A Different Perspective
A Different Perspective
Fri, 09/07/2007 - 10:28 — Brian Lusk
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.
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Comments
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...)
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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".
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.
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.
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!
The handling of the young lady because of her attire is outrageous!!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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
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
When are you going to post a story about your disgraceful treatment of Kyla Ebberts? I hope she sues your tails off.
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.
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.
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!
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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.
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 !!!!!!!!!!!!!
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.
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!!
Can you please post your dress code policy, if there is one? I believe this was an arbitrary decision and should not be tolerated.
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.
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???
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!
Well, BrianÃ
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.
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"
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.
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!!!
yet another reason not to fly SWA
When did Southwest Airlines train its staff to become Taliban moral police?
I am outraged at the desicion to take this young woman off of the plane. I know that I will never book a flight with your company again.
Its sad that Kyla Ebert and her mother lack judgement in choosing appropriate attire... even sadder that they are attempting to profit from it.
If Southwest wants to enforce something like this, a dress code MUST be in place and customers need to be informed at time of reservation - not before take off! Southwest should make customers a priority, those that complained AND the person they are discussing. She should have been told very VERY discreetly about the concern & simply (& kindly) offered a blanket (walked up to the front of the plane - no, lectured - are you kidding?, audible for any in the plane to hear - Southwest should know better). That was horrible customer treatment. Southwest seems to have forgotten that these are paying customers & people, human beings, deserving of courtesy. That said - her skirt did appear too short, & more clearly after the "show" on the Today Show. But Southwest does NOT have a dress code. How often are other common "fashion" trends addressed with Southwest customers? Men with pant WAISTbands bellow their bottoms sharing their underwear with all? Women with low-rise jeans& underwear showing - always or just when bending over? How much is too much cleavage? I would like (love) to see all these issues addressed. But, without a dress code - that was horrible treatment, and very inconsiderate! Was this really a concern worthy of delaying a flight - and the schedules of ALL the others on the flight? And, truthfully, we barely fit on the plane with much room to spare (if you're wondering - I am thin, well within my suggested healthy BMI, and my children are thin - two are much thinner than average - as our pediatrician points out at each visit, but genetically just fortunate). So, it would be quite and accomplishment of the woman discussed here to cross & uncross her legs frequently with wide sweeping movements to warrant the kind of "show" warranting the resulting treatment of the Southwest flight attendant. I would hate to pay a chunk of money for a plane ticket and be treated that way - or for the same to happen to any of my 4 children (2 of whom are teenagers that are not allowed to dress that way). Unless this is addressed well, and quickly, by Southwest I will no longer be able to be a customer.
Are you kidding?? As an airline, I think the only legal reason you can kick someone off of the plane is if they are uncooperative, or a threat to the flight. I fly over 50 flights a year! If I had been on that flight, I would have been kicked off for being uncooperative. You need to apologize and admit your flight attendant had no authority to do what she did. Giving her free travel for about 10 years might make up fo it. You should also be suspending the stewardess (I use that term as a slap to her, she is not a flight attendant which would be the politically correct term) from her duties and send her to "reality" training. That is pathetic. I remember the flights from the 70's, does "Throwing stones and glass houses" mean anything to you guys???
Someone made a HUGE error in judgement on this one. I fly frequently with Southwest and I can tell you I have see far worse than this passenger. One young woman on one flight I was on had jeans cut so low they were at her pubic line and had a belly button ring that what highly suggestive . . . Not to mention a top that only covered the essential upper parts. There was no covering on her torso what-so-ever. You are such a great airline and do a wonderful job and NOW you need to be the great company you are, stand up and apologize to this passenger and give her a years worth of free air travel. Someone made a big mistake and your continued blather about protecting the public from inappropriate dress rings very hollow and is not evenly applied in any shape or form. Flying is hard enough these days. I love flying Southwest and I hope as a company you stand up and do the RIGHT thing . . As you attendants say at the end of the flight "there are many other airlines" thank you for choosing Southwest. Hummmmm
Thank You Southwest! You have every right to set such policies concerning attire and I believe you acted appropriately. I know many men especially, but women and children also, appreciate not having to be taunted and distracted for the entire flight by hormones (is that sexist?...., lets get real people - men know what I am saying) or discussions of whether her underwear were the right color for her outfit. Lets be real, people who are serious distractions or are difficult are removed for safety and other reasons from flights all the time and this is no different. Flying is NOT a casual affair, but a serious activity to the crew and employees of Southwest flights and they should have free reign to assure they can perform their duties properly. Where do you draw the line anyway,... can I wear a bikini while going to Florida? Anyway, .... Thanks Again for a great airline! - PJ in VA
I think "corporate" level decisions should be left for people who are supposed to have the power to make them. This is going to be a Very expensive decision made by a front line employee, and executed in Very poor taste. Who cares why it was done, it was wrong. Humiliating a paying customer in front of other customers is bad business. Your employees made a HUGE mistake. Step up, do the right thing, offer a public apology, and settle out of court, its not worth the bad PR to save face. I'd also suggest a mandatory course in appropriate customer relations for all staff members who have to deal with the public.
