Colleen,
Thank you for acknowledging the situation. I hope for all concerned that your message involving no dress code filters down to your employees. I also am hoping that your employees will remember this issue and unless there is a safety issue, treat their customers customers with the respect and dignity they would like to be treated if they were on the receiving end. I do believe that SWA will be encountering some more questions about employee training and the actions taken against the offending employee. Thank you again for listening and finally addressing the issue.

While I think this apology should have come much earlier than it did, I'm glad to see that SWA has apologized for it's error, and publicly admitted to the mistake.

Good job!

Debra,
Am I to interpret "SWA family member" as that you are an employee of SWA? If not, the following does not apply to you and I apologize. If so, did you read the statement by your president about NO DRESS CODE and the customer? If yes, your attitude that you are "tired" of your customers looking the way they do, just shows that you have anti-customer sentiment and are willing to degrade customers just on their looks. I am not trying to "scold" anyone here but I would suggest that you restrict your anti-customer opinions to the break room or the "water cooler" where your fellow employees can share your opinions. "Anti-customer sentiment" or degrading comments about customers on this public blog, is just going to keep this topic alive and SWA will have to field more criticism by the travelling public as to why their employees just don't get it.

I just want to say way to go!! I am really tired of women dressing like harlots. If that lady wanted to dress that way she should not have been apologized to. She knew exactly how she was dressing when she put her clothes on that morning. There were probably children on that flight who did not need to see all that mess. What kind of message are these women trying to send anyway?!!

I learned of this "news" breaking story via Fox News. I was astonished that this issue was considered newsworthy, and ignorantly brushed off the issue, simply because women now-a-days typically dress like "halloween" for lack of a better word; I think that I have been desensitized to this type of dress attire. However, I found myself in the pool of society wherein, we just "accept" certain things about our society because of its commonality, and when I found myself pondering about thsi type of "acceptance" I recoiled at my cowardice to stand up for the basic minimal standards of society, and what this society was once, dignified by.

Moreover, I became drawn to this issue and anticipated Southwest's response to all of its critics. While Southwest did excellent media and marketing damage control to diffuse this issue, I believe that Southwest did more to encourage society's acceptance of things without considering, if any, the positive, hard-nosed incentives against the acceptance of women dressing like halloween. My fiancee and I travel frequently, and quite frankly, I am disgusted to see women, from teenage girls to women--old enough to be my mother--dressing like halloween--what has our society come to, where we allow our women and encourage our women to dress so whorishly, like halloween? In short, these women leave nothing to the imagination, and they also, don't promote a positive-standard of dignity and respect for the younger women to follow as an example. What's more is that, these type of women with simple minded attitudes that "No one tells me what do, and I will do what I want to do," are same women who complain when a man calls them a whore or hoe or bitch, or cries when men treat them as second class and are used only, for one-night stands. To paraphrase Dave Chappell, "If a women is dressed inappropriately and you are really not that way, don't get mad at [us men] because you are certainly dressed in a hoe's uniform."

Southwest congrats on taking some kind of stand against what is typically acceptable, I just hope for the sake of your kids, my kids and others that this company will stand behind its employees and implement and maintain, any and all, consequences to prevent (instead of rewarding the halloween dressers) passengers (customers) who think they have a right to reveal all of their assets--which they have the right to--to discourage dressing like halloween in certain public areas; it is a matter of public policy and decency, have some decency and cover up, go home or to the club and "sport" your hoe's uniform at the proper venus.

I do believe the evil greed has hit again. Shame on SWA for backing down! It all boils down to the fear of loosing profits. Our society is truly in moral decay!

Suggestion: Please address these issues while are lined up in our ABC and prior to the beginning of the boarding process in the future. In my opinion, that's when you are the most professional and can be the most discreet as possible.

Thank you, Colleen! It is indeed relieving to know that cooler, rational heads prevail in the executive suite.

Going Like Sixty seems to think Gary Kelly "sounds like a dope". I think he sounds like a genius, making lemonade out of lemons and creating a press release that makes fun of itself in short order. Like Colleen says, the announcement was made in typical Southwest style - with flair!

WTBB

1. The tenor of the Southwest "apology" is nothing short of ridiculous. It will be seen as sexist, and frankly stupid, by many; that being so, why would SWA shoot themselves in the corporate foot a second time?. Surely any business image consultant (the profession that exploded after the Tylenol episode of many years ago) could have told the brainless CEO of SWA and other executives that a simple, straightforward acknowledgment of regret would have been far preferable. The fact of an apology would satifsy some and disappoint others, but the style of an apology should not, itself, create even more PR issues. How stupid.
2. Without a written dress code for passengers an issue like this was bound to arise. And doubtless there is no such dress code because it would be impossible to craft and also to enforce. In the absence of such a code, then, evaluation of passenger attire is left to the discretion, indeed, the caprice, of any individual SWA employee. It is patently inevitable that such a "policy" would lead to conflict and, ultimately, bad public relations.
3. The previous point is underscored by the fact that on her return flight to San Diego a SWA flight attendant complimented her on her attire, the very same attire that cause SWA flight attendant "Keith" so much heartburn earlier in the day.
4. Bottom line to those at SWA: Grow up. You are in the public transport business. Sitting for hours in a cramped metal tube at high altitude with many strangers makes for an interesting dynamic in any circumstance. Fostering employee independence is fine, but you fail your employees and the traveling public by essentially trying to have it both ways. Prompt and sincere acknowledgment of any mistake ought to be THE highest corporate priority. Someone at SWA (or many someones) has clearly been breathing thin for too long.

What a joke, you're poor attempt with the 'mini-skirt' fares is plain stupid, a juvenile attempt to cover up the fact that you 'stepped in it'.

Not surprised by some of the comments about how poorly or scantily she was dressed. I'll bet they spent a long time looking at her, long and hard before they got caught looking. Any 'decent' person who is offended by something would turn their head and move on.

I'd ask my wife and daughters to fly wearing micro minis just to test. But I'd rather not waste my money on Southworst. There are other abeit more expensive airlines who do not issue dressing lessons or burkas to their female passengers.

Kelly sounds like a dope.

He is trying to capitalize on a MISTAKE made by WN employee. If a pilot lands at a wrong airport, will he offer a special Corrigan's Folly fare?

Flair? Stupid marketing.

PS: apparently Part One of my post didn't make it for some reason (no conspiracy.)

Barrett apologized only after making some flippant and tasteless remarks. It came of as insincere. A CEO should not make jokes when apologizing.
Say your sorry, why you are sorry, and what you will do do make it right.
She did that but only after making fun of the original error.

I assumed you would wind up naming an airplane after Kyla, but maybe Hooter's Airline has the trademark on that........

Very true, some women dress inappropriately.
Does that mean that grocery stores, movie theaters, malls and such have a right to deny access to customers whose outfits are subjectively considered risquÃ

I completely stand behind the SWA employees who asked that woman to cover up! As a frequent flyer and a mother of a frequent "UM", I know from experience that there are more conservatively covered passengers out of that "96 million" and I am disappointed that more of those passengers did not speak up in defense of SWA. There is a time and a place for such attire and on an airplane is not one of them. Thank you SWA for NOT having assigned seating, because if my UM was stuck sitting next to something like that woman, I would drive directly to the corporate office and pitch a HUGE fit! Flying on SWA is a choice. Just as SWA can charge an obese person for covering too much, I hope SWA does put a dress code in effect for those that cover too little. The Dallas based crew that regularly helped my little UM to Kansas City...you are greatly missed.

Through it all-Thanks. Please back your employees and support them when necessary. They seem to put out your Company culture easily. We try not to sit next to someone dressed as the picture shows, because we are in such close quarters, it is impossible to keep from rubbing up against each other. I don't want to be saying excuse my all the time and trying to keep my eyes averted. I imagine it is quite an eyeful when she bends to get her stuff or stands up and stretches to retrieve her gear or all the body crush when waiting in the aisle to deplane. Wow.

To Southwest Airlines: Kindly stick to flying airplanes safely and efficiently. You are not the morality police. If you are sued over this mess, you brought it on yourselves.

To the ignorant Prudes who are offended by the human body, including their own: If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. Keep your morals and your long, busybody noses to yourselves --or-- take the bus, drive, or hitchhike.

