What will get you kicked off US Airways? Saggy pants or underpants?

Jill Tarlow via AP

This unnamed, scantily-dressed passenger was allowed to fly US Airways from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to Phoenix. The photo was captured by passenger Jill Tarlow.

US Airways has acknowledged that less than a week before having a college student arrested for allegedly refusing to hike up his saggy pants while boarding, the airline allowed a man wearing little more than women’s underwear, black thigh-high stockings and heels to fly.

On June 16, University of New Mexico football player Deshon Marman was removed from a US Airways flight at San Francisco International Airport and arrested for refusing to follow crew members’ requests to hike up his saggy pants.

At the time, an airline spokesperson said that while the airline “does not have a specific dress code …we do ask that our passengers dress in an appropriate manner to ensure the safety and comfort of all of our passengers.”

Now there are reports — and a photo published in the San Francisco Chronicle —showing that six days before the saggy-pants incident, the airline allowed a man to board a flight in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., wearing an outfit that consisted, mostly, of women’s underwear and a short, see-through, cover-up shirt.

A 20-year-old University of New Mexico football player was arrested at San Francisco International Airport after he allegedly refused to pull up his sagging pants while boarding a US Airways flight. KNTV's Cheryl Hurd reports.

Jill Tarlow, a fellow passenger on the Phoenix-bound flight, shared a photo of the scantily-clad man with the airline and the newspaper. US Airways spokeswoman Valerie Wunder confirmed to The Chronicle that she'd received the photo before last week's incident in San Francisco but said employees had been correct not to ask the man to cover himself.

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“In the case of the gentleman flying of out San Francisco, it was ultimately not a matter of baggy pants. It was a matter of him not complying with crew instructions,” Wunder told msnbc.com. "In terms of the man in Florida: As long as you’re covered you can fly. In the picture, that man is covered. A little unorthodox, but covered."

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"In terms of the man in Florida: As long as you’re covered you can fly. In the picture, that man is covered. A little unorthodox, but covered."

Huh? He was wearing underwear and stockings, how is that being covered up? I think the pants, although saggy, covered more, and are less revealing than a man in tight, short, women's underwear, which leaves a LOT less to the imagination and will garner a lot more attention than baggy pants. Seems an unfair double standard was used here. If you're going to make these rules, then you need to apply them equally, not selectively!

  • 59 votes
#1 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 1:55 PM EDT

I see some girls wearing less

  • 11 votes
#1.1 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:41 PM EDT

If a woman tried to board a plane in that get-up she'd be asked to put clothes on.

  • 47 votes
#1.2 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:29 PM EDT

No...she wouldn't...

  • 4 votes
#1.3 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:43 PM EDT

No...she wouldn't...

  • 3 votes
#1.4 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:43 PM EDT

Not by me she wouldnt (unless she was 400 lb and had a neatly trimmed beard).

  • 5 votes
#1.5 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:45 PM EDT

It's just vulgar! As a paying customer I shouldn't have to be exposed to something so offensive.

  • 44 votes
#1.6 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:51 PM EDT

He's just trying to make sure he isn't selected for a TSA patdown.

  • 28 votes
#1.8 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:08 PM EDT

Smart people wear wool or cotton. If the plane goes down and catches fire, it is much easier to get off the plane if your clothes aren't as prone to burning.

  • 7 votes
#1.9 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:11 PM EDT

Considering the fact that there are many children flying, there should be a dress code for getting on an aircraft. There is no reason that people should have to have themselves or their children subjected to this type of inappropriate stunt or other inappropriate attire. There should be some standards of decency applied. I do not consider myself to be at all prudish, but there needs to be a line drawn.

  • 34 votes
#1.10 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:18 PM EDT

this guy is a regular, and that is his "travel uniform" every employee in PHX knows him. He's as common on the flight as pretzels.Unfortunately, they didnt know "urban youth" from a can of paint. LMBO

  • 2 votes
#1.11 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:43 PM EDT

You have got to be kidding me. That person is considered covered. It is more that that person is white and old, while the college student was black and young. What an asinine rationalization. This country has not progressed in race relations, and continues to lie and cover up the true cause of horrendous racial acts. To harm a student's future, but justify a pervert's cross dressing is just reprehensible.

  • 23 votes
#1.12 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:50 PM EDT

I have seen this guy on numerous flights between Ft. Lauderdale and Phoenix. He is harmless and is apparently straight, believe it or not. But it is certainly an odd way to dress for a cross country flight.

  • 8 votes
#1.13 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:57 PM EDT

This "man" is dressing as a scream for attention. I'm sure somebody will find out who he is.

I would not want me or my family having to see this creep at the airport. I don't care if you do prefer women's underwear, I just don't want to see it, male or female. YUK!

  • 9 votes
#1.14 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:18 PM EDT

My belief is that what is acceptable for flight may vary between points of departure.

In the above cited case, the man was boarding at Ft. Lauderdale.....Ft. Lauderdale, folks! Take a clue. So, although his taste in lingerie is a tad tacky, it's in keeping with, etc.

