It was a new experience for her to be treated like this. It was her first time in all the times she had been flying. The only wish she had was to go home to her kids, suddenly she was shocked to face an unpleasant revelation.
The Unpleasant Surprise
The moment she was standing at the gate, already prepared to go home, was also the moment she got to know that her flight was declined by the woman. It even got to the point that she was enforced to get off the plane. Why? Just because of her clothes.
The Unpleasant Surprise
Taking A Holiday
There was a 31-year-old woman who spent a well-deserved vacation in the southern part of Spain. She maximized her time getting fresh air and catching up with her friends. She had this vacation to give her a very busy life a pause. This woman’s name was Harriet Osborne.
Taking A Holiday
Break From Reality
In England, she was once a makeup artist. Because of the difficulty in balancing work and quality time with her children, she realized that she has to take a break. She badly needed the time to let herself enjoy the sun and breathe, and she got that time.
Break From Reality
Vacation Attire
Back home, Harriet was conservative about her way of clothing especially when she was around her kids. But things were different on her vacation. That time, she wanted to show more of her skin whenever she dressed. She was so happy and relaxed.
Vacation Attire
Letting Loose
Not expecting that she would be unhappy by the end of her trip, she spent her vacation at liberty. She walks down the fine sand of a beach without a threat of receiving judgement from other people, wearing her chosen bikini.
Letting Loose
Homesick
Time has come for her to go back home to England. She was already prepared to go home. Her luggage was full of gifts she would like to give her children. At that point, she was so excited to go home immediately.
Homesick
A Breather
It can be said that she really enjoyed her vacation miles away from her home. To sum up her trip, she spent most of the time on the beach, lying down under the sun to achieve a more yellowish brown skin tone. In other words, it was a well-deserved vacation.
A Breather
Sea And Sun
The lovely beach is located in Malaga, Costa del Sol. When translated in English, Costa del Sol means “Coast of the Sun”. British tourists are most likely found on the beach of Southern Spain when spending their vacation. The reason is obvious why tropical paradise has such a name.
Sea And Sun
Something Missing
Although she was really having a great time spending her time on the beach, enjoying and having quality time with her friends, Harriet has an empty spot in her heart. During her whole trip in Spain, she always felt that there was something missing.
Something Missing
Far From Home
Spain is a contrast to her homeland. She did activities that she would never do in the UK. The seasons are completely different, she got to experience the perfectly hot weather in Spain. She was able to see skies colored in blue compared to the grey skies of the UK.
Far From Home
Their Last Day
She spent her last chance to go on a shopping spree knowing that her trip is near to coming to an end. Her baggage was already packed, she was so excited to go back to Britain and come home to her kids.
Their Last Day
Pampering Herself
Before facing the worst day she could ever have in her life, she went shopping with her friends. They took a cab to go to Av. De Andalucia to take a look at the sophisticated shops that cater high-end fashion. She was overwhelmed by the different fashion selections they’ve seen.
Pampering Herself
Her First Mistake
She saw an amazing top, a sheer blouse, on display by the window of the shop named El Corte Ingles. Her eyes shaped into circles the moment she saw the blouse but her eyes surely had been bigger the moment she saw the price.
Her First Mistake
Encouragement
Really overwhelmed by what she saw, she just came up on a decision to let the blouse go. Suddenly, a guardian angel slash one of her friends went to her and insisted her to try and fit it. Could not resist her friend’s charm, Harriet was close to trying it.
Encouragement
No Harm
Her friends put in her mind that it is a holiday and a vacation. They proved to her the point that there is no harm in trying the blouse on. Harriet at the point that she could not resist her friends anymore, she just gave in and tried the top.
No Harm
Match Made In Heaven
She was overwhelmed by the view reflected by the mirror. It is like no one could ever wear the blouse as good as she did. She bought it and charged it on her card. Little did she know this was going to be the reason for her worst day ever.
Match Made In Heaven
She Regrets It
Walking down the streets with her friends, Harriet never let the fact of impulsively buying an expensive blouse get on her mind. She let herself enjoy it. They had one last delightful meal before going back to their homelands. Harriet participated in the hotel’s survey as she was checking out.
