Cross-dresser allowed on U.S. Airways flight

FORT LAUDERDALE-HOLLYWOOD INT'L. AIRPORT, Fla. (WSVN) -- Travelers are outraged after an airline allowed a man to wear a tank top and women's underwear on a flight out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

"Oh, my God," said one traveler.

Photos captured the U.S. Airways passenger wearing blue women's underwear, black thigh-highs and black heels. "I wouldn't sit next to him," said Barbara Urtz.

Another traveler expressed concern for kids who might catch a glimpse of the man. "What if there's a child onboard?" he asked.

The cross-dressing man identified only as "Howard" flew from the South Florida airport to Phoenix on June 9. Passenger Jill Tarlow snapped the picture of him in his unusual outfit. "I've never seen anything like this man dressed like this on an airline before, so obviously I was shocked by what he was wearing," she said. "However, I was also shocked at U.S. Airways not doing anything about it."

Apparently this latest incident isn't the first time "Howard" has been caught wearing this type of clothing. Numerous videos of the man dressed in tights, short shorts and heels have been posted on YouTube.

According to witnesses, passengers complained about his wardrobe but "Howard" was allowed to fly.

Valeria Wunder of U.S. Airways released this statement: "We don't have a dress code policy, so if they're not exposing their private parts, they're allowed to fly."

However, days later, college football player Deshon Marman was kicked off his U.S. Airways flight to San Francisco for wearing baggy pants. "My pants were actually not even below my knees, below my buttocks," he said. "They were slightly below my waist."

Liza Landau of U.S. Airways then released this statement: "Our crew members are authorized to exercise their discretion to ensure the comfort and safety of all passengers on the plane."

Traveler Richard Marer said the two incidents should have been treated equally. "It's not hurting anybody. I mean was his boxers showing? I mean, I'm sure he had a shirt covering it, so it wasn't as bad as this," he said.

Prosecutors have until July 18 to file charges against Marman.

Meanwhile, travelers at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport agree that U.S. Airways should have a policy where everyone is treated in the same way.

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