but seriously I think this is borderline discrimination, just because the man isn't wearing something the airline deems suitable doesn't mean they can bump him unless there is some small print somewhere that deems what is acceptable to wear on the plane. I know when I went and came back from Europe on a United flight they bumped a couple random seats(all of which in the schools name) up to business and first class, we decided to let the orchestra teacher and his wife get the first class bump because they did so much on that trip, while the students drew straws. The girlfriend and I got bumped up to business and while we had some odd looks most of the people flying business liked us.

Congratulations United Airlines. I completely support your decision. I always wear a suit, or jacket and tie when I fly first class.

UPDATE (10:15 p.m. ET on Thursday, Nov. 5): United is out with its side of the story. (Scroll down for the original post.) Airline spokesman Robin Urbanski told me in an e-mail Thursday evening that the airline does not have a policy that would prevent a customer from sitting in first class for dressing too casually. Instead, the gate agent apparently thought the customer in a track suit was an airline employee. If that would have been the case, an employee would have been subject to a dress code.

"We are working with our sub-contractor that was helping us with this flight to investigate what happened and ensure something like this does not happen again," Urbanski said in the e-mail. "This was an unfortunate miscommunication with the gate agent who speaks English as a second language and was simultaneously assisting another customer when he believed Mr. Alvarez to be an airline employee in which a dress code policy is required."

@subtlefrog: Hmm yoga pants. As a male do you think I could try to get away with that? lol

@GitEmSteveDave_ Natural H1N1 Cure: Or you can always go with Don Corelione's New Construction Enterprises

I was making a comment on the state of how airlines treat their customers. I fly first class, (alot) and I was once bumped to coach because what I was wearing was not considered appropriate for "first class" (I was flying on British Airways wearing a brown jean skirt, and a long sleeve shirt w/ a sweater.) I have noticed that most airlines don't care about what or who you are, but there are a few out there that have something shoved so high up their a--es that they will forcibly remove you from the plane if they feel you aren't the "perfect passenger." It happens all the time to the toddler that is apparently "alittle too loud" to this poor man who should be able to wear with track suit on the plane. I stand by my above comment, if you can't read the message thats not my problem, I thought I was very clear.

@StanTheManDean: x2. Dressing appropriately is more important than the amount of money you spend. I don't care if that Puma Track Suit cost you $1,000.00. You look like a bum.

That means wear confortable running shoes, avoid highly flamable or meltable clothes (denim is ok)... men, women and kids... girls definitely no nylons...

If something happens you want to be able to get the hell off the plane as fast as possible... you don't want the heat of fire to melt your clothes to you or have you burst into flames... You want footwear that allows quick sure footed movement... if you have to run over shredded metal or slippery victims you can... etc.

20 odd years ago I was reading a guide/manual for folks working in Antarctic research stations. This was some of the advice from that manual. It makes great sense and I have followed it ever since.

I fly alot and I am frequently bumped up to first class. My flying, working out of the office, and church outfit is a grey Fruit of the Loom T-shirt from Walmart and a pair of jeans or jean-shorts... and nobody has ever complained....

so bogus. i've flown first class wearing torn cargo shorts with a day pack, kites and a sleeping bag. this was just a brainless agent being an ass.

I don't have a problem with United having a dress code for any of their seats though they really do need to make it clear to customers before they arrive at the airport.

Get a 100$ suit from (Sears, Kmart, WalMart, wherever). Pack the track suit in carry on. 5 mins into flight go to the restroom, and change. Go back to your seat in comfort, and ask for a white russian. Now what? Are they going to demand you go back to coach? When stupid rules are made, point out how stupid it really is.

Sorry, but I don't care about making a good impression on people who I'll sit next to for a few hours and never see again. I used to love traveling by plane, but now I'll drive if it's less than eight hours or so.

@Coelacanth: It's the good kind of discrimination.

As a flyer that logs over 125K miles a year for 15 years and gets upgraded on almost every single flight, I have to call BS on the claims that some are making here that this is common. I always, always dress in jeans, a tee shirt, and sweater. One, because I want to be comfortable, and two, because layers are the way to go on airplanes (you never know if it's going to be too hot or too cold!).

