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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
Mary_Brown
Explorer C
If Southwest have a dress code please place it on your website so that passengers can review it before Purchasing a ticket on Sothwest . All of the rules ( Including but not limited to Southwest DRESS CODE)should be posted on tickets as well as on internet site.
Scott23
Explorer C
If the girls who appared on t.v. were dressed exactly the same as they were when they boarded the plane then whoever complained overreacted. If the first girl wasn't wearing underwear then they did the right thing. If it was an overreaction on the part of a customer, then the flight attendant should have offered to reseat the complainer. Speaking of overreacting, what's up with all these haters that say they'll never fly SWA again?? That is stupid! SWA typically has the lowest fares, and the Rapid Rewards program is awesome. All of you all will be back, sooner or later, so get over it. Keep up the good work, but don't let your flight attendants arbitrarily remove people from flights for their dress... If you have to, develop a policy that is in line with current fashion trends and enforce that.
robert_k_collin
Explorer C
You are totally wrong. Lacking a posted written dress code, you cannot arbitrarily pick and choose which passenger's attire is "appropriate" or "inappropriate." To do so violates the Freedom of Speech/expression and Equal Protection sections of the US Constitution. The only exception might (and I emphasise - might) be if a passenger's attire clearly and openly displayed male or femal genitals. I have often seen a nursing mother on SW flights displaying a lot more of her breast than the young woman you tried to deboard. I have seen men with very open tank tops displaying a lot more chest than the young woman you tried to deboard. As far as SW being a "family" airline; what do you think the other airlines are? I have never been asked if I had a family on SW, Alaska, NW, United, TWA, Western, Continental, Pioneer, or any other airline. No other airline, to my knowledge, has a dress code other than the common law protections against public displays of genetalia. Who do you think you are? The US Taliban? This is exactly the kind of think you might expect in Saudi Arabia or Afghanistan. You can be sure I will never fly on SW again unless you issue a personal and public appology, admit your error, promise to behave yourselves in the future.
Scott23
Explorer C
Anyone who encourages anyone else to sue for having their feelings hurt is a MORON. Lawsuit abuse is what drives up the price of everything from our insurance, to our doctor bills to the price of our airline tickets!!! Get a life people!
Sean_G
Explorer C
If her genitalia were exposed in public, violating laws in California or Arizona, than SW should say as much and I am sure public opinion would turn. For now we can assume she didnÃ
Vicki
Explorer C
While I don't exactly approve of the outfit worn by the girl, I don't think you can single someone out like that when it wasn't leud and there is no warning about what is "appropriate" flight wear for a "family airline". I fly SW all the time and have seen many outfits that could compare. I have never experienced this behavior on one of your flights before. I don't understand SW letting this become as public as it has. It makes SWA look ridiculous. I have always stood by SWA as I think they are one of the best airlines around, but this is beyond me. It does appear that you have alienated quite a few people, but in my case, I guess there might be more RR seats available for me to choose from!!!! I suggest a more mature approach...hand the poor girl a blanket and tell her to cover up. That is humiliation enough and she wouldn't have been on the Today show making SWA look like a bunch of idiots.
Mary17
Explorer C
I was absolutely disgusted with SWA's treatment of one of their passengers recently. Get off your high horses and do your jobs. Policing passengers' clothing IS NOT A FLIGHT ATTENDANT DUTY!!!!!!! Never mind if someone else says they are offended, that is their problem, you know you have more important things to do while boarding an airplane. You should be thankful to have a customer who opts to fly your sad airline so frequently. Keep singing and telling jokes, maybe you can all have a laugh when this you lady sues the PANTS off you!
Laurie11
Explorer C
The young girl (notice I did not use "Young Lady" to describe her) was asking for trouble by wearing a very short mini-skirt. She wanted to attract the attention other people and should not complain about how it became a humiliating situation for her. Also, I would like to see the video from the Airport's security cameras to see exactly how short she wore her skirt and top that day.. .
