DL passenger denied boarding due to t-shirt design
#76
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oxford, Mississippi
Programs: Delta Silver thanks to Million Miles; Choice Plat., point scrounger everywhere
Posts: 1,595
Next time I fly I need to be sure to wear a shirt referencing "bombs" and "terrorists" so I can complain on flyertalk when I am denied boarding. What an idiot!
#77
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SYD (perenially), GVA (not in a long time)
Programs: QF PS, EK-Gold, Security Theatre Critic
Posts: 6,766
What seems to be missing in this discussion is an acknowledgment than anyone wearing a T-shirt with any words (or images creating a message) is seeking attention for that message. At a workshop on choosing clothes to suit your body type, a presenter described a young woman who had complained that people were always staring at her chest. She then showed a picture of this woman, wearing her typical outfit: a t-shirt with a colorful slogan prominently displayed across the bosom. The presenter's conclusion: if you put words there, people are going to look at it. If you wear a t-shirt with a slogan, you are asking people to read your message.
So of course he was wearing the t-shirt to attract attention and send a message. He was mocking the cowardice of the AFS crowd, and the absurd TSA response to it. (I love the eagle holding the shoes and the water bottle.) If you're going to protest such things, where else would you do it? (Yeah, sure, go to the grocery store or the library and take your stand about airport security. )
And seriously, DL and Buffalo PD, when you're panicking over something that even TSA didn't worry about, you need therapy.
#79
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 569
I worry about people who wear crosses and other religious symbols on planes.
To me, that indicates that they are only too willing and ready to die so that they can meet their deity. Thus, they may try to bring down the plane in flight, which isn't fair to those of us who have no deity to resurrect us after the plane crash.
I want all religious symbols banned from all flights. It's only reasonable.
People who openly wear religious symbols are just looking for attention, right?
To me, that indicates that they are only too willing and ready to die so that they can meet their deity. Thus, they may try to bring down the plane in flight, which isn't fair to those of us who have no deity to resurrect us after the plane crash.
I want all religious symbols banned from all flights. It's only reasonable.
People who openly wear religious symbols are just looking for attention, right?
#80
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: Delta TDK(or care)WIA, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,869
A is just doing B in order to C
It doesn't matter what "C" is, you can put anything in there you want. The point is that the statement is usually irrelevant. It usually doesn't matter why somebody does something; what matters is what they do and the effect it has.
He wore a shirt. The shirt had no capacity to harm the aircraft. Why he wore it is therefore irrelevant.
#81
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SEA - DL DM/2MM, *A Gold, SPG Lifetime Plat, some other car and hotel stuff
Posts: 5,649
A slippery slope in what way? Is there some grave risk in DL seeking to ensure the comfort of the majority of their passengers as opposed to the exceedingly limited minority out to make a nuisance of themselves? I've seen folks kicked out of bars for making an ... out of themselves and annoying those around them. They weren't a danger to anyone, just obnoxious. I suppose that is a slippery slope, too?
In this case, a pax was denied boarding b/c other pax were scared by his shirt. And oh, forgot to mention, his skin is brown.
Last October, I saw a skinhead strolling through SLC airport with a big ol' swastika tattoed into his skull. If he was on my flight (he wasn't), could I claim that I felt threatened and expect him to be pulled off? No... if I had such an issue, I should deplane myself, not the neo-Nazi.
Point is that I don't think Pax A should be denied boarding b/c other pax are made nervous by him, especially if it is due to his t-shirt.
#82
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,426
"....Delta may refuse to transport any passenger, or may remove any passenger from its aircraft, when refusal to transport or removal of the passenger is reasonably necessary in Delta’s sole discretion for the passenger’s comfort or safety, for the comfort or safety of other passengers or Delta employees, or for the prevention of damage to the property of Delta or its passengers or employees.
#83
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
Taken from Domestic Contract of Carriage, Rule 35 Refusal to Transport, paragraph F:
"....Delta may refuse to transport any passenger, or may remove any passenger from its aircraft, when refusal to transport or removal of the passenger is reasonably necessary in Delta’s sole discretion for the passenger’s comfort or safety, for the comfort or safety of other passengers or Delta employees, or for the prevention of damage to the property of Delta or its passengers or employees.
"....Delta may refuse to transport any passenger, or may remove any passenger from its aircraft, when refusal to transport or removal of the passenger is reasonably necessary in Delta’s sole discretion for the passenger’s comfort or safety, for the comfort or safety of other passengers or Delta employees, or for the prevention of damage to the property of Delta or its passengers or employees.
#84
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: Delta TDK(or care)WIA, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,869
Taken from Domestic Contract of Carriage, Rule 35 Refusal to Transport, paragraph F:
"....Delta may refuse to transport any passenger, or may remove any passenger from its aircraft, when refusal to transport or removal of the passenger is reasonably necessary in Delta’s sole discretion for the passenger’s comfort or safety, for the comfort or safety of other passengers or Delta employees, or for the prevention of damage to the property of Delta or its passengers or employees.