Flight crew instructions must be followed. It isn't the clothing, but the refusal to comply. Pulling up one's pants from around one's knees....well, if the flight was out of Detroit, then no problem. The saggy pants guy would never been asked to comply in the first place.

  • 2 votes
#1.15 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:18 PM EDT

Are we sure that isn't Miss Oklahoma?

  • 1 vote
#1.16 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:20 PM EDT

Looks like another case of selective racism. Oh wait, there's no racism in America anymore, right?

  • 16 votes
#1.17 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:47 PM EDT

Why are airlines allowed to decide how a passenger should dress? Surely there are laws that cover what is considered decent attire to wear in public places. If the airline believes that any passengers is dressed in an indecent manner PER THE LAW, then fair enough call the cops in. Other wise it is no business of theirs how a member of the public dresses.

  • 7 votes
#1.18 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:01 PM EDT

NO way should one allow this person to fly like that, while not allowing baggy pants dude to board. The airline has blankets and he could cover up. A simple case of appealing to the politically correct crowd.

  • 10 votes
#1.19 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:03 PM EDT

Shades of Anthony Weiner! Are these poor old reprobates not getting enough attention or something in the water? The cape "thingey" and the ladies undies - do you think you're superman or superwoman......

  • 1 vote
#1.20 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:27 PM EDT

Read it again. The guy was removed from the plane because the flight crew told him to do something and he refused. Sorry but if you get on the plan and don't start listening to directions given by the pilot or crew, I don't want you flying with me. Had someone complained about the guy in lingerie, odds are they would have asked him to put something on, cover with a blanket, or exit the aircraft. If he refused any of those commands, I would hope he'd been removed also.

Sorry "Deshon Marman", you were not on the football field. On that plane you sit down and do what you are told, just like the rest of us. Or GTFO.

  • 3 votes
#1.21 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:29 PM EDT

Sorry Chris, but I don't quite agree with your argument. Are you saying that if the flight crew told me to stand on my head in the aisle, I would have to comply, or risk being taken off the plane. Point being, if I feel their request is inappropriate or goes against my rights, I would not comply either.

So, if I have to choose whether I want to sit next to a guy with saggy pants or next to this old perv, I'm choosing the young man.

  • 11 votes
#1.22 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 7:24 PM EDT

When I saw this article I was thinking "this happened in Florida" and guess what, I was right. Why do all the weirdos and freaks live in florida?

On a side note if this guy was able to board a plane like that, then we have no right to kick someone off a plane with baggy and low pants.

  • 9 votes
#1.23 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 7:35 PM EDT

i don't care that they "don't have a dress code." it's the fact that decency has escaped the human race lately. i don't care if you're male or female (even though i think it's safe to say that most people would prefer if a female were to do this, including other females) you should still present yourself in a decent way in public. i would not have left the runway if i were the pilot for fear of being sued for neglecting to address something so hideous that caused multiple people to go blind haha... this is 2011 people, now let's start acting like it!!

  • 3 votes
#1.24 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 7:54 PM EDT

montimo

Sorry Chris, but I don't quite agree with your argument. Are you saying that if the flight crew told me to stand on my head in the aisle, I would have to comply, or risk being taken off the plane. Point being, if I feel their request is inappropriate or goes against my rights, I would not comply either.

There is a world of difference between reasonable requests and outrageous ones.

  • 2 votes
#1.25 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 8:00 PM EDT

THE QUESTION REMAINS " why did they object to what the football player was .wearing and not this guy, why did they ask toe football player to make adjustments to his clothes and not this guy?" Many also foget that while many Black and White young men have their pants low not all do to the degree of those in the picture with the article. This should be taken into consideration as well the degree that the pants are lowered.

  • 2 votes
#1.26 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 8:26 PM EDT

Oh my god! How could they let him fly dressed that way? Ok so much for standards.

  • 5 votes
#1.27 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 11:17 PM EDT

I think this guy has it figured out. The seats on planes have gotten much smaller. I'm sure there are people that would sit in the seat next to the guy in panties but I think the majority would ask for another seat. This allows the guy in ladies underwear, probably on most of his flights, a bit extra space with an empty seat next to him.

As for the man in San Francisco...According to the news there when it happened he not only refused but was belligerent in his refusal. His reaction to the situation is what placed him in the back of the police car.

  • 1 vote
#1.28 - Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:01 AM EDT

I agree with txmom. no way would I sit next to this guy. The airline would be issuing me a new seat of a different flight.

  • 4 votes
#1.29 - Thu Jun 23, 2011 8:13 AM EDT

Be honest with ourselves....its a racial/prejudice discriminating issue here...not the dress code, until society understands this problem will never go away, it will never be solved.

  • 2 votes
#1.30 - Thu Jun 23, 2011 10:46 AM EDT

Lets set the record straight:

1.) Sports matters exactly zero in this situation.

2.) Dress like a thug, get treated like a thug, period

3.) Dress like a freak (the old guy) you should concurrently be treated like a freak

4.) Before you cry "racism" grow a pair and look at the act. If you could just disobey flight crew instructions because you felt the instruction was "against your rights" then the Muslim in the next seat is entitled to entire paradise any time he sees fit, and take you with him, and it is his "right" to have that box cutter. My money says the old fruit in the bra and panties was pretty compliant, and probably would have paid extra to be told what to do.

