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Too Sexy to Fly?

Posted: Friday, September 07, 2007 9:45 AM by Dan Fleschner
Filed Under:

This morning, Matt interviewed Kyla Ebbert, a 23-year-old college student who works as a waitress at Hooters. WATCH VIDEO

Two months ago, she boarded a Southwest Airlines flight from San Diego to Tucson. Before the flight took off, she was escorted into the jetway by a customer service representative, who asked her to change her clothes.

She didn't have any other clothes with her -- she had no luggage -- so the customer service rep told her to go home and change, then get a later flight. She said she had an appointment that she couldn't change, so after getting a lecture on appropriate attire, she was allowed to re-board the plane. But once back in her seat, she had to cover her legs with a blanket for the entire flight.

Kyla wore the same outfit to the show this morning (see below).

At first, when she appeared on the set, it didn't seem like her outfit was so inappropriate. It was clear that her skirt was pretty short, but it didn't seem worthy of getting a lecture from a customer service representative on how to dress.

But when she sat down, we learned just how short that skirt was -- when she flashed our national television audience. Yeah, that skirt was short.

So there are a lot of questions here. What is appropriate dress for flying? Who should decide what is appropriate? Should airlines have a dress code? And without a dress code, can an airline block someone from flying? (You can vote on whether you think this outfit is inappropriate HERE.)

Southwest did, in fact, let her take the flight, but apparently not without embarrassing her and making a scene. It seems like unless there was a particular incident or complaint from other customers, then she should have been allowed to fly without any issues.

But as we learned this morning, that skirt was indeed pretty short.

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I think it's time to bring some class back to flying.
If she had any brains she would have worn shorts or pants to protect herself.. you never know who was sitting in the seat before you and what they left on the seat ... she can easily pick up lice, mites or various other things by having all that exposed skin.
yuckkkkkk..... She just wanted to look trampy and get attention. I fly Southwest and have never had a problem ...
Matt- Let the viewers Know that when Southwest Airlines started they were known as Love Air and there Marketing technique was to put there stewardeses in hot little outfits to get people to fly there Airline. Hummmmmmmmmm and now they have the nerve to deprive us of seeing the beauty of that fine young lady.
I agree her outfit was way to revealing.I was wondering what kind of doctors' appointment she was going to. She is a very pretty young woman and I agree she has the right to wear what she wants,but there comes a time when you have to use a little common sense. She wasn't going out to a party!
If people can see your underwear when you sit down, your attire is too revealing and not appropriate for the public.
Yes, her outfit was short, but sadly, no shorter than many kids her age on a hot day.  Is someone from Southwest planning on measuring everyones skirts and shorts before they get on the plan.  Also, airline seats are tight.  Once seated, no one would have been able to see anything.  It's ridiculous that she was put through this and that Southwest has made a namby pamby response that was too "short" and didn't "cover" the embarrassment they caused her.
I personally prefer her outfit to all of the sweatpant sloppiness that I usually see on flights.  

