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More dress-code quackery on Southwest Airlines
We just had a link sent to us by another blogger out in the ether about another incident in which Southwest Airlines (WN) asked someone to change clothing.As told by Chadrick Baker on crowvalen.com, WN flight attendants we're concerned by his shirt that said "I'm a fuckin' genius" and asked him to do something about it. Initially she asked him to take it off, but let's be honest, do you think she wanted him to walk around bare chested?
When asked by Mr. Baker about what the airline's policy was on the issue, she would only state that it was a "family airline" and insisted on him finally putting a jacket on. After the exchange, he awoke when a flight attendant was in the aisle next to him facing the back of the plane, saying "K, seriously." On the way out, that same flight attendant and an officer were at the front of the plane, but didn't say anything to him.
Whether or not these last two events were with regard to his t-shirt, he didn't know. But he maintains that the shirt was fine to wear, pointing out that he received several compliments about it from other passengers, including a little boy's mother.
And he's right, in that regard. Southwest doesn't really have a policy on what one can and cannot wear -- you could probably show up in a thong and a sombrero and argue that you should be allowed on the flight.
But should you? I feel like certain attire is appropriate for certain occasions. Were you to wear something like this to a bar, like this guy did earlier in the week, I bet most people would get a kick out of it. But if you're wearing it in an environment where people sensitive to the word might be offended, like the library, grocery store or airport, you should probably wear something that isn't going to irk half of the people out there. Why run the risk?
And don't give me any crap about not being allowed to wear what you want in public -- this isn't about your first amendment rights or an airline's policy. It's about respecting the passengers around you and setting a good example.
Other crazy airline craziness:
Filed under: Airlines, Transportation, Airports, Consumer Activism
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 12)
Justin Glow Mar 13th 2008 2:16PM
I agree. Wearing something like this is just asking for it -- even more so than a short skirt, which could be argued for fashion. Wearing a shirt like this is basically like shouting for attention and then getting mad when someone notices and takes offense.
Ro Mar 15th 2008 9:18PM
C'mon. Words are words. Really, what makes a word any worse than any other word. If we stop acting like there is something different about these words, people will stop being shocked and just accept them for what they are...plain ol' words
Barbara Mar 15th 2008 9:21PM
I am so tired of people thinking only of themselves and not caring if their language offends others. I hate hearing swear words. I grew up with them and don't care to hear them any more. But no matter where I go, people use them with no thought about whether it bothers anyone else. There are better ways to talk than with swearing. If you are around friends and that's the way you all talk, fine. But avoid it around me and the other thousands of people who would prefer not to listen to it (or see it, as on this shirt). Think of someone besides yourself!
Brad Mar 15th 2008 11:52PM
I agree Justin. However, in truth he must not be to much of a F-ing Genius if he is flying SWA.
johnjmaes Mar 16th 2008 6:44AM
yep, I agree!
Reality Check Mar 16th 2008 12:02PM
to RO
Your shirt must read: I'm fuckin' Stupid! Not tomention a jerk and disrespectful to others feelings and wishes and could care less. I am not adjusting to you everyone has to adjust to me.
In General how many people complained or just tried to hold their tongue because of the PC brainwashing?
Conduct yourself in a manner that doesn't offend and think of other people as if they were your family.
Justin Glow Mar 13th 2008 4:58PM
To add, I don't really care about the shirt -- I don't find it personally offensive. But to be surprised when a private company doesn't want you wearing it on their plane (or in their store, etc.) is just foolish. Sitting in a public park, or walking down a public street? Sure, I'd refuse to take it off, too. But the minute I step on a plane or into someone's private business, they have the right to tell me they don't want stuff like that in their domain.
NO PC May 6th 2008 8:39PM
First the skirt was too short, then a tee-shirt with a message with double entendre, now the word fuck is offensive enough to challenge yet another paying customer. This is not the company saying, "you can't wear this," but of course since they have yet to be sued the small minded clothing vigilantes, that wears drab uniforms continue to get away with dictating to others.
In Iran they also have vigilantes that drive around in trucks looking for fools wearing unacceptable items of clothing.
I guess that is ok as well.
I want my two chiildren to grow up knowing that there are assholes out there who can dress themselves. I also want them to grow up knowing no one has the right to tell them what they can and cannot think or say, period. And they will do so wearing their pants above their ass, and in matching colors!
