Ebbert Says Ad Campaign "Exploiting" Her

Southwest Airlines is trying to put the whole "fashion police/dress code" mini-skirt incident to rest... and is doing so in the airline's typically tongue-in-cheek style.

As ANN reported, the airline drew highly publicized complaints from two women who were asked to adjust immodest clothing on recent Southwest flights. While airline officials thought their apology had settled the matter, Hooters waitress Kyla Ebbert embarked on a mini TV career with her mini-skirt, demonstrating the controversy for several TV shows... underwear peep-shots and all.

A second woman, Setara Qassim, came forward shortly after, claiming she was also approached by an employee as she was flying to Burbank last June. She said a Southwest flight attendant told her to cover up with a blanket, because her outfit's plunging neckline was too revealing.

Regardless of your thoughts on the women's apparent lack of modesty, the controversy may have been deserved in part. Southwest was accused of hypocrisy after starting out in the '70s dressing its female flight attendants in skimpy outfits.

Now -- having decided it can't win by ignoring the controversy -- Southwest is proving it has a corporate sense of humor.

On Friday, the airline announced its "Mini Fares Sale" with one-way flights as low as $49. Flights must be booked online, used on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Saturdays, and booked by September 24 for travel by November 15.

Southwest CEO Gary Kelly admitted to the Los Angeles Times that the company could have handled the problem better.

"Some have said we've gone from wearing our famous hot pants to having hot flashes at Southwest, but nothing could be further from the truth," he asserted.

But Ebbert -- clinging to her 15 minutes, or (more likely) establishing the basis for a lawsuit -- says the airline's ad campaign only serves to victimize her a second time.

"They are exploiting me again by using my traumatic experience as a marketing ploy," Ebbert told ABC News.

FMI: www.southwest.com