leggings” that’s prob the real crime pic.twitter.com/jkn9zKKzbR
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) March 26, 2017
@united Do U understand U have just made at least half UR customers very unhappy?
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) March 26, 2017
@jakeops02 @washingtonpost leggings are business wear for 10 year olds.
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) March 26, 2017
Turns out United bans leggings, torn jeans, and shorter shorts for free employee pass tickets. Still @united should update policy.
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) March 26, 2017
Hey @united I fly a LOT. About to go on tour all April and changing all my @united flights to other airlines
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) March 26, 2017
I understand. I suggest u consider updating ur rules 4 friends & fam as they seem to apply mostly 2 females & are outdated. https://t.co/41chqN32Q0
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) March 26, 2017
Understandable. It’s just that saying a dad in cargo shorts is more appropriate than a 10 y/o girl in leggings is weird maybe rethink https://t.co/U1xzH5P6Ar
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) March 27, 2017
Whoever runs @united‘s Twitter today is working overtime, because United is a shitty airline with shitty policies. https://t.co/zT1RDUhr1R
— Wil Wheaton (@wilw) March 26, 2017
Fact: I once took a @united flight with my penis FULLY EXPOSED and had NO PROBLEMS #Misogyny
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) March 26, 2017
├░┼╕╦£┬▒├░┼╕ΓÇÿΓÇí├░┼╕┬Å┬╗I’m going to start wearing leggings! Is that against the rules? ├░┼╕┬ñΓÇ¥#outdatedfashion #outdatedrules https://t.co/V5LnwDwygY
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 26, 2017
But it wasn’t just celebrities who chimed in as several people DRAGGED the airline over the drama (below).
ATTENTION TRAVELERS here is United Airlines new dress code for women pic.twitter.com/7t1M0pbY6F
— psedoali (@psedoali) March 26, 2017
I’m actually flying United Airlines this afternoon. I will be wearing leggings in protest. @united your staff needs training
— Dwayne Benjamin (@dwaynebenji) March 26, 2017
Hey United Airlines, we’ll take your 1960s dress code seriously when you stop charging $15 for a sandwich that tastes like regret.
— Thistallawkwardgirl (@thistallawkgirl) March 26, 2017
Oh, the shade!
What do YOU think? Was United Airlines in the wrong??
SOUND OFF in the comments (below)!
[Image via Instagram/WENN.]
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