She’s been traveling by air for some time now and not oblivious to the unpleasantries associated with it all, although nothing could have prepared her for the horrible end of a great holiday in Spain.
An Unpleasant Surprise
Being forcibly removed from a plane is not exactly something on someone’s bucket list, but when it happened to 31-year-old Harriet Osborne, it was not because she’s a terrorist. It was all about her clothing…
An Unpleasant Surprise
A Much Needed Holiday
With her friends by her side, Harriet enjoyed the fresh air and sunshine on the beautiful beaches of southern Spain. The fast pace of her everyday life was not allowed here where she was relaxing to the max.
A Much Needed Holiday
Reality On Pause
Working as a makeup artist can be a very busy life and the lifestyle that comes with it can leave you feeling drained in a very short time. Raising kids at the same time makes the challenge even more exhausting. A pause button is what she needed, and that’s exactly what Harriet had done for herself.
Reality On Pause
Holiday Attire
Harriet prefers a more modest choice of clothing when she’s at home with the kids, more practical for home life. Naturally, those same clothes are not what you wear when in hot, sunny Spain. Spontaneous feelings are hard to avoid on holiday and she was feeling it.
Holiday Attire
Just Letting Go
She reveled in the freedom she felt on her vacation and enjoyed the beaches without a care in the world dressed only in her bikini. The thought that it would all end in tears, did not even cross her mind.
Just Letting Go
Feeling Homesick
By the end of her stay in paradise, Harriet was ready to return home to England and the responsibilities waiting for her. With gifts acquired for the family and friends, she was all set for her return.
Feeling Homesick
Taking A Breather
What she needed was a chance to catch her breath and get her feet under herself. This holiday did exactly that for her. Her tan was so good it was going to make her colleagues very jealous.
Taking A Breather
Summer And Sun
Málaga, the beautiful province in Spain, is where you’d find the Costa del Sol. With its gorgeous yellow-sand beaches and fabulous hotels, it is the perfect place to enjoy the sun all year round. Literally meaning ‘coast of the sun’, British tourists love to soak up as much as humanly possible.
Summer And Sun
Something Amiss
Even though Harriet was enjoying every minute of relaxation, she couldn’t help but feel there was something missing, something that would make it all complete.
Something Amiss
Far From Home
Blanketed in a grey cloud cover, day after day just endless grey skies and rain, this is pretty much the weather in England for most of the year but especially in wintertime. Harriet was looking up at vaulted blue skies with faraway clouds, with sun all day long. She was not missing the miserable weather of home at all.
Far From Home
One Last Shopping Trip
With the daunting knowledge of her trip coming to an end starting to make itself unmissable, Harriet decided that what she and her friends needed was one last shopping spree.
One Last Shopping Trip
Getting Pampered
There is no better place when in Málaga, to get spoiled and pampered and along the Avenida de Andalucia, you will find some of the top high-end designers and fashion houses and, naturally, all the fineries that go with it. Harriet had no idea the dazzling displays could lead to disaster.
Getting Pampered
First Wrong Step
In the display window at El Corte Ingles, Harriet spotted an amazing sheer blouse that made her stop and she desired it. The price tag, however, nearly stopped her heart.
First Wrong Step
Just Trying It On
Her friends encouraged her to try it on regardless of the price. After all, she was on holiday. What harm could there be in trying it on?
Just Trying It On
No Stopping Now
Harriet didn’t really need any more encouragement, she grabbed that gorgeous top and headed straight for the fitting rooms. It fitted like it was tailored to her and blew her and her friends’ minds.
No Stopping Now
Made In Heaven
She looked and felt amazing in that blouse and being reminded that she was on holiday, buying it may not be such a bad idea. Besides, what harm could it really do? So, to the card, the charge went and the top was hers.
Made In Heaven
Second Thoughts
While having a final lunch in beautiful Spain, Harriet tried to push the thoughts from her mind that she should return the blouse. It was an impulse buy and impulsive spending gets you into trouble, she reminded herself. None-the-less it was time to pack up and check out of the hotel.
