Gay couple sues United Airlines

[milanessa]

Once again - that does not mean that that will be the basis of the suit. They said they thought they were targeted because they were gay not that that's why they're suing.

[MacMadame]

I agree with you, milanessa. However, the reaction to their story is why I rarely point out any discrimination I feel like I have gotten in my life. People just don't want to hear that there is discrimination and they will latch onto that aspect and ignore the merits of your actual complaint.

[VIETgrlTerifa]

I think the discrimination is just for the PR of the story. The actual argument the attorney will use will probably leave it out and just focus on the actual vandalism and whether United Continental was liable and therefore should pay damages.

The crux of the case relies on whether United Continental is liable/responsible for luggage handling in a series of scenarios (such as lost luggage, damage to luggage, etc.).

I also have to laugh at the poster who suggested that the people who got their luggage vandalize should just accept whatever measly compensation the poster themselves offered (two free seats for the next flight). For one thing, we don't know what United Continental offered, and another thing is that why should the passengers graciously accept that when real damage and vandalism was done?

[agalisgv]

If they were offered two discounted/free tickets, it would mean they would have to fly that airline again. After this incident, I could why they wouldn't want to do that.

[UMBS Go Blue]

If 1) b) i) is the case, then it really isn't the airline's fault to begin with.

[VIETgrlTerifa]

If 1) b) i) is the case, then it really isn't the airline's fault to begin with.

Unless airlines assume responsibility for their customers' luggage no matter who handles it in-transit since airline customers only go through the airline to check-in and pick-up their baggage. It's not as if airline passengers go through third parties throughout every stop.

[CantALoop]

I don't know what else he had in his luggage that would have made the airline worker assume he was gay.

I'd imagine most workers would assume that the presence of men's clothing, male name on luggage tags, men's toiletries, etc. + dildo = gay male.

[julieann]

I'd imagine most workers would assume that the presence of men's clothing, male name on luggage tags, men's toiletries, etc. + dildo = gay male.

So now a wife can't even ask her husband to put a simple dildo in his luggage for her anymore because hers is too full without him being called gay? Great!

Besides, the story said "unspecified sex toy" everyone is guessing as to what it was.

[my little pony]

that's not a vibrator, that's a neck massager

[CantALoop]

So now a wife can't even ask her husband to put a simple dildo in his luggage for her anymore because hers is too full without him being called gay? Great!

Besides, the story said "unspecified sex toy" everyone is guessing as to what it was.

Wow, that's some major shopping or poor folding if someone can't even fit a dildo into a packed piece of luggage I'm pretty sure that most men who know that baggage screeners and TSA agents have the authority to open luggage and search the contents would be hesitant to carry a sex toy that isn't theirs in their luggage.

TSA: "Sir, we encountered this object in your luggage."
Man: "Oh that's not mine."
TSA: "Then what is it doing there?"
Man: "My spouse/partner asked me to carry it. I swear, it isn't mine!"

[orbitz]

TSA: "Sir, we encountered this object in your luggage."
Man: "Oh that's not mine."
TSA: "Then what is it doing there?"
Man: "My spouse/partner asked me to carry it. I swear, it isn't mine!"

Austin Power had a scene like that at the airport with a pump .

[Prancer]

I'd imagine most workers would assume that the presence of men's clothing, male name on luggage tags, men's toiletries, etc. + dildo = gay male.

Or a straight guy planning a little surprise for someone.

I can think of some sex toys that are clearly gay sex toys, but dildos?

[orbitz]

If the dildo has a realistic resemblance to an erect human penis then most likely it belong to a gay guy.

[milanessa]

If the dildo has a realistic resemblance to an erect human penis then most likely it belong to a gay guy.

Lots of women use those.

[ballettmaus]

Wow, that's some major shopping or poor folding if someone can't even fit a dildo into a packed piece of luggage I'm pretty sure that most men who know that baggage screeners and TSA agents have the authority to open luggage and search the contents would be hesitant to carry a sex toy that isn't theirs in their luggage.

I don't see why, if you're married/in a committed relationship, you wouldn't pack what belongs to your partner.
My mom always packs mixed bags (her and my dad's clothing in every suitcase and when I travelled with them, mine, too) when flying overseas in case a suitcase gets lost.

As far as suing the airline is concerned, I'm wondering how much good that will do. Whenever our bags get opened by TSA, there's a paper in there that states that it was searched by TSA and if something was missing I'd contact TSA not the airline. When one of our suitcases lost a name tag on its way from the US to London, it was London airport security that paged us and asked us to identify the bag. Not the airline.
The airline never opens the suitcase and if an airline worker did open the suitcase then it would probably have been unlawful to begin with.

However, the sex toy must have already been strapped to the suitcase when the workers handled it to load it either into a container or cart to get it to the plane and apparently, no one bothered to contact anyone who could contact the owner of the suitcase...

It will be interesting to see how that lawsuit turns out.

[Prancer]

If the dildo has a realistic resemblance to an erect human penis then most likely it belong to a gay guy.

Really?

Lots of women use those.

I would assume so as well. They certainly show up a lot on 'sex toys for women' lists.

If this comes up in court, it will be interesting to see if anyone has any statistics on realistic dildo use by gay men vs. women .

[skateboy]

If the dildo has a realistic resemblance to an erect human penis then most likely it belong to a gay guy.

Yes, because straight women have no use for erect human penises.

[Nomad]

Really?



I would assume so as well. They certainly show up a lot on 'sex toys for women' lists.

If this comes up in court, it will be interesting to see if anyone has any statistics on realistic dildo use by gay men vs. women .

How does one make the distinction? Female use vs. male use? Are there signs of some kind? I think not.

[Japanfan]

How does one make the distinction? Female use vs. male use? Are there signs of some kind? I think not.

Given the difference between male and female anatomies, its entirely possible that one type of toy would appear equally oriented towards gays as straights - especially were it missing that one part that females especially enjoy (don't know if men enjoy it but all things are possible I suppose).

If this is the case, then perhaps there might be a case for discrimination. Although the act was foul and entirely unacceptable nonetheless.

[milanessa]

Given the difference between male and female anatomies, its entirely possible that one type of toy would appear equally oriented towards gays as straights - especially were it missing that one part that females especially enjoy (don't know if men enjoy it but all things are possible I suppose).

(my bold) I haven't had any coffee yet this morning. That's my excuse for having no idea what you're talking about.