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Southwest Airlines Community

A Different Perspective

blusk
Aviator C

A lot of you are familiar with the Southwest Airlines Customer who was asked to cover up her outfit, and there has been a lot of attention devoted to this subject.  In fact, the Customer was on the Today Show this morning.  You might be interested in the perspective of one of the show's producers, Dan Fleschner.

Thanks for your comments. We are closing the comment section. Please see Colleen's new post: http://www.blogsouthwest.com/2007/09/14/wrapping-up-the-skirt-issue/
939 Comments
Charles_Rowe
Explorer C
I was very disappointed to read about Southwest's treatment of Kyla Ebert (see http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070905/news_1m5braun.html) Passengers are paying customers who can choose which airline they fly. United Capt. Denny Flanagan seems to understand this. (see http://www.azcentral.com/business/consumer/articles/0828biz-Unitedcapt28-ON.html) I, for one, cannot afford to trust my travel or patience with to a company that is liable to make an arbitrary person decision like this.
Cleric
Explorer C
Southwest airlines is helping us find halloween costumes, but for one airline customer that was asked to depart the plane - - her outfit was considered leud. White mini skirt, sandals,sweater top with undershirt and bra. She looked like any college student on a 106 degree day. Unlike Britney she had on all of her undergarments and no one ever had a glimpse at her underthings, so what was it Southwest didnt like? Check the outfits of some of the male customers and you will see butt crack, hairy chests exposed,hairy armpits exposed. I think one of the modern day skanky flight attendance didnt like looking at a far more attractive woman than herself on that four hour flight.When I contacted the airlines about dress code they said there is no dress code-a bikini would be fine they said as long as it covered all the right spots.
Livia
Explorer C
It looks like you have to be particular about what you pack if you want to fly on Southwest... http://feministing.com/archives/007683.html#more
Mike_Headrick
Explorer C
I find it hard to believe that Southwest would police a dress code for their airline. The girl with the mini skirt is too much. There is no other industry in the world that is run as poorly as the airline industry.
dbrown1
Explorer C
Southwest Airlines blew it this morning when they allowed NBC to report on the 'Hooters' girl who was humiliated on a flight because of her attire. Southwest should have apologized. Now it looks like a lawsuit is coming. Horrible damage control. My daughters, who I consider modestly attired, dress no different and I am afraid to let them travel any longer on Southwest Airlines for fear of similar humiliation.
William_Totsch
Explorer C
I wish to comment on the little rucus your people had with a HOT young lady that was wearing a short dress. Well allow me to say that probably not one red blooded man had a problem with that short dress. Nor did they have a problem with her looks or her manor of respectability. The problem came from a woman, no doubt. One sentence "Leave the skirts alone".
Anna3
Explorer C
I am so glad you are ok with costumes and have this fun blog to cover the fact that your airline is disgusting, misogynist, and abusive towards customers. I, of course, refer to this bit of filth here: http://shoeblogs.com/wordpress/2007/09/06/hooters-hottie-on-no-fly-list Your summer of luv, your costumes, your veiled innuendo in the blog, yet you abuse customers for wearing normal clothing. I am disgusted. With the amount of business travel I do, I'll avoid Southwest. I put in a couple thousand a month at the minimum, and I'd rather see someone else get it if you are going to abuse your customers and try to shame them.
JAS
Explorer C
You have lost another customer in me and whomever flies within my employ as well. I had been flying SW for well over decade. The nerve that one of your stewards had the unmitigated nerve to question a passenger about her apparel with such callous disregard. NEVER will I or anyone I can convince to fly Southwest again. Where do you get off? How dare I hear that SW is a family airline while simultaneously handing out drink coupons.
Scott_Lincoln
Explorer C
Wow, Southwest used to have their flight attendants in very short attire and now you kick people off your planes for a short dress? Let me guess it was some conservative Christian bitching about what a young woman on her way to Tucson has one. How stupid of Southwest to kick her off the flight. I hope she sues the crap out of you!!! You deserve everything bit of bad press you get on this. What morons!