Finally, no one cares if this kid was black, except black people who are looking for something to be offended about. No one cares ladies, suck up the injustice like the rest of us (like I do every time I pay taxes to help the "disadvantaged") and drive on.

  • 1 vote
#1.31 - Thu Jun 23, 2011 12:57 PM EDT

In the event of a cabin fire, he's going to be in trouble, but then again, considering what *most* people wear on flights, they'll be in trouble also. Do not wear synthetics -- they melt and stick to your skin. Cotton burns at a cooler temperature and is less likely to catch fire from the initial flash of the fire. Wear sturdy leather shoes that are thick enough soled that you'll still be able to walk over very hot metal. Personally, I prefer to wear my old jump boots, but it's not so much fun going through the TSA groping station with them these days since I have to unlace them and take them off.

    #1.32 - Thu Jun 23, 2011 3:18 PM EDT
    Reply

    Neither one of these idiots should even be out wandering around in public, and even an actual woman shouldn't be allowed on a plane dressed like that.

    • 26 votes
    Reply#2 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:36 PM EDT

    The problem is, the guy in women's underwear was probably not asked to alter his behavior. The saggy pants guy was asked to modify his behavior and refused. He wasn't booted for saggy pants, he was booted for failure to comply.

    • 23 votes
    Reply#3 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:38 PM EDT

    what if they asked the gay guy in womens clothing to stop standing with his hip jutted out like a chick?

    what exactly, are you referring to with behaviour regarding saggy pants? I guess im not following you.

    I think you're making assumptions about people who wear baggy pants. I'll agree, the minute someone said "sir, please pull up your pants" it was not complicated or difficult for him to comply. annoying, perhaps...it sounds like he decided to be a jerk about it, but that was AFTER they asked him to modify his dress, not his behaviour.

    • 10 votes
    #3.1 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:23 PM EDT

    Most men who dress in women's clothing are heterosexual men, NOT GAY. Please stop making that assumption. What you are seeing in that photo is probably a man with a wife or girlfriend, 3 kids and 2 grandchildren. Real gay men are men who are attracted to other men, not men who want to be women. Please, please try to grasp that and spread the word. Thanks.

    • 2 votes
    #3.2 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:48 PM EDT

    ^I think you need a reading comprehension class.

      #3.3 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:08 PM EDT

      Why are airlines allowed to decide how a passenger should dress? Surely there are laws that cover what is considered decent attire to wear in public places. If the airline believes that any passengers is dressed in an indecent manner PER THE LAW, then fair enough call the cops in. Other wise it is no business of theirs how a member of the public dresses.

      • 3 votes
      #3.4 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:02 PM EDT

      Jherek,

      I believe the law doesn't mandate shoes as a requirement in public, but a restaraunt could. This is private industry, and they can have any rules they want. If I own my own airplane and detest the color green, why can't I say nobody can wear green on my airplane? Color is not a protected discrimanatory consideration.

      • 3 votes
      #3.5 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:13 PM EDT

      @Tony-1968634

      The problem is, the guy in women's underwear was probably not asked to alter his behavior. The saggy pants guy was asked to modify his behavior and refused. He wasn't booted for saggy pants, he was booted for failure to comply.

      Not true, I saw video footage of at least part of that incident and the black guy was being very cooperative and respectful.

      I'm sorry, but I don't think saggy pants partial showing his underwear is no where near as offensive as a grown man wearing only underwear, and women underwear at that.

      Appears the moral of this story is the black guy should have completely removed his pants...then he would have been fine.

      • 13 votes
      #3.6 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:24 PM EDT

      Thanks Greg... Your comments make sense to me... I think we know what went on...
      It is called a double standard...

      • 1 vote
      #3.7 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 11:48 PM EDT
      Reply

      This guy is fabulous! I want to shake his hand.

        Reply#4 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:40 PM EDT

        it makes you wonder, does this guy dress like this often...or did he do it for the patdown affect? because either way, thats pretty brave and crazy!

          #4.1 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:24 PM EDT

          I wouldn't want to get anywhere near his hand, or anything else either. This guy is gross and disgusting and if I were unlucky enough to have to sit next to this freak, I would sue the airline for millions. Yuch!

          • 3 votes
          #4.2 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:30 PM EDT

          Wow NYCguy, i would think you would see stranger things in new york. So what he is wearing makes him gross? Would you say the same about a woman wearing the same thing? because I have seen women wearing clothes like that in public. How about a woman wearing pants?

          Who are you to decide what kind of clothing people can and cannot wear? He is fully covered, he is decent. I dont see the problem.

          • 4 votes
          #4.3 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:43 PM EDT

          sounds like you want to use your face as his panty liner

          • 2 votes
          #4.4 - Thu Jun 23, 2011 7:33 AM EDT

          Mandy - you are clearly and idiot. There is NO WAY this nasty, perverted cross dressing creep could be called "decent". He should have been arrested LONG ago for indecent exposure. The fact that he has gotten away with this for so long is truly pathetic - he should have been arrested the moment he stepped out into public looking like that. And to let him get on a plane AND sit next to someone in that getup is truly sad. I would definitley complain if something like that sat next to me on a plane. You of course would probably ask for his phone number.

