Southwest Airlines Makes Florida Man Change T-Shirt

US News

By Karyn Chenoweth Oct 6, 2007, 17:58 GMT

Southwest Airlines said it will apologize to a passenger who was told he would be removed from a flight if he didn't change clothes, the second time in recent months the budget carrier has been forced to do so. EPA/

EPA/Joe Winiecki, of Largo, Florida, boarded a Southwest flight in Columbus, Ohio, wearing a mock fishing shop T-shirt which featured the words, "Master Baiter."

Winiecki, who was traveling home, said he was in his seat when an employee told him he had to change his T-shirt, turn it inside out, or get off the plane.Winiecki protested that the airline was infringing on his right to free speech, but changed his shirt fearing he would miss the flight and a day's work.Southwest spokesman Chris Mainz said Friday the employee made a mistake because the Dallas-based airline does not have a dress code.The airline apologized this summer after a college student wearing a denim miniskirt and a sweater over a tank top was told to change her outfit or get off a flight departing from San Diego.Kyla Ebbert, who was 23, told the story on "The Dr. Phil Show." She was read a printed apology from Southwest Chief Executive Gary Kelly on the show.Ebbert was allowed to fly after agreeing to alter her outfit. The airline offered Ebbert free tickets and tried to make light of the mix-up in humorous advertising.CNN reports that Ebbert declined the tickets.Southwest, like other airlines, has language in its contract of carriage that states it reserves the right to deny service to customers whose clothing is "lewd, obscene or patently offensive."Airline officials have discussed giving employees more specific examples of what is considered lewd or offensive.

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jay.r.2Oct 6th, 2007 - 18:40:46

That is not a fisherman on the t-shirt. I would consider his shirt offensive. Does he need to advertise to the world that he can't.............

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Marty S.Oct 7th, 2007 - 00:02:48

People wear shirts with outlandish sayings just to get a rise out of people - he did, and he should take the consequences. I'm sick of these r-rated sayings running around for young kids to see. Wearing them makes people look stupid, illiterate and low class!!

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my2centsOct 7th, 2007 - 00:18:22

What next? A dress code for riding the bus?

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JimOct 7th, 2007 - 01:00:58

Get kicked off an airline just for wearing a questionable t-shirt? Oh dear, the land of the free doesn't have enough real problems?

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JanOct 7th, 2007 - 03:48:39

He wasn't kicked off!!!

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Chuck P.Oct 7th, 2007 - 05:23:21

Actually, flight attendants have become much more bold and rude in the last few years due to the US Patriot Act making it a felony to argue or interfere in any way with a flight attendant in the performance of his or her duties. They've got free reign of the plane now, and you have absolutely no say in the matter under federal law -- although you can complain and sue about transgressions AFTER the plane has landed. Due to attempts to stretch the almighty dollar, flight attendants are overworked and underpaid. They can't strike out at their bosses, so they are now striking out against passengers. Sad but true.

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And I say..........Oct 7th, 2007 - 15:40:12

that's BS!

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TimOct 8th, 2007 - 21:39:44

The real disaster here?

The fact that someone would actually PAY to OWN a shirt like that?

Good LORD :(

LOL

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suomiOct 9th, 2007 - 01:35:21

Can somebody explain me, the meaning of that phrase. I'm not familiar with lower end english.

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AndrewJul 27th, 2008 - 18:38:50

That isn't even remotely offensive.