Craig_Wilcox
Explorer C
I think SW airlines did the right thing regading this girl. What I'm amazed at is that a parent would SUPPORT a daughter wearing such a revealing skirt. Short is okay, but when she has to pull it down constantly to make sure it's in "just the right place" and use a magazine to cover herself while sitting is sad. Don't get me wrong, as a male I don't mind the scenery at all, but when I ask myself if I respect someone dressed in such a manner, the answer is no. The "hottest" women are those who are not only attractive, but smart and professional in their dress and conduct.
Disappointed11
Explorer C
I just want to say I am very disappointed with the decision of southwest b/c another passenger was unable to maintain self control. This person that complained is the one that should have been kicked off the plane, people like this should not be allowed in closed public settings b/c they are a danger to society, likely to be a sexual predator. People like this need to seek professional help. Southwest's concern should be SAFETY NOT FASHION! She didn't pay for a fashion adviser, she paid for a plane ticket. People don't pay money to be publicly ridiculed like that poor girl! Had there been a dress code in place this young woman could have had a guideline to follow and this whole mishap would have been avoided. SW's failure to have one in place is their fault and this young woman was humiliated b/c of it. And what right does SW have to complain when they once dressed their flight attendants in outfit similar if not more inappropriate. *Freaking Hypocrites*!!!!
Jean10
Explorer C
I have flown SWA many times but after this I will never fly on your airlines again. I thought we lived in a country where we could choose what we wear and where we wear it. The flight attendant was totally out of line and if another passanger had a problem with her attire "she" should have spoken to the young lady. I have been treated horribly by rude flight attendants employed by SWA. They last time I flew SWA I had to endure the horrible singing by one of your male attendants trying to be funny and singing his own version of "She'll be coming around the mountain", he needed to keep his singing to his shower. Guess I'll return to AA or United where I know I'll be treated with respect.
tls
Explorer C
Well, it looks like Southwest has been busy getting most of the clips about their early 1970's commercials featuring their flight attendants dressed in hot pants removed from youtube, aol video, etc., etc. I'm sure more will keep popping up though over the next few days while this story is in the news and all I can say to that is....good. What a bunch of hypocrites they are by trying to defend the actions of this rude and invasive flight attendant. I hope they leave this post up as it contains the link to one clip that is still up and running as I write this: http://www.truveo.com/Southwest-Airlines-commercial-circa-1972/id/2923990730
David43
Explorer C
I just have to respond to the many people who have complained that SWA is infringing this woman's constitutional rights. Please review your 9th grade civics books or any copy of the Bill of Rights: the First Amendment right of free expression only applies to restrictions placed on speech by the Government, not by a private entity such as SWA. Congress can't pass laws that infringe on free speech or expression. Private companies can, and do, enact numerous restrictions on "expression" such as dress codes. Similarly, a private company doesn't violate a citizen's rights under the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment (or the Due Process Clause of the 5th Amendemtn) by treating her differently than another similarly situated person. A violation of the EPC would occur if a state government denied a person the right to vote becuase of her race; a private company such as SWA does not violate the Equal Protection Clause if it prevents a scantily clad woman from boarding a flight but allows a similary dressed man to do so. You could look it up.
Jen1
Explorer C
I was not on the aircraft during this incident, but having been exposed to "young ladies" (puhleeze) wearing such skimpy attire in public, I know what happens when someone tries to sit down or bend over when wearing such a short skirt... If I were a passenger subjected to "crotch shots" and ass peek, I would certainly voice my displeasure to the individual wearing the inappropriate item(s) as well as the nearest flight attendant. If the flight attendant had to say something to the nice young lady about what she was wearing, I'm sure it was warranted. Southwest - I applaud your actions! Thank you for considering other passengers' comfort!