Without a dress code, "inappropriate" is simply too subjective to constitute harassment.  As long as she is clothed in a manner that is not legally deemed inappropriate, then they have no cause for complaint.    
She was asked to get off the plane because her skirt was short enough that it's clear to most everyone they would get a crotch shot when she sat down!  I figured as much would happen before Matt even asked her to stand up....and pow!  Like I figured as soon as she sat down I got a side order of panty with my breakfast!  If she's soooo embarrased about her treatment on the plane maybe she should have just kept her mouth shut, bought a skirt that was a bit longer, and gotten on with her business, instead of publicizing it and being on national tv!  Leave the crotch shots to Britney Spears!
Both the airline and the young lady were at fault.  They should have given her the blanket and saved time for the other passengers.  This is just one example of why airlines are so delayed. They have to make everything so time consuming causing other passengers lost time.  The other passengers should be the ones complaining about the delay.  The young lady, with an obvious egotistical need for attention and grandiose behavior needs to grow up.  The world does not revolve around her.  She and her mother should be apologizing to the other passengers on the flight. If she had not thought of only herself she would have purchased clothing for the return flight avoiding future conflict.  The fact that no one delayed the return flight due to her attire speaks volumes about the efficiency of the attendants not the decency of her clothing.
The comments that I'm noticing for support of this girl seems to be from people her age. Young guys with applaud what she wore and young women will side with her to validate why they wear such short skirts. The bottom line is that women wear these skirts to bring attention to themselves. Regardless if Southwest has a dress code or not, if just one passenger felt it was inappropriate, then that's one too many. And what good what it have been to bring the person on the show who brought the complaint? I'm a black man who's 40 and I felt what she had on was too revealing. If it would have been a black woman, this wouldn't have gotten any coverage what so ever. Because she was a thin, white, blonde, Paris Hilton wanna-be, she cried fowl and felt she was done an injustice because she's white. And her mother should be just as ashame for even trying to justify why her daughter dressed the way she did. Think about people, if they had to block her crotch arear on tv, just imagine what she was showing to the people on the plane! She had a Homer Simpson moment. DUH!!!
I think her skirt is way to short, I know I wouldnt want to look at that my whole flight nor my children.
Unbelievable! Just the fact that we are debating this on national television is amazing to me. YES, YES, YES, her outfit was inappropriate. What really bothers me is to hear her own mother say that there was nothing wrong with it, she obviously has not been on the receiving end when her daughter worn that outfit!
My bigger problem is that instead of the airline having to say something about it, why can't, she and all the other women that feel they must push the limit as far as possible when getting dressed, just have a little respect for themselves and the rest of the population around them. It's a choice, she said she made sure there wasn't too much clevage showing...but then chose to wear a skirt that shows her panties when she sits down? She's a Hooters waitress, go figure! She and her mother need to reevaluate themselves, their values, and realize that the general population doesn't want to see, what you see when you visit Hooters!
This girl obviously needs attention bad..her job, her dress, her draging this thing out to get on TV, I applaud SW ...I am glad someone has some decency left..and good taste..its obvious this girl and her mother don't...even after being told she continued to wear it... please! She isn't even a pretty girl... she should cover up the crotch and the face!
Well I think she had a case until her property was exposed on National TV! Sorry she blew her chance of getting a settlement from Southwest!!!
Congratulations to Southwest and the customer who complained. Kyla obviously wanted attention that day and today, well she got it. That skirt barely covered what it should have covered. After she sat down, or tried to, I can understand why the airline asked her to leave the flight. Her Mother said she looked like any other college girl, which is true, but not necessarily appropriate. What has happened to common sense, modesty, and self respect?
I am a 51 yr old male, I also saw the live crotch shot.and her mother defending it.. she should have put on a pair of jeans.Paris Hilton wannabe...How far will it go??????
Perhaps her skirt was too short perhaps not.  Each individual has their own opinion.  But lets apply the same rule that we apply to guys sagging.  If I must see their underwear what's wrong with her underwear?  Sagging is promoted as the freedom of choice to dress as one wants, so this young woman should be given that choice also.  If she were my daughter I would have suggested she might have wanted to wear a skirt somewhat longer, but in the end it is her choice.
A "skirt" uh excuse me. That is not enough fabric to make a pair of shorts much less a whole "skirt".  And shame on her mother for her "she is dressed like all other college girls" - does that make the skirt any less offensive? This girl works at Hooters? No wonder her sense of style is street walker cheap.
Southwest does need to have some sort of policy in place regarding acceptable attire for their flights, just so this "issue" is addressed in the future. The mother and daughter are both looking for attention.  Had I been on this flight with my 11  year old son--I would have had an issue with this girls attire. Her top was fine, but the skirt....Please. It barely qualifies as a "skirt". It is a patch of denim hangin on (barely) to her hips. I guarantee she had it pulled down for the show and even then they had to blur out her crotch because it was unavoidable to not see it all. I think the airline could have handle it more discreetly, but sometimes a little embaressment will teach you a lesson. Think of how the other passengers felt, how do you explain something like that to your child? I only hope someone calls her and her mother out on air, since she is seeking the limelight on this issue. The skirt is too short and they had a right to ask her to change. They allowed her cover up due to not being able to take another flight or change. Get over it and learn to cover up your private parts. If you have to concentrate on keeping your legs crossed or keeping your purse in your lap then that might be a clue that your skirt is too short. The excuse that it is what the average college girl is wearing is ridiculous. It is what you see the average Hooters waitress wearing though.
Apparently SW Airlines hasn't been out in public for quite some time. This is normal dress for todays teens and twenty year olds.
(kind of a slow news day, eh?) the oh-so-obvious crotch shot as kyla sat down was completely cut out of the next airing. nbc has cast its vote, and i'm with you; but southwest should have spoken up sooner!
I think she proves Southwests point by wearing the outfit on National TV.  I'm just glad there were no flys in the studio they would have been all over her exposed crotch.  
She may have said that she had her legs crossed the entire time but she certainly does not know how to sit down like a lady. This was evident by the legs wide open crotch shot we all saw at when it aired the first time.   With that being said, even while she was sitting, it was clearly still too short as you could see clear to her butt cheek.
Other than the skirt button was on her pubic bone, the shirt covered her hips down to her pubic bone and she probably didn't have the skirt pulled down that far when she boarded the plane and the TV camera blurred her crouch when she sat down, what can I say? A 23 year old with that skirt and top looks like she had a seduction appt with her doctor - or at least wss trying real hard.  Disgusting!!
Ok, I watched the video just because of all the fuss over the crotch-shot.  Honestly...if you people think that's a crotch-shot (blurred or otherwise), you need to follow the Britney Spears paparazzi more.  

