Earlier today, United Airlines painted itself into a PR disaster corner with a few badly-thought out tweets and an anti-leggings policy.
Essentially, three young girls were prevented from boarding a Denver to Minneapolis flight because they were wearing leggings, which is against the dress code required by passengers using staff travel perks. One girl, about ten, was allowed to board after she changed into a dress, but the others where unable to do so.
However, it took a while for that fact to come to light, and for a good deal of time there it looked like United Airlines were deciding that leggings – i.e. the comfiest item of clothing invented since the snuggie – were unacceptable travel wear.
Girls wearing LEGGINGS reportedly forced to change before @united would let them board and this…is…United’s response… pic.twitter.com/KHJgau8tRE
— Elizabeth Minkel (@elizabethminkel) March 26, 2017
Leggings have become a hot button topic in the last few years in regards to the policing on what is acceptable / not acceptable attire for women. (This is a conversation women have been having since fashion trends became a thing. In the 1800s it was ankle flashing, in the early 1900s it was one-piece bathing suits and in the 60s it was miniskirts.)
This latest drama with United Airlines has escalated to the point where celebs are weighing in, and now you have Sarah Silverman and Chrissy Teigen essentially boycotting the airline.
Sarah Silverman advised the company change its outdated dress codes for staff travel members.
Hey @united I fly a LOT. About to go on tour all April and changing all my @united flights to other airlines
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) March 26, 2017
@SarahKSilverman The attire of the teenage pass travelers did not meet our policy for company benefit travel. ^KP
— United (@united) March 26, 2017
I understand. I suggest u consider updating ur rules 4 friends & fam as they seem to apply mostly 2 females & are outdated. https://t.co/41chqN32Q0
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) March 26, 2017
And Chrissy Teigen implied she’ll no longer be flying with the airline.
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
@chrissyteigen I think the girls were using employee passes, so there is a dress code because they’re representing the airline.
— Alice (@NYC_mama) March 26, 2017
@NYC_mama honestly I don’t really care. If I have an issue with a company, I stop giving them money. Like d&g. Easy peasy.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) March 26, 2017
@NYC_mama sorry I didn’t mean for the don’t care part to sound so aggressive. I literally meant I don’t really care.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) March 26, 2017
@NYC_mama I don’t need forced public apologies and takedowns. I just make a conscious effort to not support.
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) March 26, 2017
United Airlines, meanwhile, has taken the extra step of publishing a blog post to ensure their paying customers that “YOUR leggings are welcome” (capitals our own).
“We care about the way we present ourselves to you, our customers, as we believe that is part of the experience on board our flights. One of the benefits of working for an airline is that our employees are able to travel the world. Even better, they can extend this privilege to a select number of what we call “pass riders.” These are relatives or friends who also receive the benefit of free or heavily discounted air travel – on our airline as well as on airlines around the world where we have mutual agreements in place for employees and pass riders.
“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 passengers this morning were United pass riders and not in compliance with our dress code for company benefit travel. We regularly remind our employees that when they place a family member or friend on a flight for free as a standby passenger, they need to follow our dress code.
“To our regular customers, your leggings are welcome.”
Yeesh.
I fixed @United‘s response in a few sentences. pic.twitter.com/aHP8dB194u
— Ben Kuchera (@BenKuchera) March 26, 2017
Photo: Pierre Suu / Getty.