Steven_Ritter
Explorer C
In my many years in the travel industry, I have never seen an airline treat a passenger's dress, in such a disgusting manor. Southwest's total disregard for it's passengers is evident in the 2 incidences reported. management should have immediately apologized to the 2 young ladie, offering them both free r/t tickets for 1 year, reprimand the Southwest flight attendants involved, making them attend mandatory cutomer service refresher courses. Aren't airlines in business to fly passengers? United Airlines' flight attendent got it right - they were more concerned about flight safety, then customer dress. What is crazy is that 99.9 people would say they were very well dressed for college girls in the very hot southwest United States. Southwest, when you get it right, we will fly you again, but never again until you take positive action to our satisfaction.
Joyce
Explorer C
I think any business should have the right to decide what is appropriate for their company. This is a business. If she doesn't like their rules, she can take her business elsewhere. I know many a restaurant that have dress codes and no one is screaming when they're refused service.
Shery_Davis
Explorer C
I generally fly SW when ever I can. I am not sure I will any longer. It's not that I agree with the dress styles of today or lack of common sense by individuals about their attire. I am also very glad that my children are all grown and I do not have to fight those 'appropriate dress' battles any longer. Dressing for 'respect' for oneself is a value taught or learned the hard way-by their peers. What question that does come to mind is why SW Airlines feels that they have been sanctioned to be the fashion police of the skies. Yes, they can set their own standards for their business. Any business has a right to do that and it is ethical to do so. However when I try to think what SW's motive may be to make an issue of these women's clothing, ethics does not come to mind. OWNERSHIP of the airlines does come to mind. Let's say that your owners were Muslims and wanted all women to be covered from head to toe. I can see where you may take action to cover these women up with a blanket. Who exactly does own SW? Should you now be called South Western Arab Airlines?
Shery_Davis
Explorer C
Where may I find out who really owns SWA?
Peter
Explorer C
As much as I enjoy flying Southwest Airlines, I have to say that the flight attendant blew this one. Where do we stop, I find when a woman sitting next to me wearing a half a bottle of perfume to be offensive, would you have that person removed. Probably not. With that said you would have most likely asked the person to sit in another seat away from the passenger that is being offended. The same is what should have happened here. I understand that the person was allowed to fly after she covered up. I my mind it was too late when the over zealous employee humiliated the passenger who remember is your "customer" also. I have seen much less on people flying a Southwest flight and no one bats an eye. Flight attendants main job is for the safety of the passengers not to be a critic on "Americas Next Top Model" I hope you have learned your lesson Southwest.
Peter
Explorer C
Oh by the way the customer deserves an apology and a couple of free flight sounds like she flies you frequently. In these days of dwindling profits it would be in the company's best interest to apologize and do some sensitivity training with your flight attendant.
A_Southwest_Fan
Explorer C
Having worked for an airline many years ago, I always dressed in a professional way while flying as I felt it made an impression of my professional self. Unfortunately, over the years the way people dress when they fly is totally ridiculous and I feel like I am riding a bus line..not an airline. It seems like the passenger that was asked to do something different about the way she was dressed was obviously wanting everyone to look at her and go google eyed over her. Not a pleasant sight. There are a lot prettier women out there who dress very classy and elegant....she looked rather "cheap" in my opinion. She needs to get a grip and learn how to dress more appropriately in the general public. I support Southwest all the way!!!!!
benjy
Explorer C
I read an article about a woman who was asked to leave a Southwest plane because she was dressed provocatively. I wonder if she had been a middle eastern man who looked suspicious would they have asked him to leave? Here we are 6 years after 9/11 and people who dress poorly and children are being stopped yet the very people who tried to blow up this country roam freely.
Brandolyn_in_Ok
Explorer C
To those that have posted that are savvy on the NYSE, does this mean that since Miss Ebert went public with her private parts that she can now trade on the NYSE?
