A “celebrity” has accused American Airlines of forcing her to undress in front of other passengers. I’m very skeptical.
Aubrey O’Day shared her story via Twitter, claiming a male flight attendant forced O’Day to undress in front of the cabin because he did not like her shirt.
When asked for details from American Airlines, O’Day said:
I gave you his name. I literally have no interest in dealing with your airline any further. I’m that offended and disturbed. I wish I took @JetBlue.
She did name the flight attendant in her earlier tweet.
Fans took to her side, with many concluding the flight attendant must have been a pervert. O’Day was quick to dismiss that charge:
I didn’t get pervert vibes. I got someone that I feel genuinely hated me. he wasn’t kind. and I don’t believe his feelings were handled correctly.
So, let’s step back for a moment. Why would a flight attendant ask O’Day to change shirts? What possible reason would he have for making her undress in front of other passengers? Why did she refuse to share a picture of the shirt or at least share what it said?
A Vulgar T-Shirt?
TMZ, the bastion of hard news and fact-based reporting, caught up with some other passengers on the flight.
It appears the shirt had the phrase “F— Trump” on it along with an image of a hand raising a middle finger (it at least had the F-word on it). When she was asked to change into a different shirt, she claimed she had no change of clothes. It was then that the FA advised her she could turn her shirt inside out. O’Day threatened to complain on social media and begrudgingly turned her shirt inside out…in front of everyone. At no point was she told she had to change in front of everyone and the lavatory was open.
If True, Flight Attendant Should Be Applauded
Generally, free speech rights do not extend to private corporations and never extend to subjecting others to unwanted vulgarities. If she was wearing the “F— Trump” or just a “F—” shirt, then the flight attendant was right to require her to remove the offending garment.
AA’s dress code is not exactly clear:
Dress appropriately; bare feet or offensive clothing aren’t allowed.
While that line between what is offensive and what is not can be arbitrary, a shirt with the F-word certainly crosses it, at least in my opinion.
CONCLUSION
I’m not making authoritative conclusions as to what happens, but I really think it is suspicious that O’Day refuses to clarify the content of her shirt.
Just curious, would you be offended by a shirt with such coarse language?
(H/T: One Mile at a Time // image: Instagram/Aubrey O’Day)
I’m sorry that’s her right to free speech. I get if someone is too scantily dressed and is inappropriate in that way, the flight attendant can confront them. But she’s perfectly entitled to where the shirt provided she doesn’t engage verbally or otherwise with other passengers regarding it.
Right?
That’s not right, at least according to current First Amendment jurisprudence.
While not a “right,” the F word has never ever caused pain or injury to anyone.
For example, many are offended by the lack of conjugation in title of this article.
While AA handled things the way they saw fit, she has exercised her right by complaining loudly. This won’t hurt or help either of em much and is not really a big deal.
Call me a prude, but I find vulgar language offensive. Unfortunately, it seems to be more and more pervasive in our culture. It is possible to convey a message without the use of vulgarity. I applaud the flight attendant’s actions.
I agree with Nan. Offensive langiage is inappropriate!
You do understand that you do not have a “right to free speech” don’t you? The right you have is that the *government* can’t control what you say. Private companies, like airlines, are absolutely allowed to control what you say on their property.
Especially if is offensive!
What if her tshirt said “F*&# Jesus/Allah/Shiva”? Would she still be entitled to her free speech? Im no friend of Trump but her tshirt fit the airline’s vulgar/offensive definition. No one said anything to her when she roamed the airport. But, the moment she set foot in the airplane, she becomes subject to the airline’s rules.
I agree with Planaiappan Rajaram.
Nope John thats not true. The Phrase F… T…
With the finger symbol is inflamatory. I’m surprised American allowed her to board without turning the shirt inside out. This is not an unusual thing for the airline to do.
It happens all the time. This is about Safety. The airlines job is to move people Safely from point to point. This means keeping passengers from getting in fights and arguments on the plane. Hence, the policy of not allowing vulgar or inflamatory statement shirts onboard. You also may not smoke on a plane, become inebriated and so on. Flying is a privilege….not a right. She does have a right to free speech. Just not on an airplane. It’s also against the law to yell “fire” in a crowded theatre, unless there is a fire.
I agree with Tracy.
FYI to those who feel it is their right to do, wear, say as they please on a flight.
