A woman was left “physically shaking” when a Thomas Cook flight attendant allegedly refused to fly her on holiday – because her outfit was “inappropriate”.
Emily O’Connor said it was the “worst experience” of her life when she was apparently told she could only travel to Tenerife if she put on a jacket.The 21-year-old said she was dressed in a pair of orange trousers and a black strappy bralet when she stepped on board the plane. But she claimed she was surrounded by air hostesses who told her that her outfit was “inappropriate”.
On Twitter , she asked people to vote on whether they thought her choice of clothing was suitable for travelling. She tweeted that she was also subjected to verbal abuse from another passenger after standing up to ask if anyone on the flight was offended.
She posted: “Flying from Bham to Tenerife, Thomas Cook told me that they were going to remove me from the flight if I didn’t “cover up” as I was “causing offence” and was “inappropriate”.”They had 4 flight staff around me to get my luggage to take me off the plane.”
The 21-year-old said she challenged staff about the decision and pointed out that there was no “appropriate wear” policy on the company’s website.She said she was first told to cover up after boarding the plane by staff greeting customers.After sitting down, she alleged that four flight staff warned her that she would be removed unless she wore a jacket.
Emily, of Birmingham, added: “The manager then went to get my bag to remove me from the flight.”A man then shouted ‘Shut up you pathetic woman. Put a f****** jacket on’ – the staff said nothing to him. “I was given a jacket by my cousin sitting at the front of the plane and they did not leave until I physically put it on.
“They made comments over the speaker about the situation and left me shaking and upset on my own.”She went on: “Just a bit more context for those asking: wore this through the airport (security, passport control etc), boarded the plane, told to cover up by the greeting staff, sat down, flight manager and 4 flight staff said I would be removed unless I put a jacket on…”….asked the plane (as they were all listening now anyway) if I was offending anyone, no-one said a word.”
Jade Charlotte replied to Emily: “I’m crew myself and would not think twice to ask you to cover up, there is no policy on what you can and cannot wear! That is awful to see that the crew on board made you feel that way, disgusting!”
And Emily responded: “Thank you Jade. They announced that I was offensive and inappropriate in front of the whole flight.”I was physically shaking, and they could see that, yet they continued to sexualise and ridicule me. It was the worst experience of my life.”
Her tweets have been shared thousands of times online with many supporting the 21-year-old.
Ross said: “This woman deserves an explanation and an apology.”How can you deem what’s appropriate to wear if there are no rules stipulated? Next time I wear shorts & a vest on a flight am I causing offence? Should I ‘cover up’?
Zaylie added: “I work at an airport, people come through dressed like this all the time? I’ve seen guys wearing less on stag do’s for fun and not once have I ever heard of someone not being allowed on for inappropriate wear?”
Chloe said: “This is honestly disgusting behaviour from Thomas Cook, I’ve seen people wear a lot less on flights including myself.”
Thomas Cook says they are aware of the incident and are investigating.A spokesman said: “We are sorry that we upset Ms O’Connor. It’s clear we could have handled the situation better.
“In common with most airlines we have an appropriate clothing policy.”This applies equally to men and women of all ages without discrimination.”Our crews have the difficult task of implementing that policy and don’t always get it right.”