A_George
Explorer C
The handling of the young lady because of her attire is outrageous!!
Louise_Woods
Explorer C
I will write a letter to the office address given on the home page of Southwest Airlines since I am sure my comments will not be posted here or on any of the other blog topics. I will tell you though what I will be writing to the corporate office. I have previously flown Southwest Airlines, actually the only airline I have flown, but will not fly with you again. I just heard a news cast about a traveler on your airline being reprimanded for her attire. She was dressed legally and that is all that should matter. I am 52 yrs. old, married, 5'5", 115lbs and a b cup breast. I do not wear bras and have not for 12 years. I do wear tank tops, mini skirts, short shorts, and hip-hugger bell bottoms. You know, all the clothes of the 60's and early 70's. I will not ever fly with you again since you think you can dictate dress codes beyond that of legal attire.
Jim_Horne
Explorer C
How about trying a Burqa - I'm sure it will become an airline fashion statement. How about apologizing to the Hooter's waitress? Seems you all are becoming too "cultured" for my tastes.
robert_ando
Explorer C
What has happened to the Corporate Culture thing? The shoddy treatment of the beautiful, young Miss Ebbert has me wondering. She should have gotten an apology. Has Southwest gotten too big for its hot pants? Oh for the days of friendly, beautiful young ladies in orange hotpants and free fifth of scotch or bourbon on holiday flights!!! I am so disappointed that I may not fly SWA for a while until I get over it!
CC1
Explorer C
Maybe you could go as...I don't know, a Hooters waitress, like the 23-year-old you kicked off the plane because Southwest didn't like the way she was dressed! Southwest is usually the smartest, funniest kid on the block. As a customer and an investor, I am disturbed by these actions of Southwest and the black eye the company has taken in the press. Apologize to this mistreated customer before she files a lawsuit, then ask her to accompany you as the two of you wear matching outfits for halloween. Nuts indeed!
ROBERTA___HARRI
Explorer C
I was outraged today to read the news story about Southwest Airlines asking a passenger to leave a flight because she was dressed too sexy. With all the lines, security checks, late flights, and rules which differ from airline company to airline company about luggage, when does Southwest have time to add the chore of fashion police? I support the young woman who has made the decision to sue your company, and I certainly WILL NOT take a Southwest airline. I totally reject the lame explanation given to the media which supported the action of your company employee who took the action to speak to the passenger about her outfit! I have begun to encourage others NOT to do business with Southwest Airlines. Perhaps a strong campaign which is anti-Southwest Airlines this fall and winter travel season might get you to deal with what is important and NOT outfits. Southwest
Ron_Goodman
Explorer C
You have lost me and literally thousand of passengers because of some idiot who embarassed and ridiculed a young woman wearing a mini skirt by asking her to leave a flight. I find it preposterous and a denial of 1st amendment rights. Southwest must rid itself of this ignorant decision-maker. Make his or her firing public and ask forgiveness from the travelling public. Ron Goodman
Gary_Paulson
Explorer C
When are you going to post a story about your disgraceful treatment of Kyla Ebberts? I hope she sues your tails off.
Mark_Medelbo
Explorer C
What somebody is wearing is none of your business the outfit that woman was wearing was no more revealing than what is seen on the street, even here in the midwest. Shame on your employee. You owe that lady an apology.
Ted_Hoffman
Explorer C
They should worry about terrorists and overweight people. They should seldom if ever lecture a customer and never a cute one. I would go out of my way to fly an airline that welcomed such a customer.
