News broke Sunday on Twitter that United escorted two young girls off a plane for violating their dress policy. The girls were wearing leggings.
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An observer of the situation, Shannon Watts,  tweeted the incident.
1) A @united gate agent isn't letting girls in leggings get on flight from Denver to Minneapolis because spandex is not allowed?
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 26, 2017
2) She's forcing them to change or put dresses on over leggings or they can't board. Since when does @united police women's clothing?
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 26, 2017
3) Gate agent for flt 215 at 7:55. Said she doesn't make the rules, just follows them. I guess @united not letting women wear athletic wear?
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) March 26, 2017
Many onlookers weighed in, noting that they too like to wear leggings while traveling because they are comfortable.
While the situation seemed arbitrary from initial headlines, there is actually a very reasonable explanation.
The girls were flying on a United Airlines employee pass, and are thus considered representatives of the airline while they fly. There is a dress policy that accompanies their flight that is expected to be followed.
(1/2) We appreciate you being our eyes and ears. The customers this morning were United pass travelers.
— United Airlines (@united) March 26, 2017
(2/2) There is a dress code for pass travelers as they are representing UA when they fly. ^KP
— United Airlines (@united) March 26, 2017
Casual attire is allowed as long as it looks neat and is in good taste for the local environment. (1/2)
— United Airlines (@united) March 26, 2017
The attire of the pass traveler did not meet our rules. ^FS (2/2)
— United Airlines (@united) March 26, 2017
Time to find a different reason to hate on United.