Does Southwest have a dress code? American Ninja Warrior competitor ‘shamed’ for outfit on flight

Seven-time American Ninja Warrior competitor Maggi Thorne isn’t any stranger to flying on Southwest Airlines, now touring the rustic as a motivational speaker, however one thing surprising took place on a fresh flight.

On a noon Southwest flight from Omaha, Neb., to Orlando, she says she used to be “shamed” for her outfit by means of a flight attendant and informed she would possibly have to hide up. The flight attendant informed her she, “didn’t think I was appropriately dressed,” Thorne mentioned. Thorne posted the tale to Twitter/X on Friday with a photograph of her outfit: an athleisure crop best and free, high-waisted pants.

Thorne refused to hide up and reported the incident to any other flight attendant after having a look for and failing to seek out a passenger dress code coverage. Thorne additionally mentioned she messaged a good friend, who occurs to be a Southwest flight attendant, and requested her if she used to be acutely aware of this type of coverage, to which her good friend spoke back no. Initially, the second one flight attendant mentioned there used to be a coverage for suitable dress, however the state of affairs subtle and Thorne used to be ready to shuttle to her vacation spot uninterrupted.

Other an identical incidents involving Southwest have been reported up to now. Melinna Bobadilla claimed last summer that she used to be got rid of from a flight for protecting a “young woman being shamed and harassed by an employee for wearing a tank top that was deemed too revealing,” she mentioned in a viral Twitter thread that has since been made non-public.

In October 2020, Chicago lady Kayla Eubanks mentioned she used to be stopped from boarding her flight for her clothes and that, after tough to look the coverage that allowed that, the gate agent may just no longer to find the coverage however would no longer relent till the flight captain loaned her a t-shirt. The Independent reported on the development, which used to be additionally posted to Twitter/X.

There are extra, and nearly all of incidents like Thorne’s occur to ladies.

While different airways have come underneath fireplace for attire-related incidents, significantly American, United and Alaska Airlines, Southwest seems to make headlines somewhat incessantly for its interpretation of suitable clothes.

Chris Perry, a consultant for Southwest, mentioned in an e-mail that “Southwest does not have a customer dress code policy.”

However, Southwest’s guide to traveling on a guest pass states vacationers will have to “dress to impress. While Southwest’s dress code is relaxed and casual, you will be expected to present a clean, well-groomed and tasteful appearance.”

Additionally, the airline’s price tag contract – its so-called contract of carriage that defines phrases of use for flying on a aircraft – specifies that “the carrier may, in its sole discretion, refuse to transport, or may remove from an aircraft at any point, any passenger. … Engaging in lewd, obscene or patently offensive behavior, including wearing clothes that are lewd, obscene, or patently offensive.”

Other airways have an identical clauses of their price tag fantastic print.

Delta would possibly refuse to move passengers “when the passenger’s conduct, attire, hygiene or odor creates an unreasonable risk of offense or annoyance to other passengers.” United singles out “passengers who are barefoot, not properly clothed, or whose clothing is lewd, obscene or offensive.”

American’s contract says, “Dress appropriately; bare feet or offensive clothing aren’t allowed.”

The vaguely-worded insurance policies go away a lot room for interpretation. In the case of Southwest, Perry mentioned: “Our employees are responsible for following our contract of carriage.”

Many have spoke back to those incidents on social media and past, calling out the disproportionate impact clothes insurance policies appear to have on ladies.

Incidents corresponding to what took place to Thorne are uncommon within the grand scheme of items, however they aren’t with out a lasting have an effect on.

“[I felt] shamed, embarrassed,” Thorne mentioned. “I was definitely singled out, so I was frustrated.”

She additionally took factor with the truth that the flight attendant did this in entrance of alternative passengers and no longer in non-public.

“It wasn’t discrete.”

Southwest has filed a formal grievance with senior management on Thorne’s behalf, however there is not any particular coverage on recourse for passengers like Thorne who really feel they have been unfairly judged for their dress.

Southwest’s contract of carriage says, “A passenger who is so refused or removed is without further recourse to the carrier for any damages claimed by passenger, including the refund value of any unused portion of their ticket, and may be liable to carrier for costs and damages.”

In the case of Eubanks, whose Twitter post gained over 40,000 likes, Southwest refunded her fare “as a gesture of goodwill,” in keeping with The Independent.

“I haven’t previously had any issues,” Thorne mentioned. “I was in disbelief.”