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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
weezee
Explorer C
Why does everyone think a company can't make policies pertaining to its employees and customers? "News flash," they can. I'm sure this young lady is a very nice person, but even nice people can make a wardrobe mistake. I'm sure if she thought someone could see her private parts, she would have put on a different skirt that morning...right? Okay, I'll give you this...had I been the flight attendant on duty that day, I would have told her of this problem in a very private manner. Some ladies aren't very nice to other ladies though. In any case... Come-on! Let's cover-up our private parts when we're in public, people! And for that matter, let's take baths, brush our hair, was our clothes, talk in our inside voice...just like how our moms taught us! Both parties just need better manners. Posting her next flight schedule could be a boom for southwest. Just think about the hoards of mouth-breathing, mullet-heads who would spend their last dime of beer money to sit next to her! Yee ha!
Roux
Explorer C
Saw her on the today show.... the outfit was extremely inappropriate and she knows it. I also watched the video online as she flashed the audience. For some reason I'm reminded of Sharon Stone but for the life of me I don't know why. Keep up the good work.
jana
Explorer C
After seeing all the comments posted I'm not sure if Southwest will take the time to read them all but here's my two cents...I fly my son on SW and have for over 10 years now. However, after the latest incident I'm not so sure I want to do business with SW again. There are many other discount airlines to travel that won't treat someone so badly as Kyla. Personally I think that jealously and personal feelings were brought into this when it shouldn't have. Southwest...get yourselves together and I really hope that Kyla does sue and wins. It's about time that you realize we are not in the 1800's and women are not only highly independent but free to dress how they wish. Since you don't have a defined dress code you are totally in the wrong. Believe me...I've seen many a flight attendant wear a lot less than Kyla. I do hope you read this and learn from it or you'll be outta business real soon because women will no longer fly your airline.
Michael7
Explorer C
I stand behind the decision of the Customer Service Rep. and behind that of Southwest Airlines. At first I didn't think anything about her skirt, but after seeing a couple different pictures of it and reading some of the articles it is clear she had a skirt on that was not appropriate for the situation. If it were me (Customer Service Rep.), I would have most likely done the same thing. It's an "executive decision" that had to be made and they did, in my opinion, the correct thing for the business and for the other customers on that flight.
Becky
Explorer C
Bravo to Southwest Airlines for attempting to protect its passengers from what has become an all too common event; yet another display of exhibitionism under the guise of 1st Amendment rights. Sadly, there are far too many who now feel the only way to gain attention is through a lack of clothing and poor behavior. I watched Ms. Ebbert 'demonstrate' the outfit in question during her interview on the Today Show. After standing up, adjusting her 'skirt' as Southwest had asked her to do, and then attempting to sit down...viewers around the world were treated to a view of her most private parts albeit covered with some form of white under garment. Those of us who still remember how to dress appropriately in public should not be forced to witness the sights brought about by a skirt more appropriate to Ms. Ebbert's job at Hooters, nor see-through blouses sans any undergarments, nor half-covered behinds because belts are now worn across the pelvis rather than the waist. And....shame on Ms. Ebbert's mother for gaining her 15 minutes of fame by defending her daughter's right to expose herself rather than instructing her on proper public attire.
Pat21
Explorer C
i fly frequently and see outfits of varying types...p.j. bottoms and tiny tank tops,sport bras and short shorts, bras showing under see-through blouses....my philosophy is `don't look if it bothers you'...you should fly in what makes you comfortable (except total nudity of course
Mike24
Explorer C
I understand the argument that girls dress like this on college campuses, at the mall, etc. However, in those cases, we are not forced to sit next to them or have our children sit next to them and we are not forced to look at them. That is the essential difference in this case. An airplane is not only a public place but a very intimate environment where people are, literally, often touching strangers for hours. Decorum, cleanliness and an understanding of this unique environment is essential. It's about time SW taught people who apparently do not know understand for themselves, what is appropriate dress when traveling in such a close environment. I hope SW will continue to respect the rights of all its customers who don't want to sit next to a near-naked customer who doesn't have the common sense to know the difference between a wide-open college campus and cramped airplane cabin. I applaud SW on the actions it took in the Kyla Ebbert case.
