United Airlines Dress Code for Passengers Using Employee Passes

Oznell · ‎11-08-2014

Just caught part of a heated debate on this on Tucker Carlson. Two teenagers were not allowed to fly as they were using Employee Passes but not complying with the dress code for those using those passes, by wearing leggings.

Apparently, United does not ban leggings for those using regular tickets, but they do have a more stringent standard for those availing themselves of the perks of employee passes.

Does that seem reasonable to you? Why or why not?

Snowhite714 · ‎06-30-2014

@Oznell wrote:
Just caught part of a heated debate on this on Tucker Carlson. Two teenagers were not allowed to fly as they were using Employee Passes but not complying with the dress code for those using those passes, by wearing leggings.

Apparently, United does not ban leggings for those using regular tickets, but they do have a more stringent standard for those availing themselves of the perks of employee passes.

Does that seem reasonable to you? Why or why not?

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the airline setting standards for those taking advantage of certain perks made available to them. You are a representative of the company and as such should conduct yourself accordingly. Nevermind that no one else on the plane knows of your status, rules are rules.

CareBears · ‎08-30-2015

@Oznell Growing up my father worked for an airline also, and even back then there was a dress code for any & everyone using the employee discount, we never argued, we felt like royalty flying around the country for pennies on the dollar, it was the least we could do for such a generous program!

Oznell · ‎11-08-2014

Snowwhite714 and Carebears, you both make civil, well-reasoned and persuasive arguments, much better and more courteous than those in the TV debate, in my opinion!

scatcat · ‎03-15-2010

It's 100% fair. DH worked for United when we first got married. We used passes often. He took the dress code rule very seriously. It wasn't negotiable and we were happy to comply

sidsmom · ‎11-25-2011

It's such a non-story.

Funny to see the talking news heads & celebrity chiming

in to try & 'debate' this. Nothing to debate.

bonnielu · ‎03-11-2010

My take on this:

1. Their rules and if the employees family wants to dress as they please they should pay full fare.

2. Not sure how the leggings were being worn. Often I wear mine like tights with a long tunic (very long) over them. But once again rules are rules.

3. These days everything is an issue. I kind of want to hide until common sense and common decency returns but I doubt that will ever happen. Everyone wants center stage and no one wants to cooperate or play fair or see the other side of the story.

proudlyfromNJ · ‎05-01-2010

I read on the Daily Mail this morning that it was people with employee passes. So it's been out there. Don't know why TV people are debating. Don't they read their own news?

I worked for for the airlines and you had to dress properly. They made my friend change her clothes once before they allowed her on the plane.

Oznell · ‎11-08-2014

sidsmom, I do think such issues can be worth the time given by pundits, if only because it was one of those things, apparently, that got taken up by the "twitterverse" and others as a cause celebre. Evidently someone overheard the issue being discussed among the parties, and took umbrage and then was berating the airline, etc.

Opens up the whole fascinating discussion of "rights" versus "discretion" and "adherence to standards" issue. I think those can be quite fruitful to explore, if all parties are able to hang on to their conversational decorum!