Bob3
Explorer C
As a business I believe you have a right to do what you did in this incident it is your Airline. It is time that the general public learn that they have a responsibility to decorum We in America enjoy freedom we can do whatever we please but only up to the point our actions have a negative impact on others freedom. A young woman whose breasts or bottom is hanging out of her clothes is offensive to me. Yes I am a red blooded American Male I just like to have something left to the imagination. I find her behavior to be just as offensive as a foul mouth drunk. I have seen many businesses that have signs saying Ã
j_sauer
Explorer C
Americans are FED UP with all these little dictators telling us what to eat, smoke, drink...tell us we can't say Merry Christmas or have a Christmas Tree, and now SOUTHWEST is telling Americans what they can wear? Well, this is one American that will never fly Southwest and will make sure my friends and family never fly Southwest either. Virgin America out of the Bay Area will be my Airline of choice from now on. Ya know, we have sons and daughters fighting for OUR FREEDOM and people like you are attempting to take them away. This has a real bad smell, is the ACLU putting pressure on you on behave of CAIR?
Juanita
Explorer C
It really doesn't matter what Kyla was wearing. Southwest crossed the line. If they are going to enforce a dress code, it needs to be posted on their website, at their ticket office and ticket counters. Are they going to make all customers kneel on the ground and only allow them on the airplane if the skirt touches the floor? They should not allow individual employees to make the decision as to who is "dressed accordingly". Where do they draw the line when someone complains that the man sitting next to them has a shirt that has rode up to his armpits and his beer belly is hanging out? Where do they draw the line when someone complains that the man sitting next to them smells like he hasnt showered in a week? Will they take him up to the front of the airplane and say you can fly later, after you use a bar of soap, which you can buy at the gift shop. Will Southwest allow it's employees to decide whether a man in a turban is allowed to fly because it is offensive to some of the customers. It is discrimination! It doesn't matter who or why. Southwest is discriminating against the freedom of choice. It is just wrong. Southwest really screwed up this time.
Janice3
Explorer C
Give the two women a free flight and fire the self-righteous guys who told them to cover up. It's the least they deserve. We don't ride on Southwest to be lectured about how we should return to the 1950s and dress and act like June Cleaver. Hey, wasn't that the time when the stewardesses wore hot pants as a uniform?
Chuck_Elsey
Explorer C
You people are too stupid for my business. If a flight attendant can come this conclusion about this girl's dress. I can only guess what you would hire as a pilot. What I think actually happened was your flight attendant was pissed of at Southwest and decided to make this call to hurt your business. Looks like it worked. Kinda like a "sick-out".
BJG
Explorer C
I have been a faithful Southwest flyer and Rapid Rewards member for many years, and have long argued that other airlines would be better served if they followed your lead. The recent imbroglio regarding Southwest employees policing the dress of your pasengers has led me to reconsider flying on Southwest going forward. Unfortunately, I am constrained to conclude that you permit or encourage the arbitrary imposition of undocumented "fashion" regulations on paying passengers whose appearance apparently didn't alarm a gate agent and whose attire has not been suggested to be unreasonable until declared so by...a flight crew??? That's just silly. You're going to lose a lot of loyal customers if you allow this to continue.
drew
Adventurer B
I'm amazed by all the demands for published dress code, as if you need a dress code to tell you it is inappropriate to expose yourself in public. Y'all can't really be that dense, can you?
John13
Explorer C
Southwest has a open policy of granting there employeeÃ
Robert_S_1
Explorer C
You have got to be kdding me about Setara Qassim (Tucson to San Diego flight that was asked to cover up). If Setara was wearing that green dress, Southwest's dress code for her is inappropriate (nothing that revealing). Smart dressing for safety, no, but not lewd that she was singled out and made to cover up. Kyla is a definite yes to covering up when one could have seen her panties when she sits down but Setara is going way overboard. Maybe it's time to quit letting 50-70 year old people at SWA make the decision and let someone in their 20's who know modern fashion and trends make more reasonable decisions about dress. It's even time to do a PSA or reminder to passengers about how to dress for safety while in flight (some of the current fashion out there would make it harder to evacuate a plane in case of emergency). People need to learn to dress smart for safety, not necessarily for fashion. Go to the hotel at the destination or change in an airport restroom at your final destination and put on your short skirts and low-chest coverage tops if you must.
