You Are Not Leaving on a Jet Plane–Not Dressed Like That
On September 1, Green Day’s frontman Billie Joe Armstrong was removed from a Southwest Airlines flight because his pants were too saggy. Two months ago a football player from the University of New Mexico was also removed from a flight, this time by US Airways. With these events taking place in relatively rapid succession, the blogosphere lit up with complaints about the airlines. There are even online petitions and calls for both men to sue their respective airlines.
I view this no differently than the signs I saw as a kid walking into restaurants: “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service.” A private company has a right to enforce a dress code on patrons.
Those calling for a lawsuit may have their trigger fingers a bit too itchy. This was by no means a restriction based on race, ethnicity, gender, etc. This was a company seeking to enforce a public dress code.
Perhaps this is a potential market opening for any of you with millions just looking for something to do with it – open an airline that allows passengers to wear their pants sagging.