Gate Agent Denied Boarding for NonRev Women Wearing Leggings
#301
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, Marriott Gold, IHG Platinum, Raddison Platinum, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 5,257
I think this is a good lesson for UA and anyone. "Think before you speak!" Twitter can be a great tool to get information out to the public but it is just as easy to dig yourself into a hole. Sometimes I wonder if UA's twitter is just some guy tapping away on his phone versus having everything get checked
#302
Join Date: May 2006
Location: STL
Programs: UA Platinum, AA Platinum Pro, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,427
A lot of people raised the issue of the Dad wearing shorts. Well guess what women can wear shorts too.....so it's not like men are held to different standards.
The official policy (below) actually isn't gender specific...which gets into other issues which I won't bring into this.
The following attire is unacceptable in any cabin but is not limited to:
Any attire that reveals a midriff
Attire that reveals any type of undergarments
Attire that is designated as sleepwear, underwear or swim attire
Mini skirts
Shorts that are more than three inches above the knee when in a standing position
Form-fitting lycra/spandex tops, pants and dresses
Attire that has offensive and/or derogatory terminology or graphics
Attire that is excessively dirty or has holes/tears
Any attire that is provocative, inappropriately revealing, or see-through
Bare feet
Beach-type, rubber flip-flops
*It doesn't specifically say sweatpants but there is another list that says they aren't acceptable.
Fail to see how this is such a Puritanical policy that people are outraged over.
#303
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.99MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,571
There is a single unisex "pass rider" / "non-rev" dress
For UA's dress code
For DL's
for AA's
For SouthWest's
For UA's dress code
For DL's
for AA's
For SouthWest's
#304
Join Date: May 2014
Location: DMV
Posts: 2,092
I think this is a good lesson for UA and anyone. "Think before you speak!" Twitter can be a great tool to get information out to the public but it is just as easy to dig yourself into a hole. Sometimes I wonder if UA's twitter is just some guy tapping away on his phone versus having everything get checked
Companies often are too easily intimidated by a few very loud voices on outlets like Twitter.
#305
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,953
I think the big takeaway for UA here is to revise their policies on how to notify passengers that they are being denied boarding due to lack of adherence to the pass-riding dress code.
This whole thing could have been avoided had UA escorted the pass riders to a private area to explain to them why they were being denied boarding. The rules for non-rev flying are very different than revenue flying. I cannot believe it has taken until now for something like this to occur.
This whole thing could have been avoided had UA escorted the pass riders to a private area to explain to them why they were being denied boarding. The rules for non-rev flying are very different than revenue flying. I cannot believe it has taken until now for something like this to occur.
#306
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: none
Posts: 1,668
I think Twitter is a tool that's basically perfect for manipulation. A few hundred people on Twitter can shape a narrative which is then parroted by the news media. Most "outrages" on Twitter mean absolutely nothing to the vast majority of people. In fact, I doubt most people have even heard of this story.
Companies often are too easily intimidated by a few very loud voices on outlets like Twitter.
Companies often are too easily intimidated by a few very loud voices on outlets like Twitter.
BTW: Where IS Shannon Watts now that we need her? Has she posted a correction/clarification or made any retraction of her mistake?
Last edited by Allan38103; Mar 28, 2017 at 2:44 pm
#307
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: 6 year GS, now 2MM Jeff-ugee, *wood LTPlt, SkyPeso PLT
Posts: 6,526
UA doesn't allow stretchy pants.* So for men that would fall under sweatpants and leggings would be the female equivalent. So if UA deems that cotton stretchy pants are unacceptable to both sexes how is it biased?
....
The official policy (below) ...
Form-fitting lycra/spandex tops, pants and dresses
....
The official policy (below) ...
