• Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United

WHERE BLACK WOMEN COME FIRST

Every day we're serving Black women deeply. Come get a plate of goodness! Sign up for daily content and exclusive offers you'll love!

Your email is required.
Your email is in invalid format.
Confirm email is required.
Email did not match.
By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and that you have read our Privacy Policy
Skip to content
SUBSCRIBE
  • MAGAZINE
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Celebrity
    • Daniel Kaluuya Digital Cover
    • Digital Cover Method Man
    • Digital Cover Zazie
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
      • Paint The Polls Black
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
    • If Not For My Girls
  • Fashion
    • ESSENCE Fashion House 2022
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Black Beauty Awards 2022
    • ESSENCE Hair Awards 2022
    • AVEENO Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Nails
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weave
    • 4C
  • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • ESSENCE Gift Guide 2022
    • ESSENCE + smartwater Live Well Challenge
    • Build Your Legacy 2022
    • Dream & Plan with Confidence Prudential
    • AMEX Platinum Travel
    • Homecoming Season 2022
    • Lifestyle News
    • Health & Wellness
    • Black History Month
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
  • News
    • Paint The Polls Black
    • Sponsors Recognition Page 2022
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Video
  • Festival
    • 2023 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Fest Videos
  • Events
    • 2023 ESSENCE Film Festival
    • 2022 Girls United Summit
    • 2022 ESSENCE Fashion House
    • 2022 Black Women In Hollywood
    • 2022 HOLLYWOOD HOUSE
    • 2022 Homecoming Season
    • Wellness House
    • She Got Now
    • Dear Black Men
    • I Am Speaking
    • Power Tools
  • Studios
  • Girls United
Home · News

Real Talk: The Boarding Pass Blues

There was a recent dust-up about a young man wearing his pants too low who was kicked off his flight. This and more from the not-so-friendly skies...
Real Talk: The Boarding Pass Blues
By · Updated October 28, 2020
What’s up with the airlines?
 
As I have the great fortune of flying around the country on my book tour (current stop Los Angeles), I’ve been paying more attention than usual to what’s going on in the not-so-friendly skies. Yesterday, I heard about an older, non-colored gent who was allowed to fly on US Airways wearing lingerie – yes, lingerie. But that wasn’t even the hook of the story. It seems just days later, a Black college student was kicked off a flight, also on US Airways, for wearing sagging pants (and for refusing to pull them up after an attendant’s request).

Now, let be among the first to loudly denounce sagging pants — right after President Obama. I don’t want to see any man’s underwear outside of the house, much less on the train, walking down the sidewalk, or in an airport terminal. Yes, a man showing off his Calvin’s is an eyesore and completely inappropriate for public display. But if we’re weighing the level of what’s worse (and more outrageous), between a kid showing his behind in boxer-briefs and a grown man wearing panties (and a bra and thigh-high stockings) showing almost everything? The man in the lady-things is going to trump every time. Why wasn’t he even asked to cover up by airline personnel, despite complaints from other passengers? (Note: there are no reports of complaints about the student in the baggy jeans.)
 
The good folks over at US Airways don’t agree. Spokeswoman Valerie Wunder said employees had been correct not to ask the lingerie-wearing man to cover himself. “As long as you’re covered, you can fly,” she explained.
 
As long as what’s covered? Both men are showing their underwear, one, the Black one, with more fabric than the other. Either they both stay on the plane, or they both get asked to cover up. And if they don’t comply, they don’t travel.
 
It seems Delta’s been having a few issues as well. There was a scandal earlier this month when a unit of American soldiers returning from Afghanistan were charged $2,800 for extra checked bags. One of the soldiers posted a video on the Internet complaining about Delta, and a PR nightmare for the airline quickly ensued. Initially, Delta apologized, but didn’t change its policy. But as the bad press grew, the airline decided to allow troops to carry up to four bags (and in some cases five) without charge.

Of course, I get why the soldiers get a much-deserved pass. But wouldn’t it be nice if the rest of us could get one too? As I jet around the nation, I’m annoyed at having to drop up to $30 for a checked bag on a flight that’s already expensive due to gas prices – and serves no food. But you know what drives me even more crazy? Now, nobody is checking their bags. The result is too much carry-on luggage and not enough space onboard the plane for it to fit. So each of my flights has been delayed by at least thirty minutes while all the bags that weren’t checked at check-in, get checked at the gate — an absolute nightmare.

Much like you, I have people to see and places to go and this summer (especially the ESSENCE Music Festival next week!). I wish the airlines could get us to our much needed getaways without all the drama. I promise to dress appropriately and only have a carry-on and a personal bag.
 
 
Demetria L. Lucas is the Relationships Editor at ESSENCE and the author of “A Belle in Brooklyn: Your Go-to Girl for Advice on Living Your Best Single Life” (Atria) in stores now. Follow her on Twitter: @abelleinbk
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2023 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now