Nathan5
Explorer C
How on earth did Southwest survive the 1980's if they are trying to kick off passengers for wearing mini skirts??!! This is unbelievably ridiculous and to make matters worse, Southwest has refused to apologize!!! Suck it up and do damage control, because people have been sued (and won) for much weaker cases. In yours, not only is it a strong case, but you even admitted to it publicly. A little humble pie goes down much easier than the amount of money and bad press you're wasting.
Lauren
Explorer C
Thank you for enforcing the law with regards to indecent exposure. I am tired of women claiming that dressing to arouse men is empowering. When a person is in a public place, the rights of the many outweigh those of the few, especially when those "rights" the few claim flout the law. I will fly Southwest in the future.
Rob_H
Explorer C
Regarding the comment left by Bob that included "...Yes I am a red blooded American Male I just like to have something left to the imagination." I believe the personal description should have been more on the order of , Yes I am a red blooded American Male CHAUVINIST. The woman is free to dress to please herself, not you. She is not our property.
Prof__M__R__Fra
Explorer C
As a lawyer and law professor, let me comment: An airline is a common carrier, a public utility obliged to transport all comers. The victim of this discrimination should consider filing suit against the airline, and at the very least should complain to the Federal Aviation Administration. This is an outrage.
C__Abernathy
Explorer C
Restaurants have shirt and shoe requirements.Why can't airlines have dress codes to preserve the dignity of the passengers?
HKBooks
Explorer C
Yea for Southwest. I for one will begin trying to have more of my trips booked on Southwest Airlines. Who in the world wants to sit beside men or women dressed for the beach? The hollywood crowd have demeaned women for so long we begin to think it is normal to dress like this.
Kathy_Karlosn
Explorer C
Keep up the great work SouthWest. Finally an airlines who dosent put up with the immoral actions of the young people today. Yes, you at one time allowed your staff to dress unappropriate,but have since changed that and became wiser. I applaude your CEO and anyone else who stands behind the decision made by that person. We need to stop this kind of behavior, especially on a family airline. What are we teaching our children if we allow this kind of behavior and it is then rewarded with publicity and fanfare. Then instead of keeping her mouth shut and going about her business, she knows that if she opens her mouth to the media she will get noticed. So of course the media as corrupt as it is today eats it up and makes a big ugly picture of it, making her the victim and your airlines as the predator. What about the rest of us who find this appauling and unexceptable? Do we have any rights at all ? This woman can dress anyway she wants but not on an airline with mixed people , both cultural and religious and young children. We as American Women shoud be showing how strong we are and demanding respect from the men in this world. Not using our bodies and media to exploit our insecurities. if you are as strong and intellegent as these women I would hope are, you dont need to present yourself like this. Where is the self-esteem and self-respect in the younger women today? What more can we expect from the media today. But I wouldnt have thought much of SouthWest if they had allowed this to happen. My husband and young family fly alot on both this airline and alot.. I have the utmost respect for this airline and will continue to fly them and recommend them to anyone I talk with. Even more now. My family and I want to fly on an airline that we know we can trust and that they respect us , just as they did to this young lady who thought she could do what she wanted and get away with it. You see, this lady could care less what she wore on that flight, she had heard about the first lady and wanted to make a statement, make herself prove a point. If she respected herself and her beliefs she would have gone about it another way. And if she respected the company she worked for she would have dressed in a more appropriate way when in the company of others and children and represented herself and the company she works for in a better manner.Simple as that...As it says in the Bible, "A woman shall dress modestly, with decency and propriety " . What kind of an example are we as women showing our young children if we allow ourselves to be the center of this kind of attention. This poor girl shows that she needs alot of attention and for some reason uses her sexuality to get it. Keep up the good work SouthWest, standing your ground in this matter and any other pertaining the safety and moral protection of your passengers will be rewarded as you go about your journey to make your airline a FAMILY Airline...God Bless you and your staff....As many write you to say they wont fly your airlines, many others will stand behind you to keep your airlines a respectable and enjoyable traveling experience...Thank you..