"....Delta may refuse to transport any passenger, or may remove any passenger from its aircraft, when refusal to transport or removal of the passenger is reasonably necessary in Delta’s sole discretion for the passenger’s comfort or safety, for the comfort or safety of other passengers or Delta employees, or for the prevention of damage to the property of Delta or its passengers or employees.
#85
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: DL DM+(segs)/MM, UA Ag, Hilton DM, Marriott Ti (life Pt), TSA Opt-out Platinum
Posts: 3,221
I do feel sorry for this guy. He and I at least share one thing in common: We opt out every time. Kudos to him for not being a sheep.
I was on a flight from ATL -> BHM last night. I watched a lady board wearing a shirt that said: "I am the bomb" and featured a picture of a cartoon bomb (although not the Angry Bird's domb)... I was actually surprised when we didn't take a security theater delay...
I was on a flight from ATL -> BHM last night. I watched a lady board wearing a shirt that said: "I am the bomb" and featured a picture of a cartoon bomb (although not the Angry Bird's domb)... I was actually surprised when we didn't take a security theater delay...
#86
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 18
Everyone keeps saying the other passengers were afraid because of the guys shirt. I doubt many people read his shirt, but I'm sure his interaction with DL, TSA, and the police force were noticed by everyone in the area. With constant PA announcements about reporting any unusual or suspicious activities to the nearest security officer, is it a wonder travelers feel uncomfortable when they see someone questioned by 3 different authority groups?
Personally, I think he comes across as condescending and entitled in his blog, and that was from his point of view. The t shirt, in my opinion, was the catalyst, but the issue that prevented him from boarding was his attitude.
Personally, I think he comes across as condescending and entitled in his blog, and that was from his point of view. The t shirt, in my opinion, was the catalyst, but the issue that prevented him from boarding was his attitude.
#87
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: Delta TDK(or care)WIA, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,869
Everyone keeps saying the other passengers were afraid because of the guys shirt. I doubt many people read his shirt, but I'm sure his interaction with DL, TSA, and the police force were noticed by everyone in the area. With constant PA announcements about reporting any unusual or suspicious activities to the nearest security officer, is it a wonder travelers feel uncomfortable when they see someone questioned by 3 different authority groups?
Personally, I think he comes across as condescending and entitled in his blog, and that was from his point of view. The t shirt, in my opinion, was the catalyst, but the issue that prevented him from boarding was his attitude.
Personally, I think he comes across as condescending and entitled in his blog, and that was from his point of view. The t shirt, in my opinion, was the catalyst, but the issue that prevented him from boarding was his attitude.
Your saying he comes across as condescending and entitled tells us how you feel, but doesn't give us any real information. What is it in his blog that leads you to believe he comes across as condescending and entitled?
In addition, why should feeling condescending and entitled keep him from boarding?
In what way did his attitude keep him from boarding? What attitude should he exhibit, to meet your approval?
#88
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,621
I didn't read the article. I looked at the shirt and that was enough for me. If airlines let people wear t shirts on planes that say "bombs" "terrists" "gonna kill us all" then why not let people through security and on planes who are just ranting "bombs, terrists, gonna kill us all." No way people wearing or saying these things should be allowed to fly.
Imagine the lawsuits if they let one of these knuckleheads fly and then he actually did blow up the plane.
Imagine the lawsuits if they let one of these knuckleheads fly and then he actually did blow up the plane.
#89
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: Delta TDK(or care)WIA, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,869
I didn't read the article. I looked at the shirt and that was enough for me. If airlines let people wear t shirts on planes that say "bombs" "terrists" "gonna kill us all" then why not let people through security and on planes who are just ranting "bombs, terrists, gonna kill us all." No way people wearing or saying these things should be allowed to fly.
Imagine the lawsuits if they let one of these knuckleheads fly and then he actually did blow up the plane.
Imagine the lawsuits if they let one of these knuckleheads fly and then he actually did blow up the plane.
#90
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,990
I didn't read the article. I looked at the shirt and that was enough for me. If airlines let people wear t shirts on planes that say "bombs" "terrists" "gonna kill us all" then why not let people through security and on planes who are just ranting "bombs, terrists, gonna kill us all." No way people wearing or saying these things should be allowed to fly.
Imagine the lawsuits if they let one of these knuckleheads fly and then he actually did blow up the plane.
Imagine the lawsuits if they let one of these knuckleheads fly and then he actually did blow up the plane.
But they did let him fly the next day. He was just put through the wringer because of his beliefs, expressed via a clever t-shirt.
Should have read the article.