She Regrets It
Too Late
There was a moment when she felt like she was going to vomit as she questioned herself, “Why did I buy it?”. That moment was when she saw the fancy designer bag peacefully sitting on the chair in the corner of the establishment.
Too Late
Crossed The Line
From that very moment, she still had no idea of what circumstances she would face the next day. She didn’t even know what kind of trouble she just got in by buying the fancy blouse.
Crossed The Line
Impulse Decisions
She had a big problem. The pricy blouse that she impulsively bought really got her in trouble. It was the main reason why she was not able to fly back home. Maybe this could be a lesson to her to think more thoroughly next time she would make decisions.
Impulse Decisions
A Feminist
Harriet stood up with principles and said that she could wear anything that she is comfortable wearing. She even questioned why men have the ability to wear anything they want and women do not have the freedom to wear anything that wouldn’t receive any judgment. Well, she’s a feminist.
A Feminist
Unexpected Reaction
She had not put herself into any situation that would result in big harm yet her entire life. She knew that she was just with her friends and bought a good-looking piece of cloth. She did not expect she would be in a very situation just because of that.
Unexpected Reaction
Another Impulse
Well, she already bought it, no turning back. She felt free and happy by the thought of owning the blouse. For another time, she put the blouse out of her bag and tried it on again. She was so stunned how it perfectly shows her tan skin.
Another Impulse
No Judgement Zone
Her soul was on a holiday. She did not even care about what people would say about her because she did not know them and they did not know her. She felt so free and did not expect the thing that happened in the airport.
No Judgement Zone
Ready To Go
Harriet was totally ready to go home. Wearing the blouse she currently bought, she is still fascinated how the top perfectly fitted her and looked good on her. She checked out on time and went to the airport.
Ready To Go
Last Stop
Before hearing the announcement aligned to her flight, she went to the duty-free store located inside the airport and bought more treats and gifts she would give to her children. Let us wait on what will happen to her once she lands her feet on the plane.
Last Stop
Where It Started
The feeling of missing her children was not avoidable when she was on the trip especially when she was on the airport lounge and had a view of families spending their vacation – parents having fun with their kids. At least, she was about to go home to her kids soon.
Where It Started
Smooth Sailing
She reached the point where a flight attendant checked her passport. The attendant let her in and wished her a safe flight. She walked down the tunnel that bridges the airport to the plane. The moment she stood on the door of the plane was a moment she didn’t expect.
Smooth Sailing
Denied Entry
There was a flight attendant standing up at the door of the airplane. She was smoothly doing her job, greeting passengers in a pleasant manner, and assisting them. It was just an odd moment when the smile on her face turned into a serious one the moment she faced Harriet.
Denied Entry
Ignored It
Harriet did not see the attitude of the flight attendant coming. She just shrugged it off and thought that maybe the attendant thought of her as somebody else. She went inside finding her seat until she was stopped by the flight attendant.
Ignored It
What Was Wrong?
Harriet was so confused as the flight attendant approached her co-attendants. They talked in a whispering manner in a way not too loud but the hushing was still audible. That made Harriet’s heart pounding every second – she was so nervous.
What Was Wrong?
The Hesitation
After talking to her co-attendants, the flight attendant went back to Harriet, who had millions of uncertain reasons why that scenario was happening until the attendant told her the real reason. Harriet was still confused. She could not believe each and every word the attendant uttered.
The Hesitation
Mistaken Identity
Harriet is so confused because she can’t see any of the actions she had done wrong. She believed that the attendant just thought of her as somebody else – mistaken identity. Everything is a puzzle to her right now. She was nervous, waiting for the stewardess to enlighten her.
Mistaken Identity
Access Denied
The flight attendant told her, “You have to put a less revealing top in order to board our plane”. Harriet was shocked by what was said to her. She knew to herself that her top was revealing, but she did a few adjustments to avoid violent reactions.
Access Denied
The Issue
The flight attendant reasoned out to Harriet and said that other passengers were complaining about the choice of clothing she had for her top. Despite the fact that she still had to come inside the plane, she was vexed by how the stewardess addressed everything to her.
