Gay couple sues United Airlines

[skateboy]

Here's the story:

http://www.newser.com/story/153115/g..._medium=united

[FarFarAway]

I hate airlines, the are always declaring a lot, which doesn't exist in reality. I hope American laws are more advanced and the guys will win. In Russia a case like this is lost.

[orbitz]

Leave the sex toy at home the next time. Help the local economy instead and buy locally grown cucumbers instead.

[cruisin]

I agree that what was done was terrible and humiliating. But, how would the luggage handler know the owner of the bag was gay? Not sure they can prove sex discrimination. Unless the toy was specific, in some way?

[Rex]

Leave the sex toy at home the next time. Help the local economy instead and buy locally grown cucumbers instead.

[inskate]

I agree that what was done was terrible and humiliating. But, how would the luggage handler know the owner of the bag was gay? Not sure they can prove sex discrimination. Unless the toy was specific, in some way?

Well, if the toy in question happened to be a dildo/vibrator/etc., it could raise the suspicions of a luggage handler with no imagination (especially if he/she was on a hunt for lesser gays).
In any case, whoever did it was an idiot. It was a horrible thing to do, regardless of the sexual orientation of the toy owner.

Leave the sex toy at home the next time. Help the local economy instead and buy locally grown cucumbers instead.

[cruisin]

Well, if the toy in question happened to be a dildo/vibrator/etc., it could raise the suspicions of a luggage handler with no imagination (especially if he/she was on a hunt for lesser gays).
In any case, whoever did it was an idiot. It was a horrible thing to do, regardless of the sexual orientation of the toy owner.

That was my point, it was a lousy thing to do. But, they are claiming that it was done because they are gay. That, may or may not be true. Even if it was a dildo/vibrator, in a man's bag, it could still be for a woman to use. I think the jerk was a scumbag, regardless.

[VIETgrlTerifa]

It's hard to know without first knowing what kind of sex toy it was...Either way, I do think there's a case here.

[BigB08822]

Too bad this is going to court in Texas. May as well be Russia.

[milanessa]

That was my point, it was a lousy thing to do. But, they are claiming that it was done because they are gay. That, may or may not be true. Even if it was a dildo/vibrator, in a man's bag, it could still be for a woman to use. I think the jerk was a scumbag, regardless.

They said they thought they were targeted because they're gay but did not say that was the basis of their suit.

[berthesghost]

Why was it covered in a "greasy foul-smelling substance" ? Did the baggage handler use it?

[MacMadame]

I doubt the people in the back screening luggage had any idea who it belonged to. They probably just are prudish and decided to punish whomever for daring to enjoy sex!

[topaz]

It will hard to prove that the airline handlers/inspectors knew the bag belonged to a gay male. That's going to be hard to prove. You can pack adult toys in your luggage but you need to remove the batteries or pack a sex toy in your carry on. Either disclose it to the tsa inspector or ask to be moved to a private room for inspection.

Maybe it's time for them to buy sex toy bags.
http://www.holisticwisdom.com/sex-toy-storage.htm


5 Tips for Traveling with sex toys
Travel Tips for Tips for Traveling With Adult Toys

Packing items you want to keep private in your checked luggage is the simplest way to avoid mishaps in the security line, thought there's no guarantee that "your beloved companion" won't disappear from your suitcase, the company warns. Baggage screeners may not know what it is and remove it just to be safe. Their suggestion: travel light, and if you have to use a carry-on, make sure pack small equipment. For those who feel like they must travel with larger accessories, pack them but add a label identifying the items. And remember, the 3-ounce liquids rule also applies to lubricants.

Here are some other tips from Jimmyjane:

If Possible, Remove the Batteries: This is the surefire way to prevent a sex toy from accidentally turning on during transit and discharging all its battery power. Place your batteries in a plastic bag and store them separately.

Choose Products With a Lock Feature: If you're traveling with a rechargeable vibrating toy, or one with a battery can't be removed, check if it has a lock feature. This will prevent it from turning on, even if its buttons are accidentally pressed.