Kim30
Explorer C
Kudos to you, Southwest. You are my favorite airline, and you always will be. Recently, I had to sit on a flight (not yours) and be subjected to crotch shots of two passengers who appeared to be imitating Paris Hilton. Every time they stood up or bent over, we were all given a free show of their g-strings. Sorry, but that isn't something I want to see on a two-hour flight over and over. This girl was wearing an outfit that was INTENDED to show off her underwear and breasts. Now, of course, she works at Hooters who promotes that attire, but then why not fly THEIR airline if she intends to dress that way? I am so sick of people passing judgment on companies that require some sense of respect. If this woman had a screaming child who couldn't be calmed, I am sure the decision would have been different because it couldn't be helped. Sorry, but if you dress like you want the world to see your underwear, you'll get just that. I love your airline, and I am so happy that you take this stance! I am sure more people will fly your airline than leave it because you have standards. Thank you!
Timothy_Harding
Explorer C
One of the few (if not the only) profitable airline in the industry and you BLOW IT with a stupid move like this? What were you possibly thinking? The outfit was not only acceptable by any reasonable standard, but was less revealing than the outfits your own flight attendants once wore. Just keep flying people cheaply and safely where they want to go and leave the policing of morality to the zealots.
Angie3
Explorer C
This treatment of one of your customers was deplorable. Plain and simple. Have you digressed to such prudishness that a woman can not show her legs on an airline flight? What's next a bhurka or full cover up for any young and beautiful female, because of so called "family values"? You know there is not a child on that flight that would have even noticed that outfit. I thought for sure this was some sort of joke, when I read the news story. SWA should be ashamed of what their employee did and that employee should be reprimanded at the very least. I will not fly your airline again and I will not reccomend it to anyone. I live in one of your big markets but I'll gladly fly united, wear the length of my skirt is not tied to the value of my business.
Bill32
Explorer C
This is ridiculous. Even though I rarely fly, I'll definitely go out of my way NOT to choose to fly on this, Southwest Airlines, option. Maybe they won't like my outfit; so they'll never get any of my $$$! They're obviously losers and it makes me think that their actual planes are probably the next ones to crash since one's outfit is so important. Safety records aside, I'll happily choose an airline which lets us, the paying customers, choose our clothing when flying as long as national security concerns are adhered to. While, as a private enterprise, Southwest Airlines can discriminate freely as to who flies on their planes in any manner as they see fit; it is also my choice to never select Southwest Airlines as my airline given their strict dress code. It seems to me that, as a freedom loving American in his 50's, a boycott of Southwest Airlines by all air travelers is appropriate! We, the people, DO HAVE the ultimate power with our money and Southwest Airlines needs to pay the price for its chosen, discriminatory behavior.
Jennifer12
Explorer C
At first, my reaction was shock and outrage against S.W.....however, looking at the photo of her sitting down and knowing that her skirt IS in fact pulled DOWN, per her words, perhaps the steward was not too hasty. If my child saw this woman with her skirt pulled UP higher than what her photo shows (which is pretty darn high) and which likely showed her underwear along with her very tight top (with out the sweater covering her) I think I would feel compelled to search for the right words to explain to my child about seeing this. I've changed my mind and challenge everyone to simply take another glance at this photo. Thanks
If_You_Really_W
Explorer C
As the Republic begins its death rattle, you will see more and more stories like this one. Well, it's after 9/11 and we all have to do our part by forgetting the Bill of Rights, right? This is a somewhat amusing instance of pure fascism, though it is clear the woman was dressed no differently than other people her age dress anywhere. Poeple need to fly, but don't you just feel really Soviet these days at any airport.?Ten dollar an hour minions with little or no criminal history background checks can steal your belongings, detain you, give you a body cavity search, just because they don't like the look on your face, and if you complain, you're a terrorist. It's little wonder this has devolved into the Thought Police making fashion descisions for the passengers. Same time next year and a similiar offense will send her to the camps. If we have another Presidential election, think how many passengers may be thrown off a plane for wearing a T-shirt that endorses any non-Neo-Con Fascist candidate. Remember the Inquisition was a faith-based initiative.
