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Southwest Airlines Imposes Dress Code on Passenger
If you're flying the "family" airline Southwest, you'd best stick to your Sunday church-going clothes rather than your Saturday night clubbing duds. Kyla Ebbert found this rule out the hard way: she was asked to leave a flight before it departed because the flight attendants felt her attire was too revealing. Ebbert adjusted her outfit to meet the flight attendants' standards, and was allowed to stay on board. On her return flight, however, she wore the same outfit -- and not only did no one ask her to change, but one flight attendant actually complimented her on it.
Ebbert didn't disclose how much her outfit revealed, but she acknowledged that it was "sexy," consisting of a low-cut, tight shirt and a short skirt. Nothing was exposed that shouldn't have been, she claimed.
Southwest Airlines has no formal dress code, and it's obvious that Ebbert may sue. What do you think should happen?
Read the full article here.
Filed under: United States, Airlines
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 3)
MC Sep 15th 2007 8:32AM
"Kyla's mother needs some parenting lessons after defending her daughter by saying that Kyla was dressed appropriately. WHAT KIND OF PARENT ARE YOU!?"
Apparently she's the kind of parent who respects the fact that her daughter is a grown woman capable of making her own decisions about the way she dresses, and doesn't try to forcefully impose her own biases and opinions on her own children.
"It is high time people address the lack of decency in this world... PEOPLE, COVER YOURSELF!!"
Honestly. I can't believe so many of the commenters here are so overbearingly self-righteous that they believe they have the *right* to regulate other people's behavior to avoid offending their own delicate sensibilities. Ask 10 people in the street to give a detailed definition of 'decency', and you'll get 10 different answers. Why should one section of the population (majority *or* minority) have the authority to regulate the behavior of everone else? You have a right to believe what you believe, and wear what you wear. Just as other people have the same right. Wearing something that offends *you* is an expression of their right to choose how to dress. It does not in any way infringe upon you. Unless, of course, you believe in the right to force everyone else in the world to behave exactly as you would like. Perhaps we should restrict all non-Caucasians from flying, as well, to avoid causing discomfort to that occasional flyer with white-supremacist tendencies? Shouldn't they have a say as well?
I mean, for God's sake. Personally believing you have the moral high ground does not bestow on you any special permission to control other people. Has it ever occurred to any of you that other people believe in things just as strongly as you do? What happened to 'land of the free'?
And yes, in anticipation of rebuttal, Southwest should be able to dictate a dress code if they would like. Problem is, their official policy is 'no dress code', provided all so-called private areas are covered up. As they were in this case. If they want to impose their restrictions on people, they must legally make it part of their flight policy. The thing is, they obviously won't, because of the resulting public outcry over infringing on people's rights that would result. As it should.
M.C. Sep 15th 2007 8:31AM
"Either way, the girl was allowed to fly. She may sue - but for what? She says she was humiliated and embarassed. SO? You do not have the right NOT to be embarrassed... She has the right to NOT fly Southwest, but she should not be able to sue IMO."
Suing is not a matter of opinion. It is a matter of law. She technically does have the right to sue. I don't think she *should*, but she can if she wants. And you seem to misunderstand the basis of her complaint. Yes, she was allowed to fly, *only after* a failed attempt to bar her from the flight, on a basis which is detailed nowhere in the company's official policy. Personally, I think she should just accept the apology, the termination of the attendant, and the bad publicity and be on her way.
"Dave I hate to burst your bubble but every business has the right to serve or not to serve anybody they wish. That's why it is called private business. Discrimination laws have to do with employment etc."
Incorrect, especially as the ticket had already been paid for. Even disregarding the segregation etc. argument above, airlines are not a 'we reserve the right to bar service from whomever we wish' business like restaurants. According to your logic, anyone who pays for a product or service can, after payment, be restricted from receiving that product or service for a subjective reasons not outlined anywhere in company policy? Just according to the opinion of one employee? Looks like I might need to get myself one of those 'private businesses'. Sounds like a great way to make money.
"Welcome to America everyone... My husband and I are business owners and there are folks I choose not to do business with. It is my choice."
That's fine. Except in this case, they had *already* begun doing business with her by allowing her to buy the ticket. They then attempted to stop doing business with her after she had fulfilled her end of the bargain and they had not fulfilled theirs. Transactions such as this are legally protected.