Kathy_H_
Explorer C
I am impressed with SWA willingness to ask a scantily dressed girl to cover up!! THANK YOU! As a mother of 3 teenagers, I know how hard it is to dress modestly in these days. My daughter and sons saw the video and said she looked naked....especially if she were to sit with that skirt.....what hangs out? Those of us with family values will fly SWA in the future!
james_ellis
Explorer C
i think that it was stupid for southwest to make that woman adjust her clothing.i will never fly southwest again in my life and i hope that she puts them out of business.i am sick of people trying to impose there own persona judgements on other people.come on america and lighten up.southwest sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lisa-Anne_McLou
Explorer C
I want to comment on how PROUD I am of Southwest for standing up for modesty when they asked a young lady to rearrange her clothing to be a little less revealing. As a mother of 3 small children I would have been mortified in my kids would have had to look at this. I might not have had the courage to say something. I"m glad that YOU DID! Even though this might bring a lot of flak on you but please STAND YOUR GROUND!! I will be praying for you! GOD BLESS YOU!
Sandy5
Explorer C
This incident raises my concern about the way women do not think of covering their bodies sufficiently to avoid the possibility of smearing public seats with their personal bodily fluids, discharge, etc. In addition to the short skirts, some women wear scanty "string" underwear leaving an almost bare buttocks area directly on the seat covers. This is extremely unsanitary! The limited space in which a passenger must travel on any public transportation is then reduced even more by such occurrences. I applaud, the flight attendant for taking a stand to protect the customer. I applaud Southwest for standing behind its employee and its policy in this matter. I would encourage any further actions by Southwest to continue to move to protect and inform its passengers. I will continue to fly Southwest.
S_Johnson
Explorer C
Talk about the pot calling the kettle black! Apparently, there are those in your organization that aren't aware of Southwest's history. I suggest you have them go take a look at some early promotional material and flight attendant uniforms. When Southwest was busy flying Texas businessmen from Houston to Dallas to San Antonio to Austin, I don't remember there being much concern about how those young women were dressed. Compared to what some people wear to travel by air today, this young woman was quite stylish. Southwest flies planes. Don't try to be the fashion police; you're not equipped to do it. Frankly, I have to seriously consider whether I will fly your airline again after this incident.
Chuck31
Explorer C
I am very disturbed that southwest thinks it has the right to impede on a persons right to dress as they wish. The lady with the mini skirt, tank top, and sweater was un-justly singled out and repremanded. The worst part is she had to listen to a lecture on dressing, if it was me I would have slapped you silly southwest. And maby some tact in confronting her would have been nice, no instead you adressed her in front of everyone. I will never fly southwest again. Hey southwest how about you take your employees and make them go through a customer service course, because your employees are unprofessional.
Tony3
Explorer C
Was it the way that she was dressed or the fact that she's a Hooter's girl and they have their own airline? I think that it's rediculous the way that she was treated. Afterall, their was nothing revealling about the way she was dressed. This is just one more example of why congress needs to pass a Passengers Bill of Rights so that we will not continue to be treated like cargo.
Robert_W_
Explorer C
I just wanted to comment on your recent event with the young lady who was, by your team members opinion, not dressed ok to fly. I fly your airline frequently and I am constantly thinking how you guys allow your flight team to wear what they wear. They are never polished and are always looking cheap, baggy clothes, shorts, sneakers, etc. Even Mc.Donalds employees dress better than your staff. I was not on this particular flight and did see what the young lady was wearing on the Today show, but your flight attendant could have at least talked with her in private and suggested she wrap in a blanket if it was that bad. I really hope you do something about this and have a conversation with your staff.
MIchellle
Explorer C
Hmm...what happens when a woman is breastfeeding with a blanket over her baby and breast on their flights? Makes me want to get on board and then get naked once the flight is in air. Let's worry about terrorism. Not girls skirts. What a waste.
Michael_Hill
Explorer C
I think it's shameful what Southwest did. So what if there's a "crotch shot". She's sitting in a tube with a seat 6" in front of her. Who's going to see? And she was wearing underwear. I am a very frequent SW flier out of Midway covering 13 states and it's aggrivating to fly these days with all of the delays and what not SW seems to help put a bit of fun back in. Looks like they're loosing that. I think I'll forget about air travel and just drive. I'll probably get to where I'm going just as fast and I can wear whatever I want. When did SW think they could start making the laws of decency? That old fuddy dud attendant should be canned and the girl gets a free pass for life. GOODBYE SOUTHWEST!