Get real , can this chick be this stupid . And for the person/people that compare this to breast-feeding. you're just as stupid. there is a huge difference between the two. One is saying "I'm too sexy for my clothes" The other says, "I'm feeding my baby. Of course most of you perverts think breast-feeding is something sexy. I love the lawyer getting into the action, Typical California mentality. Gonna try to make some money on this. forget it, move on and try to use just a little modesty the next time you fly or go to court or for an interview etc.
I flew SW each week for 1 1/2 years straight during 2006-07. I've seen worse, but who cares! I fly for convenience and getting to my destination. I 'Moo' like the rest of the people and don't care how anyone looks.
It was a dumb mistake - just give me the peanuts and get to to my next stop.
Even with this faux pau, SW is lighyears ahead of 'sucky' Contintential and Delta.
i, for one, applaud southwest for it's stand ... i appreciate their stance for decency and i will continue to fly southwest knowing my children and grandchildren are not going to be exposed to the *exposed*!
I applaud Southwest's decision to request this young woman dress appropriately. Your course of action will no doubt be ridiculed by a culture that mocks modesty as an antiquated relic of the past. Others will appreciate your values and place Southwest at the top of their list the next time they fly. Thanks again.
C'mon Southwest, the clock is ticking. Take the opportunity, while it is still news, to issue an apology and give the young woman some free airline tickets. Also, find somewhere else in your organization for the offending flight attendant to continue his/her Southwest career. There can be no
justification by Southwest for the way your passenger was treated.
Al.
... With all that is wrong with the nuts of the world trying to get on airlines to do what ever, you have a flight attendant that tosses someone off a plane because her skirt is "too short" and she's "offended", are you people insane? It's absolutely pathetic that that kind of thing happened to a paying passenger. Where in the ticket does it say your airlines are also the fashion police of the skys? ... I hope that you get sued and I, for one, will never fly your airlines and I will definately tell everyone I know not to fly your airlines.
Michael Lawley
Chico, CA
Sorry to disagree with so many of you, but dressing like a street walker is not appropriate attire, unless you are a pole dancer or a hooker. If she wants to be a hooker, let her take to the Hollywood streets. I for one don't want to see up her or anyone's skirt.
Look at where the sixties liberal views have taken you; you now have AIDS, a long list of other sexually transmitted diseases, rampant rape. She is advertising her body (likely has no self esteem), and most of the male comments here appear to from willing buyers.
Do mothers really want their daughters to attract men that only want sex from their daughters? Mother's know what this type of clothing attracts, don't you?
Maybe prudishness needs to make a comeback.
Hopefully, other companies will follow SouthwestÃ
All Southwest Airlines needs to do is view the interview with Matt Lauer on today's GMA and when she got up to show off her "outfit" and then sat down, you could see her crotch. That's the same outfit, but is it the same underwear? Pretty disgusting!
For the mom to be so deluted to say that that outfit is okay, you have to ask what does that girl wear out to the clubs..she should have been embarrassed - at least someone have the common sense to point out that her decision to wear what she wore wasn't a good decision for the occasion. Someone tell that girl it's okay to make a mistake and to be called on it and that she doesn't have to "get an attorney" and go on national television (to show off her crotch, again, to the public).
The girl should apologize for be so self centered as to hold up the flight for the other 200+/- passengers.
I hope that SWA let's them have it with both legal barrels and put an end to such a gratuitious lawsuit. It's just so silly that the mom and daughter have their attorney present, please! They shouldn't even have those minutes of fame!
You guys are a joke. Who made you judge and jury regarding what's decent and appropriate. You might want to take a look at some of your old ads... You remember, the ones with the "hot pants."
At the end of the day, I guess it's your airline, and you can make up whatever rules you want regarding who can fly and who cant; however, as a stockholder and a flyer, I too can have a say...
I sold my stock this morning, and I won't set foot on another of your flights, lest you decide that my apparel doesn't meet your high standards.
Reid Parker
This is about the most inane thing I have ever seen, and the fact you are even making any effort to defend it is even worse.
Has the Taliban taken over operational control of Southwest Airlines?
~Becky
People! Get a grip on your outrage. This happened to one person, and it wasn't you. Reserve your anger for use when something actually does happen to you, or for gross injustices, which this certainly was not. To use it in a haphazard manner only serves to dilute its effectiveness when you do need to express it.
I don't know all the facts because I wasn't there. Y'all probably weren't either. While on the surface it may look like the action was inappropriate, let's defer to the highly trained flight attendants who are placed there to make our flights safe and comfortable. Sometimes it takes a tough judgement call to make that happen.
I am amazed that the representative had the nerve to make a statement regarding a passenger (customer's) attire. In a business setting, public or private, that would be grounds for termination. With all the ethics and morality clauses in business today, combined with the mass of litigation regarding comments made about the attire of individuals, it amazes me that Southwest's employee guidelines does not have a section about making (or not) comments about customer's attire. As previously noted, SHAME ON YOU. I will never fly your airline again and will recommend boycotting your business to all my professional and personal acquaintances. An executive of your agency should appologize immediately via mass media. The alternative is someone else (who may be a lawyer) may do the same thing and you will end up with a lawsuit that will diminsh your name even futher. Stand up and appologize; there is no excuse for this lack of professionalism. Travel to europe or asia and see what people there wear. The ignorant attitude of your employee is a testimonial to your lack of proper training and guidance for your representatives. Where is your CRM program?????????