          • 1 vote
          #4.5 - Thu Jun 23, 2011 10:28 AM EDT

          I am an idiot because I don't discriminate against how people dress?

          I don't consider "cross dressers" to be perverted or creepy in any way. I have a friend who is a drag queen and he is the sweetest person I know.

          Lammy, women "Cross dress" every day by wearing jeans, t-shirts, and other clothing that 100 years ago would not have been considered appropriate attire for a woman. Now a lot of men are starting to venture into "women's" clothing. I don't see how this is grounds for arrest.

          I would have no problem sitting next to him, someone wearing a burka, or someone dressed in drag. What difference does it make to me what they wear?

          Maybe you just need to get out of your bubble. You act like its an insult that I would sit next to him. He is probably just being a smart ass anyway. I feel sorry for you.

            #4.6 - Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:55 PM EDT
            Reply

            Isn't it funny that they asked the college student to pull his pant up, but the let the old guy walk right pass them and not even say "put some pant on!" I find that interesting. I don't like to see young men walking around with sagging pants, but I REALLY don't want to see some old guy in women's underwear!!!!!!

            • 19 votes
            Reply#5 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:42 PM EDT

             Blantant double standard by US airways. white man can fly in underwear, black man can't even have saggy pants. I call Bullsh** on failure to comply.

            • 23 votes
            Reply#6 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:54 PM EDT

            It's America. Get used to the intolerance.

            • 4 votes
            #6.1 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:45 PM EDT

            I was wondering when the race card would be brought into play! Time to move on to the president's speech tonight. This is not even news worthy..in my humble opinion. We have so many bigger problems in this country, no??

            • 4 votes
            #6.2 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:10 PM EDT

            Shamgun, it has nothing to do with race. It has to do with two aspects1) Baggy clothes can conceal weapons, its not the airlines fault if it was a "Black" guy or a "White" guy was happening to wear them, fact is, they were suspicious of the clothing. You cannot hide a weapon very well in nothing.
            2) The guy wearing baggy clothes did not listen to the airline staff. No matter what you are doing, always do what the airline says. its his own stupid fault for not listening.
            See. Nothing about race.

            • 1 vote
            #6.3 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:24 PM EDT

            What's worse, racism, or all the stupid excuses and denials?

            • 4 votes
            #6.4 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:52 PM EDT

            Mandy,

            If he made it all the way to his terminal with a "concealed weapon", we might have to double check the metal detectors he assuredly passed through prior to reaching his gate. US Airways had to come up with some excuse after they allowed this man to fly in women's underwear one week and had the teen removed for "noncompliance" a week later. Wake up and smell the BS!

            • 3 votes
            #6.5 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:54 PM EDT

            Mandy your argument is ridiculous. Airport security has metal detectors to spot weapons. What a person wears on an airplane or any other public place is not up to private individuals or companies to decide. There are laws that cover what is considered decent attire to wear in public places. If the airline believes that any passengers is dressed in an indecent manner PER THE LAW, then fair enough call the cops in. Otherwise it is no business of theirs how a member of the public dresses.

            • 3 votes
            #6.6 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:05 PM EDT

            Double standard, indeed.

            But one thing they both have in common - they both look totally ridiculous.

              #6.7 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 7:02 PM EDT

              Notice my argument also included not complying with what the staff wanted them to do. The guy was being a dick and he got kicked off the plane, too bad for him.

                #6.8 - Thu Jun 23, 2011 1:45 AM EDT
                Reply

                The biggest difference I can see here (besides for the obvious color choice faux pas) is that this flier does not appear to be carrying nor have the suggestion of carrying any sort of concealed weapons, nor is he dressed in a manner which might suggest to some passengers that he could be affiliated with any sort of gang, it is clearly a matter of perception in any case, but as a flier, I would prefer to be amused than concerned. Plane tix are expensive, the airline is right to look out for the perceptions of the majority of passengers.

                • 11 votes
                #7 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 2:58 PM EDT

                Your argument is all wet Robin. Why the hell do you think we go through metal detectors and pat downs when we enter the secured area? You are the worst sort of bigot...making assumptions because the kid wore baggy pants and a minority...oh he must be in a gang. if the kid were white you would have said oh he is just being a typical teenager rebeling. Yes the airlines does have a right to enforce any of their rules on flyers, but they should be done uniformly and fairly. As I said in an earlier post, if this guy were a woman dress like that, in panties, bra, stockings and and a flimsy top, there is no way they would let her fly.

                • 15 votes
                #7.1 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:10 PM EDT

                Given that the saggy pants thing is frequently attributed to it's ability to conceal weapons, and given that the TSA has failed on numerous occasions - even by their own admission and during their own QC tests - to catch weapons brought into airports, I've got to give the nod to Robin. No way in hell the old drag queen was hiding anything!