Dale_Germain
Explorer C
The situation with the short skirt is an example of an employee or group of employees that for reasons of jealousy or just plain ignorance, crossed the line between airline standards and airline dictatorship. This move showed a lack of discernment and judgement. I travel very often and see all kinds of ill mannered people not to mention drunkards, and people with abhorrent hygiene. Is anything said to these people? Ok I can attest that I have seen an airline remove a drunk for obvious reasons, but a young girl with a short skirt? What threat did she pose to the airline, other than looking more appealing than the flight staff? Isn't the airline supposed to protect their passengers from the danger of terrorist or criminal activity? This is absolutely outrageous and just another example of a group of people who have taken their "power" a little too seriously. The American Government should step in here slap Southwest. They violated this woman's rights and caused her undue stress. Isn't the United States wonderful? Anyone can carry a pistol, but a young girl can't wear a mini-skirt onto a plane? Maybe we should ammend the constitution to include the right to bear short mini-skirts?
libster
Explorer C
Southwest you should be ashamed. Flight attendants should have consistent guidelines (which should be shared with the public PRIOR to boarding the plane) and not allow their personal prudery or the complaint of an uptight guest affect their treatment of another customer. If you have a problem don't look at her! I'm sure there were many men on that flight who were enjoying the sights. Put the children in another row, and tell their mom to mind her own business. Strangers are not required to be role models for her children according to her standards. Would she be able to get Paris and Britney thrown off that plane, or would she be asking them for their autograph? Soutwest, you handled this poorly--you humiliated an innocent passenger, alienated scores of potential passengers, and have come no closer to letting us know what kind of things might get "us" kicked off your plane too. You know what, I won't risk it. I'll be flying on another airline. You owe that girl and apology and the nation a statement of policy.
s_hendrix
Explorer C
I am offended by SW's treatment of the passenger. There was no reason to embarrass and humiliate her. The person offended should have been offered the opportunity to change to another flight. I no longer "LUV "SW, they were in the wrong and should offer public apologies and reparations.
TB1
Explorer C
So does this mean that I can complain about mom-jeans, beehive hair, pencil mustaches, or even perfume? Have you seen the outfits your employees wear? Now those are offensive. Maybe she was just making it easier on herself to go through security?
Ron_Ott
Explorer C
Since my last posting I've learned that SWA states on their ticket (contrary to what they said in TV interview) that they reserve the right to refuse any flight to anyone including based upon a person's dress (or undress). They then legally did have a right to put her off the airplane. Since they didn't, I don't know the status of something that might appear to be harassment. Also, there was a complaint by fellow passenger(s) before the incident. As far as tolerance goes, in the 50 some years I've been a Christian, this nation has become more evil every decade. I believe that this nation will fall in judgment just like Rome did.
West
Explorer C
Great Job SWA!!! Just please don't cave to the pressures of a few with no scruples. Perhaps all those in the peanut gallery in favor of scantily clad women can be redirected to Hooters AirÃ
West
Explorer C
Please use this instead of my first post I made an error in my Hooters comment. Thanks Great Job SWA!!! Just please donÃ
dave_viets
Explorer C
To Herbert Kelleher: Your airline's lack of an apology to Kyla Ebbert regarding the "appropriate dress" incident, and your lack of sensitivity in NOT admitting that your employee was wrong, has caused me to rethink your airline as a whole. As you can tell from early pictures of Southwest Air employees attire, they looked alot like that which your employee condemned. As a result of your companies PR campaign to save face, instead of doing the right thing, I for one, will not ever fly Southwest again...and believe me, I have flown with Southwest a lot in the past. I will find other alternatives.
bill_zapalac
Explorer C
I do think both men and women should address appropriately in public. The young woman ultimalely was allowed to travel. Bill
Sabrina11
Explorer C
Heh. I don't care about folks' "family values" concerning casualwear, but I don't particularly want to sit in a seat that someone's naughty bits have been in recent contact with. Eeeewwww. Short skirts on cute girls are OK, kicking them off flights may be overkill -- but could you maybe make them sit on a blanket?
