Usually, when we travel, we make sure we are comfortable enough in what we are wearing. But I guess our comfort is not the only thing we need to consider while boarding a flight.
Emily O’Connor, a 21-year-old woman was travelling to the Canary Islands from Birmingham, England for a four-day trip on March 2 with Thomas Cook Airlines. She was told by the staff that her outfit was “inappropriate” and “causing offence”. She was wearing a black coloured crop top with spaghetti straps and mustard coloured high waist pants.
The airlines told her to “cover-up” or she will be removed from the plane. Emily claims that she had no trouble getting through airport security, but was surrounded by four flight attendants once she boarded the plane. The staff was prepared to forcibly remove her from the flight if she didn’t change. They refused to take off the plane until she covers herself up.
In an interview with The Sun Emily mentioned that a co-passenger yelled at her calling her “pathetic” and telling her to put on a jacket. She also informed that two rows behind her was a man wearing shorts and a vest top but he was welcomed on the flight.
It was the most sexist, misogynistic embarrassing experience of my life.
– Emily o’connor
A Thomascook spokesperson apologised saying they could have handled the situation in a better way. He added that their crew have a “difficult task of implementing the appropriate clothing policy and they don’t always get it right.”
In common with most airlines, we have an appropriate clothing policy. This applies equally to men and women of all ages without discrimination.
– Thomascook Spokesperson
The guy behind Emily wearing shorts and vest was propitiously dressed then, I guess.
Tweet-Ing!
Emily after this incident tweeted saying:
And people were very supportive… at least a few were.
Crew Conflict: Job In Danger!
A Time-Saving Observation
Well, Technically… They didn’t throw her, but okay…
Well… She said it, I didn’t
My Relatives and Me In A Nutshell
Meanwhile, Fashion Fans Be Like
Ahhhh… “SIZE” Was The Problem…
Who’s Singing???
Someone IS Checking With The Facts It Seems
Oh My Gosh! Finalllllyyy A Solution
Opinions are many and so are statements. But the fact is that the woman was disrespected and was embarrassed on the flight. And well, about the dress code policy, I have something to show you.
Thomascook Airlines Policy
Out of curiosity, I searched for the dress code policy Thomascook Airlines apparently have. I read the entire document and I couldn’t find any policy that explains what “appropriate dressing” is. Although, I found what I assume they claim to be their dress code policy.
That’s it! Nothing wherein they say that they have a dress code policy according to which any particular clothing is “inappropriate”.
I found something interesting while searching for their “policy” that does not exist by the way. Which is…
I wonder what they themselves did to Emily or what they let other passengers do to her was a part of their “Policy”?
So, What Is Appropriate Dressing According To Airlines?
This was not the first incident that took place about the dress code issues in flights. There have been many incidents in the past.
- United Airlines gate agent didn’t let two passengers board the flight because they were wearing, “LEGGINGS”
- Porter airlines’ Brad Cicero says, “Comfort is key when flying, but it still can be chic”. But it is nowhere mentioned in their policy what “chic” is according to them.
- Saudia Airlines requires travellers wearing an attire that is “in line with public taste and not offensive to other passengers” Example given by them was “women exposing arms and legs” and “men wearing shorts”
- Qantas is also listed for having bizarre opinions about dress codes which are beyond my understanding. In Dec 2017, Qantas denied access to a traveller Joanne Catherall because she was wearing Uggs. I guess Qantas has decided to categorise UGG boots as “sleepwear” which by the way are not allowed if you are travelling in business class.
Another incident was reported in 2018. A British Airways passenger flying from Reykjavík to London was ARRESTED for wearing EXTRA LAYERS OF CLOTHES (8 pairs of pants and 10 shirts). It was done in an attempt to dodge an excess baggage fee.
MORAL OF THE STORY:
Don’t wear Less!
Do Not wear morePerfect! We got it!
Shouldn’t we get over all this now? This is a modern era and we are still stuck with useless contradictions. The world has bigger issues to resolve. I agree we should not wear a bikini on a flight or be shirtless or barefooted while boarding. That doesn’t make any sense. But Leggings? Crop tops? Seriously?
After all the debate, I have something to ask you…
Who do you think needs to be blamed for the inconvenience caused to the other passengers because of the delayed flight? The one who didn’t wear a jacket or the one who was adamant to make one passenger wear the jacket and didn’t care about the other passengers? Or both?
Oh By The Way…
Emily later on her return wore the same outfit while flying back with Thomas Cook and did not face any issues while boarding.
Ummm, guess somebody owes an explanation.