Pack Small/Discreetly Designed Products: Small toys are perfect for travel, as they can be stashed just about anywhere and are less likely to draw attention. Alternatively, a larger vibrator with a simple, understated design (e.g. no zebra stripes or glittery rabbit ears) can be an ideal option.

Pack It Between Other Items: Rather than let a sex toy roam freely in your carry-on or luggage, pack it in a carrying case or plastic bag and place it between layers of clothing. Should your bag get searched, this will buy you time to quietly explain that you're carrying a sex accessory and ask that your bag be searched in private.

[milanessa]

It will hard to prove that the airline handlers/inspectors knew the bag belonged to a gay male.

I doubt they'll try - the act was egregious enough regardless of the traveler's orientation.

[julieann]

I think there are a lot of facts missing from this story. They never specified in the story how the airline concluded the baggage belonged to a gay couple simply by having a sex toy. It may have got switched on pre flight. They are embarrassing themselves far more with the story and lawsuit then they ever did at the airport.

[agalisgv]

I don't think their orientation will be the key here. Having something private from one's packed luggage vandalized and taped to the outside of one's luggage is beyond inexcusable. I really don't understand why the airline wouldn't fire whoever did that. Personally I think this makes the airline look bad--not the couple protesting their treatment.

[milanessa]

I think there are a lot of facts missing from this story. They never specified in the story how the airline concluded the baggage belonged to a gay couple simply by having a sex toy. It may have got switched on pre flight. They are embarrassing themselves far more with the story and lawsuit then they ever did at the airport.

I disagree. The fact they are gay and speculated that they were targeted for that has nothing to do with what was done. If I was traveling with my husband and this happened to us I'd think about suing, too. Again, I doubt their lawsuit will address their orientation. They were unnecessarily humiliated as people and that should be addressed.

[UMBS Go Blue]

I don't think their orientation will be the key here. Having something private from one's packed luggage vandalized and taped to the outside of one's luggage is beyond inexcusable. I really don't understand why the airline wouldn't fire whoever did that. Personally I think this makes the airline look bad--not the couple protesting their treatment.

Agree with your first 2 sentences, but important to note:

1) Who did the vandalizing/taping, and where?

a) If they were flying back from Mexico, then did they go through customs at some point (in Mexico, or at the first US connection point) before getting their luggage at their final destination in the US? If so, then at what point was the vandalism/taping first visible? At customs, or at the final destination?

b) Therefore, was the vandalism/taping the result of i) customs/TSA/outsourced airport workers unaffiliated with the airline (most likely), or of ii) airline employees who specifically singled them out and their luggage?

2) Unless there were other items in the baggage that clearly identified the two travelers as being gay, then how would the people in 1) b) i) know that they were gay, assuming that workers inspected the baggage without having seen the travelers themselves? If really 1) b) ii) is the situation, then that would be more supportive of the passengers' case.

[milanessa]

[julieann]

I disagree. The fact they are gay and speculated that they were targeted for that has nothing to do with what was done. If I was traveling with my husband and this happened to us I'd think about suing, too. Again, I doubt their lawsuit will address their orientation. They were unnecessarily humiliated as people and that should be addressed.

If that were true, then gay would have never appeared in the story. He states in the story he was was targeted by airline for being gay for I'm sure it will take center stage at trial.

Bridgeman speculated that an airline worker went through the bag and decided to deliberately humiliate the owner of the sex toy he found inside. “I absolutely, fervently believe that this was intentional,” he said. “It was very sick and it was very wrong and it was just maliciously taped to the top and targeted because we’re gay.”

I don't know what else he had in his luggage that would have made the airline worker assume he was gay. It seems like a stretch. I don't know what the protocol is in regards to sex toys, toothbrushes that are turned on are in open luggage are put in zip lock bags and attached to the outside with a letter and left at customer service. Sex toys should be handled differently. It can't be the first one he found. Comp them free seats and move on.