Second Thoughts
Was It Too Late?
She cleared out her room and with all her luggage together, her eyes fell on the designer bag containing the blouse. A momentary wave of nausea washed over her and she had to steady herself. Why did she buy that top?
Was It Too Late
Crossing Some Kind Of Line
Even while checking out of the hotel and getting into the cab for the ride to the airport, it didn’t occur to her that the purchase of that awesome top would somehow ruin her day.
Crossing Some Kind Of Line
Impulsive Decisions
Who would ever think that a few impulsive decisions regarding fashion, could ever lead to the train-smash of a day, like a day that Harriet was about to endure. Hindsight is such a nasty teacher sometimes.
Impulsive Decisions
More To Do With What’s Fair
As a feminist, Harriet feels as many women do, that a woman should not be subjected to judgments based on their choice of clothing. A very reasonable expectation and one that boils down to showing respect to each other.
More To Do With Whats Fair
Cause Of The Issue
The physical relief of being freed from the restrictive clothing needed in cold climates had felt so good that Harriet did not want it to end. That gorgeous sheer blouse was just the cure for this problem. It’s a designer piece after all and couldn’t possibly cause her any trouble.
Cause Of The Issue
Impulsive Again
It still surprised her that this amazing top could fit her so well, and her tan showed off so well that she felt confident and ready to head on home to wow everybody. No stopping her now.
Impulsive Again
No Judgement, Right?
Harriet thought that nothing could go wrong at the end of her vacation. Wearing a local designer’s piece of fabulous fashion, this foreign country would let her show off her holiday bod for one last time.
No Judgement Right
Ready To Go
At the airport on time and her luggage checked in, she felt confident and ready. With all the right places taped up, her blouse made her feel confident and sexy. She was determined to make the best of this.
Ready To Go
Duty-free Shopping
The boarding announcement for her flight came over the tannoy while she was buying a few more irresistible gifts for her family. She finished up and headed for the gate she was meant to board through.
Duty Free Shopping
The Moment It Started
The airport lounge was filled with families heading home, just like her. She couldn’t stop the feeling of longing that came over her then, she really missed her kids.
The Moment It Started
Heading For The Door
The boarding attendant looked at her ticket and with a smile, she wished Harriet a pleasant flight and pointed her down the tunnel. Her confident steps towards the plane were about to come to an unanticipated stop.
Heading For The Door
Initial Denial
The hostess at the door to the plane was greeting everyone as they entered, but the sudden change of expression on her face when she saw the sheer blouse, told Harriet that there was going to be a problem.
Initial Denial
Taken Aback
She may be mistaking me for someone else, thought Harriet and how very rude of her, it’s not like she offended the hostess in any way. Harriet was taken aback when she was being stopped by the same hostess.
Taken Aback
Hushed-Tones Huddle
The hostess and other attendants were having a hushed-tones huddle to discuss their approach, while fear started to chip away really quickly at what was left of Harriet’s confidence.
Hushed Tones Huddle
No Entry
With thousands of thoughts running amok in Harriet’s mind and her heart racing, she stared at the hostess in utter disbelief as she was being told that she can not board this plane.
No Entry
Surely A Mistake
Surely this is a case of mistaken identity or something, Harriet argued hesitantly. What did she do wrong? The hostess rejoined the huddle with the other flight attendants. Her heart was reaching even higher speeds by now.
Surely A Mistake
The Crunch
Harriet was absolutely astounded when the hostess tried to use her hands to cover the revealed parts showing through the blouse, all while saying to Harriet “You are not coming onto my plane like that, you need to put a top on.” She had made sure to tape up all the bits.
The Crunch
The Issue
The abrasive tone the hostess was using was starting to annoy Harriet, and the claim that the other passengers were complaining about the inappropriate top was strange, as she was yet to board the plane.
The Issue
Standing Firm
There was a heated argument for a few minutes, but the flight hostess was adamant and when Harriet realized that she was not going to budge, she gave in to the demand.