Personally I think if a woman dressed like this distracts you that much that you can't take your eyes off her there must be something wrong with you. It's not her fault youÃ
I don't think it is out of reason for people to have a little common sense when traveling, and dressing appropriatly. I don't think it is too much to ask for a person to wear something to cover their backside if they are going to sit in a seat that someone else has to sit in later. I don't think the airline attendents spray all the seats when everyone leaves the plane. I wish they would sometimes!! It just comes down to dressing decient, and this girls parents should have instilled better values in their daughter. Maybe she started dressing this way after working at Hooters, who knows. But she can't be whining about how she is treated when she is dressing in a way to get attention in the first place. Young lady, you set yourself up to be humiliated when you wore a skirt that showed your crotch, me and a million other people saw it on the Today show this morning!!
I can help you evaluate the accuracy of the young woman's account of the events with a simple example.
On the Today show she said, "Everyone on the plane heard ..." referring to conversation with the Southwest employee which has been reported to have taken place either "at the door of the plane" or "in the jetway."
Now, with all the ambient noise on a plane (even at the gate), how much of a private conversation at the front of the plane or in the jetway can you hear when you are seated on the plane? Heck, in most cases it's hard to even hear the flight attendant on the PA.
I am sure Ms. Ebbert was embarrassed, but it certainly had nothing to do with "everyone on the plane" hearing anything.
The fact that the Today Show had to block out her crotch as she was sitting down says it all. Her skirt was too short and I commend SWA for standing up for what they believe in. Men with short-shorts, women with short skirts or low tops should not be allowed in family friendly areas. They really should tastefully choose their outfits accordingly. Did she forget that she was not working at Hooters?
How come I can never have someone dressed like that when I fly from TUS to SAN or back?
southwest ought to be ashamed. of course they should apologize to the young woman for the embarrassment they caused her. the fact that they haven't done so already makes me very glad that i'm not an investor in the airline. if the steward who lectured her is so appalled by the sight of a woman's legs perhaps he should try another airline .....like AIR ALASKA!!!!
This is disgusting on the part or your airline. Never again will I fly Southwest and I will make sure that no one I know flies it either. You all should be ashamed. I hope the flight attendant and whoever else was involved has had appropriate actions taken against them.
Since I'm pretty much offended by just about everyone, especially when I fly, I think I'll stick with Southwest.
Judging by their policy with this particular girl (if you think she's dressed immodestly, you haven't been out in public lately. Better hitch up the buggy and head into town for a look see) I should be able to have most of the plane to myself just by complaining to the flight attendant.
Being a college student myself i am disgusted at the treatment shown in your disregard for civil rights. This young woman's attire was no different than anything myself or my friends would wear on our way to vacation. She looked like any average twenty year old. Obviously your company and the people you employ are stuck in the 40's. I will never fly with your company again and I will also inform anyone I know to do the same.
It is difficult to be able to police an issue such as this one, and it is difficult to understand what really happened after so much publicizing of the issue. However, one fundamental question is can an airline ask someone to change their personal attire because of other passengers or even flight attendants concerns? In seeing images of her skirt it is quite easy to understand that she would have been very revealing when she sat down, especially if the skirt was not pulled down as it was in the photos. As a male I appreciate Southwests concern about the appropriateness of a passengers attire when it crosses social boundaries. So I think Southwest not only had the right to ask her to change, but had an obligation to ask if they were being culturally sensitive to the other passengers. Thank you. As to how the "lecture" and the incident was handled that is something that none of us are able to comment on because we were not there to observe it and have not heard both sides of the story.
So Southwest Airlines should now be called Nazi-Airlines. I will never fly with Southwest ever again if this is the way they are going to treat their customers. I will be more than happy to spend my money on an airline that believes in American freedoms and not censorship.
Stephen, Tyler, Texas
Oh Terry, how sad. We are suppose to defer to the "highly trained flight crew ". This reminds me at best something I would have heard from a nerd in high school or at worst the type of stuff spouted in the Nazi Youth Leagues.
I think we can see how this woman was dressed. It is the type of thing we see everyday on the street, stores, restaurants, etc.
If it was just one stupid employee that decided to exercise his power that is understandable. Its the age old question of whether it is more dangerous to give some little jerk too much power or too much power to the authorities.
But it was totally inappropriate. And any attempt to justify it is so utterly lame. Hopefully it is just one isolated incident. But it is so ridiculous--that is why it is getting attention.
And deferring to the "highly trained flight crew"--give me a break.
~Becky
I am going to boycott SWA for at least 3 flights for this type of behaviour. This is suppose to be a free country where people should be able to express themself. As far as I know, we live in the US not Afghanistan. Kyla looked and dressed like a regular girl. I personally would tell her that she is wearing too much cloth.
I would imagine that SOUTHWEST has the business right to deny business to any customer. However, I believe it was a ridiculous decision by that particular flight crew to remove Kyla or to "regulate" her. SOUTHWEST's business is to provide timely and safe air transportation. I seriously doubt KYLA's attire was going to cause anyone on that flight to suffer. Suddenly, SOUTHWEST is the morality police? Should she not have been allowed to walk through the airport? Give me a break. If this is there new way of doing business, I hope they start ordering new aircraft with segregated seating by type of customer starting with a section strictly for screaming babies and toddlers. A second section isolated for smelly people. A third section for the big mouth drunks on the plane. A fourth section for air sick people. The fifth section could be for all the people that are scantly dressed. When that happens I might start flying SOUTHWEST again.