                • 9 votes
                #7.2 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:31 PM EDT

                Katie, I'll give this one more try. My assertion is that the airline feels the need to assign the same bigotry that you accuse me of to each and every passenger who shows up for a flight looking like a normal person. Baggy pants guys are the bigots. They dress that way to play the race card. They want to incite the sort of derision that inevitably comes their way. They dress in a fashion to bring the prison lifestyle that they aspire to out to society, and that's why I find them to be particularly annoying. Further, by throwing the race card, you, madam are the one making assumptions about race, for I daily see black, white, and Latino young men dressed in this way, and I will admit to you that it makes it impossible to respect any of them.

                • 7 votes
                #7.3 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:48 PM EDT

                We must be sensitive to those of a different sexual lifestyle, but not those with saggy pants.

                • 4 votes
                #7.4 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:08 PM EDT

                That whole "failure to comply" thing is often arbitrary, and easily abused.

                • 3 votes
                #7.5 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:17 PM EDT

                Im going to agree with Robin on this one. The saggy pants "style" is adopted from prison culture, and the reality is...you dress for the job you want. If you dress like a thug, expect to be treated like one.

                If you dress like a gay fairie, expect to be treated like one. They simply said "fabulous" to him, and he was on his merry way.

                I see mostly white kids wearing the baggy pants, and my very first thought is this: those guys are going to have jacked up legs when they are a bit older.

                Have you seen how they walk? the entire effort is to keep the pants up, and their legs are bowed and awkward...there's saggy, and then there's cartoonish...and anything not resting on the buttocks, is cartoonish...

                its very hard to respect a joke. not that i respect underwear man any more than the saggy pants folks. there's little reason to wear what he's wearing other than "because I want" and "i can".

                • 3 votes
                #7.6 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:30 PM EDT

                ok seriously even if the guy was living a different sexual lifestyle he would have done so better not looking like that...if he was a crossdresser...he would have still put on all casual close pants and shirt...not stockings underpants or that top...if he were trans he would want to blend in so he wouldnt have gone out looking like that and as for the kid with the pants well thats how a portion of my generation likes to dress black or white or latino but the thing that the airlines shouldnt be worried about a college student having weapons or looking inappropriate to their standards...they should have been worried about the old guy who was probably trying to make a point...after all how likely is it that a college student is also gonna be a gang member that is going to risk his life on bringing a gun to an airport when they have new types of scanners and new methods of security

                  #7.7 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:31 PM EDT

                  Robin is absolutely correct. The whole "baggy pants" style was created out of gang bangers desire to hide weapons. The TSA is now notorious for not catching all weapons that pass through security. Therefore, I'll fly, and sit next to, the drag queen any day, any flight, and feel a helluva lot more comfortable and secure than sitting next to any person, male or female, wearing baggy pants. These pants have been banned in many schools, public and private, precisely because of the security issues. The airlines would be wise to do the same for the same reason.

                  On another note, given the publicity that college football programs (USC and Ohio State) and players have received lately, I would think that any player would like to draw the least amount of attention to themselves. If it were me I would wear a suit and tie.

                  • 5 votes
                  #7.8 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:32 PM EDT

                  The argument that baggy clothes could conceal weapons is nonsense! I could hide a hangun in the waistband of my pants under a loose shirt. A fat chick could hide a machine gun and a dozen grenades under her muu-muu. So all baggy clothes should therefore be forbidden on airplanes! How absurd! That what the x-ray machines and metal detectors are for. If airport security is missing weapons then they had best smarten up and do their jobs better and learn to use their expensive machinery that was installed to detect weapons. They targetted the young guy with the baggy pants because it bothered somebody for some emotional rather than rational reason. Let's make sense here people.

                  There are laws that cover what is considered decent attire to wear in public places. If the airline believes that any passengers is dressed in an indecent manner PER THE LAW, then fair enough call the cops in. Other wise it is no business of theirs how a member of the public dresses.

                  • 1 vote
                  #7.9 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:12 PM EDT

                  Jherk Carn: No. The queer in the panties bothers me on a much deeper emotional level than a wanna-be thug! Even if the kid actually was a thug, that's just a basic fear instinct. The old dude in panties and high heels? That goes way beyond fear. That's more like what most people feel when they see a snake - they're not sure what it is, but they're not about to get too close.

                  But, you're wrong. A private business can dictate exactly how you dress - or they can decline to serve you. So, it sort of IS their business how a member of the public dresses if that member of the public expects to ride on their airplane.

                  • 6 votes
                  #7.10 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:19 PM EDT

                  Miker, this guy is absolutely nasty. I would not have sat next to him. I would have demanded that the flight crew move him or me.

                  What's this about NM being in the Bible Belt?

                  • 1 vote
                  #7.11 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 8:19 PM EDT

                  GNM: Some guy made a comment about a story in NM and said something about all the Bible thumpers. . . just didn't make sense so I asked him when NM had joined the Bible Belt. I think the guy was just another moron who doesn't actually know where New Mexico is.

