Dress for Success... And Your Next Flight

Most people taking flights across the country probably spend no more than a couple of hours on a flight. I mean you sometimes spend more time in security than you do on the actual plane but be that as it may, you want to be comfortable right? I have taken trips where I have spent eight hours flying the first leg, fifteen hours in an airport (due to various delays) and another eight and half hours on the final leg. Do you think I'm insane enough to make that flight wearing a three-piece suit? Not in the least! Still, when dressing for a flight these days, I also take into account the fact that I have the possibility of being subjected to various security inspections so rather than wearing a complicated outfit, I might as well wear something comfortable and simple that will facilitate a quick trip through security. That's what most people think. That's what passenger Kyla Ebbert thought too.

On a recent flight with Southwest Airlines to make a doctor's appointment in a nearby city (nearby enough for a quick flight but too far to drive). Now there's no problem in doing that. Heck, business travellers make such jaunts with such regularity that it's almost like catching a bus these days. Seeing as how the temperatures were over 100 degrees, Ms. Ebbert dressed in the outfit pictured above. The outfit, as she describes it, was a mini-skirt and tank top with a light summer sweater on top. She also happened to be wearing high heels. Now as I've said, most people these days are generally normal in terms of what they wear but there are two extremes too. Business travellers who are required to wear their suits since they generally go to and from their meetings straight from the airport, and then there are those who fly in what amounts to their pajamas. Now I'm all for people being comfortable on a flight but don't come on board as if you came from the bedroom straight to the plane and are looking to continue your nap.

Now seeing what Ms. Ebbert was wearing and reading about the way she was conducting herself (which was in a normal way) it should be a bit surprising to hear that she was stopped, not by security but by the airline itself. Apparently, one of the gate agents saw Ms. Ebbert boarding the flight and came to her as she sat waiting in her seat to inform her that she was dressed inappropriately. When she asked what was inappropriate about her attire, the gate agent apparently responded that the whole thing was inappropriate. He said her skirt was too short and her top too revealing. A discussion ensued and the airline requested that she change her clothes (which she couldn't since she had no luggage) or that she go home and change then return for a later flight (which she couldn't in light of her appointment) so the airline grudgingly let her fly.

This seems to be a rather arbitrary and uneven enforcement of some rules which aren't really spelled out for passengers doesn't it? I mean when I purchase an airline ticket I have never seen explanations of dress codes for passengers. I mean there's a ton of information in the smallest font size imaginable which describes how your seat can be given away under certain circumstances or how you won't get a refund and may have to pay additional money for cancelling your booking. That being said it's not surprising that Ms. Ebbert wasn't aware of the apparently unwritten rules. One assumes that most people apply a bit of common sense when getting dressed for a flight. Well, most people do anyways; but in this case, I don't find anything wrong with what Ms. Ebbert was wearing.

If she had been acting in a lewd and lavicious manner or doing something that apparently made fellow passengers that uncomfortable then by all means, detain her and deny her the chance the fly. I mean if you ever watch a single episode of the reality show "Airline" chronicling the life and times at several airports serviced by Southwest you'll see at least one drunken passenger being taken off a plane per episode. I have yet to see an episode where a passenger is yanked off a plane for the way they're dressed. I mean if we're getting into dress codes here then what about the way some flight attendants are dressed on Southwest flights. If you're talking about appropriate and proper attire then is there a need for attendants to be wearing shorts to work? Sure they may wear a collared shirt with it but doesn't that give a different perspective on the professionalism of the crew? I mean what sort of message would it be sending if the flight crew arrived in cabana shirts and flip-flops?

I admit that certain passengers can make it difficult for crews to maintain an air of dignity and decorum in the air but by singling out a person based solely on their dress, isn't that a bit much? I have flown with passengers who have dressed as if their occupation is dumpster diving. I mean if we're talking the appropriateness of dress and appearance, what about people with piercings or tatoos that someone may find offensive. Common sense is not so common but for the most part, people are dressed okay. If we start delving into what is or isn't appropriate dress for passengers then we might as well issue everyone jumpsuits with their tickets so that there will be equality and non-provacativeness among all who choose to fly the no-longer-so-friendly skies.