Flying in leggings

minimalist

I've not flown in leggings; indeed, I've only once flown in jeans. Yet I certainly understand others who choose whatever clothing is most comfortable and practical for them.

As it happens, one airline has (and enforces, perhaps sporadically) an opinion on this.

https://mobile.nytimes.com/201.....s.amp.html

8 years ago

Dressing

24 replies

Latest reply was from Gaylene

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

In all fairness, it appears that they were flying courtesy of the airline and were required to follow a specific dress code. I've no problem with that.

8 years ago

Helena

Veteran

Yes, my understanding is like Emily's ... They were travelling on an employee pass and therefore had to comply with a corporate dress code. They said the policy does not apply to paying customers

8 years ago

barbaraq

Active Member

This so rung a bell with me. My father was a career pilot for United Airlines, and we ALWAYS had to wear non-offensive clothing when flying on his employee passes. We are talking ancient history here, but we could not even wear jeans. It always cracked me up that I had to be so well dressed when many of the first class paying customers were wearing gym shorts or worse. But hey, we flew for free, so small price to pay to accomodate the higher ups at United.

8 years ago

Anonymous

What Emily said. I have no problem with a dress code for those flying courtesy of the airline and, in a way, representatives of them.

8 years ago

Echo

Veteran

When I read the introduction, I vehemently disagreed with what they did, but reading further it turns out that they were flying courtesy of the airline and were representing the airline in a way. In that scenario, that is totally understandable. Every place of work has a dress code or general code of conduct, and I agree that it is a small price to pay to fly for free. Now if the airline had tried to enforce such a policy on paying customers...

8 years ago

Nebraskim

Veteran

I have mixed feelings because the whole "leggings are the demon horror show of fashion" is crazy to me. I can see how the airlines can impose a dress code for employees or their assigns. I just wish dress codes were not so often imposed merely to shame women. Also, I am unclear on the age of these girls. One source calls them "teens," another says they were 10. For some reason, that age seems to matter to me. Younger girls, in leggings, is so common place and denying kids a flight for something like wearing leggings seems severe.

8 years ago

shedev

Veteran

Employees dressed in uniform represent the airline, not children passengers. How would the average passenger know who is flying on the UA plan? The dress code could be seen as the price to pay for receiving the discount, but preteens wearing leggings seems pretty innocent to me.

8 years ago

Laurinda

Veteran

Who in 2017 would clutch their pearls upon seeing a 10-year-old on a flight wearing leggings -- even if they knew she was on a family pass? And young teens are supposed to 'represent' United Airlines, while the accompanying parent was not?

“But please keep in mind that the dad had on shorts that did not hit his knee — they stopped maybe two or three inches above his knee — and there was no issue with that.”

United deserves all the bad press they are getting for this one.

8 years ago

Echo

Veteran

While I agree that a 10 year old girl in leggings is not at all worthy of pearl clutching, I also recognize the restrictions that MANY employees are under 24/7. Teachers can be let go for a photo of themselves holding a cocktail during their off-time on social media (without students as "friends"). It's absurd. So for the daughter of an airline employee to be required to wear something other than leggings? I'm okay with that. It isn't any more severe than what other people live with day-to-day (although nationally it seems that the general population is okay with anything they want to punish teachers with - just an observation from a state that is currently hostile to teachers, Universities and all forms of education).

8 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

I wonder if the girls had been wearing shorts, if that would've been ok. Or what sort of shirt the father had on. If they all turned up like they worked on the Love Boat - Bermuda shorts and pressed button downs - if that would have been ok.

8 years ago

Ledonna N.

Veteran

It is a double edge sword. The headline was attention grabbing. So i had to read. Airlines are so strict now a days who would have known if they were flying courtesy? I enjoy dressing even for flights but a person has a right to choose what they will wear.

8 years ago

Anonymous

I am so conflicted on this issue. When I came to understand that they were flying on an employee pass, I agreed that a dress code made sense. But when I read Nebraskim's post, I changed my mind. This sentence specifically swayed me: I just wish dress codes were not so often imposed merely to shame women. So upon further reading and consideration, I changed my mind and I am firmly in the camp of Nebraskim and Laurinda.

8 years ago

RobinF

Veteran

I feel a little conflicted because I have seen lots of leggings in public that should not be (too tight or thin for example and often this is on working people) but this does seem like an overreach to me and I totally agree with the way Nebraskim put it - why are these kinds of discussions always about the way women dress? In the article the dress code also excludes "ripped or torn jeans and flip flops". I wonder if there were other passengers on family passes wearing these types of items, my bet is yes. All of these items are so common that most of us wouldn't think twice.

