Don't Worry 'Bout What I Got On

I can't think of any particular instance where I've gotten on a plane dressed in anything that might have been deemed inappropriate or distasteful. I've been traveling on planes since I was an infant and by myself since I was 7. Everyone in my family; grandparents, aunts and uncles, even my parents, live states apart. So, I consider myself a pretty seasoned traveler with a couple thousand frequent flier miles to boot.

My mom used to always tease me that I looked like a straight bum every time I got on a plane. I'd be in my regular t-shirt, jeans and hoodie. Hair in ponytail, not giving a damn. The way I saw it, there was no reason for me to be dressed up. Perhaps it's a generational thing or just the fact that I think "comfortable" is way more important than "fashionable". Every time Mom hops on a plane, she's dressed to the nines, even if she's in coach seating. A dozen times over, she's explained to me that back in the day, it was a big deal for Black folks to even be on a plane. You put on your snazziest threads so crackers weren't giving you that "you don't belong here" sideways look.

So, it's of no surprise to me that two young ladies were pulled aside on Southwest Airlines flights because of their attire. I saw what the first one had on, and I didn't think it was all that bad, but then again, I could be desensitized to her outfit. I have similar articles of clothing in my closet and dresser. Even an ex-boyfriend of mine told me once how he was removed from his seat in first class on Delta because he was "too dressed down". All he had on was some regular cargo shorts and his Chucks. I think this whole idea that airline employees, of all people, are policing the way people dress is outrageous.

I mean, sh*t. I had to sit next to this dude who, every 10-15 minutes, kept easing ones off on my 10 hour flight to Israel. Isn't that inappropriate and offensive?! Or what about those folks you wind up sitting next to on the plane that want to talk your ear off when you're clearly trying to sleep, listen to music, or read a book? Shouldn't we be more worried about them? That's like this one white dude sittin next to me asking me if I like The Blue Man Group. I just looked at him and said "do I look like I like the Blue Man Group?!". Or one of my homegirls telling me how, on a flight to New York, the effin Taliban is on the plane prayin loud as hell and rocking back and forth. She told me how scared and freaked out she and practically everyone else was. When folks got off the plane, one dude was like "what in the f*ck was that?!".

There's all sorts of crazy behavior folks display on plane rides. I'm sure everyone has had situations occur on planes that made them feel uneasy, and I'd be willing to bet, none of them include anyone having on "inappropriate" or "provacative" clothing.

Unless somebody walks onto the plane with a t-shirt that reads "kill all niggers" and then says to you "yea, I'm in the window here", I see no reason for anyone to be getting their drawls all in a bunch over somebody's outfit. It's stupid. There are far more pressing issues in this world than halter tops and mini-skirts. Instead of screening outfits, perhaps airline employees and TSA should be more worried about how the effin Taliban hijacked planes with boxcutters.

Those airline employees are probably just salty they have to wear unflattering outfits, stuff their faces all day every day with overpriced food at the airport, and no place to travel to. Haters.