I have spent a lot of money flying Southwest over the years. I'm starting to think something is wrong with you guys.

Paul, what do you mean? Do you mean there may be a time I face a similar encounter with a customer like Kyla whenever I go to work for SWA?

wow! It took two talk shows and a million blogs to do the right thing. Then, you offer her 1 round free trip. Not to mention the other woman that had the same issue. Oh well, she didn't file a complaint, so who cares right! SWA started their blog trying to demean the girl.Explaining to their readers that the skirt was so low she had issues on the Today Show. Hippocrates! Now, a 360 turn. If your lucky get in on the promotion for ten days for wearing short skirts. Maybe the women that wear to much clothing will be bumped off or asked to shorten their bust line. SWA should give Kelly a job!

SW had every right to prevent Kyla Ebbert from flying as dressed. Any fashion criticism aside, I do not want someone wearing a too short skirt with no panties to be walking past me at eye level or squeezing past me to get to the window seat any more than I want some mother changing her babies diaper on the tray table next to mine. It just isn't hygenic-especially in the confined space of an airplane. If SW is planning to allow such behavior, then every row should be stocked with Lysol and alcohol wipes.

Whatever happened to "we reserve the right to refuse service..." Yeah, like Dave Chappelle said, "if you don't want to be mistaken for a cop, then don't dress like one..." Would she have been offended if someone offered her fifty bucks for her services? Gone on TV to defend herself then? I doubt it! SWA does things differently and those who don't like it have other choices, SWAs biggest fans over the years have got to be their stockholders. Has anyone noticed that they are the only profitable airline? Obviously poor miss Kyla was SO embarassed that she felt the need to make a huge issue out of it....cha CHING! Could you see the dollar signs in her eyes as she spoke??? You bet if I still looked like that I would wear the same outfit...TO THE CLUB! I like to hide behind the whole freedom of speech and this is America thing too...I can say or do (or wear) anything I want but how dare you say anything to me! All rights belong to me, not you!

Way to go Southwest!
Some people these days have no class! I can put up with the pajamas and slippers that people wear on the planes,..... but I don't like it.
I can NOT put up with slutty girls that think not wearing underwear on a public plane is sexy.
Southwest is getting alot of flack because they are the Luv Airline and the Flight Attendants used to wear hotpants...go back and look at those outfits. Those are way more conservative that half the teenage girls that got on my flight tonight.
Put it away girls!...
And boys, I don't want to see swear words on the t-shirt you got in Mexico..or the cartoon characers having sex in 30 different positions on your t-shirt!
Please! Get some class!
Do any of you people have children?

I am upset that Southwest caved in for Kyla Ebbert. While the outcome will be a mini skit sale I think Kayla and others could dress more appropriate even in hot weather as she claimed on the news.
I have noting against a good looking woman dress a certain way but in certain situations that should not be the case as I will point out below.

Everywhere today you see women dressing skimpy even in places of worship where is the respect for oneÃ

I wouldnt ride your airline if it waw a free flight. I'd hate to be asked to cover my ankle because my sock wasn't high enough to cover my ankle. What a bunch of bulls$#t. Most of my friends who USED your airline have already switched to american, so, be as prudish as you want, its your airline. But don't whine if you don't get new flyers.

I have to roll my eyes in disgust with people like Kayla Ebberts. She only wanted Attention and she knows it. Why else do people like her dress like she did the day she flew. I attract attention by dressing classy and stylish...not trashy and cheap! A person of her intelligence does not deserve any apology - just a lesson in how to be a classy lady! Sorry that Southwest had to go through all of this. I hate to say but the customer is not always right. Thank you Southwest for running a great airline. You are my airline of choice when booking all my future travel.

All I want to do is get from one place to another. I shouldn't have to have somebody's hoo-hah in my face.

Dress like a slut, get treated like a slut.

I understand all this all happened in july so why is it on Dr Phil and in the news. Frankly after watching the young lady sit down after showing her outfit to all of us in tv land amd seeing her underwear I am just glad she had a pair on. Young wemen seem to have no respect for them selves anymore. When you are traveling on a plane with older people and young children show a little respect . Young people are so into their selves anymore they could care less about other people feeling. South West keep up the good work and stand behind your employees.

I am so happy to be a share holder. I only wish I had bought sooner. Thank you for running a great company and for your seemingly endless sense of humor.

Well, Southwest, despite alot of noise and fury, you ended up getting it right as you always do. Self-deprecating humor and a commitment to refrain from policing flyers' outfits was exactly what most of your long time customers were looking for. The extremists on both sides of the issue will never be happy, but the rest of us appreciate the way you ended up handling this.

Don't have time to read all pages but in case no one has mentioned it..... maybe a bunch of women need to show up for their next flight wearing burqas. Then again maybe they would not clear TSA security..... worth a try :-)

As I heard not to long ago regarding Sean Penn's activist role "Shut up and act"

Same applies to Southwest "Shut up and fly the planes safely and be price competitive"

People need to get over nudity period. Nudity and skimpy uncoverings do not equal a lack of morality. Its just someone's body. Just because I uncover my legs in front of you does not mean I want to have intimate relations with you. People that suggest what young people wear today is "slutish" etc. Need to raise themselves out of that horrible prudish attitude. Children do not care about all of this if they are raised correctly, they do not even bat an eye. Its the adults that get bent out of shape. Again bare skin does not equal evil.

Look and enjoy someone's beauty if you want, but get your minds out of the gutter. Yes we do wear things to get attention, all people do to some extent. There is a line between enjoying the beauty in others and "perving" after them. If you do not like what you see avert your eyes, its not that hard. Pick up a magazine and enjoy your own personal space.

I am not suggesting we should allow nudity on airlines (although that might solve a security issue or two) but just making a point about its relationship to "skimpy" dress.

PLEASE stand up for yourself!! The young lady was cute, tan, etc. but if a creepy person sat next to her she would sure expect the airline staff to do something about it then. There are places where this casual dress is appropriate, and places where it is not! My 16 year old daughter travels frequently and would not wear such a short skirt and I as her mother would not let her! It is common sense!! Why does your staff not wear the mini skirts now? Because it is inappropriate! The young lady and her parents are being very very self centered! In today's political correctness, the airline staff didn't just single this young lady out without some (I am sure unintended) provocation! I hope you don't fire anyone, and I would appreciate some modified dress code! And for the record, I've not flown your airline, and in general am not a huge supporter of the airlines these days!

I wonder whether the company would have asked a Muslim man dressed in Jihad garb to change his look in order for the rest of the passengers to feel at ease on the flight. I doubt it. Too much political PC crap for corporations to bear. Breasts, thighs, women's bodies... not good. Well, what if there's a fat guy on the plane with man breasts? Do we tell him to put on a jacket? What if Ms. X dressed in a burka goes to Vegas when it's 104 degrees out. Ms. Y is dressed in a low cut dress under the same circumstances. Which seems strange to you?

Also, when did the men in this nation leave their balls at home? I can't imagine any man asking a women like her to cover up. There is something wrong with him. After all, we get to pay a lot of money to fly in a cramped seat, get served crappy food, and the like, so I don't mind some T&A on the flight. For those of you who don't like it, don't look at it. Conservatives like me, yes some of us actually like the freedom that women have to dress sexy, have been telling liberals for years that we don't like their rock lyrics and we've been told, change the station, don't listen, etc. Now, for you conservatives and liberals who don't like women dressing sexy, move to the Middle East and see how wonderful the attitudes towards dress are over there. Women who don't like the sexy clothing of these young women are usually prudes who try to impose an inane social agenda on the rest of us or look are built like garage doors.

I weigh 300 pounds. If I show up dressed like a Hooters waitress, with a micromini, an exposed midriff, no panties, and a big stuffed bra, can I too get a free ride? That seems to be the lesson of this sorry episode.

You should have told her to cover up, quit being a strumpet for attention and stuck to it. By the way, this hooker's claim that she's a 'student' and flying all the way to Phoenix for a doctor's appointment was pretty suspect. She probably had a client to service.

I have flown SW for years but I have to admit how this skirt-gate was handled was a bit ... let's just say wrong.

