Is Carrier Getting Crotchety In Middle Age?

Another woman has come forth to complain about the so-called "dress code" on Southwest Airlines.

As ANN reported last week, 23-year-old Hooters waitress Kayla Ebbert was asked to cover up with a blanket if she wanted to remain aboard a recent flight. Ebbert wasn't in her Hooters uniform... but rather a denim miniskirt, high heeled sandals and a summer sweater over a tank top.

Now, Setara Qassim says 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.

"The flight attendant came up to me and asked me if I had a sweater and I said no because why would I pack a sweater in the heat," Qassim said, according to media reports. "So, I asked her why and she said I need to cover up."

Southwest Airlines issued a statement about last week’s issue with Ebbert, saying there was a concern about Ebbert's revealing attire on the flight that day. As a compromise, the airline asked her to adjust her clothing to be less revealing. Ebbert complied, and she traveled as scheduled.

"We don’t have a dress code," spokesman Chris Mainz said. "We rely on our employees to use common sense good judgment and good taste. It’s so rare for us to have to address a customer’s clothing issue

Southwest probably wishes these stories would just go away... especially as the irony is hard to escape. After all... 35 years ago, Southwest would have been hiring these women, and issuing them the company's then-standard uniforms, hot pants and all.

We're not entirely sure if that's progress.

FMI: www.southwest.com