Standing Firm
The Passengers
Harriet initially suspected the cabin staff to be the ones with the real issue, she wasn’t even onboard yet for the passengers to have seen her. Who could she possibly be offending out here on the boarding tunnel?
The Passengers
Annoyed
To say that she felt annoyed by the hostess would be putting it lightly. Where do they get off telling her what she can or cannot wear? As she grabbed a sweater from her bag, she could think only of getting home to her kids and leaving this all behind her.
Annoyed
Embarrassed
It was impossible to miss the judgemental glares from the passengers as she went to find her seat. Harriet could not help but feel embarrassed by the incident at the door and now felt shame and disgust from every direction.
Embarrassed
All Good?
The best thing right now, she thought to herself, would be to try forgetting about this little hiccup and just get home. She was on the plane and in her seat, in a few hours she would be home with her children.
All Good
Getting Angry
As the anxiety and the fear started to subside, Harriet found a moment of clear thought to consider what just happened. She tried to keep calm as the anger started to grow in her, but she couldn’t hold it down.
Getting Angry
Seething
Harriet felt humiliated by the experience and, as the hostess passed her by, she could barely hold herself together. Biting her lip, she tried to keep calm and not say what she wanted to.
Seething
About To Boil
When Harriet began to consider that none of the airport staff, nor any of the boarding staff, had any problems with her clothing while she was checking in. This made it even harder for her to control the boiling outrage she felt.
About To Boil
Thought It Was Over
As Harriet sat in her seat, struggling to contain her nearly over-boiled rage, she noticed that the hostess and flight staff were in a huddle again. “Whatever could the problem be this time?”, she thought to herself.
Thought It Was Over
It Went On
As the hostess began to approach Harriet again, she felt how her anger suddenly became replaced with fear. She had complied with their demands to cover her blouse, further action would surely just amount to harassment.
It Went On
Get Off!
Harriet didn’t, at first, understand why she was being told to get off the plane. She had paid for her ticket just like everyone else, she had done what they had demanded of her and yet they’re telling her to get off the plane.
Get Off
Getting Worse
Understandably, the conversation on the plane very quickly became a heated argument and the hostess called security personnel to physically remove Harriet from the plane. The thought of having to spend the night at the airport and not getting a refund for her $200 ticket, left her feeling very embarrassed and dejected.
Getting Worse
Then The Police Came
During an interview, Harriet said, “I just burst out crying.” The police had been called and they explained to her that the flight staff complained about her disruptive behavior, which is why she was being removed from the plane.
Then The Police Came
Even The Pilot
Harriet felt like she was in a nightmare and it only intensified when the pilot came to talk with the hostess. Standing with his arms folded over his chest, staring at Harriet, while the hostess spoke to him.
Even The Pilot
Too Late
It was a small stroke of luck for Harriet when the police did not agree with the airport staff’s reason for kicking her off the plane, but unfortunately, it was too late. She was off the plane and unable to get a refund either.
Too Late
Stuck
Her fear of sleeping on an airport terminal bench was now a reality, that flight was the last one for the day and she didn’t have enough to get a ticket and a room at the hotel for another night. She would make sure to dress more modestly for tomorrow’s flight.
Stuck
Then The Media Heard
It didn’t take very long for news of this event to spread and after returning home, Harriet suddenly received a number of requests for interviews about the event. She was all too happy to share and the story spread like wildfire through dry brush.
Then The Media Heard
Third Person Views
“She can wear what she wants… she has to be on the plane with other people’s screaming brats.” is one of the more frequent public opinions, along with statements like, “Flight stewards are not the fashion police, they are there to assist you.”
Third Person Views
Some Controversy
Others do not agree with Harriet’s choice of clothing for her flight home, one Facebook user said, “Why would any sensible person get on a plane wearing something like that? …she’s not wearing “flying” clothes!”
Some Controversy
Variety Of Opinions
Web-citizens of the world have varying opinions on the subject after seeing pictures of Harriet wearing ‘the blouse’ and the sparks just keep flying. Some say she should be allowed to wear what she wants, while others agree that she could have shown some decorum when on a shared mode of transport. Yet, they mostly agree that she should not have been made to feel ashamed of her choices.