I can't count how many of my fellow first class passengers have been dressed much worse than this guy either. And never have I heard of a dress code for non-airline employees flying in first class, whether paid or upgraded. Yes, they have these rules for employees who are flying free (non-rev), but if they have this rule for customers it must be the best kept secret in the airline industry.

More likely, this was just a case of a surely gate agent, drunk on power.

Anyhow, 2 supervisors later and a whole lot of swearing, he got his way. And was similarly obnoxious the entire flight.

On the other hand, it's hard for me to feel empathy for a millionaire who got denied a free first class upgrade.

@mmmsoap: your comparison makes no sense. Many business allow you to pre-pay for a service before you use it and they are private. just because they sell goods & services to the public does not mean they are a public entity.

the point it he already paid for it. pre-pay. if there was no stipulation in the agreement beforehand on dress-code then UA is wrong, if there is then he is wrong.

As to dressing professionally, the guy is planning to dress professionally, by keeping his suit uncrumpled from sitting in an airline seat for hours. Now, if he was wearing wife beaters and jogging shorts and was sweaty from a workout, I could maybe you don't want him on the leather seats, but whatever he wants to wear with no excessive skin showing should be fine for any paying customer.

But since when did we become such a lazy, sloppy culture that we can't be expected to sit in a chair for a couple hours in ordinary clothes?

Best response evar! (^_^)

If you can afford to fly first class, you can afford to buy new clothes after you lose weight.

There is this sense in America nowadays that whoever has the money gets to do whatever they want, because they have money, so nyaaah! It just reeks of the most disgusting kind of capitalism.

Once upon a time, if you were wealthy, you accepted that this status came with certain limitations and responsibilities. You had to dress the part. You had to fulfill certain kinds of social obligations. You had to give money to the poor and pursue other philanthropic goals. You had to educate yourself, travel, and otherwise make good use of the opportunities you were given.

Now all those responsibilities are waived, because being rich = getting to do whatever you want. I'll show up in pajamas if I damn well please, because I paid good money to sit in first class, and anyway these pajamas cost more than your monthly car payment. Makes me want to vomit, sorry.

Honey, if you're living in a world where airlines are "public transit", you need to come out of the chaufferred car and live amongst the rest of the hoi polloi. You're apparently already dressing the part.

I sat in first (on AA) with a giant hole in the shoulder of my sweater. I didn't realize that my sweater was falling apart at the seams. I was embarrassed, but no one said a word to me.

If United is upgrading him on their dime, then a dress restriction is ok with me. If the passenger paid for the first class seat then of course he should be able to wear what he wants.

I do love the zoot suit fashion. I always have a laugh when I see these. Aren't you supposed to wear them in the gym while woking out?

Didn't see the flight plan, but I can only imaging that his travel plans involved one of the NY area airports and/or Las Vagas.

Anyone besides me feel like United is just trying to get it's name out there as much as possible? Losing that video guy's luggage, picking on the CEO of Best Buy, I've been seeing them in consumer articles a lot lately. Perhaps they've decided that bad publicity is a good idea?

Since they are not focusing on service, they may as well start scrutinizing your wardrobe.

"Best Buy exec gets screwed over by an arbitrary customer service rule. Karma's a bitch, huh?"

If you want to dress so that gate agents and the guy at the Wolfgang Puck stand give you what you perceive as "respect" based on your clothing choice, that's cool. But we're not talking about respect, we're talking about being able to sit your butt in the seat you paid for.

a) post such a dress code on their web site so that people understand what is and is not OK to wear in a specific class before they dress for the airport
b) apply such a dress code evenly to everybody on all flights.

Because let's face it, if it was a young, hot woman in mini-shorts and showing off tons of cleavage you can bet that a straight male flight attendant would not be asking her to change to fit a first-class dress code.

Personally, I wear business casual going to the airport. A suit doesn't make too much sense for onboard a plane but otherwise the outfit puts off an air of respect, that I will pay respect to people who I talk to and that I expect respect in return. It's an outfit that says I could have fit casual, but I didn't, in contrast to a business traveler forced to wear a suit and therefore filters into everything else. Considering all the authority figures at an airport who just need a reason to make your day a miserable one, it doesn't hurt.

It's absolutely my favorite shoewear (during the warm months of course, damn North American winters).

@iConsumer: Seriously? SERIOUSLY!?!

