People Are Freaking Out About What United Airlines Just ‘Banned’ On Flights
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1) A @united gate agent isn’t letting girls in leggings get on flight from Denver to Minneapolis because spandex is not allowed?
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 26, 2017
2) She’s forcing them to change or put dresses on over leggings or they can’t board. Since when does @united police women’s clothing?
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 26, 2017
3) Gate agent for flt 215 at 7:55. Said she doesn’t make the rules, just follows them. I guess @united not letting women wear athletic wear?
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 26, 2017
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Her coverage sparked a series of reactions on social media—some condemning the decision made by the United gate agent, and others supporting it:
.@shannonrwatts is spot on here. Far too many are missing the point that the “dress code” is vague and has discriminatory effect re: gender.
— Omar Moore (@popcornreel) March 27, 2017
@united Leggings are business attire for 10 year olds. Their business is being children.
— Patricia Arquette (@PattyArquette) March 26, 2017
I have flown united before with literally no pants on. Just a top as a dress. Next time I will wear only jeans and a scarf.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) March 26, 2017
@wloverude @united Men are required to wear collared shirts and dress pants, is that shameful? I like the airline think leggings are tacky.
— Alex F. (@x2ohseven) March 27, 2017
I flew @united non-rev for 1 yr, I was not allowed on board in Hawaii wearing flip flops. Flying FOR FREE is a privilege, I put shoes on.
— Shauna (@Shaunasontwitt) March 26, 2017
United confirmed to the The New York Times that two teenage girls were told they could not board the flight. But they clarified in a statement that for most passengers, “Your leggings are welcome!” The girls in question were “pass riders,” family members of United employees who were flying for free. “When taking advantage of this benefit, all employees and pass riders are considered representatives of United. And like most companies, we have a dress code that we ask employees and pass riders to follow,” the statement said.
News stressing you out? Try this yoga pose to help you relax:
According to information listed by FlyZED.info, a travel information website, the dress code for pass riders on United Airlines prohibits “form-fitting lycra/spandex tops, pants and dresses.” The list also bans items such as clothing that reveals the midriff or undergarments, clothing with offensive or derogatory graphics or language, and mini-skirts. According to United’s Contract of Carriage, United crew is allowed to remove a passenger from an airplane if the passenger is “barefoot or improperly clothed.”
This isn’t the first time spandex has gotten a bad rap: A lawmaker in Montana tried to make yoga pants illegal in 2015. Teens at a Massachusetts high school in 2015 planned to protest the school’s ban on leggings and yoga pants unless worn under a dress or skirt, according to Good Morning America. And in 2016, a North Carolina school board considered banning skinny jeans and other tight styles of pants, according to the New York Post. The policy was proposed after some “bigger girls” were teased for their tight clothing, said a school board member.