Variety Of Opinions
The Airline Said
A spokesperson for EasyJet, the airline that threw Harriet off the plane, informed Fox News that, “We can confirm that a passenger traveling from Málaga to Stansted on 23 June was unable to travel due to behaving disruptively.”
The Airline Said
Questions Remained
The biggest question about this entire incident was still left unanswered, After Harriet complied with the demand to cover, she was none-the-less forced off the plane at great embarrassment.
Questions Remained
Lesson To Learn?
EasyJet spokesperson also said, “Our cabin and ground crew are trained to assess all situations and to act quickly and appropriately. We do not tolerate abusive or threatening behavior towards our staff.” This may have been a hard lesson for Harriet.
Lesson To Learn
Luggage Without Her
An entirely separate story precedes this one. EasyJet Airlines was supposed to fly 88-year-old Joy Burton from Luton to Bordeaux, but instead left her at the airport and went off with her luggage to southwest France.
Luggage Without Her
Off To Visit
Joy was going to Bordeaux in order to visit her son, while her other son, made a four-hour trip from Canterbury to take her to the airport, helped her to check in her suitcase and they said goodbye at the security terminal entrance. There was 90 minutes before the airplane departure time so Joy wasn’t hurrying.
Off To Visit
Ground Control, Something’s Wrong
Joy didn’t so much miss her flight as much as, she couldn’t get on her flight. The ground handling, who was supposed to assist her, was experiencing some big problems. She was then told that she would have to wait before she would get her luggage and walking aid back.
Ground Control Somethings Wrong
Bad News
The standard procedure for when a passenger does not get onto a plane is to also not load their luggage. Somehow the baggage handlers missed her suitcase and walker, and it went off to Bordeaux for a visit with the family while Ms. Burton stayed at the airport.
Bad News
Next Flight?
To make matters worse for Joy, there was no one available seat on any direct flight, for the next 48 hours or more.
Next Flight
Safe Luggage
Ms. Burton should have, by law, been informed of the £215 refund that she should have received for being denied boarding of her flight. Instead, she had to spend two days at home with mobility issues because her walker was waiting for her “safely” in France with her luggage.
Safe Luggage
In Response
“In order to benefit from lower costs, we have all had to toughen up to deal with the vicissitudes and occasional indignities of the low-cost carriers. However, when my 88-year-old mother is treated by easyJet in such a thoughtless and unintelligent way, it shows that they care for old and vulnerable people who have been washed away in the cost-cutting.” Ms. Burton’s son, Hugh, was quoted saying.
In Response
Apologies
He continued, stating: “This needs to be addressed by their chief executive, as it cuts to the core of the values at the heart of the organization.” A representative of EasyJet apologized adding, “they understand how difficult this will have been for her.”
Apologies
And More
The airline announced: “EasyJet is very sorry that Ms Burton was unable to travel from London Luton to Bordeaux on 22 May and understands how difficult this will have been for her. We know how crucial it is for our customers who require special assistance to feel confident when traveling and as such, we have urgently asked CCS [the assistance provider] and London Luton Airport to investigate what went wrong and ensure that lessons are learned.”
And More
To Correct This
The spokesperson further said, “A member of our customer team is in touch with her concerning denied boarding compensation. EasyJet carries over 500,000 passengers who need special assistance every year. Last year the customer satisfaction amongst this group of passengers was 83%. The safety and welfare of our passengers is always easyJet’s highest priority.”
To Correct This
More Stories
As it turns out, EasyJet has a number of these stories. There was one time when they accidentally forgot to board 29 passengers who were meant to be on a flight from Málaga to Bristol. The passengers found out they had missed their flight when it took off.
More Stories
Trapped
The baggage was loaded into the plane, they were left standing in the tunnel. 58-year-old Lain Locke said, “The stairwell was full, and people were getting on the plane, but then boarding seemed to just stop.”
