Too Pretty to Fly? Does Judgment Equal Discrimination?
What happened with the two 18-year old Florida girls?
The pair is quoted as saying, "I think they were just discriminating against because we were young decent-looking girls. I mean, nobody else on the plane looked like us except us." They claim that they were ignored and then reprimanded by the flight attendants, who counter that they girls were causing in flight disruptions. They were removed from the flight and questioned by the FBI. The girls believe it was because of their appearance. Southwest Airlines stands by their decision to remove and question the girls.
Can you really be too pretty (or too thin, or too fat, or too noisy, or dressed too provocatively) to fly?
These girls clearly think so. They claim they were discriminated against because of their appearance. It wouldn't be the first time people have supposedly been discriminated against on airline flights.
My husband and I have often traveled with our two small children, and I'm the first to recognize that people don't want to sit near us, and that flight attendants are either extremely helpful, or extremely absent. They make snap judgments about us the minute they see our double stroller, two children under the age of three, and diaper bags heading down the aisle. We are going to be high maintenance...no doubt about it. Thankfully for us, we've never been treated poorly outright, though we have had to deal with many a look when our daughter's ear drums burst in flight over the Atlantic Ocean. The point is that whether they offered more help because they saw more children, or hid when they saw our call button light up, they judged us. That doesn't necessarily equal discrimination.
So does that mean these girls are right?
Not necessarily. Though they claim to have been treated poorly, they openly admit that they used profanity in flight and knocked to get a patron out of the bathroom. That can constitute a flight disturbance, especially by Southwest Airlines family-friendly ownership, policies, and track-record. They'll need to prove it if they hope to have their flight ban by Southwest rescinded, or seek other damages.
What does all this mean?
The airline industry is under a lot of fire--money, delays, and passenger treatment are just a few of the reasons. Flight attendants are no longer overlooking rude and disruptive behavior, and are using their discretion more and more. Passengers should be on their best behavior in flight, or expect consequences. But even if you are judged for your good looks or your three crying children, don't cry foul. Discrimination and judgment aren't the same thing.
What will happen with these two young ladies, who claim Southwest Airlines branded them too pretty to fly? The media attention has just begun, but expect that they'll want an apology. But don't hold your breath for Southwest, with a history of supporting their employees, to give it.
Resources:
Tampa Bay Channel 10; Too Pretty to Fly?; http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=74549
Published by Kelly Herdrich - Featured Contributor in Health & Wellness, Travel and Lifestyle
Kelly has a bachelor's degree in elementary education, raises three young daughters, and recently returned from three years living and traveling overseas. Since beginning her freelance writing career, Kelly... View profile
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17 Comments
Post a CommentI saw clips of these girls interviewing about their "ordeal" on The Soup. While I knew that show picks out what's funny their description of how they were treated unfairly was simply laughable. Great reporting (and a smart topic for some page views!). :)
Great job on this Kelly and LOL at E's comment below. He always knows how to make us all laugh. :-)
A: Flight attendants ignore two girls while serving other passengers.
B: Girl needs to go to the bathroom and there's ONE and the door is still locked 15 minutes after girl walks up. Girl finally knocks.
C: Guy finally comes out, goes over to her and cusses her out. She cusses back.
D: Guy is not even questioned, girls are removed from flight by the FBI (??!!) and interrogated. And have to look for another way home.
E: Airline shows a case of DoubleSpeak by doing this while their spokesperson publicly says they can't even do that.
F: Girls do not use the phrase "too pretty", media does. Sarcasm about the girls' opinions of themselves ensues.
And that isn't discrimination? If they had been a member of ANY other minority everyone would say so. MeeeOWWW.
Great job - and those girls really need to just get over themselves already!
Very well done Kelly! Great Job!!
Well, if you're not too pretty to fly, Kelly, I don't know how anyone could be.
Someone else did an article on this, and as I mentioned in her comments. This is so ridiculous I have nothing else to say about it. I think people will do anything, or say anything for their 10 mins. of fame. Great read.
I personally think these girls are just looking for attention. On an airplane flight with close to a hundred passengers, they're the only ones that are "too pretty"...give me a break!
Interesting read. I'd heard about it in passing, but I agree...using foul language, especially on a flight with other passengers and children isn't appropriate.
What an interesting read!