March 04--Apparently the days are gone when passengers dressed up for flights. That's because people just don't care that some wear sweatpants, flip-flops, pajamas, tank tops and other ultracasual wear.
Peer pressure from fellow fliers is unlikely, according to a new survey of 602 customers conducted by Chicago-based airport shuttle service Go Airport Express.
Just 19 percent said they wished people dressed nicer. Men, at 22 percent, were slightly more particular than women, at 18 percent.
Nearly half, 46 percent, said they had no opinion on the subject, with an additional 31 percent saying paying passengers should be able to wear whatever they want.
Just 3 percent said airlines should have a dress code, banning such garments as tank tops.
"In general, people seem uninterested in how other travelers are dressing, unless the attire is offensive or causes a nuisance," said John McCarthy, president of Go Airport Express.
Asked how they dressed for leisure travel, most responded "nice but comfortable," such as jeans, casual pants and decent tops. Just 9 percent of women and 6 percent of men said they prefer to dress up.
However, more than a third of respondents said they dress differently for business travel, especially if they had no time to change clothes before going directly to an appointment.
One respondent didn't like seeing other travelers' undergarments or pajamas, and said sleeves and shoes should be worn. Another said they dress to be presentable, adding "if a person chooses to be a spectacle" they should be prepared to deal with the response of fellow travelers.
Another respondent noted "this is a free country and not a dictatorship."
gkarp@tribpub.com