First you try to kick some one off a plane for their attire, when SW has no dress code. Then SW stands behind the mis-guided flight attendants actions. Then SW does a back handed apology and uses the entire incident as a marketing ploy.

Can't wait to see your next marketing gimmick when a fat, drunk or out of control passengers is asked to leave next.

So much for taking the high road by just admitting it was a mistake all the way around. Instead SW felt the need to exploit it. GEEZ.

Please remember you are in a customer service industry. I actually flew SW because it was different from the rest. You tried to be more caring to your customers and had fun in the process.

This incident and the exploitative marketing gimmick just really shows ... you are no different from the rest and that is sad.

Regardless of what is determined as obscene or appropriate dress there is the fundamental question of how much can companies infringe on individual freedom of expression and mandate the choices that individuals make. As a business I'm sure that this is a difficult line to walk between individual rights and the perceived "greater good" of your other customers. However, as a customer, the Kayla customer story sends a "big brother" message.

Every "next" generation has been seen as provocative, different or inflammatory and Generation Y is no different. What *is* different about this generation is that they have more disposable income, are less influenced by traditional media (and more by word of mouth), and are looking to work for and endorse authentic leaders and companies that reflect their individualism. Kayla and generation Y is not going away and if you lose them, you are letting go of a customer segment projected to be larger than the baby boomers.

WOW - look at the mixed feelings - I don't think ANYONE is right or wrong. Southwest did what it had to do. What OTHER company would have done the same??? HELLO - Mattel? Wal-mart? Come on people!!! OH - and what company could turn a negative into a positive better than Southwest??? WOW! As for you frequent flyers - do you even KNOW the history of Southwest? This has happened once before with a well-known slogan the airline took from a smaller company. It ended up pretty much the same way - making light of an interesting situation! APPLAUSE and STANDING OVATION Southwest! I went online after hearing of this just to buy a ticket for SUPPORT! I feel comfortable to fly with you - you ALWAYS do the RIGHT THING!!! Just check out the stats for Customer Complaints at www.dot.gov - it's all there - PROOF!

Dear Southwest,
Unless there is an emergency, I am done with Southwest. After many years of using AND talking up your airline, I am done with both. If you were smart, you would have addressed this issue immediately, with much more than just cute slogans. All the hard work that Mr. K. did to build an example of
"a great buisness" was just thrown away. I am now putting you guys in the same catagory as the guys that charge $30,000 for cars that don't even have
descent cup holders. Why don't you change your name to "Puritan Airlines"

I applaud South Western for trying to maintain a family friendly atmosphere. I see that have apologized, but why? Many of us are tired of always being on the defensive to protect our children from provocative dress and behavior. Thanks South Western. Please don't stop or they'll soon be getting on there nude!

Please don't say you are sorry to anyone. It is about time someone, or a company say enough to the half dress dimwits in this country who walk around half naked for the world to see because they think they are all that. I for one am tired that my children are exposed to an eyefull of their private parts. If I ever get the urge to look at naked people I will go see them at their job I'm sure they will be at the nearest lounge or hooters.

I feel sorry for the passenger who has a mother who doesn't know how to direct her daughter to proper attire. Parents like her mom should be ashamed of themselves. They need to learn to grow up as well.

With your apology at Southwest, should NBC apologize for having to cloud up the screen so we couldn't tell if the all but undress woman was wearing underwear?

No apology was necessary. I am glad you seek not to offend, but come on if I had to sit next to her, you would be hearing from me big time. Would I bet the same appology? If I wanted to see what a hooter's girl wears or doesn't where, I know where to go. I chose not to. IF I EVER GET ON YOUR AIRLINE AND SEE SOMEONE DRESSED IN SLUTTY CLOTHES LIKE SHE HAD ON, YOU BETTER BE MOVING ME TO FIRST CLASS ON YOUR AIRLINE OR ANOTHER! I hope the seats are disinfected as well.

The whole situation could have been a great P.R. piece for you as an airline...you blew it!

I am humored at you lack of a spine for a CEO! I would ask that you step down for inability to stand for a moral issue. Your credibility is is gone!

I just can't help thinking there is more to this story. Things just don't add up at all!!

You should be ashamed of yourselves for not respecting the decisions of your employees. You hired them to represent your company and to ensure a good name for Southwest. Then, when they stand on moral grounds, you belittle them and their decision by making a joke and an ill-advised attempt at PR.

I agree with Mike and hope sincerely that you will bend over for your customers who prefer modesty as much as you have for your half dressed patron.

To the flight attendant who stood up and promoted modesty: Thank you for doing a good job. Maybe you and Colleen Barrett should change places. It seems you have some good common sense.

One last thing Ms. Barrett...you lost another customer.

Herb ... please don't cave to this bimbo. Our culture has coarsened enough ... no, too much!

I just wanted to comment (and this relates to the Ebberts issue) in that when I fly Southwest, I feel more often than not, that the employees are treating passengers like children instead of customer service delivered with a sense of warmth, friendliness, individual pride, and company spirit. I experienced that wonderful culture people wrote about years ago, but as of late have seen more of a maternal culture. I see passengers being "told" what to do, instead of being asked. It seems that employees are giving the impression that the customer is privileged to be flying. Company pride is wonderful, but what happened to the customer treatment?

As a business aviation graduate, I have always admired your culture. Maybe my sites were set too high from reading books like "Nuts!" I still admire those that have managed to carry on the old culture and your safety record is impeccable, but through my experiences, I don't fly for the customer service. If I fly, it is for the schedule, price, and safety record.

I still hold you in high regard for your dedication to your employees and safety, and I admire you for your apology. It's hard to hold onto such a great culture through the times, politics, and real world situations . . . here's hoping the next time I need to fly SWA I encounter that wonderful culture I read about.

It's seems it's all been said already and much better than I could; but I want to say I LOVE THE SPIN put on the skirt issue. It is clever, funny and makes the statement, without being obnoxious about just how out of control, silly and nasty situations can become. In the entire scheme of things, the world issues, it is petty - but again, love the spin SWA used to address and not ignore the event.

Am a customer who flies SWA whenever possible; as do my friends and family. Have experienced service above and beyond several times; once lost a cell phone, SWA traced it, found it and returned it on return flight; once had to change return flight, no problem and always pleasant; the list goes on and on.

Keep up the GOOD WORK

Maryann

When I first heard this news story, I was impressed that a company like Southwest was taking a stand in defense of moral values and decency. I was disappointed with your apology, Southwest- that you didnÃ

Dear Southwest:

In regards to your apology and then "skimpy sale": I, a long time customer, now will probably do everything in my power never to fly your airline again. I will also instruct all who I know to do the same. That was one of the most morally reprehensible turns I have seen a company make. You have thrown off moral decency in a futile attempt to preserve pseudo-customer relations. Children fly your airline, and you now have to answer to millions of parents nationwide. You have lost my support.

Whatever happened to our ability to say "NO," I don't find that acceptable? Frankly, I'm tired of having half dressed women (and men) shoved down my throat, and that of my 10-year-old son, no matter where I go. Wake up women! It's time to stop being so shallow that you think you have to be half dressed to get some man's attention. If that's the only way that he's interested in you, then you need to realize that he's not looking at you as a person, but as a plaything. Southwest was 100% correct to stand up and decide what dress is appropriate on their airline, just as the rest of us should be able to stand up and say what is appropriate in our restaurant, our office, our place of business and even in our schools. "Individual" rights have gotten out of control, where we're all forced to deal with uncomfortable situations so that someone's individual rights aren't violated. What about my rights to not have to sit next to some woman who doesn't have enough class to know how to dress. Believe me, it's tough raising a 10-year-old today and trying to teach him right from wrong when he has to see women displaying such poor taste on the bus, on the plane, in the shopping center, etc. Women -- put your clothes on and try attracting men with that brain of yours. Rock hard bodies don't last forever, and if you think that will get you through in life, it's time to wake up. And men, stop treating women as if they are nothing more than eye candy. Try showing some respect for women -- who are mothers, daughters, sisters, cousins, aunts, and friends.

