United States

Internet Erupts After United Airlines Boots Girls for Wearing Leggings

The two girls denied entry were flying as "pass travelers," meaning they were relatives or friends of an United Airlines employee

United Airlines is facing backlash from customers after two girls wearing leggings were denied entry onto a flight because a gate agent deemed their attire improper, NBC News reported.

Shannon Watts said she was waiting to board a plane to Mexico for vacation when she overheard a female gate agent deny entry to a young girl wearing gray leggings and saying, "I don't make the rules, I just enforce them."

The girl, who Watts said was about 10 or 11 years old, had a dress in her backpack to put over leggings and was eventually allowed onto the flight. Two other female passengers who did not have a change of clothes were also denied entry, she said.

Defending the decision on Twitter, United Airlines initially cited a rule in the company's contract of carriage, which states the company can refuse transport to "passengers who are barefoot or not properly clothed," adding that the girls were flying as "pass travelers," meaning they were relatives or friends of an United Airlines employee.

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