I am the parent of a 4 year-old boy. There are many things he is not allowed to view. I saw nothing inappropriate in this woman's attire. Women as pretty as her will always attract venom from some old hag. The hostesses and waitstaff at some of the most upscale restaurants we've frequented with our son wear the same clothing. Come on Herb! Belly up to the bar and offer the lady an apology.
Good for you southwest airlines! It is about time companies start standing up and saying "No, this is a family business and that is inappropriate!" I don't care if she looked just like all the other people in college as her mom says...it was still inappropriate ...
In my opinion, this young lady is using Southwest and NBC in a publicity campaign designed to land a big-bucks deal with a skin magazine.
Evidence: Her recently masked myspace page contains favorable references to FHM and Hugh Hefner, not to mention some photos that her mother should be ashamed of. This publicity scheme, if that's indeed what it is, is working very, very well.
You can learn more and join the lively debate at http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=732978
and also at http://allday.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/09/07/348617.aspx
Also, can anyone at Southwest confirm or deny the rumors about thong or even nonexistent underwear? That might change quite a few minds either way.
Kudos to Southwest for having the courage to blog this topic.
There is no excuse Southwest. None. You really screwed up! To anyone posting here that even THINKS the airline might be justified in it's treatment of this woman, I pity you. I really do.
YOU BLEW IT!!! Cut your loses and apologize to the girl AND sit the attendant (Keith?) down and pound some COMMON SENSE into him. Are you getting a clue that WE the flying public--and public in general-- are against you on this one???? I've read the posts and with the exception of the mommy wanting to protect her kids from the evils of life (if she really thinks THIS is an evil, then she AND her kids are in for a rude awakening) we are overwhelmingly in favor of the young woman who was HUMILIATED by Southwests actions. You also should fly her where ever she wants to go for a year for FREE. BAD, BAD Southwest.
Way to go Southwest! You've got my business for sure! If you don't have a dress code I hope you create one to support your making this girl cover up. I wouldn't want to sit in her seat and I wouldn't want to be anywhere near her during a flight, especially with children. I'm sure hooters is grateful for all the attention, though. They like attention whether it's good or bad. These younger girls need to grow some class and realize they should save their skimpy clothing for the hooters classy clientele.
Thank you for maintaining a respectable flying environment.
I disagree, this is crazy fudie thinking. Southwest just lost my business, about $2K a year we spend on their flights out of Nashville which from now on will go to Continental airlines. If I want to be preached too or judged I'll go to church and if I want to fly I'll go Continental!!
I agree that it is not her fault. As long as her attire is within legal constitutional guidelines who cares what shes wearing? Opinions are simply just that and nothing more and a paying customer should not be harassed because some retards are jealous they couldn't pull off the same outfit or aren't Twenty years old again. I suppose if we're going to dress not to offend anyone we can all just throw on a cloak before we leave the house eh? But if we aren't going to throw cloaks on then when you leave your house realize you are now entering the World and in the world your opinion only goes as far as the person next to you and no further. If you don't agree with what someone else is wearing turn your head. If that doesn't work for you then go home. Stop the hate on hot girls if anything take into consideration the extra fuel that a plane has to use for flights bearing overweight people. lol Seriously though this is shameful and I nor anyone I talk to for any length of time will ever bother to fly SW again. Sometimes loosing customers is the only way a company can learn to stay in their place and it seems SW has certainly lost their share of customers today.
As a parent of a teenage daughter I don't know if I was more disgusted by moms excuse making or the young womans outfit. I'm all for a cute little outfit and she is a beautiful girl but...Even on the Today Show and, I am sure on her best behavior, this young woman forced me to look at her little white panties while she tried to sit back down in her seat the whole time tugging on her skirt. Who knows how many times she"flashed" while trying to get comfortable in her seat. I am so sick of looking at these young women flashing their thongs and panties I can't tell you! Although extreme, Southwest sent a Families Values statement no one else has dared and they speak for more of us than you may think!!
This poor woman, I for one will NEVER fly your airlines again. I'm not sure if I will live up to Southwest Airline's dress code that DOES NOT exist. Southwest should be so embarassed of the action of thier employee who did this to this woman. I hope this poor women ends up owning Southwest airlines by the time her lawsuite is settled. I think that ALL of Southwest female flight attendents should dress EXACTLY like this woman, WITH CLASS. Atleast she has some, unlike your airlines.
Thank you to Southwest for acting on this inappropriate attire. We appreciate your stand for decency which is sorely lacking throughout our society these days. Our family is grateful that the airline is protecting ALL its passengers from those who would deny us our freedom to fly without having to look at the flaunted bodies of those who have no shame in baring themselves in public. We will continue to support you.
I guess my concern is the arbitrary nature of your enforcement of your policies. As a former frequent flier (pre 9/11) and now beginning to fly more, I have been charged several times for things on a return trip when i wasn't on the originating flight (I even inquired about extra fees at the gate) This method of giving individuals authority should be commended but there should be standards that are followed by everyone. As a business owner, If I cannot rely on consistent enforcement, I cannot fly SWA because I will not know from one flight to the next if my staff will be allowed to fly or charged extra.