Cheers to the person who wrote about Kyla's my space web page. Kayla looks like she is TOO busy to be a student and is busy being a swinger per her myspace. And someone like her deserves an apology.....NO WAY!
I am sorry that Southwest felt they owed her an apology.....Maybe they should have checked her My space page before and saw what they were dealing with.

colleen, i feel the flight attendant who did this should be fired, i saw the outfit on today and athis girl was dressed fine. i have seen worst. as a retired airline employee. travel quite a bit. years ago we had a dress coat, like suit,tie.
my airline no longer around. so i purchase real tickets. i also seen web sights and another flt attendant did same thing. also you pick on fat people. what;s with your airline. once again you should fire those employees for giving you all this bad pr. some of ur females flt atten dress in short skirts and tight shorts.

Is "Keith" a professionally-trained member of the "Fashion Police?" What are his credentials to make subjective decisions about a customer's clothing? Is he imposing his own values (and dress code) on SWA customers? Is he still "at it" or has he (hopefully) learned from this experience? What training and/or policy revisions has SWA undertaken to make sure its employees don't repeat this major customer relations blunder? If I were an SWA investor, I'd be "after the hide" of an employee and his supervisors (including Colleen Barrett) for endangering my investment.

My wife and/or I fly SWA regularly (usually, at least once a month, round trip). We choose SWA because of the low prices, frequent flights to our destinations and (usually) friendly and helpful employees (that's feedback for your marketing department.)

This incident will not stop us from flying SWA because of the above reasons. I expect that most SWA employees would not have taken the same actions that "Keith" did. However, the incident has diminshed our respect for the airline.

In my opinion you should have let her board the plane, but warned her that her outfit was inappriate. I do not like the idea of her hitting the talk show circuit and playing victim. Lots of people get screwed in many different situations. Why didn't she write to a SWA official instead of showing a "who is me" attitude?

Congrats to the SWA employee for exercising discernment in the best interest of all the customers. The line of decency and propriety for public appearance continually needs to be enforced, and we can't rely on the government or courts to do it.

I was on an SWA flight once with a then-famous female actor of Bay Watch. The whole plane erupted in laughter when she came out of the restroom just before landing, having stripped down to a bikini...I guess to make a grand appearance at her destination.

If a woman wants to expose her body in public, then she needs to be prepared for public reaction, which in a sensible society, is to encourage her not to do so.

I'm glad I had boys!

Bu-Bye:
Tina

As a loyal and passionate Southwest customer I was very dismayed by the Kyla Ebbert mini-skirt embarrassment.

I was even more dismayed at Coleen Barrett's defense of the employee. If an employee made a mistake, than management should acknowledge the fact and apologize for the company's (employee's) misconduct.

If Ms. Ebbert was not arrested for indecent exposure by the police than a Southwest employee should not have inserted his/her own dress code in place of the company's employee operating procedures.

An issue like this mocks the very heart of Southwest's "fun" image and it may take a long time for the harm done to be repaired.

I give CEO Gary Kelly a lot of credit for coming forward and apologizing in the manor he did for the mistakes that were made by the employee and Ms. Barrett.

Clear are the differing opinions we've had on what's right and what's wrong and why. My feeling has been that the Southwest employee acted inappropriately. The passenger was wearing something both socially acceptable and common, especially given her age. I can't assume she boarded the plane with any knowledge she was offensive to anyone. Having read through the various comments, I do find that, though my opinion is unchanged, I do respect the differing views, especially of moms (and dads) just trying to raise their kids the best they could. My feeling has become more focused with respect to the passenger being publicly (on the plane and with the knowledge of others) embarrassed than on whether her attire was acceptable or not. As a result, I believe Southwest did the right thing in apologizing. None of us should have to be humiliated because someone else doesn't like something about us. Chances are that there is someone "out there" that doesn't like something about each of us. Chances are, somewhere and at some time, very possibly oblivious to us, we've offended someone. I wouldn't feel bad if a person, for themselves or on behalf of someone else, let me know I've offended someone, even if I had no intention of doing such. What would bother me is if that person acted in a way to embarrass me. I wouldn't want that to happen to me and I don't like seeing it happen to someone else. One writer wrote that men should better respect women - they are our daughters, wives, sisters and mothers (have to read to get proper context and not an exact quote but I get the message). I agree completely. Yet we view the outcome differently. Not only do I have the opinion I do relatve to what happened, but I also have that view out of respect for my similarly aged daughters and how someone might interact with them (no, my daughters do not wear short skirts). The young woman should not have been humiliated and, even if done unintentionally, I feel Southwest acted correctly in making the apology. I'm sure you will teach your children to respect others and not try to embarrass or degrade, especially in the presence of others. Out of respect for those with differing opinions than mine, I would not object to a dress code that resulted in more conservative attire (though this may be very difficult). It's not an issue with me but I would certainly be in favor if it made others more comfortable/less offended without causing a significant infringement on the first group. Then, an individual would know what's acceptable in that setting and could be , if necessary, addressed discretely and courteously, not to mention with more objective basis, befoe he or she is in her or his seat and, like everyone else, just waiting for the plane to take off.
Joe

That's... a pretty lame apology. Not only did you not say that your employee was in the wrong and did not say what, if any, actions were going to be taken, but you classlessly used it as a marketing gimmick. Poor form, bad taste, and possibly more embarrassing to the girls who your employees harassed to top it off. Great job, there, guys. Humor not appreciated.

You do not have a dress code and allowing any employee to enforce someone else's idea of what is appropriate is disgusting. I don't dress in skirts at all, but if I did - who gets to say if my thigh to knee length is appropriate or if I should be forced to wear it at mid calf or *gasp* if showing those scandalous ankles would just distress the person next to me too badly.

Apologize with a little splash of sincerity, please. And fire the next employee who decides to partake in a little "slut-shaming" publicly with your fabulous marketing strategies.

I like flying with you. I won't until you take a solid stand on this.

Ah, apologizing in typical Southwest style. Does that mean snarky and flippant? Because that's what this press release was. The original situation of some lone, apparently easily scandalized flight attendant passing fashion and moral judgments on a young woman was, in my opinion, offensive. But to respond with a joke is even more offensive to me. I can write off one person's actions, but this press release, as the voice of the company, proves a party line and a corporate environment I want nothing to do with (especially since they, apparently, want nothing to do with me). I even called the PR office number listed at on the press release and was treated dismissively and patronizingly.

I am a longtime Southwest flier who will never fly Southwest again. I was considering it after the initial incident but this press release sealed the deal. Shameful.

Greetings,
After viewing an upcoming episode of The Dr. Phil Show, I believe the character of the young lady reveals more than her clothing, and that is revealing indeed. If anyone noticed her appearance on the Today Show with Matt Lauer, he seemed to be favoring her side of the issue as she was wearing the exact clothing she was wearing on the flight in question. Did anyone notice that the Today Show deliberately edited her skir in such a was so as to "wash out" an area of her skirt as she was standing so her panties (?) were not broadcast on camera. If it was inappropriate for television as arguably permissive as television broadcasting is these days, is it not also fair to suggest the Southwest employees were correct in censoring the live image of the same to its other passengers. While I understand Southwest's response and apology due to the realities of customer relations, perhaps taking a stand would be admired if the extra effort for standing up for conscientious policies and principles means individuals displaying bad behavior aren't reinforced for it. Nonetheless, Southwest hasn't lost a customer, but I would have supported the company whole heartedly had they stood by their employee and company policy in this case.

Nice "apology." Regardless of who was right or wrong in the first place, this apology is one of the most offensive things I've ever seen anyone in corporate America put forward. Southwest is off my list, and if I have my way, no one in my organization will fly Southwest again, either, regardless of fare.

Kyla denied Colleens (jealous of Kyla) and Gary (i'm a perv) apology! Now, I am tired of Kyla's media attention at this point. But it's nice to know that she refused Collens (wish she could wear skirts without varicose veins showing), and Garys (wish i wasn't married) bribe. Make fun of Kyla all you want, but Collen and Gary showed that they are the real "sluts".