Tyra_Griffin
Explorer C
Great work Southwest for standing up for the morals that most of the country has dismissed!!! The attention seeking girl's skirt was too short. It was so disgusting to see her on the Today Show to pretend that there wasn't anything wrong with the outfit. She and her mother knew it was inappropriate. The Today Show knew it was inappropriate because they had to blur out the crotch area when she sat down! Who really cares if there is a Paris want to be!
Crag_borshe
Explorer C
I hope Kyla sues your butt off...
Kevin_Fox
Explorer C
Brian, you don't get it. she wasn't "asked to cover up" as you say. She was told she couldn't fly unless she changed her clothes. With the level of disempowerment that American passengers have undergone in the last five years, being told you 'can't fly' is a touchpoint only made worse when they've being called out for subjective moral reasons. Your response on this blog is the most insensitive use of a corporate blog I've seen to date, and coming from the Manager of Customer Communications it shows me that Southwest is steadily losing its way. what had been a sincere positive attitude of caring about the customer and about the profession is quickly becoming a caricature of itself. I've been seeing Southwest employees 'acting cheerful' and 'putting on a face' because that's the company's image and that's their employee's role. You know as well as I do that the situation could have been handled much better by working with the passenger to express the problem in more specific, actionable terms than 'you're dressed inappropriately' and that Keith the airline agent should have been working from the presumption that the passenger's time was just as valuable as another passenger's sensibilities. Keith made a mistake by not thinking of a blanket sooner and should have only suggested (and not required) that the passenger take a later flight until all other avenues had been exhausted, but your actions in justifying Southwest's position by using your corporate blog to humiliate this passenger is inexcusable. I've been an active Southwest customer for 15 years and at this point all I can say is that I'm glad that Virgin America is serving SFO, LAS and LAX, because it gives me an alternate airline filled with people who are sincerely eager to cater to their customers. Kevin Fox
Ashley6
Explorer C
I want to say kudos for the way Southwest reacted. SW approached her on the complaint of another customer. The same way they will approach parents who have misbehaving children....SW takes care of their customers concerns...this is the reason I fly with SW. They did NOT kick her off the plane. They asked her to "adjust" her clothing and she was able to fly on to her destination. I am sure this was embarassing for her but she should be use to the attention that dressing in that sexy manner receives. She wasn't at Hooters she was in a public place with small children a knee level probably excited to look up a pretty girls skirt. Did any of you fellow bloggers actually see the Today show interview? They censored her underwear when she crossed her legs! To those who argue over the skimpy uniforms that SW wore years ago: Why are the attendants now covered? Customers found the outfits demeaning and complained. SW response.....new uniforms! I will admitt she was a very cute girl and she had the legs to pull an outfit like that off. Still her skirt was very short. When you wear that kind of stuff you run the risk of offending someone. It is the risk you take. She took the risk and someone complained because of it. She is the one who turned this into a big media circus. Would you go national TV and show your underwear? If so don't fly SW. Thanks!
Becky11
Explorer C
Thank you, Southwest, for the way you handled this - nice to see a corporation not be "Fearful" of stepping on a toe. We all know indecent exposure when we see it. If this girl was so embarrassed - why all the TV gigs?