Congratulations SWA, obviously her momma didn't teach her how to dress for travel. That was a bar-hopping-looking-to-get-me-a-date outfit. I have 3 daughters in college, and, they know what to wear for business, formal occasions, fun, etc.....
One question: if the incident embarrassed Kyla so much, why is she, and her mother and attorney, drawing more attention to the incident? Is Kyla, mother and attorney looking to try to cash in on this month's old incident? Hmmm. Makes one wonder.
As an employee of SWA, we believe in our culture that we are taught from day one - SWA is the LUV airline. Yes, back in the day, employees who were then known as "stewardesses" wore short-shorts and knee-high boots - that was the fad. But their bodies were covered.
Now, our "flight attendants" dress in casual attire - and are able to look professional while being comfortable.
I have to ask myself why the Today show hasn't aired a segment on SWA's support of our troops overseas, the LUV rations that are collected and sent to the troops fighting for our country. . .now that is a news story!
I am sure the SWA employee spoke quietly to Kyla in explaining the situation, just as we are taught when we have to speak to someone who is intoxicated and not able to fly on their chosen flight. The entire thing would have been over and forgotten had Kyla not wanted to bring attention to herself.
Only those who were traveling on the flight know for sure if Kyla had on all of her undergarments. I didn't see Matt Lauer ask Kyla to reach up. . .what a sight that would have been on the Today show!
Years ago, people put on their "Sunday best" for airline travel. Now, we are much more casual. But it is necessary to be "appropriately attired" in our casualness.
What famous Vulcan said, "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few" ? 136 other flying customers should not have to have felt uncomfortable because of the scanty nature of Kyla's outfit.
You all goofed big time -- our family flying with two children (age seven and ten) would have been more offended by your employees ridiculing a fellow passenger than by the passenger's attire. Southwest and employees involved should apologize for their unfriendly and hypocritical behavior. We will rethink our future flight plans to visit family in Vegas and Phoenix.
I think SW has really crossed the line. An airline does not have the authority to tell anyone how to dress. If the airline though the young lady was showing to much, they should have called for the police. In our society only the police have the authority to make decisions regarding whether or not someone is wearing to little as to make it leud. Then, they have to arrest and a judge review the evidence.... you get the point. Airlines do not have any authority pass that of safety. I hope this young lady sues SW for a large sum of money. Maybe then SW will get the point that they are just a business. They don't dictate social values to Americans. Oh, and I don't see me buying any tickets from this airline until they acknowledge that they were wrong and apologize to the young lady and public at large.
Thank you for the judgment call your representative made, and for backing this person's decision. It's nice that at least one company has high standards in today's culture. I have a young son. When he gets older, I don't plan on taking him to a strip club, so why should he be potentially subjected to such behavior and dress on an airplane?! I'm sick and tired of hearing about "personal rights". When is America going to stop being so selfish and have some common decency and sense?
I was apalled to see the treatment that the lady received by one of your staff, and cannot believe that this could happen. I looked at your web site and could not find anything about a dress code. I'm sure it is there somewhere, embeded in the page after page of useless information. I personally hope she sues Southwest for this slanderous treatment. The last time I was on a Southwest flight I was treated very poorly by the attendants on the plane, and am curious if it was more their complaint, or the complaint of a "prude" passenger who was likely jealous of her. Rest assured, I will NEVER fly on Southwest again. I would think with the general state of the airline industry, this would never have happened.
Southwest should be embarassed! With the industry needing to gain all the customers they can- its amazing to me that Southwest has the nerve to belittle its customers!
When did South West Airlines become the modesty police? If you are going to start enforcing Sharia law, maybe you should change your name to South West Asia Airlines.
What SHOULD she have been wearing? A Burka?! Oh, I forgot...she DID end up wearing a Burka, because she was forced to sit under a blanket for the whole trip! What is the definition of acceptable attire by any person on a SW flight? I have witnessed truly appalling outfits on almost every SW flight I have ever taken. Let's look at this honestly...extreme body odor and/or pants hanging down and showing underwear (or worse) is okay, but this young college girl's T-Shirt and Skirt were not? I am further disgusted by the fact that SW has not apologized to this poor young woman, and has indicated that they felt the actions taken by their employee were acceptable. Well, I guess that means the next flight I take on SW, it will be okay for me to require that any person sitting next to me, that I find to be personally offensive, will also need to travel under a blanket in order to make the trip (this would include screaming babies, any man in a sleeveless shirt with armpit hair showing, anyone with poor personal hygiene, anyone wearing too much perfume, anyone in yellow because I hate yellow, and anyone with a bizarre piercing, tattoo or hair color/style! This is just reprehensible! I live in a college town and this young woman was dressed better than 99% of the kids I see every single day. She should be congratulated for making more of an effort than most young people make in their personal attire, and not humiliated and embarrassed!
WOW! I just thought assigned seating was a hot topic.
West Texas Blog Boy is going to join the boycott - I'm not going to fly SWA again today, or even this weekend. There - you've lost my business for three whole days.
Wait a minute - we have guests in town, I can't go anywhere anyway.