This girl is cute; she's not the best looking thing I've ever seen, but she's stylish, average weight and obviously makes an effort to keep her appearance nice.  She was wearing underwear (from what little I was able to see in the video) that is more conservative than some bikinis sold these days - perhaps she should have worn a day-glo bikini under that white dress instead?  Would that have made people happy, if they'd have been able to see everything rather than basically nothing?

I'll hazard a guess that some crabby, middle-aged woman was irritated that she's never going to be that cute and decided to take it out on that particular girl that day.  She said right out there were no problems on the return flight, so it was obviously just ONE customer out of everyone who flew that day.  

This country needs to learn how to grow up and quit looking at things that tick them off.  If you have a problem seeing girls' panties, then don't look at the end of their skirts when they're sitting down!  I sometimes unintentionally flash people with skirts that are below my knees just because it takes me a minute to get comfortable in my seat and adjust my clothes.  

And for those questioning why she tugged the end of her skirt as she stood up in the video - try wearing a skirt made of a stiff material like denim, heavy cotton, leather, etc.  They bend upward when you sit and STAY that way.  If you don't want to look like you're being suggestive, you tug the end of the skirt back into place rather than smoothing it.  If you have a problem with THAT, take it up with the clothing manufacturers, not the person who wears the clothes.  I assure you, most women would prefer to have fabric that flows nicely and clings comfortably rather than shaping itself by how it's creased.
The airline wouldn't have cameras at crotch level like in the television studio. Unless there was someone hiding underneath her seat, nobody on the plane would have seen anything when she sat down
Come on, that outfit was not that bad.  People this is the country that invented the mini-skirt.  People who are appalled by this are jealous prudes who wish they looked that good at 23.  It is sexy and tasteful, and the lawyer nailed it right on the nose, if she had been a celebrity, no one would have cared, and the airlines would have kissed her butt, instead of kicking it.  Now the media has given her 15 minutes of fame, thanks to an airline that promoted their own stewardess's wearing mini-skirts back in 70's.  If we are all so offended, we can dress our women in black complete with veils.  Wake up America; she is an innocent nobody that got caught up in our own prudishness.  Anyone still remember this is the land of the free...
Like everyone else, I thought it was hilariously ironic to invite this young woman on the show to explain her 'plight' and defend her attire, only to have the NBC censor pixelate her crotch area when she sat down.  Why attractive women need to dress this way to get attention is beyond me.  If you don't respect for yourself, at least respect the person who has to use public seating after you.  Good call Southwestern.
It was very obvious that her skirt IS extremely short, she did give a CROTCH SHOT of her white pantie's as she sat down on the set, and her mama instead of telling her she was obviously showing way too much 'stuff' in public and she looked like a tramp, instead gets a lawyer and supports her trampy daughters 'position'. Gee, I wonder where the girl gets her values. The skirt might be O.K. in a nightclup during spring Break when the 'o-bags come out of the woodwork and hit the clubs, but it really was questionable for airline travel. But, if she likes the attention, (and she does - otherwise why the appearance on the show ?) and she doesn't mind people getting freebie shots of her crotch, then so be it. But she should quit trying to play the offended poor little girl when people notice. As Matt asked,  if she was so friggin offended, then why did she use the same airline and wear the same outfit on the return flight. Her mamma outa sit back and like at her daughter for what she rally is, just another self centered tramp, from a mamma with similiar values. The apple doesn't fall very far from the tree....
If the girl's skirt made other's uncomfortable, then those people had a right to speak up. If she were flinging racial slurs as readily as she was slinging her body, she would've been kicked off. What's the connection? Both racial slurs and her dress interfered with other's comfort on their flight.