Some have said weÃ

The first time I flew Southwest, I was appalled when I found out they treated their customers like cattle in chutes in the name of saving a few bucks. Funny how JetBlue doesn't need to do that. I put them to the bottom of my choices for flying in the future, and luckily, have never needed to fly Southwest again. Now, I find out that Southwest mocks their customers! They humiliated two of their female customers, and instead of truly apologizing, they mocked them in "funny" press releases. Of course this is only to counteract any lawsuits, but I don't care. I expect basic human respect from companies that I patronize. It's not much to ask for, especially from an airline. I'm NEVER going to fly Southwest again. I'll pay a few more bucks and fly an airline that has treated me well, like JetBlue. Besides, after reading their response to this, their management strikes me as so stupid I'm surprised they can keep their planes in the air.

Why don't you you freaks petition SWA to change their name to Jesus world airlines. I think it's ridiculous to take issue with someone because of their attire.
Just please stop it. You can't continue to "childproof" everything by
punishing adults. So your kid sees some breast ,big deal.
You think you're protecting them from nudity while still exposing them to
hours of questionable TV or video games,and feel smug
when someone chatises a young woman who
is minding her own business,and wearing what she
chooses. Good job folks!

I can't believe that instead of a sincere apology, your company wrote this woman a fake apology and then named a promotion after it - clearly you are somehow thinking this is good PR? Mini-skirt fare? Give me a break. I have decided that I will never fly Southwest no matter what. I can't believe how poorly this was handled. You all should be ashamed of yourselves.

Here are some myspace page photos of that paragon of ladylike virtue and behavior /s:

http://i8.tinypic.com/5yk43us.gif

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v251/xXxKylaxXx/Pictures405.jpg

http://72.14.209.104/search?q=cache:http://www.myspace.com/PrincessKyla

Meanwhile, to all those who bluff that they are quitting Southwest, all I can say is enjoy your higher fares and Soviet-style service on alternative airlines. Can't wait for one of you to sign up for a USAir flight. Last one I got on, they cancelled without notice as I arrived at the airport, claimed it was bad weather in a distant city, forced me to wait another whole night with huge luggage I'd dragged across a city and was exhausted from, refused to hold it for the night, gave me a crummy lying lecture on 'federal homeland security regulations' (as if stinking terrorists can predict weather and know to strike when there is bad weather in a distant city, yeah sure) and to top it off, gave zero, repeat, absolutely zero, apology, and not even an apologetic smile, just the nasty Soviet service that would have put Aeroflot circa 1972 to shame. I can't wait for one of you to get on one of those USAir flights at double the price instead of Southwest. It warms the cockles of my heart. In reality, I smell bluffing and know plenty will be back. Up until now, the only thing you needed to be sure to not do, other than join alqaida, was show up without wearing panties and parading your bare belly. Now with this Southwest apology, you don't even have to do that anymore, you can go as pantiless as you like and flash that belly so what's not to like. Meantime, enjoy your Soviet service on the dinosaur airlines of your choice.

What a ridiculous load of crap. I agree with Elizabeth above- spinning an apology into a promotion is sad, sad, sad. I was a dedicated customer for quite some time, but frankly, I'm taking my business elsewhere in light of this debacle. Unless, of course, a serious effort to fix the matter is attempted, but I'm not optimistic. So long, Southwest. Best of luck on your puritan airways. I'm out.

If only you had seen the way she was really dressed

Southwest, you should be ashamed of yourselves! First, you decide to humiliate a customer by imposing a dress code that did not exist. I originally thought this might have a single employee acting out of line to police and harass customers. Then we learn this is not the only time a customer has been harassed for her clothing as a second customer came forward. Again there was no prior dress code in place to justify any of this harassment. But THEN, to drive it all home, rather than actually apologize for these outrageous employees who harass their customers, you create a false "apology" as a promotional stunt and publicly pronounce your outright sexism!!

Apparently there may be no pre-established company policy on appropriate dress, but it is clear that you build your company policy around sexism and sexual harassment! You have lost many customers, including myself and everyone I know.

I'd like the miniskirt fare for both my husband and myself in addition to any senior citizen discount..... but I am certain that if he approached the boarding area in a mini-skirt that we would have a new media Ã

Unfortunately what Southwest failed to explain was that the girl had her skirt unbuttoned halfway up and was not wearing underwear. Furthermore, other passengers had complained and the flight attendants had no other choice but to address it. Southwest should never have apologized to her in the first place, if she was embarrassed then perhaps she should dress appropriately. On behalf of the many passengers who would prefer not to look at someone's private parts while they fly with their children (or anytime for that matter) I applaud Southwest. For those who won't fly them because of this, thank you, because if you agree with this girl then I probably don't want to see your outfit either. People should try taking some responsibility for their actions and have respect for themselves and for others, if they won't do that then good for Southwest for doing it for them.

To address some of the responses above- I think its a sad commentary on our society that people are condemning Southwest for their good judgment. It clearly demonstrates the depths to which standards in this country have dropped. I'm embarrassed for all the people who are writing to say that Southwest is being "the fashion police," they are clearly missing the point of the issue. Shame on them for being that ignorant. I'm actually appalled that any adult would have the audacity to stick up for this girl.

I agree with the last poster.

I travel frequently for work, and while I appreciate a good-looking girl in a short skirt as much as the next guy, this clearly crossed the line. She wasnÃ

Independent of how the skirt issue was handled - poor move on the marketing campaign. Your campaign has brought me to this comment, instead of checking out the fares your offering. Missed the mark.

If you ask me this has gotten way out of hand, frankly I applaud Southwest for putting there foot down. Enough is enough with the "hoochie mama" outfits. I remember when flying meant dressing up, and was a major event. Now customers abuse employees with their "customer rights". Good for the SW employee who decided that enough was enough. SW already had a customer for life with me, but now I'll go OUT OF MY WAY to fly the gretest airline in the world!

She wore that "outfit" to be noticed, and it was noticed! Obviously her media apperances are another "look at me plea"! She is only upset because she did not get the 'attention' she wanted. SWA did the right thing - they asked her to cover up! I am proud of that employee, and they should be too!

So, where is the customer dress policy on the website, or SWA pamphlets? I cannot find it. Shall all American women have to were berkas now and not show skin? Also, how was the SWA employee trained to specifically kick-off passengers. I think there needs to be a written policy and clearer direction by SWA before kicking-off passengers. If the information about what not wear or what "uniform" passengers must wear, to get on a plane is not clearly given, I think SWA was wrong. I live in the south, it is hot in the summer, it is hot at the gate with the poor ventilation at the airport, and it is hot waiting on SWA planes at the gate, I am going to wear short shorts and low tank tops. What is the difference between short shorts and short skirts?

My husband, myself and our 4 children ages 16-6, two boys (16 & 6) and two girls (12 & 10) just flew SWA a few days before this incident happened and I don't blame them one bit for asking the girl to put more clothes on. While we were waiting for our flight to come back home from vacation there was a woman wearing a very skimpy dress that was short at the bottom and low cut at the top and the first thing our 16 year old says is "EEW c heck her out!" I did and I about choked on my own tongue, one for the way she was dress and two she didn't have the body to be dressed that way. I could not believe this woman was dressed the way she was, I was offended and she wasn't even going to be on our flight thank god. Of course our daughters looked also at which point I told them that was a very inappropriate dress for any age!!!!! Show a little class people most of the people that dress that way are doing it because, for whatever issues they have, they want people to look at them. I'm not saying that the flight attendant handled this in the best manner possible, but for those of us who are trying to teach our children to have some morals and class I think it was a great thing to do. I will continue to fly SWA because they have the decency to speak up for those of us who have to look at that garbage!!!! And for those who now think they are going to dress this way just to prove a point that they can dress how ever they want I hope SWA kicks your butt off of the plane also, because you don't get to implement your lack of class on the rest of us. Way to go SWA you will be the FAMILY airline we chose for our flight destinations!!!!!!!

To the person who posted pictures from Kyla's MySpace page: What does that have to do with this situation in any way? So she posts pictures of herself and friends wearing nothing but underwear. That isn't what she was wearing on the plane, so it's completely irrelevant.

i just saw the dr phil show-at first she was happy to take the tickets and then looked upset after dr phil said this matter she be put to rest-and then gave them right back to him-even the crownd was displeased in her actions-i pray to god if this thing makes it to court that the judge laughs in her face-southwest you did the right thing i fly once a week on your airline and if i was on that flight i would have been very upset!!! what was she thinking>-there are children on that plane-she looked like she was going to some club-it just never fails-someone looking to make some cash off a big company-southwest keep up the good work-and please don't let that tramp get anything free-she makes me ill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! her mother should be ashamed...