Ah - the wonderful world of the internet. The event happened over two months ago and until two days ago, nobody had ever heard of Kyla Ebbert. Now she's on The Today Show - with her attorney - saying all she wants is an apology. Yeah, right - all she wants is a big fat jury award.
Be sure to check out the FlyerTalk posting (http://snipurl.com/KylaAtFlyerTalk) mentioned by NSX above, there are some interesting hacks to see what Kyla's MySpace profile looked like before her 15 minutes of fame started.
And last but not least, does anybody remember when SWA removed a passenger wearing an "F- Bush" T-shirt a few years back? They made the right choice then, and I'm sure they made the right choice now. It would be interesting if Southwest's legal department would let Kieth make a posting here, describing why he asked her to cover up.
And to all the people above who claim they will never fly Southwest again - we will miss seeing your cheerful faces on board. Face it, SWA is a pretty casual airline and to ask somebody to change clothes or cover up means that person had gone way beyond the boundaries. I'm guessing this situation, just like the "F- Bush" situation, was handled properly.
I am extremely dissappointed by how Kyla Ebert was treated by an airline that I have used exclusively for years. If anyone has a problem with what she was wearing that day, perhaps it is that person who has the issues here. People in this country need to grow up. We're all adults, and the kids have seen much worse. Prudish behavior like this makes us seem just like the Muslim fundamentalists that we feel our way of life is so threatened by. Too bad this type of hyprocrisy has reached the culture inside of Southwest Airlines. The little TV's in the JetBlue planes are looking more and more attractive...
I think southwest airlines are way out of line. How dare southwest airlines humiliate and degrade a young woman, or anyone for that matter.
We are the people that keep you in a job, I for one will never fly through you that's for certain. How mean of SOUTHWEST AIRLINES TO DO THAT!
Kudos to the airlines. Thank you Southwest. For someone so terribly distraught and humiliated because she was asked to cover , why did she offer to humiliate herself further by taking a flight with the offending airline for the return trip? How much is her dignity worth? By not only going back for a second helping, admitting to wearing the same outfit on the return flight, but also crying to the media months later and wearing the same outfit in front of millions of viewers she is getting what she wanted in the first place, plenty of attention.
Even MSNBC referred to the view when this "young lady" sat down as "crotch shot". Maybe she just doesn't care. It unfortunate that so many people dress like this in today's lack-of-culture. But I don't think Southwest should have gotten involved in this case. And, unfortunately, we probably haven't heard the of this story.
Since when did it become an Airline's responsability to hire fashion police? You fly, we pay. What is there to debate? If I wanted fashion police, I would ask you provide them.
When you start to post guidelines for appropriate attire on at you ticket counters, I'll start to fly Southwest again. I won't risk having my travel stop by self-appointed fashion police. Maybe you should hire the Taliban to check your passengers.
As the dad of a 16 year old girl her mom and I feel that if this was are girl we would SUE YOUR WINGS OFF! how dare you. Your flight attendents dress in shorts of that cut and we will pic another airline in till you come up with free flights for life to this girl and a very large "Were sorry and we were stupid" and this is not the middle east,,,yeesh
You can over shoot a runway or land in the wrong city, but dont you ever force your morals or some other persons morals on your paying public, and if i complained a person behind me was ugly would they have to put on a vail?
HOW VERY UPSETTING......
Everyone that agrees with Southwest either works for the airline or is a 300 lb very jealous woman. My ripped up "Rewards" card is in the mail Southwest!
Shame on you Southwest....
Learn from this mistake
Humbly apologize
Drop fares for a few months as a make up gesture
Give this gal a few free RT tickets
And join the rest of us in the modern era.
If a woman gets kicked off a plane for that than 90% of the females in highschools should be kicked out of school
Pretty sad that a airline that is usually viewed favorably would lower itself to such petty behavior. Was probably a jealous attendant.
I will no longer fly on SouthWest as their inability to treat the customer with respect proves they are not interested in my business. They allow drunks to fly to and from Las Vegas but get concerned about how an adult is dressed. I need an airline to provide me with fast, safe service not mother's advice.
Notice that 99% of posters here that actually support SWA's actions are WOMEN who didn't give their email on their posts. LOL
Women are so JEALOUS of each other's looks! Sometimes I think it borders on a psychosis.
Do any of the people here that have spoken out in support of SWA have any concept of WHY what SWA did is not right? Here is the meat of the issue:
1) SWA does not have any published dress code or published notice indicating such attire is 'inappropriate' on it's planes. A recent call to SWA was answered this way: "You can wear a bikini if you want as long as all the right spots are covered".
2) The clothing worn by the woman was way more than legal both in her originating location and at her destination.
3) The woman was given no indication her attire might be a problem until AFTER she was seated. Why? ( We all know the answer to that).
4) Customers have flown on previous flights wearing clothing that was significantly more revealing (during Halloween) and experienced no problems. Why was this girl singled out? (Again, we all know why).
5) A flight crew or passenger has NO right to demand different attire on a passenger if the airline has no posted dress code and the person is legally clothed. Period.
SWA need's to realize that, if it wants to repair the damage done by this HUGE mistake, It's going to have to make it's policies and passenger rights known to it's customers PRIOR to flight.
This woman was treated in a way that, if it were me, I would sue too. I can't believe there are some people here who can't see the error in SWA's way's. To those people, all I can say is "Get over yourself".
