Woman Barred From Flight Due To Offensive T-Shirt

So a lot of things can get you kicked off a flight: guns, drugs, playing Words With Friends on your smartphone, etc. But how often does a fashion choice get you kicked off a plane?

A woman was kicked off an American Airlines flight because flight officials found her T-shirt offensive. The shirt read, "If I wanted the government in my womb, I'd [F-word] a Senator."

The woman, identified only as "O," was heading from Washington DC. She told RH Reality Check, "When I boarded the plane, I was one of the first groups to board (did not pass by many folks). I was wearing my shawl just loosely around my neck and upon sitting down in my seat the lady next to me, who was already seated, praised me for wearing the shirt." Yet she says she was approached by a flight attendant who told her that she needed to speak with the captain before making her connecting flight because the shirt was "offensive." The captain informed her that she shouldn't have been allowed to board in the first place, and would need to change before boarding her connection.

According to the woman, this interaction caused her to miss her connection. And, she asserts that the staff on her flight called ahead to the connecting gate to tell agents there that "O" needed to change her shirt, but not to hold the flight. "O" claims that her luggage was checked and "changing shirts without spending money wasn't an option."

A spokesperson from American Airlines explained that the shirt was found offensive due to the profanity, not because of the pro-choice message.

Look, if you want to wear curse words and political views all over your chest, go for it. But I'm not faulting American Airlines here. The woman went against their policy, so they were within their rights is kicking her off. And really, would it have been such a big deal to flip your shirt inside out for a little while?