I think this little girl needs to get over it, you dress like a hooker you get treated like a hooker! I wouldnt want to get on a plane with my little daughter and have her looking up that skirt She looks like she has been in a few pornos. She seems like a stuck up brat that is used to getting her way, i dont think you should have ever apologized to her, you should have sent her a pair of pants and an attitude adjustment. She just wanted to be on TV.

So SWA had to eat some crow. Thats good. I just hope she follows through and sues you. I still think she will collect bigtime. You need to learn that the customer is STILL always right. How does it feel, Coleen, to have your boss cut your legs from under you? I think the previous posters are right -- you and Keith should be updating your resumes.

Kylie (or whatever her name is) is just trying to get free travel. An employee made a mistake(asking her to cover her private parts) and the airline has apologized, if she truly works at Hooters I just hope karma bites her in the butt and she has a disgruntled customer that will not listen to her apology. She will not be happy til Southwest offers her free lifetime travel (including hotels and rental cars). It's always about the payout.

Southwest Executives:

I see both sides of the issue, but ultimately understand Southwest was wrong.

While it is good to empower employees to make decisions, someone that is reasonable and more qualified to over rule a decision (a supervisor) should be present when a dispute would most likely arise (i.e. this dress code case). When the dispute came up, the employee should have advised the supervisor and let the supervisor address the issue. This is a management decision, and we all know that managers go through training for typical situations, so they can resolve any potential problem with as little disturbance.

If a supervisor made the decision, the supervisor would be reprimanded by the company. The company would be in litigation with the supervisior if the supervisor was adhering to the corporate guidelines.

If the company did not support the employee or supervisor's decision, they should appologize immediately and attempt to reach a compromise settlement (compensation); again, this needs to be done immediately.

Your company (Southwest) waited over two months (from my understanding, the incident occurred in Juyly). Shame on you!

Shame on you for your employee to mention this to this young attractive lady (Jealously). When viewing this lady's outfit, she is covered up to her neckline. Her skirt is as long as your crews own shorts. The skirt is not a mini skirt.

Shame on you for your delay in handling the situation. It was unprofessional and had no immediate concern to your excutives, which work for the shareholders, whom are the employees. Ultimately, it is poor management!

Next time the excutives (anyone in management) obtains a bonus, please donate to the shareholders and ground floor workers, as you do not deserve a bonus for poor management for this situation and many other situations that I have been through.

I will do my best to fly another airline, like Virgin America.

Lastly, shame on Dr. Phil. Although I hate litigation on all levels, litigation is necessary. There are boneheads in management that end up hiring boneheads and training boneheads; therefore, you need to litigate for a company to get rid of boneheads. A company will not learn unless they pay for their mistake(s)! When you are wronged, you need to sometimes litigate to change a company's attitude or "guideline." Again, it took took two months for an appology. This young lady has made change, but it took a lot of time, effort, energy, stress, humilation, and criticism from closed minded people.

These people that criticized this young lady see people on the beach with far less. They watch family shows and soaps with far less clothing. These people are hypocrits, and all hypocrits should never be heard.

I will attempt to fly Virgin America... Thanks Dr. Phil !

Jason from Riverside, CA

I hope she doesn't sue Southwest! Even if she does, I certainly want SWA to win!

Southwest - The infamous "line up" it's A - B - C time airline! And now they are they fashion police. I am able to pay $$$$s for my ticket (which SW happily accepted), remove my flip flops and get stripped searched before ever getting to the gate, but I cannot wear a simple mini-skirt with a basic shirt and actually "board" the plane without being ridiculed by SW Airline employees who are in no position to judge me or what I wear! Unbelievable. And then the President has the nerve to comment with humor - WOW! Yes, I will be looking at other options the next time I fly. Go JetBlue!

Way To Go, Southwest!...

Southwest Airlines Communications Director Brian Lusk, you have nothing to apologize for in the issue of a flight attendant asking a skank to cover up her legs. This passenger is a gold-digger, and I......

wait wait and I had to add just one more comment it made me laugh a few comments up. "Virgin Atlantic" is based out of the UK and flys international destinations which SWA does not yet so unless your flying to the UK or other worldwide destinations you are SOL...

Maybe the situation could have been address better but HAS anyone ever know that the Contract of Carriage-Passenger states the following on page 10 "persons or whose clothing is lewd, obscene or patently offensive" can be removed or refused to transport they do have the RIGHT to do so nothing was done for NO reason there are reasons this was done!

WHERE ARE ALL OF THESE NEGATIVE COMMENTS COMING FROM?? SOUTHWEST HAS ALWAYS BEEN KNOWN FOR ITS HUMOR AND FOR PUTTING ITS CUSTOMERS FIRST. WHAT IS WRONG WITH OUR SOCIETY. I E-MAILED ALL OF THE TALK SHOWS AND MY LOCAL NEWSPAPER ABOUT HOW SOUTHWEST HAS DONE A LOT FOR THE TROOPS. THEY SENT ME CARE PACKAGES, MAILED ME A BIRTHDAY CARD, MAILED PHONE CARDS TO OUR TROOPS OVERSEAS... YET YOU GUYS WANT TO SIDE WITH A HOOTERS GIRL... THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE... THOSE THAT CLAIM THEY HAVE CHANGED TO A DIFFERENT AIRLINE...ALL I CAN SAY IS WHEN YOU GUYS GO BROKE FROM PAYING HIGHER FARES.. REMEMBER HOW MUCH MONEY YOU COULD HAVE SAVED AT SOUTHWEST.. THEY TRULY CARE FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS..

FRANCISCO

Okay, so there's no formal written dress policy on Southwest. OKay...so what would make for inappropriate dress? Perhaps if Kyla's skirt was an inch shorter...two inches. Maybe it would have been okay for her to board the plane wearing no skirt....wearing only a thong? What if someone decides to board topless? I guess that would be okay since there is no dress policy.

To all the men reading this blog: lets all board our next flight in our boxers and tighty-whities.

As a young woman who frequently travels for both business and pleasure, I was appalled to read about Southwest's recent PR release making fun of the recent incident involving another young woman being kicked off of a flight for her attire. How can you say that you're proud of your hot-pants past and claim not to be "fashion police," yet remove this paying customer from a flight? The fact that is is not the first time that this has happened is enough to make me determined never to book a flight with Southwest. I work hard for my money and I will not spend it on a company who feels justified in judging my personal fashion choices. Disgusting.

As a poster previously stated: "the Contract of Carriage-Passenger states the following on page 10 Ã

I GUESS IT JUST COMES DOWN TO CARING ENOUGH TO TRY TO DO THINGS FOR THE GOOD OF EVERYONE..I THINK SOUTHWEST HAS BIGGER FISH TO FRY BUT THE WOMAN ALSO NEEDS TO TURN THIS IN TO BRAINDAMAGE CITY..SHE WAS EMBARRESED BIG DEAL...WHAT IS THIS MOMMY HAS TO WRITE A LETTER FOR HER>>>I THINK SHE GOT ON THE FLIGHT IT LANDED IF SHE DONT LIKE IT TAKE A BUS NEXT TIME>>>>

This woman's clothing was not "lewd" or "offensive," and the way she has been shamed and mocked--and by Colleen Barrett, a woman!--is absolutely appalling. Ms. Ebberts was not exposing herself or conducting herself in an objectionable way. The latest incident, involving Ms. Qassim's attire, has made it even clearer to all intelligent observers that your company is backward and encourages misogyny.

Southwest will not receive any business from me until you begin to show respect for ALL of your customers, and I will be sure to encourage everyone I know to choose other airlines.

I fully support your staff making decisions on customer attire which does not reflect family values and uphold a standard of decency. Many who fly with you do not wish to be subject to exposure which borders on tasteless if not out right indecent.
Way to go Southwest Airline...you've got my vote and my business!

