Would you fly an airline with a dress code?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oxford, Mississippi
Programs: Delta Silver thanks to Million Miles; Choice Plat., point scrounger everywhere
Posts: 1,595
Would you fly an airline with a dress code?
I remember as a kid dressing up to fly. I've flown in shorts a few times, and usually fly in jeans. BUT, when I go out to eat in a nice restaurant I wear a pair of dress pants and a nice shirt because that's what is expected. It's one of society's rules. It really doesn't hurt me not to be able to go out to a nice place in shorts and a t-shirt, and I don't suppose it would hurt me if I was told I couldn't fly in these either.
At any rate, my question is, if an airline chose as a business decision to require passengers to dress business casual, i.e., no jeans, sneakers, flip-flps, tank tops, t-shirts, etc., for men, would you fly on such an airline. I would, even though it might mean I would have to dress a little better than I currently do on some occassions. I think it would improve my overall flight experience on that airline.
I am aware that many people would not fly on such an airline and I respect that. But if an airline could attract 20 percent of the population that likes to dress neatly and likes to be around others who do the same, it would seem to be one heck of a business strategy -- certainly worth a pilot, anyway. And let's face it, on average well-dressed customers are usually more profitable to the airlines. Not always, but I judge books by their covers, because I choose not to read all books.
There are numerous studies that show that the way people dress affects their behavior and the behavior of others. At my children's school, on the days when they don't wear their uniforms, the teachers report their behavior is much rowdier. Perhaps if everyone on a plane was dressed neatly in "traveling clothes" the overall travel experience might improve for everyone.
I've love to see some research, or at least hear some anecdotal evidence, on how people in all of these air rage incidents that we hear about have been dressed. Of course, people in suits can do some pretty stupid things, too, but I'd love some stats.
At any rate, my question is, if an airline chose as a business decision to require passengers to dress business casual, i.e., no jeans, sneakers, flip-flps, tank tops, t-shirts, etc., for men, would you fly on such an airline. I would, even though it might mean I would have to dress a little better than I currently do on some occassions. I think it would improve my overall flight experience on that airline.
I am aware that many people would not fly on such an airline and I respect that. But if an airline could attract 20 percent of the population that likes to dress neatly and likes to be around others who do the same, it would seem to be one heck of a business strategy -- certainly worth a pilot, anyway. And let's face it, on average well-dressed customers are usually more profitable to the airlines. Not always, but I judge books by their covers, because I choose not to read all books.
There are numerous studies that show that the way people dress affects their behavior and the behavior of others. At my children's school, on the days when they don't wear their uniforms, the teachers report their behavior is much rowdier. Perhaps if everyone on a plane was dressed neatly in "traveling clothes" the overall travel experience might improve for everyone.
I've love to see some research, or at least hear some anecdotal evidence, on how people in all of these air rage incidents that we hear about have been dressed. Of course, people in suits can do some pretty stupid things, too, but I'd love some stats.
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: SPG GL, AA GL
Posts: 2,591
Dress code will be kinda hard to enforce. I sure won't want people to tell me to wear a suit on a 16 hr flight. But I would like airlines to start forcing people to wear shoes. I have seen so many people walking on planes with bare feet or socks or hotel slippers. And then they put their feet on seats. I think that's kinda disgusting.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oxford, Mississippi
Programs: Delta Silver thanks to Million Miles; Choice Plat., point scrounger everywhere
Posts: 1,595
Dress code will be kinda hard to enforce. I sure won't want people to tell me to wear a suit on a 16 hr flight. But I would like airlines to start forcing people to wear shoes. I have seen so many people walking on planes with bare feet or socks or hotel slippers. And then they put their feet on seats. I think that's kinda disgusting.
I'm not talking fashion police. They could have bright line rules, as in no flip flops, no sneakers, no t-shirts, no jeans.
Any airline that required a suit would soon be out of business. Not many restaurants require jackets these days! But I think a very basic dress code would appeal to some flyers (and run some off, of course).
