Words on a Shirt
Categories: News
Every once in a while something stupid happens that we can’t quite fathom. We honestly can’t see people acting in such a childish manner, but we should know better. Recently Jacob Ewart was the target of ridiculous pandering to people who can’t find the time of day to mind their own business.
Jacob was heading back to California from Hawaii, sitting and quietly conversing with a friend who had joined him on the trip. Normal airport behavior. We too have engaged in conversations while waiting at the gate for our flight to board. While minding his own business, the gate attendant came up and asked Jacob to remove the Grunt Style shirt he was wearing because another passenger had complained about the words on it. It was one of the older and more abrasive designs but still not advocating or encouraging violence, but rather a state of mind. It was after all just a shirt. It wasn’t harming anyone, and Jacob wasn’t being obnoxious or loud, creating a scene…just quietly conversing with his friend. Jacob refused. It’s just a shirt.
Not five minutes later the gate attendant came over and asked him to remove the shirt again as this time a Flight Attendant had complained. Again, politely, Jacob declined. He didn’t see what the big deal was, certainly everyone involved had heard the words on the shirt before and it’s not as if the words on a shirt made some sort of magical weapon capable of actually harming people. They are words on a shirt.
Jacob thought nothing of it as he eventually got up to board his flight. His friend who had accompanied him had boarded earlier though and relayed via text message that the captain of the aircraft had spoken to the airport police and waiting for him were two airport police officers at the entrance to the aircraft.
Jacob was informed by the two officers that if he did not put on the hoodie he had to cover the words that he would not be allowed to board that plane or any other Alaska Airlines aircraft. A refund would not be given to Jacob if he refused.
All of this over words on a shirt. Jacob put his hoodie on because as a hardworking police officer, he knew that there was no point in making a scene and there would be no solving the issue on that day.
Alaska Airlines is free to do as they choose as a private company. Totally within their discretion as to who they allow on the plane. We would think when exercising that discretion they’d use what power they have to not wage a war against words on a shirt.
We do find it interesting though that they needed two police officers to ensure this man and his extremely dangerous shirt weren’t on board…
…because God forbid anyone read words they don’t like.
This just absolutely fucking ridiculous! I own a ton of these shirts and I wear them proudly. What happened to our first amendment?
Doesn’t apply to private companies. Look it up.
The constitutional amendments restrict government not individuals or businesses. As Alaskan airlines is not a government entity, they are not restricted by the first or any other constitutional amendment.
I’m not saying I agree with what they did. I’m only saying it doesn’t violate the first amendment. Just like how stores banning firearms doesn’t violate the second amendment. I still won’t shop at them, but they are free to do so.
Well technically our freedom of speech is only protected from government infringement not private businesses
Pretty sure we addressed that.
Well we all have the freedom of speech, just like a privately owned company has the right to refuse service to anyone. Say it! Wear it! Just be prepared for others to exercise their freedoms. 🤷🏼♂️
What Shirt? Bring it back. I’ll buy 2…lol
They are lucky this young man was LEO. Otherwise It may have Become an issue and a Law Suit. Really violating someone’s first Amendment Right! And, in California he would win.
First Amendment doesn’t apply to private businesses.
Most people would be annoyed and put the hoodie on. Hundreds of dollars and a missed flight aren’t worth an argument.
As the first amendment only restricts the government, and Alaskan Airlines is not the government, it is literally impossible for them to violate the first amendment.
In Cali he would lose !!!!!
Typical leftist behavior. But I’m sure if a Antifa member wanted to board, that would be fine.
Private company, their rules. Same as any other airline. Don’t like it, don’t fly. Believe it or not, not everyone, even other veterans think it’s remotely cool to have profanity on your shirt. Obvioulsy your butthurt enough to write an extremly vague article. I mean, how hard it is it really to look up the carriers rules on dress codes? The old addage, just because you can, doesn’t mean you should, applies here.
Mike, that is your opinion, and we’d like to know which word hurt you.