Southwest probably had numerous complaints about her skirt. So, as a business, they chose to make the majority of their customers happy. The flight attendant could have handled the situation more privately, by giving her a blanket to use to cover up. However, hindsight is 20/20.

I'm planning a vacation early next year and I'll be sure to keep an eye on Southwest's fares.
I'm amazed how many comments are so negative. She's a beautiful girl. Her skirt is normal. The prudes need to get a life and calm down. If she sat next to me I'd be happy about it. What's beautiful about her? The whole thing, like the psycho airline guy said, only he had it backwards. It's not all wrong, it's all right.
Lets be honest she wanted her 15 minutes and got it, and will probably get a "Spread" in Playboy now.. I have 3 young daughters and fight everyday to try to make them understand how important your appearance is, first impressions are everything, and skirts that barely cover your privates are not impressing the people you want to impress.

That young woman looks old before her time, and I'm guessing based on her attire, that it's from over-use.
i think everybody is overreacting i'm in my early 50's and i wear skirts that short i see nothing wrong with it i say if you got it flaut it
Who cares what she's wearing?  I personally don't dig it, but SW is about 20 years late trying to teach this girl a good taste or manners or whatever, and out of line too.  It's pretty simple really, if you don't like what she's wearing (or showing) - don't look and if you don't like what Howard Stern or Don Imus are saying - don't listen.
Sick of people that push what they think is right on others!
WELL,IT'S PRETTY CLEAR THAT SHE WAS GOING FOR THE SHOCK AND AWE FACTOR,DRESS FOR ATTENTION AND HERE WE HAVE THE RESULTS.  WONDER WHAT MOM WEARS OUT AND ABOUT?
The Today Show had to blur her crotch...so what does that tell you.  Just look at the skirt from top to bottom...it's about 6 inches long.  If she didn't have that top covering her you would be able to see her butt crack and heaven knows WHAT in front.  Kyla was upset because everyone was looking at her. DUH, isn't that way she dresses that way?  
Southwest Airlines had every right to ask this tramp to cover up. I'm sure someone other than the flight attendant complained and the airline addressed the situation. What kind of "appointment" was she going to anyway? Also, the comment about being complimented on her outfit on the return flight-please. Can you say sarcasm? Who knows what that person said, and was it really a compliment? Let's get both sides of the so called "story" Matt. Southwest was obviously not at fault and the Today show, this girl, her mom & lawyer should be ashamed of themselves.
IT IS TOO BAD THAT THE TODAY SHOW THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS NEWS WORTHY.BUT, WHENEVER ONE FLIES MAYBE THEY SHOULD THINK AM I DRESSES APPROPRIATELY IF I AM STUCK SOMEWHERE.........OR IF THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY. THAT OUTFIT WAS NOT WHAT ONE WOULD CONSIDER "TRAVELING CLOTHES" SHAME ON THE AIRLINES BUT DOUBLE SHAME ON THE GAL.
Her skirt was too short for the situation.  I believe it wasn't intentional by this woman. But these days, few bother to think outside of the "ME" box.  Like the gal who was clipping her toenails while in her seat, in flight, but that's another blog.  Bottom line:  THINK, people!
I too felt until she sat down that the outfit was like many I have seen on young ladies everyday. But, when she sat down and I was flashed....yes  a bit too short. I hope now that the mother and daughter, having now seen the tape replay might themselves have second thoughts about the lenght of the skirt. I don't think that taking her to the front of the plane, where everyone can hear,was the right response from the airlines. A whisper or to and a blanket to put in her lap.Most likly would have been embarrassing enough . As we have seen on past fashion segments on the show a pair of leggings would have complimented the outfit.
The crotch shot said it all.  So much for her 5 minutes of fame.
Mom from Ky.
SO WRONG!  THE GIRL FLASHED HER CROTCH ON NATIONAL TELEVISION! THATS A SIGN THAT HER SKIRT IS TOO SHORT, I DONT CARE HOW YOUNG SHE IS.  MOM SHOULD OF TAUGHT HER TO DRESS MORE APPROPRIATELY!!  KIDS MIGHT HAVE SEEN SOMETHING ON THE PLANE!
Too sexy?  No. Too short?  Yes.  However, why didn't the attendant simply bring her a blanket and request that she keep it across her lap during the trip.
Clearly inappropriate dress for a flight, wonder what the interview was for? I almost laughed out loud when she said she was sitting with her legs crossed on the plane, really? What plane nowadays has room to cross your legs while seated?
And I did notice that she had to pull it down upon standing up for the camera, so clearly it's too short.
The crotch shot was also an indication of what the complaint was probably about, funny how Today thoguht this was a news-worthy story yet chose to edit her panties out on the replay.
And to think that at 23 years old, she called mom crying over this, wow.
Hope she got the job, she will probably get lots of dollars stuffed in those panties.


