By

Peter Greenberg /

CBS News/ December 22, 2011, 10:13 AM

Ways to get thrown off your holiday flight

Over the next few days, millions of Americans will be packing up and heading to the airport.

But here's something you may not think about: What kind of behavior could get you thrown off a plane?

CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg shared the following column on many of the reasons people could be asked to leave a flight.

Your clothing:

A dress code could be coming. Although no one has actually defined what an appropriate dress code is, airlines are like the Supreme Court trying to define pornography. They can't define it specifically, but they know it when they see it.

There's a little bit of a movement for a uniform dress code, I don't think it's going to happen, and the problem then is, the individual flight crews or gate agents are determining whether it's appropriate dress or not.

However, most airlines' contract of carriage explicitly states that passengers can be removed from a plane for wearing what the crew deems inappropriate attire.

Too stinky to fly?

You may not know this (but probably should, in case you need to remind flight attendants that the rule does, in fact, exist) airlines have the right to boot you off the plane if you smell bad:

Several airlines state in their policies that it can remove a passenger with an offensive odor and the language varies.

American Airlines clearly states in its contract of carriage that it can remove a passenger with an offensive odor not caused by a disability or illness.

Delta Air Lines states that anyone who has a "malodorous condition" can be refused boarding.

Alaska Airlines states that "Persons who have an offensive odor (such as from a draining wound or improper hygiene) or have a contagious disease (can be removed) provided it is not the result of a disability."

JetBlue policy states that "Persons who have an offensive odor (can be removed), except where such condition is the result of a qualified disability."

Southwest: "Persons who have an offensive odor (can be removed), unless caused by a disability."

Too Fat to Fly?

Most airlines don't have an official policy on the books, but will cite the rule from the Federal Aviation Administration: Passengers must be buckled in their seat during take-off, landing and during turbulence. If you can't fasten your seatbelt with the help of an extender, you can't fly.

JetBlue deals with this situation on a case-by-case basis, but the crew has the right to determine if a passenger must purchase a second seat with no option of a refund. Officials note that JetBlue does operate a fleet of A320s, which offer roomier seats and aisles, and special "Lots of Legroom" seat which are available for an additional fee.

United Airlines added its policy in 2009 to say that those who cannot put down the arm rests or buckle their seat belt comfortably will have to purchase a second seat, or buy an upgrade to a roomier cabin.

According to Southwest's policy, a "customer of size" is defined as someone who cannot lower both armrests, which are 17 inches apart, and/or who compromise any portion of adjacent seating.

The Canadian Transportation Authority rule says that airlines cannot charge double for plus-sized passengers who are "functionally disabled by obesity," or travelers with accessibility problems who require an attendant.

For information on your rights as a passenger, check out passenger protections here.

© 2011 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
9 Comments Add a Comment
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newsworthy8 says:
I hope Southwest airlines abides by this and not just on this holiday bur all yr long. I have had some terrible experiences with them as to obese people trying to share the same seat. It just does not work..big people need to fly on cargo planes..
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commenter777 says:
Some of the southwest airline flight attendants should be removed for body odor.
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longtree-2009 says:
it's really awful to be stuck seated next to someone who just pure stinks. it's equally awful to be stuck seated to an obese, fat, person who takes more than their seat spilling over onto you and your seating area. if you stink or are obese, fat, you should get thrown off the plane. the obese, fat, can buy two seats and be allowed back on the plane. the stinky, no way should be allowed back on the plane until they shower and use deodorant.
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Lerianis4 replies:
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With all due respect, longtree, the obese thing is about the airlines trying to stick people into VERY small seats that aren't enough for even a non-obese 6 foot person.

They need to have a minimum size for seats, mandated that a 250 pound six foot tall person could easily sit in them.
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RunsWithWolves says:
You mean yelling "bomb" doesn't get you kicked off anymore?
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venusvegasvada says:
Kind of surprised that "Hanging out with Alec Baldwin" wasn't on the list.
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Jaylah54 says:
Chalk it up to deregulation, folks.

Prior to deregulation, fares were a lot higher. So "trailer trash", winos, and folks that didn't know what deodorant was couldn't afford to fly.

The ones that could afford tickets dressed casually and comfortably, but that didn't mean dirty, torn sweat-pants that hadn't been washed for months. Passengers often brought "slipper socks" with them in their carry-on, and actually had enough room in their seats to change into them during flight. Two checked bags came standard with every ticket, so you didn't have people attempting to haul immense suitcases down the aisle and then bash other passengers over the head with them as they tried to heft them into overhead bins (which are already full). The overhead bins used to contain a couple of briefcases, and perhaps winter coats at certain times of the year.

Airplanes are now Greyhound buses with wings.

If I can't either drive or take the train, I don't go anymore.
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rubberrezi says:
Obesity is NOT A DISEASE. PUT DOWN THAT FORK!!!
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Lerianis4 replies:
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Yes, it is in most cases. Some people can eat like rabbits and still be obese.

Obesity comes from overly active fat storing in the body in 90% of cases, which eating less will do nothing but tell the body of the person in question to store MORE fat from the calories that they do eat.