United Airlines made headlines last week for not letting two young girls board the plane because of their “inappropriate attire.” Once the girls changed into dresses, they were allowed to board the plane.
While the airline stated that the girls were flying on family passes, and those tickets have a dress code, the code itself seems to be geared toward women. According to flyzed.info –a site that outlines the information for dress codes, baggage policies, flight listings and procedures of an airline– the dress code at United technically bans leggings with this bullet point: “Form-fitting lycra/spandex tops, pants and dresses.”
With this in mind, the question no longer becomes about legality, but rather why it was applied to 10-year-old girls.
An MSN article recounts the incident from the point of view of Shannon Watts, a bystander in the terminal where the incident  happened. Watts noted the girls were visibly upset and the family was in an intense exchange with the gate agent who stated, “I don’t make the rules, I just enforce them.”
Watts said she saw one of the children put a dress on over her outfit to board the plane. This gate agent enforced the rules which state, “Customer service’s judgement will prevail in all matters pertaining to the dress code.” So she basically enforced her own interpretation, and in the process, humiliated a child and stalled the already annoying procedure of boarding a plane.
I understand they’re pass members and should represent the airline, but I have flown as a pass member — on another airline thankfully — in leggings. I live in leggings 90 percent of the time, as do many women these days, and it makes no sense for a gate agent to be the judge of what’s appropriate and what isn’t, especially for a young girl.
A more practical use of the gate agent’s time would be something like checking people in swiftly, making sure the boarding process goes off without a hitch and focusing on customer satisfaction. Notice being “dress code police” is nowhere in there.
It all boils down to the fact that corporate dress codes don’t seem to be friendly to both genders, and it makes things rather difficult for everyone. It’s hard to discern what is and isn’t appropriate, but that’s just another unnecessary thing people have to worry about. I get there will be a difference in the genders, but I don’t understand why we have to call so much attention to it just to get on an airplane.
In addition to the leggings bullet point, United’s dress code also includes that pass riders “may wear denim attire (such as jeans), shorts that are no more than three inches above the knee in a standing position.”
I take issue with this mostly because the only way I will be seen in jean shorts no more than three inches above the knee is if I make them myself. They literally don’t sell those in stores to people over the age of 10.
Guess what? All men’s shorts are made to be no more than three inches above the knee. Men’s clothing also is not generally ‘lycra or spandex,’ nor will they be exposing the midriff or wearing mini skirts.
The only bullet point that practically applies to men is that of not being “excessively dirty, having holes or tears” and “bare feet.” The rules need to be updated to be more practical, so we don’t have pretentious gate attendants deciding what’s appropriate on children.
I cannot remember the last time I saw a child in business attire, nor can I remember the last time I saw someone flying on an airplane in a suit for fun. They are usually actual business people.
Women, if you ever fly United, just wear a hazmat suit and you should be safe. Men, be cautious of going into an airport with bare feet; you might find yourself in a predicament.
Myia Hambrick is a 21-year-old mass communication junior from Temple, Georgia.