8 years ago

Anonymous

I fly on an employee pass all the time. It's part of the deal - and I think it's absolutely appropriate and right. As my husband reminds me - I'm "representing" the airline and enjoying the perks - not that I need to be told how to dress though..... The rules are clearly laid out . It's too bad they were embarrassed this way but it was up to their parents or whoever provided them with the tickets to tell them to dress appropriately.

8 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm with Nebraskim, shedev and Laurinda on this. Most young preteen girls I know LIVE in leggings. They're not tights that are see-through, they're fitted pants.

I'd like to see the actual text of the dress code to see what restrictions there are on men's and boys' clothing choices. So many dress code rules seem to focus on a misguided view that sexualizes women and girls.

8 years ago

Susie

Veteran

I don't understand the logic that someone flying on a pass (especially a child) is representing the airline? In what way? How do other passengers even know they are related to a United employee? Regardless, I think passengers would be more disturbed by the airlines treatment of pre -teens than by seeing a kid in leggings.

8 years ago

kkards

Veteran

I think the issue here is the same issue that I have with the dress code at my place of work. 1)it hasn't been updated in 10 years. 2)it was written by men. 3)it is left up to people to interpret without great guidelines as to how enforce it or when

would we be talking about this if basic HR protocols where followed? ie don't call out an employee in front of others. take them aside, explain the issue, and work towards a solution.

8 years ago

Anonymous

First, I personally think it is fine for an airline to impose a reasonable dress code on employees and their family members flying on a pass. Seasoned travellers often are aware of who they are - by their interaction with gate staff, seating arrangements, etc.
And as someone who has been involved in the process of formulating employee dress codes - it is HARD! Especially for women, because we typically wear a much larger variety of clothing than men. I imagine it is even tougher today, due to the inclusion of more openly non-binary gender individuals in the workplace.
That said, if the policy allows more leeway for different groups, i.e., one gender can wear shorts, but another can't - that is problematic.

8 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I used to work for a private school years ago, and at the time they did not have uniforms (they have since adopted them). The dress code was agonized over every year (I worked there for a decade and witnessed the edits nearly every year). I agree that writing and updating dress codes is a mine field. But I also feel that a lot of things are needlessly complicated or puritanical. And it definitely has a much stronger focus on covering girls' and women's bodies than boys' or men's. And I don't believe that's just "for your protection."

8 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

I agree that almost all dress codes put far more burden on girls and women than on men and boys, and United's travel pass code is no exception: http://heavy.com/news/2017/03/.....-leggings/.

8 years ago

Susie

Veteran

Working in HR, I understand the mine fields of dress codes. Like a lot of other policies and rules, too often managers use them as a crutch. Or apply them inconsistently. Others want to see a detailed list in black and white, trying to cover every base. Which is impossible because there are so many variations and many are still open to interpretation. When the intention should be more about the overall look (including grooming) and if that look is appropriate for the situation, whether it be at work or while traveling.

As to dress codes, I absolutely agree that the onus is generally on girls and women. With the underlying message that boys can't be held responsible for controlling any urges they may have as a result of catching a glimpse of a young woman's legs.

8 years ago

LaPed

Veteran

Yeah, hmm, wonder when was the last time they kicked a boy off the airplane for having ripped jeans?

Also have to wonder what the age cut-off is. If it's unacceptable for a fourteen year old, is it unacceptable for a four year old? I can count on one hand the number of preschool age girls I've seen wearing trousers this year; it's all leggings all the time. The generation gap seems to be widening rapidly.

8 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

Obviously banning leggings for little kids is just silly. I realize this was for a free ticket, etc. I wonder if enforcement of the code had been lax lately. Whatever.

My problem with dress codes in general is that it seems they hit women harder than men. Some things that I would never wear anyway, I want women to be able to wear, if they so choose. This paternalistic society already blames women for men's bad behavior. It's just not right.

8 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

I've never been a fan of dress codes because their enforcement always seems to lead to ridiculous situations. In a perfect world, no one would need to be told wearing beach attire to the opening night of the opera isn't the best choice. A 10-year (or 14-year old, for that matter) in leggings isn't going to destroy a company's image in the mind of the public.

BUT what does bug me are the parents (or other adults) who work for United, who are aware of the airline's policies for free flights, and who didn't bother to convey that information to their dependents about the airline's requirements. No airline is required to let its employees and their dependents fly for free. If my sons were given such a privilege, and the airline required a suit jacket and tie, that's what they would wear.

It's too bad the children were embarrassed, but my wrath is directed at the parents who ought to have known better. They deserve the scorn of social media.

8 years ago

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