Man Denied First-Class Seat Because His Tracksuit Was "Too Casual" (VIDEO)

Another day, another customer service screw-up for United Airlines.

(Check out the hilarious "United Break Guitars" video here.)

As MyFoxAtlanta.com reports, a Maryland man claims a United Airlines gate agent refused to let him take his seat in first class because his outfit, a Puma tracksuit, didn't meet the dress code. On October 26, Armando Alvarez, a vice president at Best Buy, was flying from Dulles International to Connecticut for business. A frequent flyer, Alvarez received a free upgrade to first class on the flight, but when the gate agent saw what he was wearing, he told him he "wasn't properly dressed" for first class and revoked the upgrade.

Not surprisingly, Alvarez was incensed.

Read the entire story at MyFoxAtlanta.com here or WATCH their report:

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Comments

[tjinc]

I understand wanting to be comfortable when you fly, but these days, people are a mess. Passengers barely or don't, comb their hair, dress like they're going to clean out the garage, If and board the plane looking, as the man says, like homeless people.

I think First Class on many airlines has given up trying to enforce a minimal dress code. A track suit is a step way down from "casual". I may be showing my age here, but a businessman, even in casual attire, would opt for a polo shirt and slacks, just to show some respect and look respectable. it doesn't take that much effort.

It's ironic that passengers complain about the appearance of flight attendants. Looks like the flip-flop is on the other foot.

People just don't know how to behave in public, or it seems. how to dress.

[sdtrueman]

Guarantee you if this guy was a Hollywood star, no one would have said a word even if he was wearing a plastic garbage bag.

[yappnmutt]

that's actually happened to me. i pride myself in not having to wear covered shoes or long pants for the last 20 years of work. i fly first class for long distances for the comfort factor and i can afford it. normally i wear old shorts, old t shirt and worn plain flip flops.

admittedly i can look homeless. especially if i don't shave for a few days. i do it purposely because it reveals the character of the people i deal with and doesn't draw attention from people i don't want to deal with. also , i'm not quite white.

while there has never been an issue except this one time i had to go above the ticket agents pay grade to get the airline to honor the ticket.

[dukeitout]

Has the author of this article verified this VP's claim? or is this yet another slow news day? I suspect there is more to the story.

[DFR2K9]

Oh. My. GOD! A corporate executive was DENIED a first-class seat?!?! What is happening in this country?!?! How in the WORLD is he going to set himself apart from the riff-raff in coach?! I weep for this nation. (weeps)

[CrazedSurfer]

I've flown first class on Delta to Barbados and Costa Rica. I'm going to surf so all I've on is some old shorts, flops and t-shirt. They never said anything to me. Maybe I'm scary looking.

[mjb5406]

The gate agent probably wouldn't have revoked the upgrade if the VP's last name was "Smith" or some similar less Hispanic-sounding name. That gate agent has WAY too much power.

[scpatl4now]

I'm assuming United's Red Carpet level is their top tier frequent flier level, and with Delta, if you are Platinum (which I am guessing is somewhat equivalent ), you are automatically queued for the upgrade. This really sounds like the gate agent thought he was nonrev, which is generally up to the gate agent to enforce as they wish. I flew nonrev for Delta over a year on a project and had to have a coat and tie on to board the plane. The bottom line though is an upgrade is not a right, and is at the pleasure of the airline to grant (if not a paid upgrade)

[iScan]

I disagree. I think the bottom line is that if there is a dress code for an upper cabin than it should be stated and not just be up to the whim of the gate and/or counter agent. Clothes are clothes, and just because they are not somebody's preferred taste, does not make them unsuitable for others to view. This was unreasonable and unethical. Its not like he's wearing daisy dukes and a tank top. He is dressed appropriately and comfortably for flying.

[Elyriaohio]

He was probably tired of being strip-searched in a suit.

[KIVPossum]

I've been bumped to first wearing dirty jeans and a t-shirt. No one complained.

[balancedsolution]

Best Buy is lipstick on a pig.

I've dealt with these guys on a number of occasions and they claimed product was out when trying to price match.

Can you say.......­........Cl­ass Action Lawsuit?

[HSC55]

Well, he did get a seat on the plane even though they kicked him back to coach. So, I don't think he has too much to complain about.

Track suits are not allowed for non-rev but are OK for paying passengers. Perhaps the gate agent thought his upgrade was a non-rev pass not a ticket? Benefit of the doubt?

[davidmnc76]

Track suits went out in the 80s... Didn't they?

[SoCalNick]

Frequent Flier here. You can wear anything you want (practically) in first class. MANY MANY MANY frequent fliers wear warm-ups. I have seen some that look like PAJAMAS.

There is something else going on here.

[Daniel Leyva]

Wonder if the real reason was because he has a Latino name...