United Airlines in strife for ‘body shaming’
United Airlines is fending off criticism after it was accused of body shaming a 10-year-old girl.
The young girl was trying to board her flight, but was allegedly refused because she was wearing leggings, per The Sun UK.
United is now trying to backpedal and defend its decision, claiming they reserve the right to refuse anyone who does not meet its dress code.
An ongoing Twitter account from a woman called Shannon documented the progress of the girl and her two travelling companions, but a United Airlines tweet confirmed they were eventually denied boarding.
Per The Sun, United Airlines claimed whether or not a person is suitably dressed comes down to the discretion of its staff at the gates, but gate staff apparently said they didn’t make the rules, they just followed them.
United apparently claimed she was travelling on a ‘free pass’ and therefore dress codes for representing the airline applied.
Check out some of the tweets from the incident:
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
.@united They just boarded after being forced to change or put dresses on over the top of their clothing. Is this your policy?
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 26, 2017
United responded to Shannon with the following tweets:
@shannonrwatts In our Contract of Carriage, Rule 21, we do have the right to refuse transport for passengers who … https://t.co/52kRVgaCyb
— United (@united) March 26, 2017
@APerzanowski Boarding was denied this morning as her attire didn’t meet the UA pass travel clothing requirements:https://t.co/VX0BNfIOst^CB
— United (@united) March 26, 2017
Turns out Twitter disagrees with the major American airline, and many a tweet has emerged slamming the decision, and supporting the young traveller.
@united ???I’m at SFO right now waiting to board UA flight. This place is lousy with leggings. What authorities should I alert? ???
— Aaron Perzanowski (@APerzanowski) March 26, 2017
@united @shannonrwatts United 1K here who often flies w/ daughter. Please define acceptable attire or admit you have no real policy.
— Aaron Perzanowski (@APerzanowski) March 26, 2017
ATTENTION TRAVELERS here is United Airlines new dress code for women. Cp pic.twitter.com/ReZP6F90Uz
— Philanthropit ?? (@RajbarSab) March 26, 2017
.@united airlines 2017: Making Airlines Great Again… By dictating what women can and cannot wear again on their flights. #UnitedAirlines pic.twitter.com/34iQ0mOuxa
— Jena in Real Life (@jenarific) March 26, 2017
My predictions for @United Airlines future profits: pic.twitter.com/GSYMnH4G4E
— CatLadyish (@CatLadyish) March 26, 2017
United Airlines Tried to Ban Girls From Flight for Wearing Leggings yet advertise with this picture. As If @united doesn’t suck enough.. pic.twitter.com/o7wrDjYk6T
— Mark Cuban (@subzerov690) March 26, 2017
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