The Issue
Won’t Budge
Harriet disagreed with the flight attendant and they began to argue with each other. She was extremely embarrassed but she will not give up. The moment she noticed that the stewardess was starting to stop talking, she began to say her piece.
Won’t Budge
But How?
Harriet could not believe what was told her next. She discovered that it was the cabin crew who complained about her clothing. She was so puzzled because it had just been a really short time she had her feet stepped on the plane yet.
But How?
Embarrassed
The damage has been done, she was embarrassed in front of the passengers and other flight attendants. She could not believe that someone had the ability to control her what to wear. Just wanting the argument and the stares of people to finish, she gave in and wore a sweater.
Embarrassed
Ashamed
Finally, Harriet got the chance to go to her designated seat. After what happened earlier, there were at least a pair of eyes intriguingly staring at her. She was surely shamefaced of the humiliation that was done to her by the flight attendant.
Ashamed
Moving Foward
Shrugging off everything that happened to her earlier, she just comforted herself with the fact that she was so close to being reunited with her beloved kids. She also appreciated the idea of the argument being done and herself getting to her assigned seat.
Moving Foward
Seething In Anger
Harriet did her best to forget what just happened, she couldn’t do anything but hold a grudge. She decided to move on so many things before and she successfully did, but on this one, she might not get over it. She tried to relax every time, but anger always won.
Seething In Anger
Ticking Bomb
She found the action of staying relaxed despite what happened very difficult. She was still enraged. The anger boiled more when she got a view of the flight attendant who embarrassed her going towards her direction. She had the urge to voice out everything on her mind and she did.
Ticking Bomb
Telling Her Off
Harriet voiced out everything to the flight attendant. She raised the tone of her voice as she told the attendant how she felt ashamed and depressed after what she did to her. She told her she is just like any other passengers but why did she treat her like that?.
Telling Her Off
Kicked Out
For the second time around, the cabin crew gathered and started to talk. Harriet seeing that happen just made her more anxious of what was going to happen after that. The next thing she knew, she was so shocked of what the attendant mandated her to do.
Kicked Out
Victim
Everything that was happening to Harriet in the airplane was just a complete puzzle to her. She questioned herself why she was not stopped at the airport if there was something really wrong about her outfit. The anger in her mind started to boil down, but the anxiousness replaced it.
Victim
The Last Straw
The anger came back, in fact, she was angrier that time. She discovered that she had to get off the airplane. She was provoked thinking that the money she bought the ticket would be wasted and she would’ve no place to go wherever the plane lands to get her off.
The Last Straw
It Got Worse
The crew asked help from the security to get her off the airplane as the argument between the staff and Harriet started to heat up. As she got off the plane, she had nothing but the choice of moving on the wasted $200 and spending the night at the airport.
It Got Worse
Tantrum
She went for an interview and she said that she just couldn’t stop crying. While having the interview, she saw a police officer approaching her. The policeman said that the attendant said her piece and told her that she got removed from the plane solely because of her improper behavior.
Tantrum
Pilot Escort
The argument was really bad, it got to the point that the pilot got involved. He talked to the head of the cabin crew while maintaining eye contact to Harriet. The moment the talk had come to an end, she was forced to leave the plane. Concluding her worst day.
Pilot Escort
No Choice
Good news was that the police officers kind of sided with her and thought that it was totally unnecessary for her to get kicked out of the plane. At the same time, bad news, there’s nothing they could do to make up for the money Harriet spent for the ticket.
No Choice
Stuck
It was Harriet’s worst day, indeed. The flight she had was the last for the day. She had to deal with spending the night at the airport because she couldn’t afford a place to stay in. The next day came, she dressed up conservatively, nothing could go wrong that way.
Stuck
Media Frenzy
As soon as she got home, she told everyone she knew about what happened to her. Hot news really spreads fast so the story has reached different news stations. Interviews were falling in line in her schedule. People began talking about it or should I say began arguing about it
Media Frenzy
Opposing Views
A person shared his or her opinion about Harriet’s story. He or she said that Harriet has the right to choose whatever clothing she’s comfortable with. Plus, cabin crews do not have the right to judge people and control them about what they should wear, their job is to serve.