The_Truth1
Explorer C
The skirt was revealing She did go on the flight CNN is misinformed Lets set this right. They refer to SWA Hot Pants As mini skirts That's like calling a hat A shoe or a shirt One person said If she paid she should go It's a family airline Not a peep show If you want to see her panties Just watch the replay Of the Show They call Today
Gigi_D_
Explorer C
Too Bad, Southwest. You blew it. You used to be a fun airline and now you are a dumb airline. What will happen to your stock now? If Kyla had been wearing a G-string and Pasties, you would have had a leg to stand on but as one commentator said she was "street legal". You have no policy and you have no case! Glad I don't own your stock! If everyone would step back and let the emotions cool, the situation would be hysterical. Everyone is concerned about clothing but why aren't the pilots and the stewardesses/stewards having breathalyzer tests and narcotic blood tests done prior to take-off? Do clothing make a safe flight or healthy functional staff?! Get real people! Life is more precious than emotional trauma because of some "perceived" affront.
rosalia__Brown
Explorer C
I am supportig SW Airlines in the recent issue with the young woman who thinks it is appropriate to dress in a short skirt and low neckline around families with young children and young boys under the age of 18. If she is going for a job interview, to the doctor, or traveling on an airline she needs to understand her provocative clothing gives the wrong impression and sends a clear sexual message. If she was going to a club , hanging out at a bar, well she would not have received all the attention. For all of you that think she has the right to dress anyway she wants to I hope she sits next to your young boys, husband or lover.
FriendofBlogBoy
Frequent Flyer B
Well, we've certainly found a new controversy to focus on now, haven't we? Clearly the actions by one or two of Southwest's Employees in this situation were horribly inappropriate. There is no question that those involved should be summarily fired. Moreover, I don't think a simple termination is sufficient to address the severity of their lapse in judgment. There is no good reason that I can imagine that should limit Southwest's management to just kicking these folks out the door. Being a firm believer that the punishment should fit the crime, I say that the person(s) who made this egregious error should be stripped down to a minimal amount of clothing, securely locked into a set of public stocks and then flogged mercilessly by anyone who wants to drive by and get in some exercise for their arm that only gets a workout when it is busy pointing out blame and faults in others. But, since those one or two Employees serve in a global sense as representatives of the entire Company, then under the theory of "the buck stops here", I think all 34,000 Employees should be ridiculed in public stocks and every citizen of the United States, and definitely every person who has ever flown on Southwest, thought about flying on Southwest, heard of Southwest or even eaten any peanuts anywhere, should have the chance to pick up the whip of physical assault to go along with the intense verbal assaults already being voiced above. However, if you think of it, even THAT is not enough retribution for the horrendous evil that has been perpetrated here. Obviously, EVERY Southwest Employee should then be fired as well, each of the half-of-a-thousand planes should be given away, and the corporate headquarters and all physical facilities and equipment should be given away or destroyed until any and all reminders of what "used to be a great company" are obliterated from our collective memories. Does THAT make you happy? Stop and think about the vindictiveness of the hundreds of responses above. One or two or even a handful out of 34,000 people did something that YOU think is wrong, and your reaction is off the Richter scale! I won't even count how many folks above said in one way or another, "I'll NEVER fly your airline again!" and how many accusations have been hurled that include racial, religious and intellectual slurs and insults. Whether you agree or disagree with the basics of this story, consider a few things for a minute. First, how many of you enraged but now disenfranchised Customers know ALL of the facts of this situation? In my experience, many times only first-hand observers really know what happened. Second, how many of you trust the news media to report this story fully and fairly? Anyone who believes the media can be counted on to be wholly unbiased, especially following the built-up inner rage from the last year's worth of major abuses of passengers by airlines, is probably also sitting outside with Linus all night waiting for the Great Pumpkin to rise from the pumpkin patch. Third, when weighed against inconveniencing passengers for as long as some people spend at their jobs each day, with eight hour delays stuck inside a plane, how is it that the quantity and spitefulness of reactions to this story is so proportionately out of balance? It seems to me that, right or wrong, some Southwest Employees made a decision involving this one Customer. You can agree or disagree with that decision, but let me ask this -- how many of you who have a job have EVER made a mistake at work? Have you ever done something that