Restrictions imposed by airlines have become more and more stringent over the past decade and are beginning to border on absurd. In the past, Southwest Airlines has prided itself on being an affordable, easygoing alternative but has recently proven itself to be the worst of all — acting as cheap as its prices.
Two months ago, Kayla Ebbert, a college student dressed comfortably for the hot southwest summer weather, boarded a flight for Tucson. Her attire offended a fellow flier and Kayla was asked to de-board and catch a later flight.
Perhaps she had inadvertently exposed more than intended with her mini skirt, but the airline attendant was the one acting inappropriately.
The proper response to the situation would be to sensitively and discretely make Ebbert aware of the problem and save her from more embarrassment, but the male flight attendant publicly humiliated her by lecturing her at the front of the plane within earshot of the other passengers. After negotiating to alter her clothing and cover up with a blanket, Kayla was able to keep her flight, if not her dignity.
Although there is no dress code for flying, Southwest Airlines defended its actions: “When an issue is brought to our employees’ attention, we address that situation directly with the customer involved in a discreet and professional manner.”
Perhaps the better “discreet and professional” solution would have been to offer the offended customer a later flight.
News and media have been equally insensitive. Companies such as Fox refer to Ebbert as the “Hooters waitress,” and CNN corespondents justify her actions with an if-you’ve-got-it-flaunt-it attitude, minimizing the chauvinistic and insensitive actions of the flight attendant.
Her attire does not have to be justified. If you’ve seen pictures, you know her dress wasn’t anything different from what we would normally see on the streets, even in the conservative state of Utah. I have seen much worse. For example, last year when picking up a friend from the airport, I was surprised to see a woman walking around in her white Playtex bra. I bet she wasn’t kicked off a flight.
So, can I complain about the fat guy sitting next to me? He is taking up half my seat; maybe he should pay for half of my ticket. Perhaps the flight attendant was just an insensitive prick, or the complaining customer was just a prude. However, it is extremely self-centered to think that we can impose our beliefs on other people. If you feel uncomfortable with people’s dress, get used to it or go back to hiding under the rock you came from. You can’t control other people, and you can’t impose your morals on them either!
The “Hooters girl” was singled out because she was a sexy girl. If she had been some overweight lady with the same outfit, they would have bitten their tongues. If it had been some guy with his pants around his knees showing off his underwear, they would have left him alone.
The Southwest Airlines representatives were out of line and infringed upon Ebbert’s freedom of expression through dress. If they want people to dress a certain way, they should impose a universal dress code.
Until then, let’s ban crying babies and the hairy un-showered passengers before we focus on girls in mini-skirts.
