I can understand the objection to bare feet but beyond that I think people should be allowed to dress as they see fit as long as they are clean and don't smell. One person's idea of what looks nice might look stupid in someone else's opinion. I certainly don't dress up for air travel as some people here do (I like to think that I am well dressed at all times anyway ) and I think those that wear suits with ties (or women in high heels) when they don't have to are just a little insecure, but then again maybe that is the attire that they consider to be "nice" and comfortable. I suggest that the easily offended start to travel in BA 1st class where you will be cocooned from the outside world in your very own little pod.

Now, does one of the resident fashion police above (those who have stated that they feel that there should be a dress code of some kind) want to explain how/if a clean pair of sneakers is objectionable? (Please DON'T assume that that is what I wear as you would be mistaken but I certainly have no objection to those that do)



[This message has been edited by Mvic (edited 08-17-2000).]

Please be specific who you are addressing your question to. Thank You.

As an earlier poster noted, there's a difference between classy and "all limbs covered."

My standard summer travel outfit when I fly the night before a meeting is a short sleeve collared golf shirt, pressed extra-long khahki walking shorts, and walking shoes. Why? Because I need that outfit the next morning(s) to get my exercise in before my meetings, and I'll wear my suit on the flight home. This approach gives me the fewest amount of clothes to pack, reiron, etc.; it's a matter of practicality.

I do not understand why the original author would be dismayed at the fact that I would choose to wear walking shorts instead of long dress slacks on my next trip.

Having said that, I must acknowledge my own pet peeves... Going barefoot in the plane. Taking ones shoes off on an evening flight without having changed one's socks before boarding. Unplanned holes in clothing. Excessive amounts of fragrance. So, I can sort of see the original authors' position. But not quite.

I seem to be the oddball out here, but my number one criteria is safety. If we have to go out the emergency exits, do I want to be in nylons and heels? No way. I've read how manmade fibers can melt into your skin and how bare legs don't do well going down the chute. Some of you are no doubt laughing at me (I guess I do sound paranoid) but you'll see me in F class with cotton slacks (jeans are good too), long sleeved cotton shirts and sensible shoes. Am I nuts?

We all spend enough time in the air to travel comfortably. For me, in the summer, that is shorts and a polo shirt (what would be considered "golf attire"). Perfect example is this weekend -- I am flying NY to PHX -- its 100+ in PHX -- so dont think I am not wearing shorts (BTW, it is in 1st).

Bare feet -- yuck. However, I will admit that I remove my shoes in flight when I have sox on (and only if they dont have any holes -- would not want to embarass mom).

Non-Rev travel -- I dont fly it but I know it is enforced. I saw a Non-Rev person admonished for her lack of a jacket in 1st class. She was told that if she ever did that again, she would be written up and loose her prividgles. The supervisor siad that if there were any coach seats available, she would have downgraded her. (This was on AA from LHR-JFK)

--Jim

When I flew for business in my early 20s, I learned that FAs *definitely* treated passengers differently based on dress -- and that was flying in coach.
A black t-shirt and Levis would get me the bum's rush treatment at the initial greeting and beverage service -- but a suit and sharply pressed white shirt usually got me eye contact, a smile, and far more attentive and respectful service throughout the flight.
Of course, that always trashed the suit for business ... after 4 or 5 hours shoehorned into a DC9, I'd be wilted and the suit would be headed for the dry cleaners.
And that was in the early '80s ... when the planes were kept clean, you stood a half-decent chance of an empty seat next to you, and FAs served hot meals and repeat beverage service.
Today, forget it ... in coach, there's just *nothing* remotely elegant about flying. The plane's likely to be dirty, the `meal' is a pre-fab half-sandwich with Burger King condiments, and a quarter of the pax look & act like cameo characters from COPS.
And, before even boarding I'm likely to be stuck cooling my heels for an hour or two in a sardine-can gate area, further wrecking any formal outfit I'd wear.
So I'll go jeans/polo shirt or even shorts & running shoes. If I'm carrying a suit, it goes in the garment bag and arrives in decent condition.
And if I'm upgraded to Biz or 1st, you can bet I'm not gonna pass that up just because I haven't thrown on a jacket and tie.
Note: This doesn't in any way defend wearing dirty or scrungy clothes, dressing sloppily or slobishly, or behaving anything less than courteously and politely. And at airports, I've seen PLENTY of guys in $1,000 suits act like Brad Pitt on a tantrum day.


Now if ya want a dress code, ya gotta change the conditions:
Give me a widebody with something humane like 36'' and a 2-4-2, seat covers that don't look like shammy rags from a carwash, FAs who aren't so weary that they treat everyone like processed meat ... give me fellow pax who aren't refugees from Wal Mart ... serve me a meal that's actually a cut *above* Orange Julius .... and then we can talk. Meanwhile, if ya want Sergio Armani, stick to Learjets and pray for revival of the Concorde.

