Human League vocalist kicked out of Qantas lounge for wearing UGG boots
Australians have vented their anger on social media after a popular 1980s musician claims she was refused entry to the Qantas business class lounge for wearing UGG boots.
Human League vocalist Joanne Catherall claims she was refused entry in her UGG boots because they were “deemed sleepwear by the lady” working at the Qantas business class lounge at Melbourne Airport.
“Helpfully, she suggested I go to one of the shops and purchase some shoes,” she tweeted.
Catherall claims she had “no problem in any of the other lounges so far” including Perth and Adelaide.
The 55-year-old was on her way to Sydney for a performance that was part of the band’s Australian tour.
Qantas responded to her tweet, saying the airline endeavoured “to remain consistent and uphold our Lounge’s dress guidelines to all our guests”.
It also included a link to its dress code.
The Qantas Domestic Lounge Dress Guidelines says the airline does not permit thongs and bare feet, head to toe gym wear, beachwear, sleepwear, revealing or unclean clothing, and clothing featuring offensive images or slogans into the lounge.
Catherall questioned how UGG boots could be classified as sleepwear since she wears them “outdoors in all weathers”. Qantas pointed to the guidelines again.
HEY @Qantas YOU SUUUUUCK https://t.co/QdzHdbyIMg
— The Flecha (@arrowp) December 17, 2017
So to be clear, you can wear a two strap birkenstock but not one with a strap between the toe? Having a dress code is one thing but yours defies logic. Try, the following are not permitted: swimwear, sleepwear, bare: feet, underarms, butt cheeks, boobies, and bellies!
— Carolynhuggett (@Adorethedays) December 17, 2017
why are slippers and slide sandals deemed ok? but thong sandals are not? that is so stupid. thanks for convincing me to stay away from @qantas
— 😎Dan Levy-Algiers🤡 (@algierz) December 17, 2017
Twitter users have since jumped to the defence of Catherall, with one person saying the airline’s dress code for the lounge “defies logic”.
“So to be clear, you can wear a two strap birkenstock but not one with a strap between the toe? Having a dress code is one thing but yours defies logic. Try, the following are not permitted: swimwear, sleepwear, bare: feet, underarms, butt cheeks, boobies, and bellies!” they tweeted.
“Why are slippers and slide sandals deemed OK? But thong sandals are not? That is so stupid. Thanks for convincing me to stay away from Qantas,” another tweeted.
Another simply tweeted: “Hey Qantas. You suck.”
Human League are best known for their hit “Don’t You Want Me Baby?”
The band became famous in the 1980s for their androgynous lead singer, Phil Oakey, and their super-glamorous backing vocalists, Catherall and Susan Anne Sulley.
Catherall isn’t the only famous singer to be evicted from the Qantas lounge.
In 2015, Kate Ceberano claimed she was evicted from the lounge for wearing a pair of open-toe mules despite being a member since 1990.
Um, they're not slippers. They are worn OUTSIDE and for people who have cold feet at this time of year, they are necessary. They are also stupid expensive. Just saying.
— Emily Cooke (@Emily08291) December 16, 2017
Wear your Uggs with pride!
— Mr Benn (@_SpecialBL) December 15, 2017
