Posted on 09/07/2007 8:44:17 AM PDT by Drew68
It doesn’t take much to get thrown off an airplane these days, as Kyla Ebbert found out when a Southwest Airlines employee told her she was too bare for the air. Two months later, she’s still trying to figure out what was wrong with her outfit.
In an exclusive appearance Friday on TODAY, Ebbert modeled the outfit she says she wore on the flight in question. It consisted of a snug-fitting white top with a scoop neck that stopped just short of showing cleavage.
Over the shirt was a green sweater that buttoned underneath her bosom. It was finished with high-heeled sandals and a white denim mini-skirt with a fashionably frayed hem.
It was a lot more clothing than the 23-year-old college student wears on her job as a Hooters waitress. Her mother, Michele Ebbert, said she would have told her daughter if the outfit was inappropriate.
“But her outfit is fine, Michele Ebbert told TODAY co-host Matt Lauer. “She looks like every other college girl in San Diego.”
Not according to a Southwest employee identified only as “Keith,” who approached Ebbert after she had taken her seat on the plane and was listening to the flight attendants go through their pre-departure routine.
“He told me, ‘I’m sorry, but you’re going to have to take a later flight. You’re dressed inappropriately. This is a family airline. You’re dressed too provocative to fly on this flight,’ ” she told Lauer.
“I said, ‘What part of it, the shirt, the skirt? Which part?’ “ Ebbert continued, recounting her conversation with Keith about her outfit. “And he said, ‘The whole thing.’“ I said, ‘I didn’t bring any luggage with me. I don’t have anything to change into. What can I do to make sure I can get onto that flight?’ ...”
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
The unasked question: How come she wasn’t flying Hooter’s Air?
I think she reject his pass. Sour grapes. I’ve seen much less on airplanes before.
EGPWS wrote: “If THAT was her intent, she wouldn’t have passed security...”
Granted, but how little clothing is enough to get past security? And, if security DID stop her for trying to board in the nude, wouldn’t that be unreasonable. What’s her clothing have to do with the security of the aircraft? In fact, wouldn’t less or no clothing be better from a security standpoint?
The point I’m trying to make is that lines are always drawn. It’s a fact. Some people will always push the limits. That’s to be expected. However, there was a time when we didn’t let the deviants and the profane set the community standards for everyone else. Is it really to much to ask, in this day and age, for people to dress appropriately in public?
I didn’t *claim* it was a sharia thing. I mentioned it as a possibility. The airline had no business treating her in this capricious way, given the fact that young American women dress like this quite often.
Some may not like that, but that’s the way it is. I don’t know who complained, but the flight attendent should have smiled and acted with benign neglect.
EGPWS wrote: “Sounds like a personal preference to place such labels on another.”
I didn’t call her a whore. I called her a skank: “One who is disgustingly foul or filthy and often considered sexually promiscuous. Used especially of a woman or girl.”
I’m sure she’s a paragon of modesty and virtue.
hdstmf wrote: “Just putting Helen Thomas on a plane would make all the other passengers run for the exits. Even a burka can’t hide that much ugly.”
Those who are arguing the young woman dressed appropriately cannot reasonably deny the right of Helen Thomas to board the aircraft the same way!
“Closed casket??”
Yeah, but she’s still in one of the adjoining rooms waiting for burial. She always was a big fan of James Brown...but the air-conditioning bills are killing me; and if I hear “Popcorn, Part II” played one more time on her iPod, I’ll leave her for good.
Might take Southwest and wear one of my old German-made Speedos and flip-flops and see if I can make the news too.
I saw that - if the Today Show had to pixelate her private region when she sat down, does that mean there’s too much showing to sit down on a plane, with passengers coming down the aisle getting much that same view?
And if she didn’t think too much was exposed, why did she ask for a blanket, claim she kept her legs crossed and covered with a magazine, etc.? Oh - I remember - she has a lawyer.
Tilt your screen up and you may find out
Same story, different woman as last week.<pWhat’s going on? An anti-SWA campaign?
Because they already went "t*ts up".
Yes, if a definition of appropriate attire can be achieved and implemented to the liking of all.
Why is it an issue?
You don't have to "gawk" at her attire and some may "gawk" at her attire with zestful glee. So?
The only concerning factor I see is that she may acquire the interest of the from under the rock type perverts and bring on personal issues by her preference in attire.
That's still her personal problem not anyone else's.
Back to your question, one cannot dictate what is appropriate attire based upon personal mindset. Alas, must I bring up the word "anarchy" again?
(tic...tic..) I'm eagerly anticipating the "It's for the children" mantra.
Oh, the humanity!!!!
Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.
Sandy wrote: “Anyone expecting to travel during summertime without being exposed to some bare legs is seriously deranged.”
Oh come on! Unless your definition of legs includes everything up to and including the crotch, do you seriously think this is only about bare legs? Do you REALLY think the Southwest employees selected this “lady” for no reason whatsoever? I can see it now:
George: “Hey, Sue. I’m bored. Let’s pick on passengers.”
Sue: “How about that one? (points at lady in question) She’s showing some leg! I dare you to tell her to cover up.”
George: “OK! That sounds like fun. Let me embarrass her in front of everyone, because embarrassed customers are happy customers.”
If that’s the case, I question your definition of deranged.
Dadgum. You just made me choke on a tic-tac.
My work here is done...
BUMP!
wolfinator wrote: “I don’t know who complained, but the flight attendent should have smiled and acted with benign neglect.”
I think we, as a community, have neglected this sort of crap too long. That includes me. I probably wouldn’t have made an issue out of it, but that doesn’t mean it’s right. Otherwise, how far do we let things go before we start speaking up?
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