A New Jersey man, Sam Saadeh, claims he was ordered by United Airlines crew to change his anti-war T-shirt before boarding a June 4 flight from Atlanta to Newark. The shirt read, 'Bombing kids is not self defense.'
Saadeh told CBS New York he was approached by a supervisor shortly after boarding, who informed him the flight attendant found the shirt offensive. He was given the choice to change or forgo the flight. Saadeh changed shirts to avoid missing the flight but described the interaction as humiliating. United Airlines confirmed he traveled after changing, citing its policy on offensive clothing.
United's Contract of Carriage allows refusal of transport for passengers in 'lewd, obscene, or offensive' attire. The airline declined further comment on why the shirt violated policy. Saadeh, of Palestinian descent, stated the shirt was meant to advocate against violence toward children, regardless of nationality.