"So, Even if they had a dress code (which they didn't) the entire dress code could be deemed illegal if it violated any civil right laws, because airlines have to abide by the multiple jurisdictional laws in which they travel."
Not quite right. As long as the business is private, they have the right to set any standards for their customers. Civil protections such as freedom of dress are for public arenas. Private entities can make up and enforce any rules they wish. But they must be clearly stated and defined, or else they will be at risk of situations just like this.
dave wood Sep 15th 2007 5:20PM
hey I would rather have a cute dressed young lady next to me than an ugly old fat man with a beard that smells and grunts and hangs over the arm rest to my side of my seat. Filth and bad dress habits are worse by far than an exciting dress habit.The smell of many people of middle east coutries is a worse intrusion on me on the airplane.
Robert Sep 16th 2007 8:08PM
Southwest should apologize, its obvious that the flight attendant was insensitive nad not applying standards equally. Who ever wrote this.."I’m so sick of you old fashioned, white collar, stuck-up, republicans preaching your conservative thoughts." is as wrong as the flight attendant! talk about judging someone!
Miguel Sep 17th 2007 1:25AM
Here's a clue for some of you numbnuts. Stop looking up her skirt.
Kyla Supporter Sep 23rd 2007 4:29PM
Hmmm....let's see, she is not revealing cleavage, she is not revealing butt crack, she is not revealing a stomach (cant recall which genius on here said she was along with body jewlery!?! wth?) her skirt is demim and not tight a spandexy material that accents the bootie, she is wearing underwear...i'm sorry, but what is wrong with this girl? Oh yeah, she has nice long legs and full (covered) breasts. Yeah, that's pretty bad stuff. It is okay for her to appear on national tv with this outfit, on basic channel, not cable, in the middle of the day, yet not on a crap airline? dont even give me that BS about not wanting your children to see this and that. They see a whole lot more on the COVER of cosmo with all its cleavage, or a bikini clad woman on the cover of OMG, SHAPE magazine next to the check out line. Oooooh! Oh and you better shelter your children from the mall, walking down the street, the grocery store, because in the summertime you will see LOW cut tank tops worn with push up bras, micro minis, daisy dukes and a whole lot more (or should I say less) than you will see on this beautiful stylish woman. Please, its about jealous women who have nothing better to do than trash talk this sweet mild mannered woman who's done nothing to you. And that is just the type that complained to the spineless waiter in the sky, named Keith. He should have replied, "sorry sir or madam, but I cannot talk to the woman abotu her attire because we not only do not have a dress code, it would be unprofessional, she purchased a ticket just like you, & also it is subjective and no other passenger has complained, our priority is your safety & she is not a safety hazard." Instead of worrying your husband will stare at her and not you, I say get off your butt and get to the gym rather than posting crap about her (and millions of others who dress just like her, especially in San Diego where she is from) STOP hating and concern yourself instead more with actual terrorists that may board a plane because staff is too busy harassing a non-terrorist.. The men haters in this equation hate because this is the type of girl that won't give them a 2nd look but they disguise their hurt (awww....too bad) by pretending they are so shocked, because there is just sooo much underwear you can see when SW has about 2 inches between you and the chair in front of you! You're pretty cramped people, SW is the worst in this regard, and others. Not to mention you see a split second of her underwear when she sits down before she crosses her legs, that happens even with skirts just a half inch above the knee, any skirt abve the knee rides up a little bit, big fat deal, she then crossed her legs, nothing more to see. What are you gonna do? Remove cute dressed people like her from say, restaurants too? I'd like to see you all try. Shute, LA businesses will lose a lot of business when Paris and the millions like her are shunned for their much more revealing clothing, yeah, THAT will happen. And yeah, she has AMPLE reason to sue, SW didnt even initially apologize, they emberassed her in front of all on the plane despite claiming they tactfully take someone aside, they were disgustingly unprofessional they intimidated her to the point of tears, no, it is NOT a bit much for her to sue SW for all she can get to teach those jerks a lesson. Thats what it is all about, to teach them a lesson so it doenst happen again, nothing does that like a large payout. Otheriwse I guarantee another hater will complain to a power tripped steward(ess) again about who knows what, when does it end? "Hey, stewardess, I am offended by this person's ugliness, can you kick them off this plane please..." When will it end? Oh yeah, and Dr. Phill....? NOT a real doctor, just a real loser who can do nothing else but judge others. Conservative freaks.
