by Jan Vroegin

Created on: September 15, 2007

Southwest Airlines is a trend setter among airlines. Sometimes trend setters make mistakes. Such was the case when Southwest Airlines asked its flight attendants to wear "hot pants" a few years back. That decision was rescinded. Now the proverbial fashion envelope is being pushed not by the Southwest corporation, but by one of its passengers.
One flight attendant asked a very exposed female passenger to cover a bit more flesh. That employee should have gotten a pay hike. Instead the insane outcome has been for more hems to be hiked and more necklines to be lowered.

Forty years ago, airline passengers actually dressed up to take any flight. Today, some barely get out of the pajamas or, worse, wear clothing that has not been cleaned in several days before taking flight.
Now, along comes a passenger seeking attention in the most pathetic way exposing her body. Her low self esteem will be cleverly cloaked in "its-my-right-to-dress-how-I-want" rantings. However, parents of small children and teenagers will be thankful that one Southwest attendant spoke up on behalf of decency.
Southwest, take a big hint. People want decency back. A scantily clad passenger should not dictate to the travel industry her "barely there" fashion sense. Throw her a blanket or, better yet, throw her off the flight.
Southwest Airlines is a private company selling travel to the public. That company can still dictate its own dress code. Employers are allowed to implement bans on certain attire in the work place. Restaurants can require a dress code of a jacket and tie. What is wrong with a respectable airlines asking its clients to dress respectably?
As a woman, as a mother, as an American, I encourage more Southwest employees to show some backbone like that one did and speak up, so more leg bones and cleavages do not become the travel norm.

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