Not going to disrupt anyone? Just because you dress a child in a suit does not mean they won't be a hellion. The same can equally apply to an adult. All it takes is 1 drink for some to go from Innocent to Exorcism required.

yeah, I know I was a non-revver, but the same thing goes for the free upgrades. I have seen gate agents pull the first 3 people on the list for 1 spot and then give it to the best dressed person. It is ultimately left to the discretion of the gate agent.

Also, that much nylon would be horrific in the event of a ditching. He would permanently be wearing that track suit.

So they're (a) obliged to fly first class; (b) generally stuck with clothes that emphasize comfort over style; and (c) willing (quite reasonably) to sue the pants off any carrier that refuses to service them because of their physical attributes.

As a result, first class, often as not, already has a passenger or two who's rather dressed down. I realize there are other issues here (e.g., the obese passengers are probably not upgrades) but it's ridiculous to pretend the tone of first/business class can be brought down by unstylish clothes.

B: Why would you want to piss off the CEO of Best Buy?

Many (most?) upgrades are day-of, also - what are you supposed to do when you get the nod, rip through your luggage to dig out that Armani?

They don't upgrade you based on what you're wearing at the gate, either. It's usually completely automatic, based on your fare class and status.

Best Buy vice president Armando Alavarez experiences poor customer service??? Its just like when I call Best Buy Customer Service.

Two can play this game. :)

The cattle cars going to Auschwitz probably had higher hygiene standards than US carriers.

@ElizabethD:
I agree that people should limit perfume because a lot of people are allergic or sensative to it and you should be properly groomed, but I'm glad I refuse to fly on United because when my flight takes 22 hours, I'm sorry I have to admit it as well, I put on a nice puma tracksuit (luckily I'm small so mine comes from the kids dept) I'd rather have someone next to me in a tracksuit than the drunk who can't keep quiet, the fat person who takes up half my seat, the kid kicking my chair the whole way there, you want to set standards, these are the standards you should look to first. You lose your business customers United you lose your airline.

And if you're going to pay $2000 for a flight and sit in first class they better damn well give you the service you paid for. It's customer service not a job interview. You as a passenger can sit and sneer at your fellow passengers but remember, they paid the same as you did. There's no ambiance on a plane. United doesn't set the mood for you. First class is for more room, more comfort and better service. That was the first class experience he paid for.

Does any airline even publish dress code on their flights? Am I suppose to go change if I know I get upgraded? I have seen people in shorts, sandles and tank tops in business class. As long as they are clean, no indecent exposure and don't smell, I think it is alright. People like to be comfortable, especially you don't know how long you will be stuck on the tarmac without being let off.

My question is what do they do about populations in cities like Austin were the art of dressing down is at it's height (something I respect about Austin)?

I can see this holding true to a lesser extent with incentive upgrades. As far as those who pay full fare for this seating up front, I'm not qualified to determine whether a track suit is appropriate. I have no idea if a majority of these paying customers find super casual attire offensive or not.

Women tend to have more options. I like to layer solid sweater dresses/sweaters and sheer tights, plus a nice flat or small heel. It's both acceptable and comfortable attire for business class binging and snoozing!

My point being, airlines are public transportation.

Do we all need to wear cravats in order to fly in first class?

What if Hugh Hefner walked onto the plane in his jammies? Would they throw him off?

If you have the money for first class, you should be able to wear what you want.

@CompyPaq: If Best Buy was anything like CompUSA (RIH) a "VP" aint much. Its not a store job, but VPs are one or two steps at most above store managers.

Pretty much every big boy I've worked for is the same way. My team of 10 sales reps with one company was managed by a "Regional VP".

@Dawnrazor: An airplane is not a high-end anything. You can't complain about ambiance after having to take off your shoes and get molested by sketchy agents just to get through security. That's ridiculous.

This is UNITED we're talking about. They want everyone in first class to wear, Armani and Karan and in coach they don't give a damn about who or what you are. Hell if an United Jet crashed in the ocean would all the first class passengers get life jackets and life rafts while the coach are locked into their section and forced to drown??? Since when did we go back to such draconian times since the Titanic?

Stupid, stupid, stupid, United...but why would we expect anything different?