Brent_Goodwin
Explorer C
I think it is great that SWA asked the girl to cover up. As a fater of 2 teenage children, I appreaciate SWA's actions.
JAWP
Explorer C
Southwest's treatment of Kyla Ebbert was outrageous! I saw Ms. Ebbert in her outfit on the Today Show and she looked like nearly every other 17-25 year old young lady in this country! What was so scandalous about her attire? Why was it necessary to embarrass her in front of a plane full other passengers? Shame on you, Southwest! My significant other and I currently have to live over 600 miles apart and as a result regularly fly SWA (at least monthly if not bi-monthly) to see each other. We've spent thousands of dollars on SWA airline tickets. After hearing this story I am one seriously dissatisfied SWA customer. I have two words for you SouthWest Airlines: Jetblue and Skybus. My partner and I will take our money elsewhere.
Mary_Knight
Explorer C
If you dress the way Kyla was dressed you attract the wrong attention. This outfit, in no way, says that she is an intelligent or classy person. This outfit said "Everyone should see my underwear and anything else I can show". If I had been seated next to her with my son I would have asked to have been moved. Why can't women realize that dressing this way does not get you ahead it only demeans you.
Scott__Dallas__
Explorer C
I APPLAUDE SWA FOR TAKING A STAND AGAINST FEMALES WHO DRESS LIKE PROSTITUTES ON FAMILY AIRLINES. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. TOO LONG HAVE WOMEN TRAVELLED WITH THEIR SECONDARY SEXUAL CHARACTERISTICS SPILLING OUT OF THEIR HOOCHI TOPS AND MICRO MINI SKIRTS THAT WOULD MAKE A HOLLYWOOD HOOKER BLUSH WHILE CHILDREN ARE FORCED TO WATCH THESE SHAMELESS HUSSIES PARADE AROUND LIKE PORN PRINCESSES.
Julie22
Explorer C
Thank you Southwest for taking this stand! I am not a born -gain Christian, I don't refer to young women as "ladies," and I'm not a modesty crusader (although I applaud the feedback of those on this blog who are). In fact, I'm a progressive, left-leaning individual who believes that these days young girls are being duped by the media into believing that objectifying themselves is "powerful." And they're buying it. All women want to be sexy, and all women are. We've just got to remember that our self-respect is our power. Thanks, Southwest, for maintaining some standards in our culture-gone-wild.
Laurie_Girand
Explorer C
Apparently, many Southwest Airlines passengers are not flying out of John Wayne airport, where two weekends ago, two women were seen barely clad, strutting their stuff. One look around the aiport is enough to convince a person that there is a "dress" standard that involves a certain amount of cover up, which is NOT oppressive, burka comments from other bloggers aside. Even teenage girls and boys, who daily experiment with new fashion styles, are snickering at these people. How do the bloggers here define the limit? If a woman shows up looking like a Victoria's Secret model in a photo shoot, that makes them happy and they'll either ogle or look the other way? Is a bathing suit adequite attire for riding a subway, a bus, an airplane? Sorry!! I have a 10 year old son, and women wearing 4 inch heels, the briefest of shorts, bare midriffs and plunging necklines that display more than ample cleavage, especially when they bend over from the waist to dig through their bags looking for their ID ("Whoops! I didn't realize that I needed to show you THAT!") make even HIM uncomfortable. I am thankful there are people who have the courage to stand up on behalf of the other hundreds of thousands of people who pass through airport every day. These underdressed passengers SHOULD be embarassed that they are asked to cover up, though they should not be intentionally humiliated or abused.