                  • 1 vote
                  #7.12 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 8:53 PM EDT

                  Carnelian, you have made this comment a couple times now and it is still wrong. US Airways is a private company and can dictate a dress code to its passengers. Flying as a means of conveyance is not a protected right. It is not "per the law" but "per the company's prerogative." Don't like it? Don't fly US Airways.

                  This assumes, of course, it was merely a clothing, or as they say failure to follow directions issue. It would be a problem if it was a racial discrimination issue. I make no statement to that issue, because I know no more than what was in this article.

                  • 1 vote
                  #7.13 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:29 PM EDT

                  Miker, Many folks don't know where NM is. I've even had people on the phone tell me my English is excellent for a foreigner. Once I was in Pennsylvania and an adult asked me if I had any trouble exchanging my money for dollars. He was dead serious. I told him no since the bank was short on gold pieces they exchanged them right away.

                  • 1 vote
                  #7.14 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 10:30 PM EDT

                  Grump: That's freaking hilarious! I always crack up when people think that West Virginia and Virginia are still two parts of the same state.

                  • 1 vote
                  #7.15 - Thu Jun 23, 2011 9:07 AM EDT

                  @Yeah?

                  No my point is not wrong. It is spot on and to the point. An airline employee or anyone else has no right to tell someone how to dress as long as they are obeying the law.

                  If I am wrong then where does that stop? Should the airline have the right to turn you away because they don't allow guys wearing earring or they don't like the color somebody dyed their hair or a Scot wearing a kilt is not allowed? That's absurd and violates the rights of a free person in a free society.

                  Stupid discriminatory practices always make sense when it's the other guy being discriminated against. You will think my viewpoint is unreasonable until you are refused service because some officious clerk somewhere doesn't like something about the way you dress and then you will change your tune.

                    #7.16 - Thu Jun 23, 2011 11:30 AM EDT

                    Next time I fly I'm only wearing socks.

                    • 1 vote
                    #7.17 - Thu Jun 23, 2011 3:42 PM EDT

                    TonyIn Dallas, on your feet?

                    • 1 vote
                    #7.18 - Fri Jun 24, 2011 5:34 PM EDT
                    Reply

                    Would they have allowed a woman to fly in that exact same "outfit"? I bet dollars to donuts they would not have. Face it US Airways you blew it on the kid. By the way the crew instructions were to pull up his pants. So it was about the baggy pants and NOT about failur to follow crew instructions.

                    • 4 votes
                    Reply#8 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:02 PM EDT

                    They did NOT blow it on the kid. They blew it on the old man!

                    • 9 votes
                    #8.1 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:28 PM EDT

                    They did NOT blow it on the kid. They blew it on the old man!

                    +1

                    There is no way on earth that this man should be allowed on a plane to fly. A woman would be escorted out of the airport if dressed that way! She would be picked up on the streets by the police if dressed that way in public, and taken back to the mental ward. What if you 6 year old was flying with you that day???? You want him or her to see that???? Come on everyone get real!!!! Totally blew it on the old man!

                    I look at people with their pants falling off and think "Man do you look stupid." End of story. But I look at someone dressed like this old man and think "Pervert, Sexual Predator, Child molester." This is a public means of transportation not the office halloween party.

                    • 1 vote
                    #8.2 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:43 PM EDT

                    But I look at someone dressed like this old man and think "Pervert, Sexual Predator, Child molester."

                    Time to go to Specsavers.

                    The man is a transvestite. Transvestites are not perverts, they are fetishists. They are not sexual predators or child molestors. They are straight men who enjoy sex w/ women. Many of them keep this fetish a secret due to ppl who need a new prescription & "see" what isn't there. I say good for him for having the cojones to go public.

                    A woman would be escorted out of the airport if dressed that way! She would be picked up on the streets by the police if dressed that way in public, and taken back to the mental ward.

                    She'd be just as covered as he is, so, no she wouldn't be "escorted" anywhere (unless that was her job, of course), & esp not to a "mental ward", as a harmless fetish is not considered a mental illness.

                    What if you 6 year old was flying with you that day????

                    Why does a 6 yo merit punctuation abuse? Yawn on the "But what about the children????" argument. Sm children aren't going to know the difference btwn his ensemble & anyone else's, until some narrow-minded person gasps in an affronted manner & pitches an indignant fit & tells them it's "bad". It's not bad. It's just different & that's all a kid needs to know. He dresses like that b/c he likes it & it's OK.

                    • 3 votes
                    #8.3 - Thu Jun 23, 2011 11:24 PM EDT

                    Scar, while I can agree with you for the most part, there is an issue now of our 8, 9, 10 and 11 year old girls dressing, well, like sluts. Telling a kid it's ok to dress the way you want because you like it, while I would love to be able to do that, gives a girl the message that if she wants to do mission work in a male prison with a halter top and mini skirt that nothing will happen to them and if a boy wants to wear long hair and dress like a punk or metal rocker in Marshall, Texas he will never be beat up. (You should see the looks my son gets while we are there visiting relatives. If you are not in overalls or hunting camo...).

                    It would be great if we could all dress like we wanted and not be harassed for it, but that really is not the reality of this country. Certain norms are expected, except in a few spots, like San Francisco, and even there you cannot wear "anything".