@iConsumer: This is not high school where having the word 'Hell' on a t-shirt is considered a disruption. Clothing is not a disruption. A lack of clothing maybe.

@ExtraCelestial:

Just because it is expensive doesn't mean that it looks nice.

I'd be annoyed at this if the guy wasn't an exec at best buy. Also, the fact that exec's at best buy represent themselves by wearing tracksuits is not surprising.

I used to fly first class a few times a year in comfy jeans and flip-flops with no problems. Most of those flights were complimentary upgrades as well since I was a frequent flyer member. Nothing was ever said about my attire and I honestly didn't know there was a policy. Is this written down somewhere when you buy a 1st class ticket?

The actual logic? I suspect it's that upgrades are earned, and that they're earned by being good advertisements for the company as much as anything else. Mostly I think it's that "this would have been a problem in 1977" and nobody's really adjusted the approach since then.

However, please correct me if I'm wrong, but children are allowed on first class, yes? So what do you do if an antsy but properly attired 3-year old starts kicking your seat or something? I assume that sort of thing takes away from your "ambiance" as well. Does the pilot turn the plane around for you and dump the kid off if you complain? Or would you only complain if the kid were kicking your seat whilst wearing shorts, or God forbid, pajamas?

@RecordStoreToughGuy_IsBeing(pur)SuedByAMonster: I wish more people would prove me wrong by handing me huge wads of cash.

I'm willing to believe the gate agent was on a tiny power-trip in this case. As for everyone who says they have to dress up for upgrades... iShrug.

@jamesdenver: But, who's to say that wearing jeans is appropriate? Go ahead and wear them the next time you try to tee off on a nice golf course.

My point being, airlines are public transportation. First class provides more leg room and wider seats -- and better food than coach but still unacceptable under different situations. That's it. You're not paying to fly under higher standards. When I was in my 20's, I used to fly first class all the time because I traveled so much for work. Personnally, I wore shorts and a tee shirt because it made the cross country trip so much easier, and I was usually landing somewhere warm, like LA or Phoenix. Sometimes, I sat next to kids in first class. Lots of times, I sat next to people who wore similar outfits like this guy. And, really, who cares? How does what this guy is wearing have any effect on your flight experience?

@Dawnrazor: "Yeah, this is incredibly snobby and elitist, but that's part of the "first-class" experience that people pay good money for."

I didn't realize being around people in stuffy uncomfortable suits for 3 hours at a time was advertised as an Airline amenity.

It sounds more like United Airlines is being a complete ass about this, and someone made a poor judgement call at the ticket booth.

@Mozoltov, motherfucker: I still fail to see why the amount of money you pay for a ticket dictates what you're allowed (or not) to wear.

That's discrimination.

WHAT? Why should you care? Mind your own business.

The over-applied perfume I can agree with because it assaults your olfactory nerves.

Honestly, though. This isn't about a job interview; it's about flying safely and comfortably to a destination. A nice, clean track suit should not be an affront to anyone, whatever "class" (nice) they sit in.

@qwickone: plus the fact that his puma running/jogging thing probably cost more that some of the other first classers' clothes, and was probably cleaner and in better shape.

LOL - true.

But that was 1955-ish. This is the friggin' 21st century! Who knew we were reverting to mandated formality on public transportation? Gawd. Crazy.

Very good point about appearances and the resulting customer service treatment.

I guess I'm old-fashioned, but I try to take into consideration that on an airline flight I'm going to be in the presence of numerous other people in relatively small quarters. As such, I try to take my appearance seriously and groom/dress myself such that others won't feel uncomfortable. Nothing annoys me more than folks showing up in shorts, flip-flops, and pajamas for long flights! Equally offensive are the folks that think they need to drown themselves in cologne/perfume (especially "Axe" anything-do little hipster/frat boys really think smelling like that will actually get them laid?!?)-sometimes makes me wish the oxygen masks would deploy!

Right or wrong, how we look often gives the "first impression". If service staff sees you and based upon your appearance, assumes you are a slobby dolt, you really cannot expect "first-class" service.

