Spirit Airlines reiterates mask policy, CDC standards after passenger refuses to swap gaiter

Spirit Airlines reiterated its policy of wearing only masks approved by the CDC after a passenger refused to wear anything other than his neck gaiter, which does not meet CDC standards. A video, recorded by the passenger and shared on social media last week, shows a flight attendant asking a man wearing an American flag-themed neck gaiter if he has a mask on underneath because the gaiter on its own does not comply with Spirit or CDC guidelines. "Our flight attendants asked the Guest in this video to double up his gaiter," the airline said Friday. "When he refused, they offered him an alternative face covering, and he refused that option, too." "What's wrong with my mask?" the passenger asked, before repeatedly telling the flight attendant to "show me those rules." "I don't have to wear the mask that you gave me," he said. "I'm wearing the mask that I have. ... I've been on 20 flights with this same exact mask." The flight attendant reiterated that the gaiter did not meet safety standards and said the airline would "have the authorities waiting for you when we land." The airline's statement notes that Spirit's policy adheres to CDC guidelines and requires face coverings that "snugly cover the nose and mouth, be secure under the chin and have at least two layers of fabric. The CDC cautions that gaiters may not be effective, which is why we require Guests to either double up neck gaiters so they're dual-layered and hug the chin, or to switch to a standard ear-loop face covering."<br/>