Trapped
Hold On
“After wondering what was going on, I looked through the doors onto the airport apron and the plane had gone. I turned round to the guy beside me and said ‘I don’t want to alarm you, but the plane has gone.” Mr. Locke said.
Hold On
Getting Out
“I just couldn’t believe it,” he said. “We were banging on the doors for about ten minutes trying to raise the alarm. It was a bit freaky being locked in there — especially for the people with young children.”
Getting Out
What Happened
EasyJet said that the incident was caused by an “issue at the boarding gate.” They had contacted all of the 29 affected passengers and issued apologies.
What Happened
Compensation
Although only 19 of the affected people accepted later flights to London, all the passengers involved received refunds and flight vouchers, says the spokesperson for EasyJet.
Compensation
One More Day In Spain
The remaining 10 passengers decide to stay a day or two longer, at the airline’s expense, of course. They took a flight back to Bristol at no extra charge. Wouldn’t you if you had the chance?
One More Day In Spain
Missing Some Passengers
It’s not every day an airline misses a passenger or two, but when it happens you wouldn’t think that it was two dozen people they were missing. While 110 passengers were already accounted for, the number of missing people should have been noticed.
Missing Some Passengers
Awareness Error
The process of getting everyone aboard the plane is meant to ensure that people are where they need to be. They were checked in and their luggage was being loaded, they should have been checked into their seats and yet the whole crew onboard somehow missed them all.
Awareness Error
Supposed To Be Fun
Jack Gray and his partner decided to use EasyJet to take them and their little 5-year-old, Oliver, to Disneyland. Even though they checked in 3 hours before their flight, they still missed it because of a queueing issue.
Supposed To Be Fun
A Long Wait
Mr Gray said, “We were waiting for the fast-track passengers to board, but we hadn’t seen that the normal passengers were queuing behind a pillar. It wasn’t signposted.” It was nearly 12 hours and £244 later that they managed to get a flight to Paris.
A Long Wait
How?
They were at the airport at 4:30 am, checked in their luggage and at 6:50 am the gate number for their flight was announced. Five minutes later all three of them were standing at the said gate.
How
Fast-Track Line?
There was a big sign clearly visible for the fast-track line, and the trio waited with their normal tickets to see where they would be bored. At 7:05 am a signboard was updated to say that this gate had closed at 7:00 am.
Fast Track Line
Missed It
When all the lines had cleared, the Gray family went over to the help desk to get an update on their flight. “As we got there, the doors were closing,” Mr. Gray said. “The women at the desk said we’d missed our flight.”
Missed It
Flown Flight
“One of the women said she’d radio through to try and get us on, but the departure people on the other end said no.” Mr. Gray said. He complained that there were no signs to point to a normal queue, and they had no idea when to board the plane.
Flown Flight
Perhaps A Shuttle Bus
“The woman radioed through again and I heard her say, ‘I already told them you said no, so it’s down to you.’” Mr. Gray recounted. It was a helpdesk employee who suggested that there might be a shuttle that could take them to the plane on the runway.
Perhaps A Shuttle Bus
Silent Airport
“The silent airport” policy was to blame for Mr Gray’s problems on this day. The policy dictates that no final boarding calls are done over the tannoy anymore. They were left feeling very frustrated.
Silent Airport
Conflicting Information
Mr Gray couldn’t help but get suspicious when he was told by a helpdesk at Bristol Airport that there is no such thing as a “silent airport policy” and it did not make it better when he found out that the gate had actually only closed at 7:12 am.
Conflicting Information
Extra Costs
“We have lost a day at Disneyland,” Mr. Gray said. “We were going to have two and a half days there, now it will just be one and a half.” This on top of the extra costs for the new tickets and the costs lost to the accommodation changes, coming in around £600.
Extra Costs
Spokesperson
The airline could only respond with, “We are sorry Mr. Gray and his family missed their flight to Paris on December 9 but we do not accept that this was as a result of inadequate signage. There are 100 digital screens positioned throughout the terminal, including at each boarding gate where airline staff is also on hand to help with any queries from passengers.”
Spokesperson