Racism Or Policy For All? The US Air/Black Men In Hoodies Racism Story Not What It Seemed To Be
Two young black men were told to change out of their jeans, baseball caps and hoodies before boarding the First Class section of a US Air flight. They claimed racist discrimination, because other passengers -- a white guy and an Asian guy -- were allowed to fly in First wearing jeans and hoodies.

But, whoops -- turns out the two black guys were flying on buddy passes (free, airline employee tickets). It also turns out there's a dress code that comes with such First Class employee freebies. First, though, here's the Alternet story and another more detailed one in The Daily Mail. And here's the link to the federal discrimination lawsuit the guys have filed -- apparently because they were held to the rules on buddy passes.

More here, at DemocraticUnderground.com. Some of the comments:

Merlot: Those were employee buddy passes, right? They don't have dress codes for revenue (paying) passengers, only employees or friends and family of employees riding on passes.

babylonsister: UPDATE - 4:00 PM: US Airways spokesperson Andrew Christie tells AlterNet, "We welcome customers of all ethnicities and backgrounds and do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. We take these allegations seriously." Christie added, "Initial indications are that these pass-riders were traveling on non-revenue tickets as part of our employee travel program. All employees and pass-riders are expected to comply with the policies associated with this travel privilege."

The airline was within their rights, period. Most non-revenue pass-riders do have to abide by a strict dress code. I was the wife of an airline employee and got booted into the back of the plane several years ago because I had shoes on where just the tips of my toes showed. They can be very strict, or not at all, depending on the gate agent; it's at their discretion. But there is a dress code I tried to abide by because I knew they were doing me a favor.

If you're a paying customer, all bets are off as they're entitled to wear what they want; THEY are paying for the privilege.

trumad: I have a friend who works for you United. I have flown with him on buddy passes and there is most certainly a dress code.

No biggie for me---it's free....basically slacks and a button shirt.

Now---I also fly quite a bit and have status with Delta that pushed me into First Class all the time. Hell I wear shorts and tee shirts...no problem... that's because I pay the price---it aint free.