Opposing Views
Controversial
Of course there were people who didn’t agree. A Facebook user shared his or her view on the story. He or she pointed out that he or she would not really mind what people wear, but at least wear something appropriate when you are about to fly on a plane.
Controversial
Different Opinions
After seeing photos of Harriet wearing the blouse she wore that day, people had different views about it. Some people agreed with the attendant and said that it was too revealing. Some people opposed them, said no one could make a person ashamed and everybody could wear whatever pleases them.
Different Opinions
Their Simple Request
The spokesperson of the airline, “EasyJet” informed Fox News that a passenger was not able to join the flight from Malaga to Stansted on the 23rd of June and said that it was because of improper behavior. The airline made sure to release their statement after the story got popular.
Their Simple Request
Doesn’t Add Up
The airline also enlightened everybody that the flight attendant politely asked Harriet to wear an additional garment so that her clothing would be less revealing. But there was an additional question to everyone: Why was she still kicked out of the plane if she already decided to wear a sweater.
Doesn’t Add Up
Lesson Learned
To continue EasyJet’s statement, its spokesperson said that after Harriet took her seat, she did an inappropriate action towards their flight attendant and they did not let things like that slip off the way. They made sure to have a professional action coming.
Lesson Learned
The Lone Suitcase
This story became popular right after the issue of leaving a passenger named Joy Burton at the airport, as her luggage successfully flew from Luton to Bordeaux. Burton came early to the airport with much spare time for her flight going to Southwestern France.
The Lone Suitcase
Family Visit
She decided to fly to Bordeaux for her to see her two sons. One of them happened to live there, while the other one drove from Canterbury to Luton just to assist his mother in checking in for her flight. They finished an hour and a half before the flight.
Family Visit
Gone Wrong
Instead of providing her with special assistance, the airline’s ground handling misled Mrs. Burton and resulted in her missing the flight to Bordeaux. The airline was sorry and promised to give back her luggage in a span of 90 minutes plus the walking aid.
Gone Wrong
Finding Out
Even though the airline security double checks baggage that were checked in, but when the owner failed to be on board, they will also not board the baggage; the airline found out that Joy Burton’s luggage successfully flew to Bordeaux despite her failing to board.
Finding Out
Another Flight
Bad news came to Mrs. Joy Burton because sure there was a flight next day, but it was already full. She could be offered alternative flights, but it would take her waiting for two more days just to have a direct flight that is not full, yet.
Another Flight
Keeping Them Safe
EasyJet assured Burton her luggage and walking aid would be given to her as she arrived in Bordeaux. She totally had a difficult time mobilizing in Luton while waiting for her flight. To make up, she was told that the airline’s required to give her £215 for failing to board.
Keeping Them Safe
Reaction
One of her sons, Hugh, said that dealing with a low cost airline comes with preparing for unexpected scenarios that are likely to be negative, but his mother was 88 years old. He concluded that airlines like EasyJet had no bare minimum care for the more vulnerable like the elderly.
Reaction
Important Matter
Hugh continued that the chief executive officer must involve him or herself in the situation. What they did to his mother was just a proof that the airline had no principle in taking care of its passengers. The airline’s spokesperson responded that they understand the difficulty his mother had felt.
Important Matter
Apology
EasyJet expressed their deepest apology to Mrs. Joy Burton who has not been able to board the flight from Luton to Bordeaux on the 22nd of May because of a mistake done by the assistance provider. They assured everyone to investigate London Luton Airport and make them accountable.
Apology
Compensation
They added that the safety of their customers is their priority. They had an 83% satisfaction rate in the past year from hundreds of thousands of passengers. It could be implied that the 17% came from mistakes the assistance provider had made and same mistake was done with Mrs. Burton.
Compensation
More Stories
Well, EasyJet had more stories like Harriet and Joy Burton’s. It was said that the airline was not able to board 29 passengers who were supposed to be traveling from Malaga to Bristol. The plane took off without them knowing.
More Stories
On Hold
A 58-year-old passenger claimed that they had been stuck in the tunnel that bridged the plane and the port. He said that there were too many passengers who had been trying to get on the plane until suddenly, the boarding stopped and the door closed.
