T-shirt on a UA flight yesterday
Jan 29, 2019, 8:47 am
#181
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: New Jersey
Programs: AeroMexico Club Premiere
Posts: 254
I think that it is the common used "can't yell fire in a crowded theatre" that confuses people to think they can say anything else they want in a place of business without repercussion. It frustrates me (same way to people claiming being videoed in a public space is a "violation" of their rights annoys me).
Jan 29, 2019, 8:47 am
#182
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: KEWR
Programs: Marriott Platinum
Posts: 794
I just don’t understand why airline personnel would get worked up over how someone is dressed. If they agree to cover up, what happens after departure? Say right after wheels up they change back into WHATEVER they were wearing (T-shirt, mini skirt, etc). Are they going to divert the plane because of it? If not, then don’t bother with it preflight.
However, the gross reality of today’s times is every day some passenger disturbance makes the news on an aircraft somewhere in the world. I do agree that the airlines share in the responsibility in making the travel experience miserable. Many people are upset/nervous before they even step on the plane. However we are all adults and responsible for our actions. We are all accountable - CREWMEMBERS INCLUDED.
Whether you agree or not, if there is an issue with the shirt causing a disturbance with other passengers before push, I do have to deal with it. Simply put, half way across the Atlantic Ocean at 30 West is no place to handle an escalating passenger dispute that should have been addressed back on the ground.
Last edited by clubord; Jan 29, 2019 at 8:53 am
Jan 29, 2019, 8:52 am
#183
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 72
"I asked Alexa, to list all the things wrong with United. She hasn't stopped talking for 3 days!"
Of course many will recognize that I substituted "things wrong with United" for "lies told by..." that's the real Alexa joke circulating. And the ironic part is in the real joke there's a word between "stopped" and "talking" that ties back to the t-shirt's "alleged" profanity-- only the joke doesn't use "effing".
Jan 29, 2019, 8:58 am
#184
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Seattle, WA & Bali
Posts: 18
What most people fail to realize, it seems from the comments, is that your seat is United's place of business. Many businesses set rules about entering their place of business. It would be very poor business of United to make a big deal out of the random person wearing such a shirt, but if it became common, it would be very reasonable of United to set a rule prohibiting such types of messages on visible shirts, and then enforcing such rule.. Frankly, I consider wearing such a shirt while flying United to be very rude and inconsiderate, something nobody else seems to have focused on. How many of you would enter and eat in a restaurant with a shirt saying saying the food here sucks? And would you be surprised if you were asked to leave? After all is said, United should offer better wifi service. But my experience with United is they will offer compensation whenever things don't work, especially if they were a paid service.
Jan 29, 2019, 9:03 am
#185
Join Date: Sep 2004
Programs: USAir
Posts: 429
Not on one of my flights, but I had a co-worker who encountered this, and his FA's seriously contemplated saying something about needed to change the t-shirts, but in the end, did not. Personally, if I encountered this, I'm not sure what I would do, but I would probably be inclined ask them to change shirts/cover them up.
Have you considered relocating to Russia or at least reading the USA Constitution? We the People decided that unlike elsewhere we shall have freedom of speech.
Jan 29, 2019, 9:11 am
#186
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 73
Jan 29, 2019, 9:12 am
#187
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 72
Ok, so dipping my toe in the water on this thread, one last time. I actually brought this up with a few crew members. They made an interesting point. The feedback was that some of the crew, but not all would be inclined to ask that the t-shirts be covered up, as it could cause passenger distress. This may sound trite, but this was the perspective a few shared:
Not everyone travels as frequently as those who post on FT do. Most understand that working WIFI is NOT critical to the safe operation of an airliner. However, many are scared to fly, or don't do it very often, and as a result, may see a t-shirt like this, and think their safety is at risk. The idea of, "well if United can't fix it's WIFI, what else can't they fix" also may enter someones mind. I realize some of you may laugh at this,
(quote reduced to save space) "Yawn" added for effect.
Wishing you all safe travels.
Not everyone travels as frequently as those who post on FT do. Most understand that working WIFI is NOT critical to the safe operation of an airliner. However, many are scared to fly, or don't do it very often, and as a result, may see a t-shirt like this, and think their safety is at risk. The idea of, "well if United can't fix it's WIFI, what else can't they fix" also may enter someones mind. I realize some of you may laugh at this,
(quote reduced to save space) "Yawn" added for effect.
Wishing you all safe travels.
I'm wondering if some of those worried FA's in your poll work part-time as assistant managers in my local BoA (Bank of Aggrevation aka Bank of America) branch, where typically there will be one teller and a line literally out the door! As a customer of the bank 37 years, I tend to ask out loud across the room if any of the four people sitting at a desk has a cash drawer so they can come help since they aren't serving customers. When the "manager in charge" comes over, I never yell, but I speak loud enough so everyone else in line can hear the conversation, since it impacts them too; usually a few will join in. On two separate occasions the manger cautioned me not to speak loudly-- for fear that in today's world, one of the customers might have a gun and pull it out and start shooting.