Ron_Ott
Explorer C
I commend Southwest Airlines. That woman may now qualify for an appearance on Playboy magazine, but it is certainly inappropriate attire for the public. I am a Christian; perhaps a minority in a country with a liberal media who support this kind of material. Certainly in other religions she might have lost her head (literally).
Jeff16
Explorer C
Hasn't southwest ever heard of the bill of rights? I hope she sues southwest for the inexcusable treatment she got. She was dressed in a manner that covered up everything that should be cover in public and would not be considered lewd by any normal thinking individual.
Andrew7
Explorer C
Very proud of Southwest. Not many companies have the guts to stand up to women that dress so indecent. The woman said she was embarressed by what happened. Well if she was completely covered up, do you all think she wouldve been embarressed? She knew she was dressed too provacative and just by the clothes she wears and the place she works, we all know she just wants attention. Thank you Southwest for making her cover up. You have a customer for life now.
David_Hiden
Explorer C
I think the treatment of this customer by Southwest is outrageous. I did not realize Southwest was a conservative, fundamentalist, right-wing christian organization. This has completely changed my view of Southwest. I don't think any business in this supposedly free country should get away with such an action and hope Ms. Ebert is successful in her lawsuite against Southwest. I frequently fly between San Diego and San Jose, often on Southwest. I have alternatives and will fly with other airlines in the future.
Robert10
Explorer C
Southwest should be embarrased and ashamed of the way this young lady was treated. This girl was treated horribly and humiliated. Certainly there are more important issues which should be of concern to the flight attendants rather than the subjective opinion of a preson's attire. The outfit I saw did not appear to be gross or disrespectful to the other travelers and Southwest staff. Disciplinary action should be brought against the oversensitive flight attendant and the young lady in some type of fashion. I don't think I'm alone with the position I taking and Southwest should concern themselves with damage control. Poor call on this one Southwest.
Dr__Wendy_Laval
Explorer C
HOW DARE SOUTHWEST!!!!!!!! I am APALLED by the treatment of the young women your airline decided to harass. It is DISGUSTING that the way a women dresses is policed by your airline staff. I will make sure EVERYONE I know DOES NOT FLY SOUTHWEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ladysongbird
Explorer C
HOORAY!!! Thank you for standing up for what is proper in a world where everyone has seemed to forget what is indescent and improper for a young LADY to wear! After saying that, if you are going to take a stand you should treat everyone the same.... If a male is showing his butt crack or his pants are too tight and revealing, you should treat him the same. It is apparant that the young woman has her skirt pulled down so far in the picture for the media that if her shirt came up, she would be showing a lot more than her legs! It is apparant that something was NOT covered up or there wouldn't have been a complaint or she would not have been talked to in the first place. The top was thin, could that have been it? Women and men, it's time for everyone to pull their pants, skirts up to where they belong! Then you will be able to tell whether or not a skirt or shorts are too short! Again, thanks Southwest Airlines for taking care of an embarrassing situation so promptly that Miss Ebbert was able to keep her schedule.
SMartin
Explorer C
Amazing that SWA would be so prudish and petty !!!!! Its changed my opinion of the airlines. They used to be great but no more. Crappy deals, delayed flights, this thing etcc. They definitely arent the "fun" airlines anymore !!! Branson should open an airlines like SWA used to be !!!!!!!!!!!!!
janny_quinton
Explorer C
So, now you have a dress code? I suggest you post it somewhere for the paying passengers to read and then perhaps have someone standing by with a tape measure. Your first priority is the safety of the passengers, not how short someone's skirt is! What idiot made this decision? I would now be afraid to fly Southwest since they seem to have lost their focus, which is flying the plane, not dictating what a beautiful, young woman should be wearing. I can assure all concerned that this would not have happened to a man! Her attire was not out of line for a young woman. How embarrasing for her. I hope she sues SW.
