United gate agent says leggings on kids are inappropriate

[GarrettM]

United Airlines refuses girl, 10, because of her leggings | Daily Mail Online

Not the greatest PR.

Although it seems the travelling group may have been part of an FA Pass Travel group, which does come with a few requirements.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

They were travelling on staff passes. Leggings are not appropriate for staff travel. This would seem to be positive PR... except for the time it took UA to respond.

 

[yld200]

About 7 or 8 years ago while flying staff travel on EK (sis works for EK) from DXB to MEL I was asked by check in staff to change into a collard shirt. I was just wearing a plain t-shirt and luckily had a shirt in my carry on.

Have flown staff travel at least 10 times and have only been asked to change once despite wearing some pretty casual clothes on most occasions.

 

[get me outta here]

And yet the father in shorts was allowed to board. I think this is a poor way to treat young girls.

They were travelling on staff passes. Leggings are not appropriate for staff travel. This would seem to be positive PR... except for the time it took UA to respond.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Well done United. Got my full support.

 

[opusman]

They have a dress code for non-rev travel and were enforcing it. Nothing to see here, move along, move along...

 

[Danger]

Do those on industry tickets wear sandwich boards to identify themselves as such?

 

[blackcat20]

Do those on industry tickets wear sandwich boards to identify themselves as such?

I'm guessing it would be noted on their boarding pass or visible to gate staff when scanned.

 

[OzEire]

While acknowledging that it was staff travel (heavily discounted) tickets, the 10 year old is not staff. It would be hard to imagine that the daughter of a staff member on private travel (picking up Danger's point, and who but the gate agent would even know) would tarnish the airline's "good" reputation by wearing kids clothes.

I guess props to UA for consistency applying the rules, but sounds like staff ticket rules could use some tweaking.

 

[TomVexille]

While acknowledging that it was staff travel (heavily discounted) tickets, the 10 year old is not staff. It would be hard to imagine that the daughter of a staff member on private travel (picking up Danger's point, and who but the gate agent would even know) would tarnish the airline's "good" reputation by wearing kids clothes.

I guess props to UA for consistency applying the rules, but sounds like staff ticket rules could use some tweaking.

I'm sorry but everyone travelling on a staff ticket is the responsibility of the staff member and it's the staff members responsibility to ensure that they comply with the rules

 

[defurax]

I remember flying back from HNL and there was a 16ish year old seated in 1A with a very nice perfectly ironed shirt. I fell asleep and woke up realising that the captain was standing right in front of my seat ...that's when I realised that 1A PAX was his son. So on some route the dress code stands out, but I think it's a good corporate decision.

 

[get me outta here]

United originally mistakenly responded to the criticism that they had denied boarding to revenue passengers before they knew the facts. Their authority over reach was a claim that they could deny boarding to anybody they feel, (including children wearing yoga pants). There are plenty of reports on here of people being thrown off US flights for some perceived indiscretion. This latest action is an another example of authoritarianism, and against children.

 

[opusman]

The 10 year old girl was not involved in the incident, other than her parents overheard and took it upon themselves to change her clothes.

100% Fake News.

 

[Princess Fiona]

The 10 year old girl was not involved in the incident, other than her parents overheard and took it upon themselves to change her clothes.

100% Fake News.

Couldn't agree more. The worst kind of click bait.

 

[Deleted member]

Storm in a tea cup. Standards are falling everywhere. Who cares anymore?

 

[Denali]

Delta's cheeky response.

 

[Mattg]

As others have said, this story is nothing but a beat-up. I'm lucky enough to get companion staff travel on a particular airline (not United) and the dress code is quite clear. Beachwear, gym clothes, sweat shirts, shorts, ripped jeans, sandals and even leggings are specifically included in the list of unacceptable clothing. The rules are even stricter for travel in business class (and so they should be IMHO).

Personally I think this is perfectly reasonable. I'm sure United would have a similar policy, which the travellers in question would have had to agree to, and I don't think it's reasonable for the media to bash United for applying it.