Also (this is probably politically incorrect and will offend), people who spend the extra cash for first-class amenities also expect a certain ambience, which DOES NOT include being among people who look like they just rolled out of bed. Part of what they are spending extra on is to be isolated from all of the casual/infrequent travellers and the associated sights, sounds, and smells; track suits would seem to be incompatible with this, and I don't fault United for calling him on it. Yeah, this is incredibly snobby and elitist, but that's part of the "first-class" experience that people pay good money for.

You certainly could not get away with looking like that at a high-end restaurant, and someone being kicked out of such an establishment would never even be posted on Consumerist.

Also it brings the lulz at the security lines.

Sweet, sweet, delicious justice!

Oh, well, I guess that takes care of Mr. Professional Big Shot in a three-piece suit who won't hang up his goddamn' mobile phone while we're taxiing to take off, even after being personally asked by the flight attendants.

Get outta' here. For real??

Granted, I fly coach all the time, and usually on American -- though occasionally Continental -- and I've always flown in a decent pair of comfortable jeans (not like Joey Ramone's), a t-shirt, and either sandals or flip-flops -- sandals or flip-flops because I'm a)usually flying to Puerto Vallarta, and b)I want to get through the goddamn' security theater with a minimum of hassle.

What friggin' nerve. They lose and abuse checked baggage, but they want us to dress like we're going to Grandma's for Thanksgiving? Way to go, United. Keep fucking that chicken.

@cluckinchicken:

what about short shorts...

With regards to customer service...

Really Mr Best Buy. Really?

/it's iJuicy Couture, dammit!

This was relayed second hand on one of those VH1 Behind the music shows, so I can make no assertions as to it's veracity.

The airlines are delusional if they think they're anything more than flying Greyhound buses. The 50s are long gone and flying is no longer a status symbol.

Half the reason I fly in jeans and a sweatshirt is that I don't want any of my nice business clothes to get wrecked by their cramped seats full of Pepsi stains and Dorito crumbs.

If this was an upscale restaurant or lounge I would absolutely understand, but when you dress for a flight you dress for comfort. A large part of the appeal for business and first class is the extra space provided to stretch and relax. Who wants to be all stuffy in a suit and heels when you're strapped to a chair for 8 hours?

In the age of $300+ jeans and $100+ undershirts, casual clothing just doesn't have the stigma it once did.

I'll second that. I've flown Standby like this, and was instructed to dress up a bit just in case. It also makes a difference because if the only available seat is FC they're not going to sit you there if you're not dressed appropriately, and then you're Stuck in Atlanta.

He paid for a coach fare, and he's complaining that they let him on but sat him in a Coach seat. Waaaaaaah! My huge mansion and expensive suits should be protected before anyone else. I'm shocked this is even a story. Anyone remember when flying *was* an occasion to dress up for? I'm on United's side here (that's almost impossible, so this guy has to be WAY off base).

Funny...I've heard of Best Buy employees refusing cash refunds to those who "look shady."

Welcome to what you're percieved as when you wear comfy clothing on your flights and on the street as well. I don't-scratch that- CAN'T wear nice attire to fly nowadays b/c I am asked to remove all of it and everything else I am carrying (laptop, cosmetics case) to get frisked. Why would I waste my time with a well put together outfit and risk it getting dirty on the floor, on the x-ray machine, etc... I fly looking like a hippie b/c I can get through the line faster. Not to mention I can't wear any jewelery or metal accessories. Ugh!

@Paladin_11: That would be a relief, far moreso than kids.

And getting seated next to a smoker is usually pretty awful as well.

Now hygiene? That is a different story. Was he wearing clothes that haven't been changed in a month with stains all over, and stank like a dirty hippy? I don't think so. So leave him be.

Ability to edit our own posts? Please?

Perhaps United is trying to follow in Southwest's footsteps.

(Referring to a woman forced to disembark for wearing "revealing" clothing.)

This is nothing new on any airline.

...'cause United breaks your balls.

Can United enforce some other standards for coach? Like, say, no reeking of horse manure, maybe wear something where the crotch isn't torn open, and pretty please don't put your feet anywhere near me? Pleeeease?

I can see changing into this for sleeping on an overnight flight -- but I would never wear this during the day.

For flying I wear nice jeans, dark shoes and plain shirt, (black/blue) or occasional button down shirt.

I'm not wearing a suit, but I don't look like a slob or like I just rolled out of bed, which usually makes a better starting point should I need to deal with customer service staff.