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Department of Homeland Sincerity
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Posts: 12,085
Adamak,
I'm not talking fashion police. They could have bright line rules, as in no flip flops, no sneakers, no t-shirts, no jeans.
Any airline that required a suit would soon be out of business. Not many restaurants require jackets these days! But I think a very basic dress code would appeal to some flyers (and run some off, of course).
I'm not talking fashion police. They could have bright line rules, as in no flip flops, no sneakers, no t-shirts, no jeans.
Any airline that required a suit would soon be out of business. Not many restaurants require jackets these days! But I think a very basic dress code would appeal to some flyers (and run some off, of course).
Examples: how about enforcing weight limits on passengers? Or if I don't want to be around kids ban kids as well? How about only certain sexual orientations on the flights.
Dress code is but one aspect of socialization, and focusing only on dress code won't fly (pun intended).
#6
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Central Coast, NSW, Australia & Scottsdale, AZ
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Posts: 1,304
I think you'd be opening up a can of worms.
Examples: how about enforcing weight limits on passengers? Or if I don't want to be around kids ban kids as well? How about only certain sexual orientations on the flights.
Dress code is but one aspect of socialization, and focusing only on dress code won't fly (pun intended).
Examples: how about enforcing weight limits on passengers? Or if I don't want to be around kids ban kids as well? How about only certain sexual orientations on the flights.
Dress code is but one aspect of socialization, and focusing only on dress code won't fly (pun intended).
#7
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: PDX
Programs: AS/MVP, *Wood G
Posts: 300
Dress code, nope. Long flights, cramped planes, humid destinations - forget it. I like to be comfortable. All I ask is that what people wear is clean: nothing worse than sitting next to someone who needs a shower and/or a laundry.
#8
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: NYC
Programs: CO Gold
Posts: 470
Do you honestly believe that people who are better dressed are also better behaved?
Have you not been on a plane with a suit screaming into a cell phone? Or to a theatre with a person next to you, impeccably dressed, making noise?
I would rather fly an airline that lets people dress the way they wish but didn't allow boorish behavior. But of course these are not possible so the point is purely academic.
Have you not been on a plane with a suit screaming into a cell phone? Or to a theatre with a person next to you, impeccably dressed, making noise?
I would rather fly an airline that lets people dress the way they wish but didn't allow boorish behavior. But of course these are not possible so the point is purely academic.
#9
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 290
I fly as comfortable as possible and quite often wear jeans, T-shirt, sandals etc. season and weather permitting regardless of cabin, which also means in F or C on a regular basis. I really think that the clothes people wear is rather a poor indicator of their behaviour, manners, upbringing or whatever people sometimes (in vain IMHO) try to read into this. So any dress code airline is a complete boycott from my side, not a dime, never
#10
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: OH
Programs: AA Lifetime Plat, Marriot Lifetime Gold
Posts: 9,534
Nope, I wouldn't fly 'em.
I often wear clean nice looking work-out pants, cotton t, hoodie top and sandals on a long flight. I want to be comfortable if i'm being cramped and have to sleep in my clothes.
Again, I care more about behaviour and politeness than dress codes
I often wear clean nice looking work-out pants, cotton t, hoodie top and sandals on a long flight. I want to be comfortable if i'm being cramped and have to sleep in my clothes.
Again, I care more about behaviour and politeness than dress codes
#13
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: LAX
Programs: SPG Plat Hyatt Diamond BMI Silver
Posts: 476
No not at all especially since I love all the looks that I get sitting in f with a t-shirt and shorts on. The reactions can be pretty funny one time an older fa thought I was in the wrong seat.
#15
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: New York City
Posts: 3,999
I can't imagine caring, but of course if I got a cheap enough fare I would fly such an airline. If I were required to wear a ball gown (hopefully non-bouffant for the sake of my fellow passengers), I'd do so for a cheap enough fare.