Love to know the words! Boarding an Alaska Air flight @ 06:15 to LA tomorrow. I haven’t chosen my wardrobe yet Now I have to give that some SPECIAL consideration! 😬
I bought myself a “Stay back 100 meters or you will be shot” hoodie to wear when I ride my Harley. I like to wear it when my wife sends me on a Whole Foods run. Just waiting to tell someone that I don’t give a shit what offends them. 😂
So Free Speech no longer applies in America? P.S. I’m with Londra, too.
How about you be a grown up, and dont wear stupid shirts that you know will offend people?
Cmon, there are kids on the flight.
I’ve seen some of the stupid shit you put on a shirt. You want attention. It has nothing to do with your “freedoms”.
Sometimes being an adult, you have to make choices… how about being an adult
Or how about growing up and not being offended. Ya know. Like an actual intelligent individual.
I hope it’s released that the shirt is the “follow me” one, so you can look like an un-patriotic douche canoe.
Jacob should sue Alaska airlines (naming the boarding agent, flight attendant, and pilot as principles) for violating his 1A right to freedom of speech and self-expression. The Liberals do it, turn-about is fair play.
Alaska Airlines, got it 👌. I will always remember this. There is a great deal of competion out there and I will choose another airlines.
Wish it was on video…like every other crap that goes on in the world
What did the shirt say?
What did the shirt say on it?
I want me for myself and all my friends. Where can I get an infinite number of these shirts.
That’s pretty bad that the way you look or dress that someone has the right to tell you you can’t do that people are too whiny about things that really doesn’t concern them and make big deals over it and I’m sure that’s not Alaska airlines policy someone took it on their own
I cant Believe it a police officer wearing a shirt they didnt like the Airline is CRAP
I’m sure any of the freaks who complained would have no problem with him saving their lives should anything happen on the flight . New t-shirt idea though ! Grunt style is also privately owned sooooo ?? We already have flight 93 – we won’t go down without a fight . How about …” forget Alaskan airlines … you can’t forget what you’ve already read , you can’t unsee what you’ve already seen “ Remember 1st amendemant !
I will never fly Alaskan now , good read .
What did the shirt say? Since you’re pandering for sympathy for wearing an offensive shirt, why don’t you post what it says?
There are limits to freedom of speech. Surely you can’t have a shirt that says “I’ll blow this thing up” on a plane am I right?
You’re the wrong reader for both of these companies/publications. Some of the jokes on grunt style shirts seem to have you LEFT behind.
I am a LEO. There are many options, I will never fly Alaska Air again. I have had enough. If it was a pro Trump shirt it would be the same issue, but if it were a pro- Obama shirt, there is no issue because we are fucking adults and we would not bitch about it.
More and more of the same, hyper-sensitive, over-wrought foolishness among those who have nothing better to do than find fault with others they don’t agree with. Things really are getting ridiculous, out of touch with reality.
Which shirt…. i want it if i dont have it already.
I live in the suburbs of Chicago, and I recently bought an LGBT hoodie( liberty guns beer trump) and I haven’t worn it once because of how scared I am for my life and or losing my job (my boss is a brainwashed, MSNBS watcher).
What an absolute joke! Alaska Airlines you should be ashamed!
I recently bought a what I’ll call current issue “controversial” shirt from grunt style who I love & support 100%.. First day I wore the shirt I armed my mind against what pushback I thought I’d get for wearing it. Funny thing, the first person to approach me, LIKED my shirt a lot; his words.. The next person, a little old lady, told me she absolutely LOVED my shirt & agreed with it. Didn’t get one negative comment as I thought I would & I’ve worn it several more times proudly.
Shirt says: VETERANS BEFORE REFUGEES
Grunt Style for life!
Ridiculous! I have my share of GS shirts and a couple Officer Baker ones. Never flying Alaska again if at all possible. I’m with Londra…I’LL BUY TWO!
I disagree. After the ticket is issued and plans made, they should not have the right to deny him passage. They made a contract with him and owe him passage on that flight, unless they have a disclaimer to leave your free speech at home in their fine print at the time of booking. I didn’t realize Alaska was now home to the snowflakes. No safe place for freedom anymore. Seriously? They should offer classes in “Avert Your Eyes” training!
I would like to know what the shirt said, so I could buy one. I also would like to know when did America stop being full of Hardboiled Sons a bithchas, & is now full of so many pussies, offended by a shirt, for God sake?