The airline passenger rights organization, FlyerRights.Org and its founder, Kate Hanni are now advocating for a institutionalized dress code among airlines.   They think what is and isn’t appropriate should be spelled out by airlines themselves.

Given the inconsistency we’ve seeen among airlines and, in particular, airlines crews who are the current governors of what is and isn’t appropriate, it isn’t without merit. 

But what’s appropriate?  I tend to travel dressed in business casual of some sort but I do that because it’s often the most comfortable dress for me and it permits me to leave an airport and go directly to a variety of things such as meetings or family gatherings without looking inappropriate in those environments.

Do I necessarily approve of wearing pajamas or sweats on aircraft?  No, I don’t.  On the other hand, while I wouldn’t regard it as appropriate for me or my family, I don’t think such dress necessarily steps so far over the line as to require airlines to demand a change of clothes.

Let me add that if a man shows up dressed in nothing but lingerie, I would expect airline staff to put an end to the notion that he’s getting on the airplane before changing into something more appropriate.  I’ll also point out that no dress code is needed for that judgement decision.

We’ve seen two separate incidents of men wearing “saggy” jeans/pants onto aircraft and being removed from a flight.  Personally, I find the style a bit silly and if you expect me to take you seriously, that isn’t going to help you.  Yet, it is an urban hip hop style and it really isn’t something someone should be removed from a flight over. 

Do you seriously want me to believe that an entire aircraft is going to be distracted or upset over someone sitting in a seat with such pants on?  Let’s get real and admit that even if someone was “offended” by the style, they’ll also be quite able to get over themselves.  The airlines need not protect themselves from such styles.

Is such a dress code going to address safety?  Because once you start down that path, you may well find your lawyers advising you to do so.  I see a quite a few people wearing horrific footwear for aircraft.  Open toed shoes, sandals, and synthetic fiber made shoes are all bad when things go wrong on an airplane.  Ladies heels are a bad idea. 

Natural fiber clothes (cottons, wools, etc) versus synthetics are better because natural fibers don’t *melt* on you in a fire.  Leather shoes are far better than Nike’s latest styles because, again, leather doesn’t melt on your feet.   See my point?

Are we going to start requiring people to cover up tatoos because someone else might be offended by skin art?  You can see how this becomes a slippery path.

I really don’t think institutionalized dress codes are needed for airlines.  If you’re unaware of how to dress for an airline flight and show up in clothing that is clearly over the line, you’re easily identifiable and I really don’t care if you think you’re entitled to be an offensive idiot in an aluminum tube for 3 hours.  You aren’t. 

On the other hand, I’ve long since past learned to ignore most of the stupid going on in clothing styles and you should too.   Airline employees are, by and large, in possession of common sense.  Just let them exercise it and get over yourself.

Filed under: Airline News by ajax