“Not so fast…”
Airlines, airports, and schools do not follow the same “it’s my right”. So, next time, check the mirror and if it doesn’t look, say, read, etc on the more conservative side, then change it, add a sweater, jacket, …https://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/17762109/never-wear-these-items-at-the-airport/?source=66069
I agree with Andy.
I agree with your suspicions regarding what happened and how it was handled. However, I have a real problem when a policy isn’t clearly outlined and it’s subjective in interpretation. For example, I’m not offended by the F word but realize many others are. However, I’m offended by MAGA hats and similar clothing (stand for the anthem, kneel for the cross, etc)… It’s really too subjective at this point. The policy would be better defended with some specific language regarding no swear words, no tank tops, or whatever the airline doesn’t want to see. I know they leave it broad for a purpose but I feel it does an injustice to some.
Fair point.
That’s because normal people know what the word “offensive” means. Nope that we have a group of snowflakes who are “offended” by things they don’t agree with, I guess it needs to be spelled out.
Didn’t proofread that. NOW that we have a group of snowflakes….
“Dress appropriately” means use common sense. No porno pix or salty language. Remember that children and decent people will see it. Not too hard to comply with whether on an airplane or not.
I agree with Brad.
F*ck Trump & F*ck You if you voted for him. Given the state of affairs, saying or displaying this (without the asterisks used to pass these online filters) in any forum IS common sense and should offend precisely no one. Every being on Earth present and future will be impacted by this sh*thole.
Yeah. It’s scary how offended people get when they’re called out for their inaction on climate change.
No, I wouldn’t be offended by it but I can’t say I like it ( and nor do I believe it serves any useful purpose). Although I believe Trump to be one of the most loathsome individuals to have walked on earth, individuals are capable of forming their own judgements without visual aids from this ‘celebrity’
This Flight Attendant deserves
The flight attendant took political sides, in my opinion. Conservative person who probably is a puritain ,too, Old fashioned like living in stone age. I am a neutral guy and i think everybody can wear whatever they please, but smaoll clothes showing intimate parts of the body. Freedom of speech , we live in democrasy! Bad for the flight attendant he is not her father to teach what she has to wear.
Why do you draw the line at “small clothes showing intimate parts of the body”. Isn’t that more puritanical than the F-word?
We don’t live in a democracy, never has been. You know how you vote for someone to make decisions for you and then you are obligated to live by their decissions? Thats not how democracy works.
Additionally we do not have rights, we have areas where congress is not allowed to interfere, companies are still allowed to make rules which you are obliged to follow if you use their services, even if you feel like it violates your rights.
A perfect example is the violation of rights when the TSA performs search and seizure on everyone that flies. You give up your 4th amedment right to be free from unwarrented and unreasonable search and seizures because you want to fly.
I meant this Flight Attendant deserves our compliments !!!
As is the case, it’s “what point” is being addressed?
Is it ..having to undress, or is it the wording on the shirt? When reading the title, it’s assumed the article references a celebrity that is made to undress in the front of a jet.
Which begs the question(s)…huh, why, what
To which is answered…why didn’t they use the lavatory? Did they really undress? No.
And so on.
Should be end of story.
Then…add fuel to cause individuals to go on & on about the 1st Amend, etc.
Please note…it’s not just “conservatives” that get upset over some words or articles (or lack of) clothing. This Dem here agrees that out of courtesy, respect, thoughtfulness, situation, location, etc that I applaud the FA for asking the celeb to reverse their shirt. Why? Because, I do feel that it is inappropriate when young children, elders, respect for religious-minded are also in the confined area. Why also start a hrewhaha w/ the right…let it go…consider the time & place.
Some people seem to be confused about what their “right to free speech” actually is. It prevents the GOVERNMENT from punishing you CRIMINALLY over your speech. It does not protect you from getting fired, from a private company refusing service, etc. over something you did or said. Seems like the FA & AA are catching a lot of crap for them asking an entitled ‘celebrity’ (agree with the loose use of that word) to cover up the “F” word on the front of her shirt and now she’s throwing a hissy fit.
Thank you – glad someone else on here understands the Constitution.
Sounds like there is an alarmingly large number of prudish entitled conservatives here that cannot accept the truth that this country is unhappy with “prez” Pussy Grabber. Corruption, lying, collusion, treachery clearly isn’t enough for these people to admit that electing a racist hate monger is wrong.
Hey, you need to leave Bubba clinton & Obama outta this, their not at fault here.