A_frequent_SWA_
Explorer C
Hey Southwest, Look at the dress on the woman in the picture of your Las Vegas vacation package and then tell the world about how people need to dress while they fly. Promote yourself as a upstanding "family" airline and then notice how you want to promote you airline for gay travel on your website. Get your message together and make sure we know exactly where you stand.
Steve__Phoenix_
Explorer C
For various reasons beyond the airline industry's control (and some because of deliberate corporate and government decisions), air travel in general in the 21st century ranks right up there with getting a root canal in terms of the general experience of the overall ordeal. Now this. Southwest used to be my airline of choice. But no more. This incident only adds to my list of things I don't like about Southwest Airlines since Herb Kelleher retired. The nonsensical cattle call free-for-all seating has long been my #1 pet peeve. I much prefer reserved seating. But asking Kyla Ebbert to get off the plane for wearing a mini skirt after going thru all the hassles of checking in and security screening is the last straw. Just because some prudish biddy made a complaint (jealous of Klya's cover girl good looks, no doubt), or maybe because some gay male flight attendent took it upon himself, is no reason to subject a paying customer to such harrassment. If Ms Ebbert's bosom had been spilling out of her top, or it became obvious she had no panties on under her miniskirt or was showing "cheeks", I could give SWA the benefit of the doubt. But in absense of a published dress code, Southwest doesn't have a leg to stand on in this case. Speaking of biddies, LAURIE, assuming the outfit in question is indeed the same one Ms Ebbert wore for the Today Show interview, you all who support SWA's action ought to take a chill pill. The outfit consisted of a white T-shirt blouse with a moderately scooped neckline, cut high enough so as to show only the slightest hint of cleavage, and a white denim miniskirt with frayed fringe hem. Ms Ebbert also wore a light blue cashmir sweater over the T shirt. Yes the skirt was short. But there were no spaghetti straps, no deep plunge cleavage, no tattoos all over the place, no piercings, etc. Definitely not a "slut dress" outfit and certainly not a skanky look. I might also add for the benefit of readers in cooler parts of the country, it is still over 100 degrees EVERY DAY here in Arizona, even now in mid September, so dressing light makes sense. If a majority of Southwest Airline customers agree that women should not travel dressed as Kyla was, then the airline should come up with an official dress code, and let the flying public vote with their wallets and feet.
SSullivan
Explorer C
I've read the almost 200 pages of comments with a lot of interest because I study communities, especially communities in which there is conflict of values. And it finally came to me, after reading a comment from a law professor. The airline is a public entity in fact, a public utility. Well, as a woman, I also thought, we have a right to be treated with dignity, by those in authority, even if we aren't being dignified at the time. We have a right to be treated with respect by those in charge, and it is an abuse of power to do what was done to Ms Ebbert. I am glad she called her mother and documented her event. More and more the common person refuses to be victimized and enlists the technology of camera phones, you tube and other witnesses to his or her plight. People in positions of authority have a difficult job, a diverse public to handle. We should continue to expect dignified handling by such people. We should continue to demand it. And document failures to provide it.
Angela3
Explorer C
I think modesty has become a four letter word in our society, so to speak. I am not a prude, by any means, but there are some things that just should not be worn in certain places. Thank you SW ,you have a new customer!
Terry_Quinn
Explorer C
I would like to applaud the Christian Women (Mothers of 3) who have all commented here about Family Values. I would love for South West to become the Family Values airline. By concentrating on the 10-15% of America who believe they are the only one's who have Family Values and are determined to foist their own morality on the rest of this nation of sinners, I am certain SW Airlines will be destined for success! Though flights to New York, San Fransisco, L.A., Las Vegas, as well as any international flights outside the "God Bless the" USA will have to be banned as well. I suggest inflight entertainment be limited to repeat showings of the Passion of the Christ, as well as good wholesome Christian sing-a-longs. Instead of inflight magazines, I suggest BIBLES! Oh, and I am not a Christian or a modesty crusader either. In fact I am a "left-leaning" progressive, who believes that everyone should tell everyone else how to dress and act. Thank you.