I am amazed at how shallow people can be. For those who claim to have flown with Southwest for hundreds of flights, they're going to take their business somewhere else over such silliness? Carrying 93 million passengers a year, there are going to be differences. Get over it and concentrate on the important things in life. I'm sure the company has done many great things, and to lose business over this? Crazy. I'm sure they will continue to do the great job they always have. Good for them!

My oh my, how times have changed. "Someone Else Up There Who Loves You". Trademark hot pants-Esquire Magazine- Most beautiful airline stewardesses distinction; Mermaid airplane billboards. It's a legacy of Southwest Airlines, seems to have been forgotten by many Southwest employees. It was a big part of the initial business model. The girl didn't look so much different to me than than that early day attire & corporate projection. Yes, things need to evolve and mature, we can't stop progress. But there's nothing wrong to let things happen that remind us of where we came from.

Dear Southwest CEOs and Employees,

Please brace yourselves with what I'm going to reveal. I believe the attention starved Ho (I mean Kyla Ebbert) may have some claims to sue the pants, panties or tops off you'all.

Here is a post by a member in this forum:

http://glennsacks.com/blog/?p=1142#comments

1. AnonymousPampleteer Says:
September 8th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
I think it is outrageous that this airline was interfering with this woman's right, as underwritten and encouraged by every family court in America, to do everything in her power to attract and ultimately trap in reproduction and/or marriage, some economically above-average or even upscale male on that flight.
Everyone knows that average incomes of males who fly are higher than those who take the bus, and certainly her chances were pretty good of being seated next to a male or two, and if not, one imagines that no such prospective male targets would have objected to her changing her seat in their direction if she so chose.
Here this poor, hardworking Hooters waitress was utilizing her well-developed and practiced professional skills to do what she could to attract male attention, and that nasty airline stole from her the opportunity to maximally exploit the circumstance of being a semi-clad young female on a passenger jet.
I say that she sues the airline for depriving her from the 20 year child support annuity which she surely could have trapped from some male on that flight if the airline had simply allowed her to procede without their malicious and tortious interference.
In settlement, Southwest Airlines should allow her to travel completely naked or wearing whatever scant attire she chooses on as many flights as it takes for her to trap a high-earning male, while requiring their own flight attendants wear burkas, so as to not draw any male attention away from this poor, self-esteem damaged young "lady".

I think anonymous has kyla pegged (almost). according to kayla's website she is a 23 year old college student who listed her occupation as "retired".

my first question is....how can you retire at 23 before you even finish college?

my "guess" is she has left her job at HOOTERS for something (she thinks) that will give her income without having to work for it and has found a low life attorney willing to file a frivolous lawsuite (that will clog the already overloaded judicial system-not to mention give him plenty of media coveage to draw in more skanks to lure and sue innocent victims) simply because he is apparently not smart enough to attract a real client with a valid reason for a real attorneys services.

Then comes the second question.....as I understand kyla is a frequent flyer on SOUTHWEST AIRLINES and has logged over 100 flights over the past year. SO......how does a RETIRED college student have the money to spend that much time in the air?

again I'm "guessing", but with all that's come to light about little miss Hooter-Victim-porn queen, I think her real occupation has been taking place in the air where as mentioned earlier there are plenty of above average high saleried men who are more than happy to throw a little cash around for a little X-RATED entertainment once the plane has landed. In the air-what a great place for business contacts.

kyla my unsolicited advise to you is.......get a real job and get a life!!!!

I think SWA needs to take this further.
1. Station a fashion panel at each gate to judge everyone before boarding? you must get 2 votes to board.
2. Put weigh scales and body fat testers at each gate. Exceed the norm and you're out.
3. Put a "human" box like they have to measure carry on luggage for people to squeeze into. If they don't fit, they ride in the baggage compartment underneath.
4. Odor police for those goobers in the wife beater shirts stinking up the joint, touching my arm with their hairy knuckles?

Institute al this and I will fly SWA

Seriously, SWA, your flight attendant blew this one and so did you for approving his/her actions and issuing a bogus apology.

There are much more professional methods of handling these situations. Your "recovery" team needs to be fired. Keith was just jealous because she looked better in that skirt than he does.

I would wager the only people complaining are the obese haus fraus who take up half my seat and only dream of being able to wear clothes like Miss Ebbert. They should be booted off.

Southwest says it wants to apologize if it offends any customers, but for some reason the company is having trouble doing so in a sincere manner. Southwest's apology is undermined by the conditional wording of "if we offend." There is no "if" here; Southwest did offend. Whether the offense taken by some customers is reasonable is subject to dispute, but there is no question that some customers were alienated, and humor is therefore an inappropriate response.

Southwest is also equivocating by saying it also supports its employees' abilities to make decisions. That may be good practice in general, but in this case, a decision needs to be made. Was the flight attendant acting appropriately when he asked the passenger to change clothing? I don't know, but Southwest owes its customers a thorough investigation and a clearly stated finding.

The result: This issue is far from resolved. I have no opinion on the passenger's attire. I wasn't there and cannot judge the situation fairly. Neverthless, I know an insincere, half-hearted apology when I see one, and Southwest's mishandling of the negative publicity surrounding this issue shows the limits of its corporate culture.

I think this is all ridiculous, I don't know where your employee is from but I must assume he is a religious fanatic type person. I am from Florida and that type of clothing is seen everywhere.I have boarded your flights seeing people wearing nothing more than short shorts, tube tops and flip flops and no one said anything.I was living in Dallas when your airline was regional and the definitely skimpy outfits of your flight attendants and the sometimes double entendre ads.My daughter has flown many many times on your airline and frankly was not wearing much more than the woman this happened to.
I think if you choose to cater to the religious fanatics you should immediately institute a dress code. As Herb knows you will LOSE any lawsuit if she files one and you have no leg to stand on. Southwest has lost sight of the once fun airline it was and is quickly becoming another stodgy old carrier.With all the recent changes you will soon become just another American with mediocre service and rude, uncaring personnel.

You need to work on polishing your own flight attendants and check their shorts . I could see everything on one of your flight attendants the other day when i was flying southwest.I now fly united. tiffany lewis

I feel that it was more to the story then presented and how do we know she didn't dress that way to get attention. She wore the same outfit on the today show and I feel she showed no class.

I am a frequent flyer of SWA. My children also fly every month from pbi to alb to visit their father. I would much rather have them sit next to a beauty like Kyla, than a fat disgusting passenger that has body odor. I have had many unenjoyable flights on SWA, due to the fat person sitting next to me, or teh half dead passenger that is coughing up a lung...what I wouldn't have done for a seat next to Kyla. I'd rather look at a tight shapley body than folds and folds of fat. We live in America, we are paying good money to fly, if people can't handle having their children see a woman in a mini skirt than perhaps they should leave the kids at home in a bubble. This is the real world, wake up...it's not disney world all of the time. You are bound to run in to scantly dressed woman at the supermarket, the mall, etc...so what makes a plane any different. I am now a JETBLUE passenger and so are my children, nobody tells me what I can wear, the service is impeccable, and the flights are far more enjoyable.

COME ON PEOPLE THERE IS FAR MORE PRESSING THINGS TO DEAL WITH IN THIS DAY AND AGE! ( I.E. Iraq, soliders dying, terrorism,) LETS REALLY STEP BACK AND REALIZE HOW LAME THIS ISSUE IS!

Tamra's comments show why only PR staff should be able to post and comment on corporate blogs. When all employees have access to the blog, their attempts to defend their employer almost always make things worse.

Most of the comments here, on both sides of the Kyra question, are valid. It's not important in the big picture with Iraq, etc. But it's fun I guess to take your mind off the serious issues; that's why its popular. A far more important issue is SWA change of policy against families and others who need to board first. That's a issue that will cause me to fly another airline, and I fly often. Are you listening SWA??

A lot of the comments on this site by SWA employees make it clear to me that the company lacks training. The employees completely disrespect customers.

Most companies appreciate and value their customers. Southwest employees reprimand their customers and treat them with hostility. They keep talking about their right to refuse service. Guess what, customers have the right to refuse buying tickets from your airline. How can you forget that? How can you forget that the customer comes first and pays for the tickets that pay your salaries?

