The Issue in Question
The troubling issue with the dress code being brought up is that they have disallowed women from flying for allegedly not wearing a bra.
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One woman claims she was targeted by the airline in an uncomfortable and unfair way.
Customers Are Being Humiliated by the Airline
The victim, Lisa Archbold, says she was called out for not wearing the undergarment during her flight in March.
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She says she felt like a “spectacle” being escorted off the plane for what she deemed was a perfectly acceptable outfit: blue jeans and a white t-shirt.
Delta’s New Contract of Carriage Terms
As of March 12, 2024, Delta has released news rules that govern the code of conduct for customers.
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The new rules allow the airline to remove any passenger who does not comply with what they deem to be appropriate clothing.
Specifics That Will Get You Kicked off a Delta Flight
Some of the rules that will get a passenger kicked off the flight include their conduct or “condition” along with ability to comply with their carriage terms.
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Within the terms, they outline a specific dress code that some people say only targets women.
New Dress Code Is Very Specific
The dress code states that a passenger must be wearing shoes but that they can be taken off mid-flight.
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However, more rules stipulate that customers can be refused on a flight if their conduct, attire, hygiene, or odor causes a reasonable risk to other passengers.
Getting Kicked off Due to Clothing Choice
When Archbold went to the Salt Lake City Airport in January, she had no idea she was going to be targeted and humiliated by Delta staff.
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Once the entire plane was seated, a flight attendant approached Archbold and asked to speak to her in private.
Archbold Told to Cover Up
She was told by a gate agent that the outfit in question was “offensive or revealing.”
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Archbold was then informed that she would be allowed to fly but only if she put on another shirt over what she was wearing; a plain white t-shirt.
Male Passengers Are Not Held to the Same Standard
The customer noted that men are not held to the same standard when attempting to gain access to a flight.
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A man could easily wear a worn through or see through t-shirt and would not be asked to cover up during the flight.
Achbold’s Attorney Fighting Back
Gloria Allred, Archbold’s representative, noted that at the time of being escorted off the plane, the rules simply stated that only guests who present a clear safety risk can be removed.
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Archbold knows she did not pose a safety risk due to being braless on the flight.
Flying in Comfort
As many women have noted because of this story, flying is uncomfortable, and people often dress down to make the journey a little nicer.
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Undergarments like wire bras can be constricting and uncomfortable. Many people opt to wear sweatpants and hoodies to stay comfortable.
No Plans for a Lawsuit
While Archbold feels as though she was wronged by the flight attendants that day, she has no plans to sue the airline.
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Instead, she has stated she simply wants a sit-down meeting with the president of Delta Airlines to clarify the policies and try to ensure other women will not feel discriminated against.