Were you a well-mannered traveler in 2007?
Skimpy outfits. Seatmates of size. Child-free flights. It was a busy year
![]() Today show Remember Kyla Ebbert? In September, she made waves by wearing a revealing outfit on a Southwest flight, which in turn sparked a couple Well-Mannered Traveler columns. |
|
We’ve generated numerous lists of dos and don’ts, put our heads together to develop an imaginary air passengers “Code of Cordiality” and tempted fate by picking apart a detailed Vatican-issued document outlining rules for the road (try to “charitably convince the young and not-so-young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so.”)
Have all those lists and all this yakking about manners made the world a more courteous place to travel? For some, I hope the answer is yes. For the rest of the world? Well, let’s just say we have a lot of work ahead of us in 2008.
But before we close out 2007 and embark on a fresh, exciting year of travel, let’s take a moment to review some of the most commented-upon travel issues we’ve tackled so far.
Squeezed to meet you
“Is there a polite way to deal with an extra large passenger seated next to me [on an airplane]? ... I nearly cry every time I see that I am seated next to such a person.”
“As a fat flyer, I’m tired of glares, stares, and (in some cases) rude comments from others who are made uncomfortable by my size.”
Early in the year, these two reader comments sparked a pair of columns that attempted to cover the sensitive issue of “seatmates of size.” We explored some of the options open to travelers who don’t fit into airplane seats. And we examined strategies and solutions for travelers who find themselves seated next to someone who fills up more than one seat.
|
Dressed down for dressing down
Last summer, what to wear in the air became a hot topic after publicity-savvy Kyla Ebbert told the world (via the TODAY show and pretty much every media outlet) how goshdarn humiliated she was when a representative from Southwest Airlines pulled her aside to inform her that he found her short skirt and low-cut shirt too revealing and provocative for that day’s flight.
The incident led to a tongue-in-cheek apology from Southwest and (surprise!) a contract for a Playboy photo spread for Ms. Ebbert. The hullabaloo also sparked a more serious give-and-take about appropriate and inappropriate fashions for flying and debate about whether or not an airline has the right or responsibility to develop and enforce a dress code for passengers.
Click for related content |
- Discuss StoryOn Newsvine
- Rate Story:
View popularLowHigh - Instant Message
MORE FROM WELL-MANNERED TRAVELER |
| Add Well-Mannered Traveler headlines to your news reader: |
Sponsored links
Resource guide