                    • 1 vote
                    #8.4 - Fri Jun 24, 2011 10:17 AM EDT
                    Reply

                    You want to stop being subjected to this kind of crap- contact me I will design a VTC system for you, that way you won't be "exposed" to such jackasses.

                      Reply#9 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:08 PM EDT

                      You have to be kidding me! Definitely a double standard race issue.

                      • 6 votes
                      Reply#10 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:08 PM EDT

                      He's sooooo sexy with his big girl panties and all

                      • 3 votes
                      Reply#12 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:10 PM EDT

                      This man has been spotted before on flights wearing women's clothing. His face is well known on failblog. If they can get a guy for saggy pants, the least they could do is make this guy put on some clothes!

                      • 4 votes
                      Reply#13 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:13 PM EDT
                      Comment author avatarfrancoisduvalleExpand Comment Comment collapsed by the community

                      This guy looks like he'd suck a cock without much of an arguement!

                      • 2 votes
                      Reply#14 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:15 PM EDT

                      I don't think he wants to argue ;-)

                      • 1 vote
                      #14.1 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:02 PM EDT
                      Reply

                      did they still pad him down looking for conceald weapons?

                        Reply#15 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:17 PM EDT

                        Could be his clever way to get out of that :P

                        • 1 vote
                        #15.1 - Thu Jun 23, 2011 11:27 PM EDT
                        Reply

                        The treatment of the college student is bogus and their own explanation speaks to a double standard. If the young man was in compliance by being covered up be it jeans or his boxers he was dressed more appropriately than the man above and there should have been NO instruction for him to pull his pants up period. the ignorance is amazing on here the perception of a thug or gangsta??? Really aren't we all now complaining about the intrusive nature of new pat down searches for all passengers? You don't speak for a majority of anything Robin Steele other than the ignorant posters that take time out of their day to reinforce how dumb some people are

                        • 8 votes
                        Reply#16 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:17 PM EDT

                        Young men in this day in age have few opportunities to introduce them selves to the world and make opportunities for themselves. By walking around looking like you don't even know how to dress yourself, you guarantee yourself a Darwin award when it comes to how you will be perceived in any and all situations. If you, sir think the majority of people think that this is OK or at all well thought out, I would have to say that your perception is skewed by perhaps thinking anything that's legal is a great idea.

                        • 8 votes
                        #16.1 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:56 PM EDT

                        emonster - how do you know that the guys ass wasnt showing, instead of his boxers?

                        trust me, ive seen it...usually at walmart, and it not at all "covered up" simply because there are pants somewhere in the vicinity.

                        • 2 votes
                        #16.2 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:33 PM EDT

                        Robin seems very concerned with forcing upon the young man her ideas of first impressions. Would you also quiz him on grammar and make sure he's using formal speech patterns and making good eye contact? Perhaps you could suggest for him some career options after asking about his academic focus at the University? "oppertunities to introduce themselves to the world" ?? I'd say by this point in his life he's already been well out in the world. Are you saying you dress the same way to your job that you would when going on vacation on a plane, or to the drugstore late at night? While I myself am not into the saggy pants image, I have been known to dress quite comfortably for the joys of airline travel.

                        Is it cool if I wear a tshirt, camping shorts and flipfops if I already have a successful career going?

                        • 4 votes
                        #16.3 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:52 PM EDT

                        My job is not inmate, were it, I'd likely not dress the same on a plane. Frankly, I am put off by improper spelling, punctuation and grammar. I find it neither confining nor an attack on my idea of freedom to embrace proper English. Let me ask you, are you merely playing devil's advocate, or do you think college students should use the silliness of high school as a basis for starting a career path? And while we are talking about erroneous assumptions, I'm a guy. Just happy my folks didn't call me Batman!

                        • 1 vote
                        #16.4 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:38 PM EDT

                        @Robin Steele

                        I find it neither confining nor an attack on my idea of freedom to embrace proper English

                        How can I put this in Ebonics? "there's no such thing are proper English," hell English isn't even a language. At best Americanized English is a bastardize composite of all the "real" languages of the word... Latin, Germanic, Spanish etc etc... a "hodge podge" of words lazily thrown together, and there's nothing proper about it at all...lol

                        • 2 votes
                        #16.5 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:40 PM EDT

                        The collapse of language over history has been the precursor to the demise of various civilizations. All languages are a composite of something. Further, my above comment does not state that I believe it is absolutely necessary for any particular individual to speak it. I am, however entitled to the opinion that the Ebonics which you characterize as acceptable language, is just a language with its pants on the ground.

                        • 2 votes
                        #16.6 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 11:16 PM EDT
                        Reply

                        Who would I rather sit next to? Definitely the dude in the saggy pants. But US Airways kind of damns themselves in this article. There was no mention that the guy in the saggy pants was showing anything obscene - just his underwear. His naughty bits were covered from what I heard. So "covering up" isn't the standard that was used. I will add that even if he was flashing a little "crack," that's less than I see every day on the street. A yuppie dude showed me half his rear when he bent over to tie his shoe at the bagel shop the other day. I soooo didn't need that before breakfast. And that's to say nothing of the teen girls with their low-rise jeans. No, there was definitely a racial undertone to what happened.

