I am all for the pushing of the bar and making political statements, but sometimes we have to think before we act. I am a firm believer that we should all pick our battles wisely. Unless you've been living under a rock for the last 10 and a half years, you are fully aware that as a traveler, we abide by the rules of our post-9/11 society. Yes, it's annoying as hell and quite frustrating, so why would anyone want to do anything to add to the drama that is "flying?" I am not going to give a yay or nay on this young woman's decision to board her American Airlines flight wearing a tee-shirt that read - "If I wanted the government in my womb, I'd fuck a senator," but I will say, she should have known better.
From RealityCheck.Org:
[O]n the plane of the first leg of my flight home, I spent the majority of
[time] sleeping, using my shawl as a blanket. Right before we were set to land
the flight attendant from first class approaches me and asks if I had a
connecting flight? We were running a bit behind schedule, so I figured I was
being asked this to be sure I would make my connecting flight. She then
proceeded to tell me that I needed to speak with the captain before disembarking
the plane and that the shirt I was wearing was offensive.
The shirt was gray with the wording, "If I wanted the government in my womb,
I'd fuck a senator." I must also mention that when I boarded the plane, I was
one of the first groups to board (did not pass by many folks). I was wearing my
shawl just loosely around my neck and upon sitting down in my seat the lady next
to me, who was already seated, praised me for wearing the shirt.
When I was leaving the plane the captain stepped off with me and told me I
should not have been allowed to board the plane in DC and needed to change
before boarding my next flight. This conversation led to me missing my
connecting flight. I assumed that because I was held up by the captain, they
would have called ahead to let the connecting flight know I was in route. Well,
upon my hastened arrival at the gate of the connecting flight, it was discovered
that they did indeed call ahead but not to hold the flight, only to
tell them I needed to change my shirt. I was given a seat on the next flight and
told to change shirts.
Due to the fact that my luggage was checked, changing shirts without spending
money wasn't an option. I consulted a friend with a law background who told me
covering with my shawl would suffice. Upon boarding the now rescheduled flight
with shawl covering my shirt, my ticket dinged invalid. I was pulled to the side
while the gentleman entered some codes into the computer and then told, "it was
all good." I did finally arrive home to pick up my daughter an hour and a half
later than scheduled.
It's Friday, tell us what's on your mind.........
1. Was American Airlines right or wrong to make this woman change her shirt?
2. Have you ever boarded a plane with clothing deemed inappropriate? If so, tell us about your experience?
3. Was this shirt offensive? if so, was it offensive because of the political message or expletive?
Friday, May 25, 2012
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