The message of a recent fedral campaign asking air travelers to treat each other and airline crews with respect has made a rough landing with flyers and late-night talk show hosts.
The campaign that asked travelers to return flying to a “bastion of civility” was met with sarcasm and some anger from late night talk show hosts and travelers.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy reiterated, defended and walked back some of his call for civility at a Newark Airport press conference Monday. He said that travelers didn’t have to go as far as wearing suits and business attire, as the video suggests.
“Dress with respect, a pair of jeans and a decent shirt, let’s try not to wear slippers and pajamas,” he said, joking that he has flown without wearing a tie.
The U.S. Department of Transportation video asks for a return to the “golden age of travel” of specifically the 1950s and ’60s over a lush Frank Sinatra “Come Fly with Me” soundtrack. It shows people in suits and dresses aboard vintage, and much roomier aircraft.
The video flips to clips of passengers fighting like guests on a reality TV show, flight attendants trying to referee and law enforcement dragging a passenger off a plane. Yes, some are wearing PJ’s.
Duffy also asked travelers to thank airline crews and to assist other passengers, such as helping a pregnant woman lift a suitcase into the overhead bin.
The Daily Show suggested air travel and the Federal Aviation Administration have bigger problems to worry about than dress codes, referring to air traffic control issues.
“Are manners the most important thing for the FAA to be dealing with right now? This would be like in the middle of Vietnam, Henry Kissinger said, hey everyone, just here to say chew with your mouth closed,” said Daily Show Host Ronny Chieng.
Stephen Colbert was more blunt, suggesting airlines bring back twentieth century amenities first.
“We’ll bring civility and manners when the airlines bring back fine dining with gourmet chefs, champagne and sky lobster,” he said, over a montage of 1950’s restaurant caliber in-flight meals. “Nowadays you’re lucky to get a pack of crumbled Biscoffs.”
But even Duffy admitted the campaign is just a request that when there are problems at the airport, it’s not an excuse to start a free-for-all.
“We can’t legislate it, I’m just making the ask,” he said, citing bad behaviors such as playing movies without headphones on and putting bare feet up on seats.
Flyers pushed back on social media, saying cramped airliner seating areas with less space than a bus are among the reasons for short tempers.
“People act that way because they pack us in like sardines,” one man wrote on Facebook
“So more legroom and meals for all will be restored?” said another Facebook user.
“So if we don’t say please and thank you, that’s why the flight was delayed/crashed?” joked another.
Even frequent flyers criticized the campaign on X.
“Listen I think everyone should be kind and respectful. But the price people are paying to sit with zero legroom on a plane from 1970 that is overbooked and people are treated like cattle after being molested by TSA…It’s real hard to put a smile on and be polite,” said one X user.
Others suggested a similar speech should be made to airport and airline workers
“No sir. It starts with the airlines and the airports. Give that speech to them. Air travel has become as dirty and uncomfortable and frustrating as bus travel. Fix that THEN you can start lecturing people on their attire,” said a Facebook user.
But Duffy had some supporters.
“I was a flight attendant for a major carrier and here’s the deal: It’s just not that hard to be nice! I diffused many a conflict with empathy and kindness. Being a passenger is NO FUN; start there!” said an X user.