Does JetBlue’s Cover-Up Request Constitute a Judgment Flaw?
Jackie Reddy June 02, 2016
The fact that Maggie McMuffin was asked to cover up before boarding her flight smacks of a double standard, says Salon’s Rachel Kramer Bussel.
The controversy over one woman’s shorts continues, with website Salon intimating in an article on Wednesday that JetBlue’s request that Maggie McMuffin cover up prior to boarding a Seattle-bound flight from Boston constituted a judgment flaw.
To recap, McMuffin was on the second leg of her journey to Seattle via Boston last month when she was told to cover up. McMuffin had just flown from New York to Boston without issue wearing the same pair of shorts, knee-high socks and a sweater.
She complied but spoke out about the incident, expressing her anger at the request, which had been issued by the flight’s pilot. McMuffin also claimed that she was denied boarding in her original outfit.
However, JetBlue defended its decision, countering McMuffin’s claim.
The Burlesque dancer spoke to Salon’s Rachel Kramer Bussel, saying, “I don’t know why they’re saying they didn’t deny me boarding; it was pretty clear that they wouldn’t let me on the plane unless I went and did something.”
Kramer explains that the carrier’s actions weren’t illegal, but asks, “Why did JetBlue deem themselves fit to tell [McMuffin] she had to change, especially since … no customers were complaining?”
“By … deciding to play clothing morality police, JetBlue actually did a disservice … to their customers,” Kramer argues.
Kramer spoke to Jo Weldon, author of The Burlesque Handbook and headmistress of the New York School of Burlesque, who said, “I think ‘appropriate’ in this case sounds like an excuse for the flight crew’s discomfort with a woman who is comfortable enough in her body to wear revealing clothes.”
Kramer says that, “What absolutely doesn’t make any kind of sense is that McMuffin was allowed to fly from New York to Boston on JetBlue without an issue but the same airline, based on the whims of a new pilot and crew, suddenly found her outfit too scandalous for the precious eyes of her next round of seatmates.”
However, McMuffin herself put the problem succinctly, saying, “I think if JetBlue is going to have policies like this, they have to be clear, straightforward policies; they can’t be subjective on the part of employees.”
[Photo: Facebook]
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trm2. I agree with you. We all like different styles/clothes.Old/young. Different countries. I once flow with just small sandels on me feet. Security did ask me "if that was the only thing I had on my feet"? the then told me it was not worth time or reason to either take them of. So no security issues there. No matter how old we are we have all been young. I have no probelms how people fress. I might not like cause it is not what I would wear. But that is a "fashion" statement..
They absolutely should have called the (fashion) police on her!
I have seen girls wearing WAY less than that on flights before. Same or shorter and tighter shorts, plus MUCH more revealing tops. While I would never personally dress like that, I don't see why she was singled out over others who dress even more inappropriately. Dianne47-a safety issue? Really? Then how about people who wear flip flops? Should we prevent them from getting on the plane, too? Or people in high heels? While I agree gym shoes, boots, just about anything besides flip flops/heels would be safer in an emergency evacuation, the reality is there are no restrictions or guidelines on footwear. So the safety claim is quite bogus.
Wondering if she was wearing a head scarf what would be their comments... too much covering?
I do think is really weird/strange. I dont like to sit next to a meat eater. Why? I am a veg. Not smokers either. That is a lot I dont like. But I do accept that not everybody is like me. So when I travel I do the best I can. I dont think this lady was dressed trashy at all. I dont like sweatpants or turtle necks either. Would I complain. NO AND NO. So I do think we just have to accept and respect we are all different. And as long it does not HURT us. Just move on.