I've never seen anything like it. The employee responses, more than anything, have assured that I will never fly Southwest again.

There should be no apology for asking customers to dress appropriately.
I'm sorry to say, but the manners that used to be taught years ago have been missed by at least two generations. People should not wear anything in public place, that includes a plane, that they wouldn't wear to dinner at my grandmothers house.

Natalie,

How many establishments/businesses/airlines have you been to that SAY they put the customer first . . . but don't? It's as much a cliche as "our friendly, knowledgeable staff."

If you'd read the book Nuts! by Kevin Freiberg, you would already have known that Southwest puts its employees first and customers second. I like that. Happy employees will naturally treat the customers better. Are there incidents when this isn't so? Certainly, but I bet not nearly as much as on the Dinosaur Airlines that allegedly put customers first!

The shame of this whole skirt episode is that both Colleen Barrett and Gary Kelly forgot their own philosophy when they reversed course and left their flight attendant high and dry, and I hope they've finished cleaning those eggs off their faces. And I hope "Keith" has found meaningful employment elsewhere, because "Employees First" obviously doesn't apply to him.

Once again, SWA does it.
Southwest prohibits "lewd, obscene or patently offensive" clothing. But three hours after inquiries Thursday by the St. Petersburg Times, a spokesman said the airline made a mistake and would apologize to Winiecki.

"It was inappropriate for our employee to approach Joe," said spokesman Chris Mainz. "We don't have a dress code. Only in extreme situations would we want to address this to our customers."

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/10/05/Business/Clothes_call_dings_So.shtml

And as for you, Brian Lusk, you're "Dan Fleschner" comments several months ago show your true feelings about how you like being a "fashion police". But thankfully, Colleen told you to stuff it.

Southwest is a joke.

Being a Texas based airline, it comes as no surprise that Southwest treats their customers as cattle. However, the fact that they now want to impose grandma's dresscode upon the same cattle, is nothing short of humorous. I suspect that the comment about coming "from hot pants to hot flashes" is more accurate than they care to acknowledge. Perhaps when the entire staff is pushing retirement they also start becoming fashion facists?
Anyway, one mistake might be forgiven and forgotten but when several incidents start revealing a pattern of customer abuse (cattle abuse?) perhaps it's time the company shakes up it's procedures, staff and guidelines?

This is actually about the t-shirt incident, but I didn't see that as a topic for comment, so am using the closest one I can find.

No apology to the passenger should be given. He chose to wear a shirt that he knew would be offensive to some, and decided that his sense of humor trumped commonly accepted norms of public behavior. This isn't a free speech issue, This is about whether someone has the right to subject others to discomfort solely for his own enjoyment. The answer to that is no.

This is always a sensitive issue, and trying to set specific rules for acceptable behavior is a futile exercise. However, at some point the line between humor (or "fashion") and offensive behavior is clear, as it was in this case. If you have a responsibility to provide an appropriate atmosphere for your passengers, as I believe you do, your employees must have the latitude to exercise judgment in such matters. Yes, they have to be careful and they have to be tactful, but they must act when action is needed. Your employee made the right call.

I'm not a Southwest employee nor customer because I live in the Southeast and only am able to fly about once a year to another area of the Eastern coast. I will say this though, I applaud Southwest Airlines and their employee's stances on lewd, crude and rude customers who think they can dress as skanks and annoy AT LEAST HALF of the other passengers. My hats off to Southwest and its employees for bringing to the attention those who don't have any decency or manners to know how to dress and behave in public. Perhaps if more airline personnel were to do this, mine and my children's once per year flights would be more enjoyable. Believe me, while the original skank to complain was Kyla Ebbert, I've seen even worse than her in airports and boarding planes. Now, Kyla according to me was dressed imappropriately, but again I've seen not only worse than her in public transport, but also in grocery and other stores, the workplace and on the street.

Ok Southwest, first you have the disgracefull "skirt" incident and now you make a guy change his shirt because you thought it was too "sexual" for your taste. I have been a loyal SouthWest flyer for over 10 years now and you have just lost a customer. Delta...here I come and you can thank the self rightous clothing police at SW for my business. At least I know I can fly Delta and I won't have to check with the "skirt-shirt" police to make sure I'm dressed ok. Southwest should give both of these people free flights for life but you've lost thier bussiness already. You appologized to the induviduals but that's not enough. You must assure all of your customers that they can fly and not have to strip in front of a plane full of people just to make some over paid waitress doesn't get offended. You guys have taken yourselves way too seriously but I guess you'll have to now that other airlines will get all the business you've lost...like mine.

The angle that we donÃ

Again Southwest has appologised for expecting a certain decorum from their passengers. This time about a tacky t-shirt. Yes the man has his freedom of speech, but he can also expect to have people disagree with him. As a private business, Southwest CAN demand certain standards from it's customers. Word will get around, and they will make sure they wear the proper clothes. I would make Southwest my first choice if I knew the customers were not allowed to wear obscene clothing.

[...] the Nuts About Southwest blog the post about that mini skirt flap got 235 comments. One commenter had this to [...]

Andrew, I guess my religion must bother you more than your atheism bothers me.

Debopam, your analogy falls flat. In this country, you're asked to change your shirt. In a Muslim theocracy, your hand is chopped off. *If* you're lucky. Which would you prefer?

Sidney, well said.

[...] resources, it makes a lot of sense. She also earned everyone’s respect by admitting with the recent miniskirt controversy, they didn’t handle it as well as they could have. Her self-criticism was that they [...]

Who didn't see this one coming. Kyla Ebbert posing for Playboy. It's obvious this whole scam she is pulling about being traumatized by Southwest was nothing but PR to get her name in the news. All you people supporting her are being duped.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jSxOefmTRHZjam2EDG9-BN5x5x-QD8SUHO9O1

http://www.playboy.com/arts-entertainment/features/southwest-ebbert/kyla...

Aparently you still don't get it.

I have seen the photos of what she was wearing and not yet seen an explanation of WHY someone took it on themselves to make up rules on the spot. This was not attire that would get a second look from most people.
Maybe you should compare it with some of your past uniforms.
www.businesstravellogue.com/accommodation/southwest-airlines-dress-code....

If you have a Muslim employee, can they kick off any woman without a head covering? Once you have taken people's money, changing the rules doesn't work.

If you say you don't have a dress code, then you have to accept anything that will not get people arrested. If you want a dress code, just state it. Then you are covered.

Then to add additional insult to this you create a sleazy ad campaign built around double entendres.

Can someone tell me why an A-List person get a higher boarding number than a person with no status?

I checked in exactly 24 hour in advance and I got an A-50. I understand that 1-15 are reserved for Business select tickets, but where are other 34 peoples coming from? This doesn't happen just once but almost every weeks for me since the Southwest changed the boarding procedures.

Dear friends,

We regularly fly home to see friends and family in Minneapolis, and now have business reasons to travel there as well. Northwest Airlines has an increasing monopoly on the air travel in and out of that city. Currently the cheapest 21 day advance notice, nonstop ticket is over $500.00 between Austin, TX and Minneapolis.

If anyone out there reads this that is in the decision-making position for Southwest Airlines , please consider the addition of Minneapolis to your route map . With major companies such as 3-M and Motorola having workforces in both cities, it is increasingly challenging and expensive to fly between these two cities. Given southwest's reputation of helping the consumer through competitive pricing , I see this not only is a wise business move, but as a great public relations opportunity .

Thank you in advance for your consideration, and I look forward to flying Southwest Airlines between Austin, TX and Minneapolis.

what a joke..she is stupid... you provide a service..you can deny anyone to fly as you wish.. as long as it is not racial.
she is a joke....I feel most people feel the same.....Just the media trying to get a story... go southwest.

NO IT IS NOT HER RIGHT. THE AIRLINES HAS NOT OBLIGATION TO ACCOMANDATE HER...THEY CAN SAY NO IF THEY DESIRE.....I AM A LIBERAL DEMOCRAT AND I BELIEVE SHE CAN BE DENIED.... THAT IS WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS COUNTY.....IF SOMEONE DISAGREES....IT IS DISCRIMATION. SCREW THAT....IF SHE IS A CUSTOMER SHE CAN BE DENIED