A gate agent for United Airlines stopped two teenage girls from boarding their flight because they were wearing leggings.
The incident has sparked outrage over social media, as it is seen as another example of an intrusive and sexist corporate policy. United Airlines, meanwhile, defended the decision of its gate agent.
Two Teens Barred From United Airlines Flight
On the morning of March 26, the gate agent for United Airlines stopped two girls in leggings from boarding their flight to Minneapolis, an incident that was observed by Shannon Watts, a passenger who was at the gate in the Denver International Airport at the time.
In an interview, Watts said that she first noticed the two girls in leggings as they were visibly upset after leaving the gate next to the one she was entering. Watts then approached the adjacent gate and saw what she described was a "frantic" family with two young girls, one of which was also wearing leggings.
"I don't make the rules, I just enforce them," the gate agent was heard telling the family.
According to Watts, the mother of the family told her that the two girls in leggings that she previously saw were prevented from boarding the flight because their travel attire was deemed inappropriate. Fortunately, the woman had a dress inside her carry-on luggage, which her child in leggings wore to be allowed to board the flight.
Watts, however, noted that the father of the family was wearing shorts that stopped 2 or 3 inches above his knee. She added that the two girls in leggings who were turned away by the gate agent seemed to be in their "young teens," while the girl who was able to put on a dress was only about 10 or 11 years old.
United Airlines Defends Decision
In a response to the incident, United Airlines said that it reserved the right to refuse boarding for passengers who were not properly clothed according to its contract of carriage, with discretion left to gate agents. However, the contract only states that passengers will be turned away if they are barefoot or not properly clothed, with no explanation on the second requirement.
United Airlines spokesman Jonathan Guerin then further clarified that the two teenage girls and the family were "pass travelers," which is a benefit that the company provides to its employees and their dependents of being able to fly for free, but on a standby basis. As such, with pass travelers representing United Airlines, they are not allowed to wear spandex or Lycra leggings, ripped or tattered jeans, midriff tops, flip-flops, or other clothes which reveal the wearer's undergarments.
According to Guerin, the two teenage girls "made an adjustment" to their clothing while they waited for the next flight to Minneapolis. Guerin, however, did not know if the girls were able to successfully board the second time, and had no information on the identity of the family that Watts spoke to.
Social Media Reacts To United Airlines Dress Code
The explanation, however, did not satisfy most of the people who criticized the decision of United Airlines to stop the two teenage girls from boarding their flight for wearing leggings. Two of these critics are model Chrissy Teigen and actor LeVar Burton.
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
Duly noted, @united... Still, the punitive measures taken are not a good look! pic.twitter.com/1rBW9eSLBb — LeVar Burton (@levarburton) March 26, 2017
The public relations team of United Airlines is now on damage control in trying to turn around the situation for the company, especially at a time when sexism is such a glaring issue in companies such as Uber and Apple. How this will all end, however, remains to be seen.
