A Florida man was reportedly kicked off a United Airlines flight for wearing a thong on his face instead of a mask.
Speaking to reporters after the incident, Adam Jenne from Cape Coral compared himself to civil rights activist Rosa Parks.
In a now-viral video, the 38-year-old is seen sitting in his seat with a bright red thong draped across his face.
LEAVE IT TO THE #FLORIDAMAN! This guy from Cape Coral tried wearing a #thong as a #mask on a United flight in Fort Lauderdale today. He was kicked off the plane. TSA and sheriff were called but passengers remained peaceful. #airtravel #Florida #aviation #travel pic.twitter.com/kUnkXrgTY8
— Channing Frampton (@Channing_TV) December 16, 2021
Jenne was challenged by staff for “non-mask compliance” and was asked to leave the plane. He left without a fuss, but another passenger asked a flight attendant what happened.
The other passenger asked if “he just got kicked off for wearing a mask” before adding “I’m out of here”. As he left he said “you know this whole thing is ridiculous” to which the flight attendant responded: “It’s not my law sir, it’s the federal government’s law.”
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The incident occurred on United Airlines flight 1750 from Ft. Lauderale to Washington, D.C. according to FOX 4.
He told the southwest Florida news channel: "There’s nothing more absurd than having to wear a mask until I get to cruising altitude so that I can order Tito’s by the double and snack on pretzels, and illustrating that absurdity by wearing women’s underwear on my face sounds perfect.”
He’s now reportedly “banned” from flying with the airline until “his case has been reviewed by the Passenger Incident Review Committee.”
Jenne told NBC2 that he’s done this “almost two dozen times” on flights during the pandemic.
He told the network: “I think the best way to illustrate absurdity is with absurdity.”
He said after he left the plane “maybe a dozen” others “started filing off the plane”.
“It’s nonsense, it’s all nonsense,” he said. “Covid doesn’t know that we’re at cruising altitude. It’s stupid. The whole thing is theatre.
“Everything else that has sparked change in this country has started from everyday people. Rosa Parks was nobody famous. She changed the course of history.”
Guidance on the airline’s website says that passengers must wear a face mask “with no vents or openings that fully covers their nose and mouth”. Masks must be worn throughout the trip, and between bites and sips if passengers are eating or drinking. The guidance also warns that those who do not comply with the rules may be refused transport, be subject to fines, and could “lose their travel privileges” on future flights.
In a statement to FOX 4 a United Airlines spokesperson said: "The customer clearly wasn’t in compliance with the federal mask mandate and we appreciate that our team addressed the issue on the ground prior to takeoff, avoiding any potential disruptions in the air.”
Indy100 has reached out to United Airlines for comment.
