Officer told to cover up uniform on Virgin flight: report
A British Royal Navy officer was asked by Virgin Atlantic staff to cover up her uniform in case it offended other passengers, according to UK reports.
Petty Officer Nicky Howse was travelling on Virgin Atlantic from Los Angeles to Heathrow when staff asked her to change out of her uniform before boarding the flight, according to the Daily Mail.
"It was horrific," Howse told a friend, via email. "I was made to feel uncomfortable in my own country for wearing the uniform I wear to defend the place.
"It made me ashamed of my country that a British serviceman can’t travel in uniform. I was so distressed."
Although the Navy engineer refused to change out of her uniform before boarding, she was eventually forced to wear a set of airline pyjamas for the duration of the flight.
"It started at check-in. Some G4S security guy gave me the third degree about travelling in uniform. I was fuming. He was rude, he wouldn’t let the check-in girl give me my passport.
"I was shaking with rage. I thought it was all done. But when I got to the departure gate I was taken to the side by the flight supervisor and they said I wasn’t allowed to fly in uniform and had to wear a sleep suit.
"I then stood feeling completely humiliated with other passengers, clearly curious as to what was going on, staring at me, waiting for him to come back with the black pyjamas.
"I asked if it was Virgin policy, they said “Yes”. I refused to wear it until after I was on board then still refused but basically got told I’d be asked to leave the flight if I didn’t take it off or cover it up."
Virgin has since responded to press inquiries, stating that the airline has no such policy.
"This was a completely isolated case in which our staff were incorrectly advised by a security agent. We have made contact with the passenger in question to express our deep regret for any upset caused," a spokesman told the Daily Mail.
But Howse says she was given a litany of excuses for why she shouldn't wear the uniform.
"I was basically told it was because [the airline didn't] only fly British passengers and told it was seen as a threat. I went ballistic. I said, 'In the country I defend I can’t wear my uniform?'
"They then said it was for my own safety to stop abuse, to which I replied [that] I can deal with that myself if it arises, as I did in Afghanistan," Howse said.
Colonel Richard Kemp, under whom Howse served in Afghanistan, called the incident "an insult to the Royal Navy and to the British armed forces who the Queen’s uniform represents."
"This naval engineer has volunteered to serve and to fight for her country," he added. "How dare Virgin Atlantic and G4S treat her like dirt?"
