2008 Woodie Awards
Southwest Airs Out the 'Dirty' Laundry
Claire Webster
Issue date: 9/12/07 Section: Opinion
During the last 100 years, society has changed its point of view on what is socially acceptable to wear in public. With each year, it is becoming more acceptable to wear less clothing when going out.
Granted there are rules and regulations about dress codes in kindergarten through 12th grade, it is very rare when one hears about getting lectured on an airplane because someone's outfit is considered too revealing by another passenger.
Kyla Ebbert, a college student in northern California, booked a flight with Southwest Airlines from San Diego to Tuscon for a doctor's appointment.
Clad in a tank top, sweater and mini-skirt, Ebbert made her way through the crowd, past the metal detectors and all the way to her seat without a single employee saying anything about her outfit to her.
After being seated, with her legs crossed and a magazine on her lap, a fellow passenger told an employee that Ebbert's outfit was too provocative. The employee proceeded to take Ebbert to the front of the plane and lecture her. Embarrassed, she complied with the attendant's demands by pulling up her tank top, holding her sweater closed, pulling her mini skirt down and even covering her lap with a blanket.
Since the incident, Ebbert has been interviewed by various talk show hosts and reporters, including Matt Lauer on the "Today Show." During the interview, Lauer asked her a question which alluded to whether or not other people were able to see her underwear.
In response, she stated, "No, my legs were crossed, I was sitting very appropriately."
Ebbert then continued on her way and was left alone for the remainder of her flight.
When first presented with this story, it was hard to believe. Young people today wear significantly more revealing clothes every day and are not told to change because others feel uncomfortable around them. It is a person's right to wear what they want and if someone doesn't like it, they don't have to look.
Granted there are rules and regulations about dress codes in kindergarten through 12th grade, it is very rare when one hears about getting lectured on an airplane because someone's outfit is considered too revealing by another passenger.
Kyla Ebbert, a college student in northern California, booked a flight with Southwest Airlines from San Diego to Tuscon for a doctor's appointment.
Clad in a tank top, sweater and mini-skirt, Ebbert made her way through the crowd, past the metal detectors and all the way to her seat without a single employee saying anything about her outfit to her.
After being seated, with her legs crossed and a magazine on her lap, a fellow passenger told an employee that Ebbert's outfit was too provocative. The employee proceeded to take Ebbert to the front of the plane and lecture her. Embarrassed, she complied with the attendant's demands by pulling up her tank top, holding her sweater closed, pulling her mini skirt down and even covering her lap with a blanket.
Since the incident, Ebbert has been interviewed by various talk show hosts and reporters, including Matt Lauer on the "Today Show." During the interview, Lauer asked her a question which alluded to whether or not other people were able to see her underwear.
In response, she stated, "No, my legs were crossed, I was sitting very appropriately."
Ebbert then continued on her way and was left alone for the remainder of her flight.
When first presented with this story, it was hard to believe. Young people today wear significantly more revealing clothes every day and are not told to change because others feel uncomfortable around them. It is a person's right to wear what they want and if someone doesn't like it, they don't have to look.
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