I kid you not! That's why you can't complain out loud in BoA about their poor staffing, while over United, it's because a T-shirt may cause a distressed passenger to have a melt down.
Jan 29, 2019, 9:13 am
#188
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,581
What most people fail to realize, it seems from the comments, is that your seat is United's place of business. Many businesses set rules about entering their place of business. It would be very poor business of United to make a big deal out of the random person wearing such a shirt, but if it became common, it would be very reasonable of United to set a rule prohibiting such types of messages on visible shirts, and then enforcing such rule..
Jan 29, 2019, 9:21 am
#189
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 73
The fact that others are "uncomfortable" does not necessarily mean that you've done something wrong. Soooo many snowflakes . . .
Jan 29, 2019, 9:22 am
#190
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 15
How about a t-shirt that says
#UnitedWifiBad
Only. Works. Occasionally.
#UnitedWifiBad
Only. Works. Occasionally.
Jan 29, 2019, 9:25 am
#191
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 72
Guess I'm getting old, we can disagree, which is fine.
That said, and given your name, could you walk into the MGM with a shirt the says "MGM slots effing suck" and not be asked to leave or change the shirt? You will be fine for a while, but at some point someone will remove you. Right or wrong, you are not welcome at the MGM in my example. It's disruptive to the other guests at the casino if they are sober enough to realize what your shirt says.
My local Sprouts location is awesome but sucks at having enough checkout locations open. Not the person's fault that I eventually get to in the checkout line, but I don't think it would be taken kindly if every time I visited I wore a shirt that was harsh toward the store.
That said, and given your name, could you walk into the MGM with a shirt the says "MGM slots effing suck" and not be asked to leave or change the shirt? You will be fine for a while, but at some point someone will remove you. Right or wrong, you are not welcome at the MGM in my example. It's disruptive to the other guests at the casino if they are sober enough to realize what your shirt says.
My local Sprouts location is awesome but sucks at having enough checkout locations open. Not the person's fault that I eventually get to in the checkout line, but I don't think it would be taken kindly if every time I visited I wore a shirt that was harsh toward the store.
Three times I visited The Isle Casino in South Florida while wearing T-shirts from a major competitor. Honestly, each visit was NOT planned, as The Isle isn't close by. So mine wasn't a protest. But each time as I walked to the entrance I kind of rolled my eyes and realized it wasn't the best shirt to be wearing.
To add to this, I am acquaintances with a casino manager there, who found me each visit. I joking would take my hand and cover the competitor logo.
The third time this happened, he came back with a very expensive Polo shirt with The Isle logo embroidered. He said: "Here. Put this on and it's yours. And just promise not to wear the others any more ." It wasn't stern, threatening or a last step before eviction. He was joking about it, and I did wear it.
I'm sure those at MGM would just go about their day as long as the T-shirt person was feeding the machines, as should the FA's without emotional distress.
Jan 29, 2019, 9:32 am
#192
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: EAU
Programs: UA 1K, CO Plat, NW Plat, Marriott Premiere Plat, SPG Plat, Priority Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,712
Another reminder that we never decided that people can come to your business and say whatever they want.
Jan 29, 2019, 9:35 am
#193
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bellingham/Gainesville
Programs: UA-G MM, Priority Club Platinum, Avis First, Hertz 5*, Red Lion
Posts: 2,808
Thinking that XYZ company or any individual is so important, even a 1K or GS member, makes it ok to suffer abuse is wrong. I'm in sales, and intimately familiar with every single client. When they start treating my staff horrible, they are shown the door. As a vendor to others I've fired 3 clients over the years, and all 3 were top 5 clients. All 3 became good friends after I stood my ground and came running back, thankfully not treating my staff with daily foul language. I did nothing different, other than not tolerate the abuse they were giving. I've always been clear that my company isn't perfect, nobody is. However, we try hard and go the extra mile more often than not. I will not tolerate daily abuse that puts my team in a position that they update their resume to avoid a prick client.
I do $5 Million a year in my territory, and have fired 3 (as said above) clients that each exceeded $250K (all very profitable by the way) , do you really think UA cares about some 1K or GS?
So I'm with 757FO on this, he/she has been open and honest, even conflicted in what to do in some responses. Sounds like a pilot that is welcome in my home anytime.
I do $5 Million a year in my territory, and have fired 3 (as said above) clients that each exceeded $250K (all very profitable by the way) , do you really think UA cares about some 1K or GS?
So I'm with 757FO on this, he/she has been open and honest, even conflicted in what to do in some responses. Sounds like a pilot that is welcome in my home anytime.
Jan 29, 2019, 9:43 am
#195
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Bellingham/Gainesville
Programs: UA-G MM, Priority Club Platinum, Avis First, Hertz 5*, Red Lion
Posts: 2,808