If I were flying on that airline with my kids I would have asked the flight attendant to please ask her to cover up.  Yes, my kids have seen women in bathing suits, revealing more, but that much skin in that kind of a setting is obscene and inappropriate wear.  Her mother is coddling her, shame on her.  I also wonder, WHO would want to sit on a nasty airline seat with their bum touching it.  I wouldn't want to sit down on it after she has been on it.  That's just unsanitary and gross.  
In viewing Kyla's outfit, I'm sure the skirt was a little higher, the waistband near the waist.  Yet, if she was wearing panties and only cleavage was showing, I don't understand the problem.  I have flown and seen passengers in swimming suits and other beach attire.  I have seen short skirts with only a thong underneath.  I personally feel the male flight attendant was angry that Kyla did not notice him.  Unfortunately the budget airline fails to recognize their mistake, possibly attempting to avoid a lawsuit.
I'm disappointed that the today show would choose to rerun this segment and block out just how revealing the skirt was. For those watching later, it was somewhat deceiving. I also don't understand how Kyla was humiliated.  She was dressing to be noticed, I guess she was just angry that not everyone else thought it looked good.    Also do we need a lawyer and national television if all we want is an apology.  Please!  I feel that any business has the right to refuse service to someone.
understand that this is an era of less clothing on girls seems to be everywhere but SouthWest Airlines does tend to be family oriented and I don't think that attire of that kind should be worn on any plane where people are a captive audience to anything someone wants to where.

I would not appreciate a women wearing a kirt so short that if she sits, bends down or puts something in an overhead bin will reveal something that shouldn't be exposed.  The same would be true if a man was wearing loose short shorts that if he sat exposed his underwear or worse!  I don't how "truly" low her top was when she boarded the aircraft but the skirt proves to be inappropriate even for the today show...and that's when she was pulling it down!!  That is even inappropriate to have for a medical appointment.

Just because we are in a time when SOME people feel they can wear extremely risky clothing doesn't mean that those with better sense or those trying to think of the other passengers is wrong.  I would be thankful if an attendant did that fr my family not to have to be exposed to that where we can't change our seats.  Even on the Today show; they will let their guests and workers know if the clothing they wear is too revealing on camera and if they notice it while the shoot is on air they scan up to not insult their audience.
LH
She was not wearing a skirt at all... It was the waist band from either a pair of pants or skirt. What is wrong with people . I travel a lot and I see more people dressed inappropiately than respectively. I think people need to really LOOK at them selves prior to walking out the door everyday.


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