A United Airlines passenger arrived in the country and somehow lost his shoes at customs. He decided to leave his shoes behind, rather than looking for them, because he was afraid of missing his onward connection. He had two domestic flights to take, including a stop at Chicago O’Hare, and he made the entire journey just in his socks.
So my shoes disappeared at Newark Airport customs. I had to stay and find my shoes or run to my plane. I chose the latter and have had 3 flights across the country in only socks today. I asked several United Airlines employees for help but nada. pic.twitter.com/iwv23qIhPO
— ChelcieSPorter.Art (@laartistagitana) December 15, 2024
United’s Contract of Carriage actually forbids flying without shoes. And I’d point out that going barefoot is against the rules, and there’s no distinction here for merely having to board with shoes.
UA shall have the right to refuse transport on a permanent or temporary basis or shall have the right to remove from the aircraft at any point, any Passenger for the following reasons:..Passengers who are barefoot, not properly clothed, or whose clothing is lewd, obscene or offensive
Going barefoot on the aircraft even temporarily is verboten and can lead to refused transport. You don’t want to get up to go into the lav barefoot anyway, that isn’t water splashed on the ground in there.
This is common language. American’s Contract of Carriage says that passengers with “bare feet or offensive clothing aren’t allowed.”
And there are often shoe stores in the airport! I once managed to wear non-matching colored shoes to Washington’s National airport for my first leg of a trip to Asia. I realized this as I entered security. I turned back around and stopped into the Johnston & Murphy store immediately behind the checkpoint and picked up shoes that actually got me complimented by a flight attendant on that first flight.
Now, do you stop by the shoe store or run to the gate? I guess if there’s genuinely no time then you run to the gate. But people show up at the airport too early, and go to the gate too early. That’s why many airports have instituted ordering food at the gate. People go to their gate and stay tethered to their gate. They want to make sure the gate exists? They think their flight is going to board early? They’re somehow afraid of missing a flight even though it operates on a schedule.
And outside of the need for overhead bin space, to avoid having to gate check a bag, you don’t need to be on board when boarding begins. You just need to be on board before boarding ends. In general that means being ready to board more than 15 minutes prior to scheduled departure for domestic flights, not being at the gate 40 minutes prior. That extra cushion can be used to buy shoes!
Not understanding this at all. Was the person barefoot? Seems like they were wearing socks- which is pretty clearly compliant with the contract of carriage.
Bread and circuses!
Was this a challenge to see how many readers ignored the word “socks”?
I d rather wear my socks than a random pair of shoes. Who knows what kind of germs are with the shoes.
Barefoot ≠ without shoes
If socks are worn one is not barefoot.
And why do you assume he could buy shoes in an airport? Most don’t sell them at all and even if they sizes are going to be limited.
As for losing them–probably due to agricultural inspection. They were taken for cleaning and something went wrong and they were hard to locate.
Josh and Controller1 are correct. Rule 21.H.5 of United Airlines’ Contract of Carriage states that “Passengers who are barefoot, not properly clothed, or whose clothing is lewd, obscene, or offensive” may be denied boarding. However, the American Dictionary defines “barefoot” as “not wearing any shoes or socks.” Based on this definition, the young lady was not in violation of the rules.
Legal scholars specializing in the subject of bare feet agree that wearing open-toe sandals is not considered being “barefoot.” However, there is no broad consensus regarding flip-flops on a plane due to their potential safety risks during an evacuation.
If any law students are reading this, I encourage them to consider submitting a Law Review article on this fascinating topic. It would involve an interplay of law, linguistics, safety protocols, historical norms of attire, and podiatry.
OK, I got a bit carried away… But here it is: The skies are friendly, the meals are questionable, and the footwear policies? Well, they’re ripe for debate. In this thoroughly researched (and lightly tongue-in-cheek) article, we delve into the legal, cultural, and theological implications of being barefoot on an airplane, with a special focus on passengers who board in sandals, shed them mid-flight, and cover their feet with blankets in private business-class beds. Spoiler: even the Bible gets involved.
The Legal Framework
Airlines’ Contracts of Carriage are a labyrinth of rules, many of which seem to have been written during a turbulence-filled brainstorming session. Rule 21.H.5 of United Airlines, for example, specifies that “Passengers who are barefoot, not properly clothed, or whose clothing is lewd, obscene, or offensive” may be denied boarding. While the rationale—hygiene, cultural norms, and safety—is sound, the term “barefoot” is as legally defined as “fresh” on a bag of airplane peanuts.
Dictionaries generally agree that “barefoot” means “not wearing any shoes or socks,” but what about passengers who board in open-toe sandals and remove them mid-flight? Are they “footloose” rebels or merely weary travelers seeking comfort? The ambiguity leaves cabin crews scratching their heads—presumably with their shoes still on.
Cultural and Biblical Dimensions
Throughout history, feet have held a surprising cultural and theological significance. In Genesis 18, Abraham welcomed three divine visitors by offering water to wash their feet—a gesture of profound hospitality. And let’s not forget John 13:1-17, where Jesus himself washed the feet of his disciples, setting a gold (or perhaps sandal-leather) standard for service.
By this logic, shouldn’t airlines—particularly in business class—not only permit barefoot passengers but actively encourage them? After all, these travelers are distinguished guests who’ve paid handsomely for their lie-flat beds and champagne. Perhaps flight attendants could take a cue from biblical hospitality and offer complimentary foot-washing services. (Think of the loyalty points!)
The Podiatric Perspective
Podiatrists, the unsung heroes of healthy feet, argue that going barefoot—especially while seated or sleeping—can promote better circulation and reduce the risk of conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT). On long-haul flights, removing shoes allows feet to breathe and swell naturally, which is far healthier than cramming them into restrictive footwear for 12 hours.
Moreover, covering bare feet with a blanket provides warmth and minimizes contact with less-than-sterile surfaces. In other words, your barefoot neighbor in 3A might actually be practicing self-care—and doing so responsibly. Perhaps airlines should provide slippers not as a concession but as an incentive for passengers to kick off their shoes.
Safety Implications (or Why Flip-Flops Might Be Riskier Than Snakes on a Plane)
Safety experts raise concerns about bare feet during emergency evacuations. Exposed toes are vulnerable to injury from debris, hot surfaces, or the occasional misplaced laptop. While premium cabin passengers might argue that their enclosed spaces mitigate these risks, safety protocols remain one-size-fits-all—like those inflatable life vests.
Interestingly, the real footwear villain might be flip-flops. These flimsy sandals, though technically compliant, could hinder passengers during an evacuation. Legal scholars could debate whether airlines should revise their policies to address not just bare feet but poorly chosen footwear.
Conclusion: A Call to Action (and Maybe a Pedicure)
The issue of barefoot travel on airplanes invites a rich tapestry of legal, cultural, and podiatric considerations. Airlines should:
Revise Contracts of Carriage to clarify the definition of “barefoot.”
Embrace cultural and theological perspectives that celebrate the sanctity of feet.
Collaborate with podiatrists to educate passengers about the health benefits of removing shoes during flights.
Finally, let’s consider a future where business-class passengers are welcomed not just with champagne but with a warm towel for their weary soles. After all, the journey should be as comfortable as the destination—especially when it’s 35,000 feet in the air.
If a passenger travels on a United Airlines aircraft without shoes and is wearing a red-striped sweater that matches his socks like the photo, he might resemble Waldo from the “Where’s Waldo?” series. However, if you are in the UK, he might be mistaken for Wally from “Where’s Wally?”
Uhoh! I travel in Birkenstocks! I’m only in half-compliance with the rules!