I am not flying on Southwest again. I do not support businesses that degrade women.
Shame on you, Kyla! I think it's hilarious she says she's embarrassed by her treatment. What, so embarrassed you'll go on NATIONAL
Thumbs down for Southwest. I've been flying your airlines for years and I was disappointed to hear about how the young lady with a mini skirt was treated . She's young and it's the summertime. Her attire was not a security threat on the plane. Sounds to me like someone from your staff was probably jealous. I bet if she was a celebrity she would not have been asked to cover up. If I wear a pair of shorts are you going to kick me off the plane?
Perhaps one of the biggest guffaws by Southwest is letting Brian Lusk post a comment on their corporate blog that takes no stance, offers no insight into the Southwest position, and just takes the incredibly spineless way out: linking to the Today Show article because, I'm sure, it mentions 3 times how short the woman's skirt was. Is this your way Brian of "communicating" with your customers? Say what you really feel -- say something -- if you have a Corporate blog. Otherwise, just let your customers post and stay out of the conversation. Your effort was a very thinly veiled way to say what you really feel (Gee...her skirt was REALLY short! There was a reason we acted liked idiots) without saying it. Unbelievably embarrassing and poorly handled all around.
WHAT IS SOUTHWEST THINKING..The official from SouthWest that did this needs to resign. I for one will not fly SouthWest again. Shameful actions on the part of Southest
Southwest shold be embarassed by their actions toward that young woman!!! She paid for the flight just like everyone else and should be able to wear what she likes when flying; some may not find it appropriate but if she is not bothering anyone else "Keith" should have just kept his out of line comments to himself. I WILL NEVER FLY SOUTHWEST AIRLINES AGAIN FOR THIS TERRIBLE DISPLAY OF CUSTOMER SERVICE!
Southwest must have a company policy that not only allows but encourages Southwest employees to insult paying customers. That is bad, bad business.
Southwest had a tv show featuring them mistreating customers. Now they are on the news doing the same thing to some poor woman who dresses in a perfectly acceptable manner.
At the end of the day, I will pay more for a flight with another airline that values customers instead of being rude to them.
I am so tired of people (male and female) dressing in a revealing manner in public. I do not think the Southwest was out of line in the least for what they did, and I applaud them. To compare this event to Muslim fundamentalists is out of line. Southwest has shown me and my family that maybe..just maybe...people should think about how they look and act in public. There are so many places that my family and I do not go just because of the indecent way of dressing of too many people. It is too bad that that girl has such a low opinon of herself that the only way she can feel important is to flaunt what should be covered.
SW - YOU WERE RIGHT and all of the uninformed and ignorant obviously didn't SEE what everyone else saw.
When the HOOTERS (Paris Wannabee) is standing on Friday on tv in her "totally appropriate" skirt look at where the TOP of it - more than half way down her hips and EVEN THEN it is so short that when she tried sit down - you see - well I hear you see her panties. . because when I saw the Today show this a.m., you see a blur - since even the tv people who were acting all sympathetic realize than this was more than a little inappropriate!!! - so they blurred her crotch!
If this is how short the skirt was with practically pulled down her a- -, what was it a BELT when it was at least on the hip bone?
GO SWA! Critics. . .just go away.
(I am a woman who as always fought and struggled against discrimiation - but just because she is female - 1. we don't have to excuse her bad behavior and 2. we don't need to see the anotomical proof that she is female!
Kayla Ebbert accidientally flashing (which she DID) and some random pervert flashing their junk on the street on order to victimize people are NO DIFFERENT in the eyes of the law. Indecent exposure is indecent exposure. If she had to be blurred on TV, just imagine what it was like in that terminal! Southwest was just protecting their other passengers. Get a grip people!
If my daughter was humiliated like this young lady was the MALE flight attendent would answer to me and the SouthWest would have one hell of a law suit. My daughters dress the same way and if some overzealous religious police wana be took her off the flight and lectured her I would have him fired!! If you want to be the religious police go to Saudi Aribia they have an entire police dept that takes care of that kind of thing. Saudi West Air anyone.
Wow !!! how ridiculous does Southwest look....I wonder how many women are lectured before their flight from the LA area to Vegas every Friday....I travel frequently from Los Angeles to the Bay Area....Perhaps I will fly JETBLUE more frequently from LA to the Bay...I will suggest the same to my business associates....
I thought Southwest was a fun airline, the people's airline? Like me your management probably grew up in the 70s & 80s, what happened to them? Have you all gotten so old over the years that you've lost touch with reality?
Get hip again SWA pulease, or you'll get the handle Staid-West Airlines! Virgin America will be laughing all the way to the bank as they pick up the younger aged passengers and even 'mature' young people like me.
An injury to one is an injury to all.
When one young woman suffers misogyny at the hands of a corporate bully as the result of a complaint of a single member of an extreme minority, we all suffer.
I can't help wonder what the next reason for persecution will be? Or who will be the next persecutor? Will I be the next one humiliated? Will you? Will it go beyond humiliation? Perhaps public punishment will be next...I don't know. Do you?
Please take to heart the words the words of Reverend Martin Niemoller,a German Lutheran monk arrested by the Gestapo in 1937...
"First they came for the unions, but I didn't speak up because I wasn't union.