Form-fitting lycra/spandex tops, pants and dresses
That is not cotton stretchy pants or "sweatpants". Nor is it the "leggins" my 10 year old wears: http://athleta.gap.com/webcontent/00...cn12578506.jpg
Perhaps the young/teen pass-holders were wearing torn/ripped lycra that was very revealing, but it is hard for me to get worked up over "leggins" which is all that any of us know. And for United to make its stand for propriety at "leggings" was really stupid. @:-)
#308
Join Date: May 2006
Location: STL
Programs: UA Platinum, AA Platinum Pro, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 1,427
Not to pick on you, but you (and others) are making some big, big leaps. The policy bans "form-fitting lycra/spandex tops, pants and dresses"
That is not cotton stretchy pants or "sweatpants". Nor is it the "leggins" my 10 year old wears: http://athleta.gap.com/webcontent/00...cn12578506.jpg
Perhaps the young/teen pass-holders were wearing torn/ripped lycra that was very revealing, but it is hard for me to get worked up over "leggins" which is all that any of us know. And for United to make its stand for propriety at "leggings" was really stupid. @:-)
That is not cotton stretchy pants or "sweatpants". Nor is it the "leggins" my 10 year old wears: http://athleta.gap.com/webcontent/00...cn12578506.jpg
Perhaps the young/teen pass-holders were wearing torn/ripped lycra that was very revealing, but it is hard for me to get worked up over "leggins" which is all that any of us know. And for United to make its stand for propriety at "leggings" was really stupid. @:-)
-sweatpants or spandex-style pants
I was mainly trying to highlight the fact that I don't think the dresscode policy has an intentional bias or double standard as some have suggested.
#309
Join Date: May 2014
Location: DMV
Posts: 2,092
The yoga pants that have become very fashionable in yuppie circles are certainly very, very form-fitting and look like spandex to me. They are of course often intended to show off the athletic, trim physique of the wearer. I don't know if it can be considered appropriate attire. Would they let a male non-rev fly wearing bicycle shorts? Probably not.
#310
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
There is a single unisex "pass rider" / "non-rev" dress
For UA's dress code
For DL's
for AA's
For SouthWest's
For UA's dress code
For DL's
for AA's
For SouthWest's
But why are pass riders not allowed on flights to Cuba?
#311
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,664
It also leaves you at the mercy of the gate agent. As someone that does do this I would prefer UAL's iron fast verson over what the agent says goes approach.
#312
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 2,881
Delta bans non rev travel to Cuba because non rev travel is only for leisure, and tourism isn't an acceptable reason to travel to Cuba.
#313
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: HHonors Gold, Marriott Lifetime Gold, IHG Gold, OZ*G, AA Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 1,874
Well, United's policy still indicates that the agent has the final say. Just that there are more rules on top of "agent's discretion".
#314
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Tx
Programs: AA, UA, WN
Posts: 812
Not to pick on you, but you (and others) are making some big, big leaps. The policy bans "form-fitting lycra/spandex tops, pants and dresses"
That is not cotton stretchy pants or "sweatpants". Nor is it the "leggins" my 10 year old wears: http://athleta.gap.com/webcontent/00...cn12578506.jpg
Perhaps the young/teen pass-holders were wearing torn/ripped lycra that was very revealing, but it is hard for me to get worked up over "leggins" which is all that any of us know. And for United to make its stand for propriety at "leggings" was really stupid. @:-)
That is not cotton stretchy pants or "sweatpants". Nor is it the "leggins" my 10 year old wears: http://athleta.gap.com/webcontent/00...cn12578506.jpg
Perhaps the young/teen pass-holders were wearing torn/ripped lycra that was very revealing, but it is hard for me to get worked up over "leggins" which is all that any of us know. And for United to make its stand for propriety at "leggings" was really stupid. @:-)
Spandex, Lycra or elastane is a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity. It is stronger and more durable than natural rubber. It is a polyester-polyurethane copolymer that was invented in 1958 by chemist Joseph Shivers at DuPont's Benger Laboratory in Waynesboro, Virginia. (Spandex Wikipedia)
Modern leggings are typically made from a blend of lycra (also known as spandex), with cotton, polyester, or nylon, but can also be made from wool, silk, and other materials. Leggings are available in a multitude of colors and decorative designs. (leggings Wikipedia)
So unless you expect that the rules only apply to the called out name brands Lyrca/Spandex, sweatpants and leggings can be made of the those materials.....cheers.
#315
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,664
The people I talk with at UAL seem to have to play less dress code games then the rest of us. If UALs agents steer too far from the list they can get in truble, with everyone else it really is completely up to agents and you have no real ability to send internal complaints, which can quickly turn into a gotcha game to get onto the flight.