might not have been the most prudent course of action? And if you've answered yes to those two questions, how ready would you have been at the time to have hundreds of people line up to call you vile names, insult your intelligence and threaten that they will never do business with your company again? I've said this before and I'll say it again, the 34,000 Employees at Southwest are human, and I'm not aware of any human who is perfect and has never made a mistake. In my opinion, the reactions above would be similar to me having heard of a McDonald's employee in, let's say Miami, refuse to serve a Big Mac to someone in their store, and then me declaring, "well, I will NEVER AGAIN eat at ANY McDonald's in the world!!" Even if I had been the potential Big Mac connoisseur who was turned away, it would still be so grossly out of whack for me to castigate the entire company and its workforce! Get a perspective, people! Good or bad, the decision was made, and if you feel so personally violated and offended that you will NEVER AGAIN patronize the low-fare leader who has a proven track record of spectacular treatment of its Customers, then you are proverbally cutting off your own nose to spite your face. I hope that your sensibilities are equally affronted by outrageous profit-taking by the big oil companies and that you will henceforth refuse to buy gasoline. I hope that the next call by a referee that you disagree with during the next football game you watch will provoke you to stop watching football. Oh, and the next time you see something on a television show that bothers you, I do hope you will allow your outrage to manifest itself to a point of declaring that you'll never again watch a TV show on that network. Could we all just collectively stop, catch our breath and then go make a mountain out of a more important molehill? Kim External Blog Boy, who supports front-line Employees who are faced with difficult situations every day and who try to make the right choices 🙂
Joyce_McKenzie
Explorer C
I support SWA in their decision to respond to a complaint relative to the scanty apparrel of Kyla Ebert. Southwest is my airline of choice and will continue to be so.
Jennifer15
Explorer C
I'm pleased with Southwest's handling of this situation. Not many companies have the guts to stand up to women that dress inappropriately. This was a cry for attention on this woman's part, and now she's not happy with the attention she got! Thank you Southwest for making her cover up! You have another customer for life now.
Courtney6
Explorer C
Hello everyone, we live in a free country, freedom of speech, etc. I personally have to many things in my life to worry about what one 23 year girl is wearing or every other 23 year old in America and any other country for that matter. Unless she is taking it all off for others to see, or speaking offensively, I could care less. Those of you are offended by her outfit....maybe you need to look into your own life, because I promise....you are not perfect. I think it boils down to, someone felt threatened because she is a very pretty young lady and well....unfortunately we are all not super models. God made each and everyone of us differently. I have seen some women whose makeup and hair offended me. I am truly disappointed in Southwest and the way their staff conducted themselves in this matter and may others. With out the travelers, they would cease to exit. We have enough people telling us what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. I think I could do without my airlines telling me what I should wear. Simply put.....GET A LIFE PEOPLE!!!!!
Ian_Dahl
Explorer C
The bottomline is this SWA has the right to refuse service to certain situations you pay for the ticket to get from point A to point B you don't own the aircraft. Look at stores that display NO shirt, NO shoes, NO service or restaurants/bars that say They have the right to refuse service! What if someone boarded the aircraft with an racy t-shirt with slogans or cuss words on it? I applaud Southwest its their airplane and authority to maintain the comfort of all customers! Just because you buy a ticket does not mean you own the airline! What if I went into Hooters where this young lady worked wearing something that drawed attention to me and away from the Hooters girls? KEEP IT UP SWA to me your the best airline in the USA!
Steve12
Explorer C
I would like to thank SWA for giving me the opportunity to speak very lowly of them. Their policies have always been suspect in my eyes and this just gives me more ammunition to fire on them. If SWA would like to emphasize the fact that they have the right to deny service to anyone they feel does not convey their corporate policies, they should advertise in the Bible belt and ask that only wholesome, bible toting extreme right wing fundamental christians ride with them. If SWA wants to revert to the social policies of the mid 1900's when help wanted signs at business were seen throughout this country that only specific groups need to apply, SWA should put up a sign in every airport and a warning on advertisements that "we only allow good, wholesome christian fundamentalists fly on our airline"... They sponsor many different sporting events and maybe the general public should pull an Imus on them... boycott those sporting events... Where is aL SHARPTON WHEN WE NEED HIM?