                        I would also like to note that I HATE the saggy pants look. I've turned men down based on it, just because I think it indicates a weakness of mind - meaning they want more to follow a trend than anything else. That said, I think motions to legislate against it are just stupid and rules that are applied as unevenly as those of US Airways are illegal.

                        • 7 votes
                        Reply#17 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:18 PM EDT

                        Moreover, the weak justification provided by the airline as to why this old man's outfit is acceptable while the young man's outfit is unacceptable is rather insulting. Even a 5 year old would realize that the body of the young man is more covered than that of the old man.

                        • 5 votes
                        #17.1 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:28 PM EDT

                        It sounds very subjective and arbitrary, which of course is always the best way to run the rules and regulations of an airline company. It seems no one wanted to speak up and say the old man was offensive to them out of concern for looking intollerent, but most likely several people had no problem calling out the college student.

                        • 2 votes
                        #17.2 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:56 PM EDT

                        Seriously? A racial undertone? Why does EVERYTHING that happens have to be caused by racism? It's ridiculous. If the tables were turned and the saggy pants dude got to fly and this old guy didn't - no one would be sitting here blaming racism for it. The old guy looks ridiculous, the saggy pants dude also probably looked ridiculous and you can't sit there and constantly blame race for everything, it's time to move on. If it was a white kid that had his drawers hanging down on his knees - you don't know that they would've let him on the plane or not because it didn't happen that way with those same people on staff. See people for what they are for crying out loud....PEOPLE. Stop associating a color with everyone.

                        • 1 vote
                        #17.3 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:13 PM EDT

                        Stop playing the "playing the racist card" card. Sometimes it just that. In 2011 there are still tones of racism kinda like a candy corn in July - still around and nobody wants to deal with it.

                        WHY was he asked to pull up his pants if an underwear slip is the reason he was asked to? Simple fact is all the reasons everyone is (concealed weapon, extension of prison mentality, blah blah,) are excuses for the simple fact of not answering WHY he was asked to pull up his pants. If he had a gun why didnt TSA find it. I thought he was traveling, not going on a job interview. If you are interviewing him for a job, you may certainly critique his dress otherwise who cares.

                        He was asked because his dress was not in accordance to the flight crews comfort level. Pull up the pants- you can stay. Pants low- Got to go. Old man shows underwear- peanuts or pretzels sir with your complimentary soda.

                        I've seen kids from the burbs with low pants get on airplanes and no questions were asked (yes on US Airways). Kid from th burbs with low pants = skater rebel Black football player with low pants= criminal, gang member, drug dealer

                        Also I would say the old man is a double standard too. Any woman would be told to cover up if they wore that to the airport.

                          #17.4 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 9:19 PM EDT

                          Hey, kid, get a haircut!

                            #17.5 - Thu Jun 23, 2011 3:48 PM EDT
                            Reply

                            This guy looks rediculous.Talk about a publicity stunt.

                            • 1 vote
                            Reply#18 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:18 PM EDT

                            Of course it was a publicity stunt, but he was "covered". Even you as a lady should be able to get by with it. Try it and see, if you can't then sue the hell out of them. Save this guys picture for the court room as well as yours.

                            • 1 vote
                            #18.1 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:31 PM EDT

                            gloria is a lady?

                            • 1 vote
                            #18.2 - Thu Jun 23, 2011 10:47 AM EDT

                            Altough I abhor the saggy pants craze, I also feel that this lingerie wearing man was equally abhorant. My problem with this is who gets to be the fashion police. What racial fears or attitudes do they bring to the equation? Whose sebsibilities gets to decide?

                            America is supposed to be the land of the free. We've got young men and women fighting and dying for this freedom everyday. Yet we have people trying to impose their values on other people everyday. My beliefs are more important and right than your beliefs. Your free as long as you think and look like me.

                            When I was a kid, kids on the street with ripped patchedup jeans were seen as hippies and freaks. Now women spend hundreds of dollars for the same jeans.

                            WHAT TRULY IS FREEDOM!!!!!!

                              #18.3 - Thu Jun 23, 2011 12:10 PM EDT
                              Reply

                              If this is not a clear example of U.S. Airways exercising doubles standards then I don't know what will constitute as double standards.

                              • 5 votes
                              Reply#19 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:21 PM EDT

                              For goodness sake, guy, put on a dress!

                              • 18 votes
                              Reply#20 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:21 PM EDT

                              very funny

                              • 1 vote
                              #20.1 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:31 PM EDT

                              For goodness sake, guy, put on a dress!

                              LOL

                              • 1 vote
                              #20.2 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:54 PM EDT

                              I just wonder what was showing on the guy with the droopy drawers. If you can see that vertical smile then there is a problem. It isn't politically correct to say what I want to about the guy. A dress would have been much kinder to the eyes.

                                #20.3 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 6:58 PM EDT
                                Reply

                                • 1 vote
                                Reply#21 - Wed Jun 22, 2011 3:22 PM EDT
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