FUCK PC and FUCK SOUTHWEST .... fix and inspect the planes (I don't hear anyone bitching about thirty year old planes that go uninspected) and stop telling people what they can and cannot wear! Grow balls AMERICA, safety before fashion pc.
jeanette Mar 16th 2008 3:15PM
I agree that when folks go out in public and/or enter into an arena of business, I should think that common sense would dictate wearing something decent and non-offensive. This is not about individual rights, it's about being sensitive to the environment one places themselves in. If you can't do that, then maybe Mars, Jupiter, Venus or the Moon is the planet you need to be on - not earth, filled with human beings that must constantly struggle for mutual respect and cooperation every day. Makes for a better place!
Paula Berg - Southwest Airlines Mar 13th 2008 5:21PM
Ah, geez. I've got someone looking into the situation right now, Grant, and will get back to you shortly. You raise an interesting question, though. What constitutes appropriate onboard behavior and attire? It's obviously an exercise in subjectivity, but I'd be interested to hear what your readers think.
Paula Berg
Southwest Airlines
D Simpson Mar 15th 2008 9:45PM
I will more than likely travel on Southwest BECAUSE they enforce a "dress code" and require that their patrons act like adults instead of spoiled brats.
Bru Mar 16th 2008 12:23AM
Paula,
While I have no problem whatsoever with the f-word, I have to agree that when we move into another domain where it's not just about US, but also involves other people, then common sense tells us to use some judgment and consider who the audience might be. I don't want to see SWA institute a dress code, but I would like to see more individuals using whatever brains they were conceivably given and realizing that the word offends a lot of people.
Ray Cregier Mar 16th 2008 1:07AM
Southwest has a rep as an inexpensive form of travel and the VERY LEAST a passenger can do in exchange is to respect the sensibilities of other passengers; SWA has a right to insist on it too.
al Mar 13th 2008 5:26PM
You're totally right, Grant. We should keep anything potentially incendiary out of all of our libraries. Heaven forbid people see (or read) a "bad" word!! Gasp!!
The history books would be very short if we could only learn from good examples.
Grant Martin Mar 13th 2008 5:27PM
I'm not taking about enforcing totalitarian rule here people, I'm talking about not dressing like a jackass when you're in a public place.
Ian Mar 14th 2008 1:31AM
"he received several compliments about it from other passengers, including a little boy's mother"
Learn to read before commenting
Eva Mar 13th 2008 7:33PM
That's exactly the problem, though, Grant. Obviously we'd all like for people to respect their fellow passengers and not "dress like a jackass" but there's a line between wanting people to behave one way, and forcing them to. Sounds like you'd prefer that people make the right choice themselves. Here obviously Southwest has opted for enforced manners - but when it's forced, what is the point, really?
Plus, Southwest destroyed their dress code credibility with the Kyla Ebbert fiasco. After "I'm a fuckin' genius" what's next? Marilyn Manson t-shirts? How about the Pussycat Dolls?
I dunno, I'd rather put up with someone's bad manners than give people the power to enforce good taste.
Barbara Mar 16th 2008 2:35AM
Oh, I don't know, sounds like the other incidents SW has had is probably the very reason the guy wore the shirt, so he could get his f**king name on aol.
TotalitarianGrant Mar 13th 2008 7:38PM
Grant, having the f-word on your shirt isn't dressing like a jackass. Not to mention if you read the post, he totally complied with their request in covering it up/removing it. Why didn't the attendant A) answer his question and B) have to call someone about it, like the authorities.
You ARE sounding totalitarian in your post.
Look at the shirt, it appears as if it's been worn before. Has this ever happened to him while wearing this shirt in any other company, restaurant, airline? I'd be interested to know.
Because if Southwest is the first, and they've done this before, maybe you should wake up and realize THEY are the problem.
Grant Martin Mar 13th 2008 7:56PM
Really? You're comparing me to North Korea because I don't think people should wear shirts with "fuck" on it?
I'm not even saying that it should be enforced, I'm saying that people should think harder about what they wear in public.
I don't even CARE that much, I just think that it reflects poorly on his choice of attire in a potentially sensitive environment.