Bonnie11
Explorer C
Some of the comments crack me up. One of them is I will never fly SWA again. Just wait until they are looking for a cheap ticket. They will be back!! I think the flight attendants did the right thing. Did anyone see her putting her bags in the overheard compartment? Well if that's the case I'm sure everyone got a nice show wearing that small skirt. So the poor girl was embarrassed BOO HOO! She wanted the attention by wearing it but this time it was negative and she didn't like it!!
Kathy26
Explorer C
Can you please post your dress code policy, if there is one? I believe this was an arbitrary decision and should not be tolerated.
Geoff5
Explorer C
You better put a dress code on your website so we know what's appropriate and what isn't. Are short shorts ok? How about cutoffs? What length of skirt is considered ok? How sheer of a fabric is permitted? Can I report someone I suspect isn't wearing a bra? Is showing the navel ok - what age is acceptable? If you want to be a puritanical airline, fine, but make the POLICY CLEAR so we know not to buy tickets in the first place rather than finding out after the fact.
Vicki_Killeen
Explorer C
Absolutely unbelievable!!! that you would do that to a customer! I will try my best not to fly your airline in the future. I am a 59 year old grandmother who does not wish to live in the 1950's again!! Is there any common sense left???
Nicole10
Adventurer C
First, I am a person who appreciates (and wears) cute clothes including short shorts and tank tops (hey - I live in Texas - it's HOT here!). But if my clothing were so short that it revealed my underwear - believe me - I'd want to know about it! And women, we all have those "standing room only" outfits that are not desinged for comfort or sitting. That's why we don't wear them on airplanes! If Kayla were a man wearing pants that exposed his undergarments (and possibly more) you better darn well bet that he would be asked to cover up for fear of indecent exposure on the plane in front of other SWA customers. Her undewear was clearly being flashed and it's just not appropriate. Indecent exposure is illegal and it's too big of a risk to allow that to go on. As a parent of small children that I often travel with, I applaud SWA for keeping travel decent for everyone. I don't want to see up Kayla's skirt and I certainly don't want my children too either! Kayla, you have a great figure - save the "standing room only" skirt for the club where it was designed to be worn!
Anonymous4371
Explorer A
Well, BrianÃ
Cindy_Roberson
Explorer C
I would like to comment on SouthWest recently asking a young worman to cover up. Good job! Finally someone has guts enough to do this. Her outfit was totally unacceptable for anyone to wear who has any self respect. I am sure many men will come to her rescue on this and I wonder why. It is just sad that a young lady as beautiful as she, feels she needs to show half her body to the public. This outfit was more appropriate for an MTV type show. There comes a time when others public behavior needs to be addressed and this is one of them.
Lisa21
Explorer C
i am appauled...............the humiliation you subjected Kyla Ebert to is beyond words................you better hope someone like me is not on the jury when punative damages are being awarded...for the financial well being of the company and employment stability for your work force i suggest you make a very generous settlent offer admit a lapse in corporate judgement and begin "damage control"
W__Holder
Explorer C
I for one am in support of the decision of Southwest airlines in that someone had the guts to take a stand on public /travel etiquette. Thank you for the contiuned respect for the other passengers . I do believe that if the young lady would have demostrated a little more self respect and dressed in a skirt just a liittle longer there would not have been an issue. Her attorney? verbalized that 'if this had been Paris Hilton Then she would have been seated and offered a drink'. I would certainly hope that Southwest would'nt allow a persons social status affect their professional conduct. Incidently, I noticed that the majoritiy of responses that oppossed your decision were men. Just remember, beauty is as beauty does.
Norman_Hubertso
Explorer C
Congratulations Southwest, you have entered a new area of air travel. THE FASHION POLICE. I think you crossed a very delicate line when your employee decided to impose their (your) fashion standards. I have flows on your airlines just three times, but will not be there for a fourth flight. With all the things you SHOULD be doing to ensure quality customer service, taking the time to embarass a young lady is WAY out of bounds. Sorry folk, you really blew this one!!!
Joseph_Streiff
Explorer C
yet another reason not to fly SWA
Felix1
Explorer C
When did Southwest Airlines train its staff to become Taliban moral police?