Lisa18
Explorer C
THANK YOU SOUTHWEST! IT WAS COURAGEOUS TO STAND UP TO THE INDECENTLY CLAD WOMAN ON YOUR PLANE. THE TIGHT QUARTERS OF AN AIRPLANE REQUIRE ALL OF US TO BE CONSIDERATE OF OUR FELLOW PASSENGERS. THIS WOMAN OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T CARE WHO SHE OFFENDED WITH HER OUTFIT AND WAS ONLY INTERESTED IN ATTRACTING ATTENTION. WELL, SHE GOT BOTH, POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE. SOME OF US SEE THIS FORM OF DRESS AS AN "IN YOUR FACE" CHALLENGE. IT WAS GOOD TO SEE THAT SOMEONE TOOK THE CHALLENGE AND CALLED HER ON IT. WE HAVE FLOWN A COLLECTIVE 17 TIMES WITH YOU THIS YEAR AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. WAY TO GO SWA!!
BEWARE__Mr__Lus
Explorer C
HORRORS! Where were the air marshals? There could have been a stoning. Are stones banned items? Pitiful SW.
Voicing_Reason
Explorer C
I was originally upset at southwest when i heard what they had done, but then I saw the woman and her mother WITH THEIR LAWYER on the Today Show with Matt Lauer. I think it is important to remember two things. People Don't wear outfits like that if the don't want to be noticed!!!! she got the wrong attention... boo hoo for her. Second, as other posters have said if you watch the Today show you can see this woman in her outfit FLASH THE ENTIRE AUDIENCE when she sits down. So she cannot say that the skirt was not too short. I think that the southwest people handled things correctly if someone brings a problem to their attention then they talk to the customer. Makes sense to me. All these people who are complaining about southwest would be just as upset and throwing a fit if there was a news story about a passenger who complained about someone dressed this way, but the southwest employees didnt do anything. This is so Silly
Mashell_Kivijar
Explorer C
Hi This is not just about the sept 7 incident but others as well This is America !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is a free Country I tried to call buty was kept on hold for a half an hour so I am assuming and hoping you have alot of upset people. I am a christian mom of two boys and see nothing wrong with that outfit that lady was wearing i would be more concerend about traveling to a hot place and having her get heat exhaution. please excuse spelling errors. or any other outfits you have kicked people off from. Freedom of speach is part of America. Bieng free is a part of America You are not making people feel free. I have never flown before because I am deathly afraid of hights however there are some places I want to visit and you can believe I and about 60 other people I know will never fly your flight those who have are boycotting you. and those who haven't never will either realise this is America or shut down
jean2
Explorer C
I am from Canada. I recognize Americain attitude as usual, Southwest Airlines refuse to let in Kyla Ebberts??? .She should consider a legal action againts Southwest for the humiliation and discrimination... If it was Madonna I bet U one million $$$$ the compagny would let her in the aircraft without any comments. Also, Americans are he biggest porn consumer of the world on internet. So you are double-talk.You r againts the country 's with hijad (islam) and againts short skurts. Usa is a freedom country? It s really a joke. Canada is the best country of the world...