The constitution is a joke. It was written by a bunch a white wig wearing powder faced queens who stole this land from natives.
Bro, that’s the truth
If American Airlines was smart, they should sue this woman on behalf of the flight attendant, saying we backup our employees and defend them when our passengers falsely accuse our employees of wrongdoing and then publicly humiliate them on social media. That would go far in their employee relations efforts. The problem with the t-shirt had nothing to do with the Trump part, it was the “F” word being exposed to kids and others on the plane.
It would then created feeling of entitlement on the most spoiled workers in the hospitality industries….
I am an AA FA, and when this story broke I found it amusing that she didn’t post a picture of the T-Shirt in question. I was dismayed that none of the reporting news outlets (that I saw) even questioned the validity of her story. What occurred had nothing to do with Trumps name on her shirt, but the offensive language. When customers do have on clothing with offensive language or gestures, it is our policy to ask them to remove it if possible, and at the very least, PRIVATELY turn the item inside out. It is similar to when we still played movies on the overhead monitors, and they had to be chosen & then edited for mature language & content for everyone that was on board and had the opportunity to see it.
This was turned into an opportunity for attention, an extra 15 minutes of much-needed fame, IMO….
I think it’s total bullsh@#$ that people think it’s okay to wear curse word shirts in front of children, and I’m assuming children don’t read travel blogs.
I would never wear a shirt like that myself (I don’t need to draw attention to myself like that), but I have 2 kids under the age of 8 and I couldn’t care less if they saw that shirt in public.
It’s a word they shouldn’t use, they know that. Hiding their heads under a rock isn’t going to do anything.
F——- those spoiled ignorant brats. It’s OK to raise them as hate filled racists but they can’t see expletives. If they are educated in the US the most likely can’t read anyway.
Is your tantrum over yet?
Triggered
I think its bs for parents to arbitrate what is right and wrong for how others decide to act in public.
This is another false and exaggerated publicity stunt by this “has been” bimbo to try to improve her low, low ratings and following on social media. American Airlines should ban this bottom-feeder for life for her lies and disparagement of their staff.
I wouldn’t particularly, however, it is rude. Once seated, however, who’d see it? I suppose this person would not remain seated but would love to parade up and down the aisle. This does remain the USA. And the airlines code is vague. Probably best to have let sleeping dogs lie. Ignoring this attention seeker would have been the best recourse. She was looking for a reaction and she got it.
AA got free publication as well. Whereas other airlines choose “ES” animals over normal-paid human being, AA just did what common sense dictated. Rude words, cover it!
If any one has seen how she tries to show off her body parts on her social media. She shouldn’t be ashamed of switching clothes off in public.
Rotten entitled Californians.
Well people rocking those ridiculous and racist MAGA hats should be required to remove theirs too! Everybody knows the underlining tone of Trumps entire presidency is racism and every shirt and hat and slogan is all about white supremacy.
Free speech covers offensive language like swearing, so you should probably correct that. However, you are absolutely correct that private businesses can regulate speech and clothing as they wish.
“Free speech” does not cover coarse language in all contexts.
So why are athletes allowed to protest while on the payroll of someone and yet I have to put up with that. Free speech is free speech. I don’t agree with ther shirt but I don’t agree with having to watch this athletes disrespect this country either
I guess we have a President that truly reflects his citizenry…crass, vulgar, disgusting.
Who ever this supposed celebrity person is, just follow the rules. Sane people know the definition of offensive! If you want to protest, an airline trying to take off is not the place. If I was on that flight I would be furious at you for holding it up. You are not special or privileged in any way no matter what you think of yourself. Get your 15 seconds of fame somewhere else but not on my flight, Because I have Rights too.
Keep your exercise to yourself follow the rules regardless if you don’t like it get your own private jet ✌
The airline, and the flight attendant, are completely in the right.
Yes, I’d have been offended by that shirt, not because I disagree with its sentiment (I don’t) but because the language is crass and vulgar and inappropriate for public display. The fact that many people use the f-word in every other sentence is a bit sad, but that’s their right. But they don’t have the absolute right to do so anywhere. An airline, like a person, has the right to set standards of acceptable conduct for those using their services. I thank and applaud American for doing so.
I’d like to think that she’d have encountered a similar requirement on Jet Blue.
Well at least the flight attendant and I have something in common, we both genuinely hate her.