On Hold
Trapped
He also said that when he did a sneak peek of the plane by looking from the view of the airport apron, but what he saw was nothing – the plane already took off. He even tried to tell what he saw to the passenger next to him calmly.
Trapped
Raising The Alarm
He claimed that what happened was unbelievable. They did their best ringing the emergency alarm, with all their forces. The feeling of being stuck in the tunnel was not good, he said. It was a tragic experience especially to the more vulnerable passengers just like parents with kids and elders.
Raising The Alarm
Issue
EasyJet contacted every passenger who was stuck in that tunnel and was not able to board the Malaga-Bristol flight. They expressed their sincerest apologies and said that it was due to issues at the boarding gate. Is EasyJet’s apology enough to justify what the passengers have gone through, though?
Issue
Launched Investigation
Well, an investigation had been performed. EasyJet made sure to comply with the entitlement of the 29 passengers to refund the money they paid for their tickets. While 19 of those 29 passengers did not get the refund and they decided to get a ticket to fly to London.
Launched Investigation
In Spain
Curious question, what would you do if an experience like this happened to you? Because the other 10 out of 29 passengers stayed where they were and decided to book a flight to Bristol on another day without the need to pay because of what EasyJet owes them.
In Spain
110 Passengers
It is odd that 110 passengers are already on board that day, but they happened to miss 29. Why is it odd? Because once the passengers had already checked in, they were given boarding passes, at the same time, their names were automatically put on the list of all passengers.
110 Passengers
Aware
The damage has been done, but it is totally sketchy how they knew there were passengers still at the airport apron, yet they were not aware that they had not boarded yet and the plane was already moving. Plus the fact that there were many cabin crew present that time.
Aware
Disneyland
Here’s another story about EasyJet. Jack Gray, his partner, and his son, Oliver were all booked to fly to Disneyland. Their departure time was 7:30AM, and they got to the airport at 4:30AM. Still, they were not able to board because of issues over the boarding line.
Disneyland
Waiting
Gray said that it was time for the fast-track passengers to board, but a sign for the normal passengers couldn’t be seen. They didn’t find the line for the normal passengers, they got left out. He just rebooked a flight to Paris which departed at 6:30PM and paid £244.
Waiting
How?
It will forever be a puzzle of how they were not able to board their flight given the fact that they arrived early and checked in immediately. They knew their gate numbers by 6:50 AM and made sure to be on that gate by 6:55 AM. So, how?
How?
Fast-Track
So, the family gave way for the fast-track passengers to fall in line because a big sign of “Fast-Track Line” was what they only saw. Thinking that the line was only designated for such passengers, they waited only to know that the plane already took off by 7PM.
Fast Track
Running Behind
They thought that there just had been quite a delay. Once the line for the “fast-track passengers” was empty, they approached the information desk to have an update from their flight. That moment they were told that the doors were already closing. They missed their flight.
Running Behind
Missed Flight
Jack Gray was really confused at that very moment. He thought of how they missed their flight when there was no sign for the line of normal passengers. He also said that an attendant was about to page their family for one last call, yet the other passengers disagreed.
Missed Flight
Bus Ride
He continued and said that the employee at the desk offered them a bus ride that could bring them to the plane until he heard what the cabin crew radioed the employee – the crew said no. A firm no. We missed our flight.
Bus Ride
Unhappy
The family was very disappointed because the airline did not handle their situation properly and professionally. Jack Gray said that EasyJet reasoned out to them that the “silent airport” policy was the reason why the last paging before the plane take-off was not done through the speaker.
Unhappy
Information Desk
Then, Mr. Gray said that at the Bristol Airport information desk an employee told him that there was no such policy at the airport. On top of that, the information desk later told him that the gate had shut at 7:12 am, not 7:06 am.
Information Desk
New Tickets
The damage has been done. They had no choice but to rebook a flight for £244 different from the original £360 they paid for their tickets to Disneyland. They were supposed to spend two and a half days there, having fun. Now, they only have a day and a half.
New Tickets
Airline Spokesperson
The spokesperson of the airline said that they were deeply sorry for what happened to Mr. Gray’s family. But they did not accept the accusation of not having signs for normal passengers for they were sure they had screens projecting it and they had enough airline staff to assist passengers.
Airline Spokesperson