Monica3
Explorer C
This is ridiculous, the young woman should have been left alone and allowed to fly. I find it interesting that the majority of Southwest employees she encountered that day had no problem with her outfit. She was able to get her boarding pass twice both outbound and inbound, sit in the gate waiting area twice both outbound and inbound, and fly her return flight back to San Diego without any intervention. This says a lot about the employee who did single her out. Perhaps he/she was in error and exercised poor judgement. If Southwest wants to invoke dress policy then it seems all employees should be trained on what that policy is. This young girl was dressed they way most of her peers dress, nothing different, just visit any high school, shopping mall, or college campus and see for yourself.
sarahlex
Explorer C
People have posted comments such as "I find it preposterous and a denial of 1st amendment rights." In my readings of the Consitution, I must have missed the part about one's right to dress in a skirt so short one can see what (if anything) she has on under it... The First Amendment states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances." Perhaps some of these posters though it is "freedom of the DRESS," not "freedom of the PRESS"? If anyone has seen "Airline," they would know that Southwest has spoken to passengers about things such as personal odor (and found them something else to wear so they could take the flight). And the comments that this girl is beautiful? Really??? Even if she was, what does that have to do with the fact that other passengers have the right to an expectation of a flight without witnessing another's passenger's underwear or less than underwear? Or an expectation of not having to be the person who sat in her seat on the next flight without knowing they were sitting where her bare skin was? (and looking at her cached MySpace page and the friends there, I am wondering where her bare skin might have been) And I doubt we can really portray Southwest as sexist or "misogynist". If a man tried to walk on the plane wearing the same outfit, especially with the skirt hiked up as high as we all know it really was, I'm thinking he would have been pulled aside as well. If males and females would receive the exact same treatment in the exact same circumstance, then the use of terms such as "sexist" or "misogynistIC" are inaccurate and inappropriate. If this happened to "PrincessKyla" two months ago, why is this just now being brought to the forefront? "IÃ
Fabiola_Thing
Explorer C
It's not a question of defending or not defending her outfit. I for one found her outfit quite trashy, but that is not the point. This is America, not Afghanistan, people!!!!! It's the principle!!!! That Southwest employee had no right to label her outfit inappropriate. Perhaps all these moralistic family value types need to take note of that fact. Perhaps when you get singled out for what you are reading, watching or listening to, you'll change your perspective.
Peter_Graves
Explorer C
I have considered myself one of SWA's biggest fans and most likely I will consider to do so even though I believe SWA has made a thunderous public relations mess out of this. Check out the Southwest ad posted on youtube called "Southwest Airlines commercial circa 1972" from the 1970's and you tell me who made the bigger skirt faux pas. Sure, you may say times have changed but SWA themselves posts this exact same video on their own website. What hipocrisy! Come on SWA, you have apologized for less and this will only get worse if you keep skirting the issue.
Mad_Tom
Explorer C
VERY disappointed in Southwest Airlines over this. Not the Southwest I flew for 30 years when I lived in Texas. Wish they were here in Memphis, though I'm not sure I'd meet the standards of their Dress Code. I guess the radical Christianists have taken over, and Southwest is now just another satrapy of Bushistan.
MaggieTheCat
Explorer C
Such hysteria over a woman feeling embarrassed. If only she felt equally embarrassed to wear clothing that required the Today show's producers to pixilate her nether-regions because she flashed the audience. Sorry if I don't rise to her defense as a ringing endorsement of equality and freedom. And small wonder our courts are clogged, when the first reaction of so many people is to sue because a private company, which you may choose to patronize or not, makes decisions that you don't like. Toughen up, honey, you wanted a reaction to your clothing and you got it.
Sara4
Explorer C
Allah anyone? Sounds like Sharia law to me!
Bob_Karp
Explorer C
As a photojournlist who travels thousands of miles a year (Im a Continental frequent flyer) I would NEVER fly Southwest for the despicably arbitrary dress code they hand out when coming in contact with a customer who just wanted to get from point A to point B. Ms. Ebbert didnt seem like much of a threat unless you were seriously worried about male passengers hearts racing (and probably some of the women) on board. What kind of pathetic moron would cast any kind of judgement on another like that? Whats next Southwest? No one allowed to board wearing Steve Madden shoes because they had SEC fraud charges against them? Maybe you should have a questionnaire you fill out when you buy your ticket on how you feel politically, are you pro-life? OK, you can fly with us... George Orwell would love you guys, keep up the good work!