Kyla Supporter Sep 23rd 2007 4:42PM
I'd like to ask CATHERINE BRODY who wrote this article why people have to wear church going outfits on the so called "family airline?" So a sloppy man with ripped jeans and a stained shirt is okay? Well it better be because I have not seen SW have problems with such outfit! So this church going outfit business is a bit extreme. They would have NO customers. HELLO!??!? Another hater. Oh and another thing, SW is not more family oriented than any other airline. I have been on it enough times with college drunks who are loud and obnoxious on their way to Vegas, so please dont preach to us about what is clearly FALSE. Why not state the facts and leave YOUR subjective close minded opinion OUT of the article? Or was it meant to be an editorial?
Kyla Supporter Sep 23rd 2007 5:02PM
I'm sure you are all aware that SW pulled this same crap on another woman too. Then Continental Express removed a lady and her child because her child talked too much. Hmmm...babies cry all the time on planes, much more annoying than a talkative child and no one removes them. When does it end?!?!? Why not focus on removing those who are an ACTUAL DANGER!?!? Because they like to control others, because the airlines let flight attendants free reighn to do whatever. I recall when I was in the bathroom once, less than 5 minutes when a flight attendant began banging on the door for me to get out because a mom needed the bathroom to change her baby. But no, I dont need the bathroom for similar purpose, being I am not human or anything. Its scary to hear the way the haters talk about these poor victims as if they were criminals, I swear some of you would send them to the gas chambers if you could. You make me shudder to think such hate still exists. Remindes me of Natzis :(
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/13664685/detail.html
http://www.nbc6.net/news/14090043/detail.html
Lee Oct 9th 2007 9:11AM
I disagree with the airlines on this one. From what I have seen, people that they have asked to change were not wearing anything that would offend me.
Perhaps, SW Airlines should pass out puritanical Robes to passengers before boarding.
I going to stop flying on SW as a protest for the way they are treating us customers. In my estimation, South West Employees do not dress up to par; I have seen some sloppy flight attendants.
Lee Oct 9th 2007 9:39AM
I am not offended by the dress code of those unfortunate SW passengers being humiliated and kicked off their flights. I do not feel comfortable flying SW, and will find other Airlines to fly to my destination. Perhaps SW should pass out Puritanical robes for its' passengers to wear. I would not be surprise if we will begin to find a Gideon Bible on each seat, but that would not be a bad idea. South West has gone to far with this one. Their attendants are not spiffy in their attire which at times are funky requiring cleaning and ironing.
Lo Jan 17th 2008 2:13PM
I'm sorry, but if I am not mistaken, she was a paying customer. Dress codes are for public schools, where tax payers are (OR SHOULD BE) in control. If someone didnt like what she was wearing, they have the freedom of turning their heads.
SKIPPEE Jan 17th 2008 6:40PM
those of you that think people can where whatever they want are obviously crazy. i'd like to know how you'd feel if your daughter came home from school one day and told you that her 1st grade teacher was wearing a bikini to teach in. Or if you went to see a G-rated movie with your kids and next to you was someone wearing just a G-string. Or how about going to the grocery store and the checker is wearing nothing but saran wrap. I mean please, you are all being ridiculous. What this country lacks is respect for one another.
Karol Jan 17th 2008 8:32PM
That is so funny that S.W.A would stop a pretty young lady for wearing a short skirt, when that is what S.W.A was based on was short shorts when they first started out. It was for the business men flying to created business. Hot women in short short orange shorts... Sooooo come on S.w.a get your head out of your ass.....
I use to work for S.W.A AND THEY are not all what they are cracked up to be..... Great Marketing !!!!!!!
So dont always listen to the News that they are a great Company to work for unless you are in the corporate department.......
Karol Jan 17th 2008 8:39PM
Oh I thought I would show you all this article !!!! S.W.A is a Hippocrite.................. Glad I do not work there anymore...
Please read this
.1970s: Southwest Airlines experiences a dramatic jump in ticket sales when its flight attendants start wearing white go-go boots and hot pants. The airline adopts a new motto to match (”Sex sells seats”) and begins serving in-flight drinks with names like Passion Punch and Love Potion. Not to be outdone, TWA follows suit in 1971, sending its attendants into the air wearing Valentino-designed hot pants.
Can you imagine a fashion battle of the sky’s? What airline do you think would win?