If you want to complain about overly casual attire, let's stick to `formal night' on a cruise ...... *that's* an occasion when under-dressing is unforgiveable.

Thread is: "Flight attendants pet peeves":
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum94/HTML/002227.html

Yes tend to agree with most on the thread, the "dressing down" is too apparent these days. 4 racous teenage kids and friends in F using some of Dad's 2 zillion points, flying to Florida, schreeching inanities to each other acorss the aisle for 4 solid hours. Or noveau riche Nasdaq web investors all of 19 dressed like gansta rap stars ordering more double JD's than a mule could drink.

Flying F or C used to be once such a dressed up experience!

I can't imagine seeing Ron Howard in public without a baseball cap.

If I were a revenue First Class passenger on United today, I would too, even though the company dress code considers these "unacceptable."

I don't think a dress code is necessary. Just use common sense and consideration.

And that remark "I don't want refugees from Wal-Mart" What an insulting remark! I shop at Wal-Mart and Target so I guess I"m a refugee too.

I would never go bare feet on ANY flight. If I am in the air an extented period of time (5 hours or more) I will takes shoes off (to prevent swelled legs and feet) I carry those United grey socks and wear them everywhere (and yes they are washed with Tide and dried with Bounce Dryer sheets.) I keep my slip on shoes/boat shoes right nearby in case I need to leave right away.

If I sit next to a woman I keep me shoes ON ANYWAYS because I feel it's not classy to go running around on stocking feet in front of a lady.

I never go barefoot. It's unsanity and who knows what disease you can pick up even on the rugs.

As for dress.

Business: polo shirt and slacks... or suit if meeting is in short time from plane's arrival.
Pleasure: I try to go dressy causual. Sometimes I wear neatly pressed dress shorts and polo shirt.

I will wear my Jimmy Buffett Parrot Hat or my Red Green fisherman's cap when I'm giong to thos efun events. Like KOKO wears his Goofy hat to Disneyworld (I never had a Goofy hat! )

For Hawaii and on my birthday: my "Paradise on a Hanger" cat design Hawaiian shirt from Wanderlust." If I get the dress police after me I will top it with my Brooks Bros navy blue blazer.

PremEx is right: If I see people barefoot and in too short shorts or messy t-shirts in first I feel uncomfortable. I even would feel uncomfortable with Jennifer lopez pouring out of some skimpy thong like barely clothing.

Basically for dressing: use common sense and be considerate of your fellow passengers.

I'd like to work in my boxer shorts on my job. I do at home. BUT I can't.



[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 08-18-2000).]

Wouldn't you say that how a person dresses, whether travelling or any other time, says a lot about them? Some folks just aren't that concerned about appearance, some really are, as well as the shades of gray in between. The "are concerned" group isn't going to convince the "aren't concerned" group that something as trivial as what clothes to wear on an airplane is important. (I, myself, am the worst of the lot -- I really don't care, but I worry what those who do would think of me if I looked like the carefree slob that lurks inside me!)

Richard Hatch and I request that the Dress Code be "clothing optional."

What about those F-class flight where they give out silk sleeper suits? Compare that to how you would feel if you saw a pax in coach board wearing his/her flannel pajamas. Our perception of people is influenced by many factors, including what class of service they sit in and there appearance.

That said, the workplace dress code has relaxed much in the last five or ten years. Company CEOs may be walking arround in jeans and tshirts, and not just internet CEOs fresh out of school.

As long as you wear clean clothes that aren't too revealing, (I think socks are a must - we're getting feed, after all) I have no problem with tshirts, shorts if you must (some of these planes get pretty hot at times) regardless of the class of service you sit in.

The first time I flew internationally, I had on a suit, hose, pumps, etc, to look "nice", it was the most miserable & uncomfortable trip! I learned from that experience that there is no subsbtitue for comfort, so now I only wear what feels comfortable, and I don't take offense to what other people are wearing, because I have to believe that they are wearing what feels comfortable to them too.

[This message has been edited by Lulu (edited 08-18-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Lulu (edited 08-18-2000).]

I think the key is the difference between what is comfortable, and what is scruffy.

If I have to get on a long haul flight in a suit (say if I am going directly from office to airport) I will change either in the lounge or on board. If I can dress, then I dress casually, but neatly.

I do not tend to wear shorts or short sleeved shirts, because I find that my legs and arms can get cold, especially on long flights. I will usually wear khakis and a button down shirt.

I always wear laceup shoes (to deal with swelling on long flights) and I always bring two pairs of socks.

I think another factor is to dress for where you're going to or from... nowadays I always dress for the climate of where I am going. However, when I was less used to flying I went from Manchester to Miami in late March. In Manchester it was about 26 F and snowing so I wore winter trousers, a sweater, a jacket etc. Nedless to say in Miami it was 95 F and 100% humidity. Not a mistake to make twice.