CloverXcloveR

So, yesterday I saw this story wherein Southwest Airlines hassled a woman because they felt her clothing was too revealing for the flight.  She was showing some cleavage, but as you can see in the picture, no scary nipples were showing which is generally the rule we tend to go with as far as what’s okay to wear in public as far as  I see it and have seen.  Anyway, she was hassled upon checking in, told she would have to cover up in order to board.  Eventually she was allowed to board (the article doesn’t say how, but I imagine higher ups had to have been involved).

The article also talks about an incident last month wherein a woman missed her connecting American Airlines flight because of a disagreement about dress.  She was wearing a shirt that read “If I wanted the government in my womb, I’d f—k a senator.” and she was told that the profanity on the shirt was unacceptable, so she would not be able to fly.

It lists some other incidents in which baggy pants were an issue as well as where a man wearing women’s lingerie was not an issue.  

So, that got me to thinking of what should and should not be acceptable here.  The airlines argue that it will make other customers uncomfortable while the customer in question is practicing freedom of expression.  Any consideration one way or the other can lead one party to feel as though their rights, needs, and voices are being squashed.

What do I think the airlines should do?

Well, first of all, let’s talk about skin exposure here.  How much skin is too much skin?  I would say that anything beyond what would be acceptable at a regular pool is probably too much.  Basically, if I can see your junk, that’s too much.  We generally don’t see women’s nipples, either, so the only amendment I would make to that is please, no nipples from the men, either.  But then we have a problem about the seats.  The seats are fabric, so not as easy to clean as say a toilet seat, so I would say that you should probably cover your pelvic area a bit.  This is both for your own safety and the safety of other passengers.  You might also want to bring at least a thin wrap for your top if you’re wearing a bikini top or bra as the seat’s back could get a bit scratchy.  

Outside of that, I think no one should complain about the level of skin exposure.

Second of all, let’s talk about what’s printed on the clothing.  In school, we had rules about anything showing gang-related materials, drugs, alcohol, violence, and sex.  I would say that in the public square, most of these are not anyone’s place to regulate.  However, for the consideration of other passengers, I would think that it would not be unreasonable for the airlines to prohibit graphic depictions of sex or gore.  Those are highly sensitive triggers for some people and considering the fact that it would be hard for someone to get away if it bothered them, I would say it’s in good decency to refrain from, or at least cover up, that kind of thing on a plane.  

I think profanity and advertising your political, religious, or other views are okay.  What I DON’T think is okay, however, is something that explicitly displays, encourages, or supports violence towards someone or some group.  Imagine if you were a Muslim and sitting next to someone whose shirt was suggesting death to all those of your faith.  I certainly wouldn’t want to be near that person for the duration of the flight.  And, yes, even if that person didn’t have the shirt, he’d believe in what he thinks, but you probably wouldn’t know it till he said something and it wouldn’t be in your face the entire time.

Finally, regarding the saggy pants issue we will talk about practicality in clothing.  I don’t see anything wrong in saggy pants themselves other than my personal opinion that they look stupid.  If that person wants to wear it, and you checked before he got into the secure area that he’s not hiding anything in them that he shouldn’t be, then I don’t see a problem.  Airlines might, however, try to claim that in an emergency situation, they can become a problem to the safety of the passenger and perhaps those around him (if he falls and blocks their way, for example).  In this case, I think if the airline assumes that kind of problem, the passenger should be instructed on what to do about their clothing in case of an emergency.  Have saggy pants?  Do you have an Emergency Belt to use in case you need to have your pants at the proper height?  Have high heels?  You should remove them and carry them in case of an emergency exit - especially if we have to use our inflatable life saving devices.  Those are just a couple examples.

Above all, airlines should have a clear policy that affects all people equally.  The guidelines for what is acceptable and unacceptable should be clearly posted on the website with detailed information and a way for customers to contact someone in case of a wardrobe question.

Also, people should try to take some more consideration about what they’re wearing to the airport.  Remember that you’re gonna be around a bunch of people who can’t get away from you for a while.  Even if you are all for “I’m gonna do whatever I want because freedom of expression!!” you know that there are certain kinds of things you would not want to be sitting next to for the duration of the flight.  You know that if you were sitting next to that person, you would think they were being a dick, even if you’re supporting their freedom of expression while hating their existence.  You’re never gonna please everyone, but you don’t have to go out of your way to displease everyone, either.

I fully encourage others’ opinions on this because there’s of course no way I could’ve touched on everything nor considered everyone’s points of views here.  This is just my opinion at the moment and could change at any time in light of others’ well-stated views on the topic.