Airlines Keep Stopping Her for the Same Ridiculous Reason
jump through hoops: to do many difficult or unnecessary things to get something or to be allowed to do something
106-year-old Cretora Biggerstaff has zero patience for ageism. She says that every time she flies, she gets questioned by Homeland Security and the airlines because of her age. She suspects the airline’s computers don’t accept ages over 100.
The mentally sharp centenarian isn’t accepting any disrespect. She says, “I know what the majority of people think. Oh, she’s 106. She’s probably in a wheelchair, doesn’t know what she’s doing. Well, I got news for them. I know exactly what I’m doing.”
This is not only happening to Cretora. She says a 103-year-old man in London was not allowed to fly because of his age.
Cretora is complaining to the airlines and the Department of Transportation. Her friend Arlene says, “Why should she have to jump through hoops anytime she goes anywhere?”
Sample sentences
You’re going to have to jump through a lot of hoops to get your visa approved. Expect to fill out lots of forms, show your bank records and wait for weeks.
I’m not going to jump through hoops to get the job. They need to recognize my skills, experience and reputation!
Getting a bank loan isn’t easy. They will make you jump through a lot of hoops.
Origin
The expression comes from the circus, where animals like dogs or lions are trained to jump through hoops as tricks. These hoops are often high or on fire, which makes the task hard. Today, the phrase is used when people have to do many difficult or unnecessary steps to achieve something.