Originally Posted by
Tizzette
OP makes the point that UA staff did notice it and intended to do nothing until he insisted. That's just not right. This is one of many reported instances of FAs and GAs avoiding confronting an unpleasant issue. They do have the power but choose to avoid confrontation, ignoring the problem and taking the easy way out. It isn't right when the passenger has to wear the bad guy hat to make them do the right thing. Otherwise, it's SOP...just doing their job as is easiest for them.
The OP never said that the UA gate clerk checked the man's pants. He said the agent made a face. Yeah, the guy probably stinked, but for all the agent knew, it was a nasty fart. And what would the uproar be here for not allowing boarding because people or their food smelled??
And since the man was taken off, the steward obviously did do something. He probably couldn't deplane the person in the middle of boarding. Do you want to brush up against soiled pants as you're boarding and he's exiting?