Then they came for the communists, but I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist.
Then they came for the Jews, but I didn't speak up because I was Protestant.
And then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak up."
I am actually proud of Southwest for standing up for it's other customers. I wish they would show surveillance video to show how her clothes really fit on her body. I'm sure you would see her tank top above her belly button and her skirt pulled up higher. On the news you could see her panties when she sat down and you could see her rear the entire interview. I can only imagine what it was like when she was going around the airport bending over to pick something up or to arrange her belongings on the plane. They need to show some of the video to back up their decision. We support their decision!!!
your airline dropped the ball big time!!!
I am a high frequent-flyer with a couple airlines and have never flown South West. My wife and and I watch a TV show called "Airline" which depicts day-to-day events at different airports with South West. Watching the show is clear that South West's workers think that they only way to get camera time is by denying boarding to passengers. As an executive for my company I fly a lot and have never seen any of the airlines deny boarding to slightly intoxicated passengers or even passengers who look like they are on something. Your airline is the worst at discriminating based solely on appearance. This latest event (the lady on the Today Show) confirm that South West is THE WORST AIRLINE IN THE US. May Americans stop flying South West.
First, I would like to speak to most of the men who have commented on this blog then I will comment toward the ladies.
Gentlemen, it is amazing to me that you would write your comments so obviously out of your lust. Lets just stop and pretend you have a 14 yr old daughter and she started to leave your house dressed like this. Would she make it out the front door with your aproval?
Ladies, please allow me to give you a lesson in modesty. First, if underware visible it ain't modest. Second, believe it or not most men will find a modestly dressed woman more attractive over the long haul than an imodestly dressed one. They have to spend to much time and energy being insecure about the relationship (who's scamin' on my gal?). Sure imodesty will get you some pretty obvious short term attention (one night stand kind of stuff) but do you really want that?
I guess you can probably figure out my position by now. I think the call was correct, it probably was indecent when she sat down based on the pictures that I saw, however, I think the employee could have handled it better. Perhaps offering a blanket with a discrete comment about seeing her underware or something like that. Of course is someone wants to get upset they will and it would probably still made the news.
Oh puh-lease. Your FA's and "employees" need to get over themselves.
One of the reasons that I started (and continue to this day) flying SWA was it's irreverence, not taking itself too seriously, not being like every other airline and respect, nay "Luv", of the customer. I'm not sure if it's Herb or Colleen's (impending) departures that are leading to the changing attitudes, or the hiring practices of those in the HR department, but lately our beloved Southwest is starting to resemble UAL, DAL, AA, NW, etc. (i.e. the survey about paying for seat reservations)
Remember, if you start thinking you are more important than we are, we (your loyal paying customers) will leave you faster than you can say AirTran.
Offensive? Why don't you crack down on the real trouble makers - the loud talkers, the offensive b.o., the parent's with the cute little monsters, not to mention your airline's issues and delays.
I lost a lot for Southwest after hearing about their treatment of this passenger. I have always been impressed with Southwest's service, yet to hear them defend this action without any apology is quite amusing. Unless their dress code is printed on the ticket or boarding pass, I think it wrong to make a random spontaneous decision regarding one passenger's dress. Whether the skirt was too short or not, she was wearing underwear and should not have been embarassed by Southwest.
What's next? Weight limits for passengers? You're starting down a slippery slope, SWA.
What blows me away is how poorly Southwest has handled this. Look, the general consensus is that the flight attendant acted stupidly. This was not a serious issue. He made it such. Bad call, maybe he had a bad day or something. Poor judgment happens.
So Southwest comes out and...defends itself? What?!?!?!
How hard would it have been to say, "you know, our person handled this in a way that was not optimum, we want our people to make decisions, sometimes they make decisions that do not reflect our corporate philosophy, blah blah blah..WE'RE SORRY."
Instead, Brian Lusk, above, just HAS to point out that when the poor girl sat down on the Today Show, you could see her panties. Oh my. I'm sure the seat back and tray table immediately in front of her got quite a show, but for the rest of the customers on that plane....
I fly a ton. My opinion of Southwest is this: good airline, makes money, but arrogant customer service staff. It appears that arrogance is corporate policy.
SWA owes the young woman an apology. And you should fire the person who confronted her. That sort of over-reaction does not represent your company well and is indicitive of a less than professional attitude.
Or should I say MY comany as I have a significant amount of SWA stock. Depending on how this all comes out I may have taken my last SWA flight.
Saw on TV recently how hospitible you are. Saw the skirt, sold my stock.
Well from the looks of these 109 coments people arent happy about this situation. Southwest has such a reputation but this is not something I would expect from this airline. I really do hope Southwest comes out with some sort of apology.
Thank God for the employees and management of Southwest Airlines who took a stand against immodest, indecent, immoral dress. It is time businesses stop such lewd apparel in public places. If I as a paying passenger, have to tolerate such dress with my children along, I pray another airline will step forward and demand decent dress. If I wanted my children to be exposed to her harlot dress, I would take them to Hooters. I nor my husband have ever been, nor will we ever go there because of that very thing. It is not o.K. to expose such immodesty to Christians who consider it an abomination. God will bless South West for doing the right thing. I hate to think of all the men who committed adultery who looked upon her that day and on the TV.