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A post I wrote in early February asked if airlines should implement defined dress codes. I said (in my typically understated tone) that my preferred travel attire consisted of a polo shirt and cargo shorts because “I’m a dad. Cargo shorts are part of the uniform.”
Several readers responded to that specific part of the post.
And those remarks inspired me to change my travel attire.
It’s All in the Jeans
I generally wore shorts when flying during the summer (or between summer-like locales). During the colder months, I’d wear jeans or warmup pants.
No longer.
Asyd said, “Be a dad all you want in cargo [shorts], but for safety, it’s always been suggested that one wear long pants, shoes and socks and shirts that cover your arms. Why? In the event of a fire onboard or other such need for evacuation, you have something covering your body should the need to evacuate swiftly arise… Considering the interior of the plane is all sorts of plastic it’ll go up like a match. When flying dress for safety, not comfort.” He later added, “Wear denim, protect your legs…those are the tools you’ll need to evacuate you and your kid!”
Comments involving my family get extra attention. And this certainly was no exception.
Steve wrote, “…denim is the go to for fire and rugged, always avoid polyester etc, and long sleeves and good shoes just make sense….I am sure it will never happen to me, but (isn’t) it wise to be prepared? Can you imagine high heels or flip flops on a jet wing and they have to come off if you slide so there you are in barefeet??”
Safety and hygiene are the two main reasons I always wear shoes and socks when traveling. But I’m also clumsy as heck — and a total clown show when walking in flip flops 😉 . I still wear my polo shirts when weather permits — but bring along a sweatshirt just in case we need to evacuate.
Another bonus: shorts take up less space than jeans in my suitcase!
During the few dozen flights I’ve taken since writing that post, never have I thought, Wow, I really miss my cargo shorts…
And this flight attendant also recommends going the cover-yourself-up route.
Final Approach
We appreciate genuinely thoughtful and helpful comments! I finally took seriously that my travel wardrobe needed to change a bit. I know I’m a little late to that party — but better than finding out too late. Thanks, readers!
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I’ve always thought about evacuation from a planem which is why I wear long pants and NEVER take my shoes off. Yes I might loosen the laces a bit especially on long haul flights as you feet and body can swell a bit but they stay on. I hadn’t thought about the long sleeve shirt so I’ve normally worn a polo shirt but it’s something to consider.
Another consideration about not having your shoes on. Just the thought of walking into the airplane toilet with bare feet or just socks on makes we crazy as that ain’t water on the floor.
Yep! 100% every time.
(Though taking off shoes stopped in the mid 90’s after two high profile air incidents revealed the flaw in that system. People were injured running in bare feet through debris and in the other, a pile of shoes partially blocked the slide.)
A couple of more points: I expect you’re fine, but honestly a lot of dads just don’t look good in shorts. Plus, in Europe nothing says American more than a guy wearing shorts….
(All said with a smile!)
This is just stupid. Let’s see… way more likely to get in a car crash than a plane crash, so do you not wear shorts in the car, as well. The same reasoning exists. Way more likely to get burglarized while you are sleeping than so are you also never going to sleep again and sit on a chair with a shotgun waiting for the off chance someone comes in your house? No of course not. Let’s always state the obvious, the overwhelming odds are if you are in a plane crash, you are going to be dead anyway.
This is crazy!
@ Your daddy, plane evacuations occur significantly more frequently than plane crashes. I’ve had to evacuate a plane before. It was likely out of an abundance of caution.
Airports and planes are gross, I wear long pants and long sleeved shirts not just for safety reasons…
agree! as a professional aviator (and ex military flyer) long pants for sure, and shoes on below 10,000 feet. Have evacuated several planes (both commercial and military) including those involving fire. no question. (oh yeah… and if you DO have to evacuate LEAVE YOUR !$)(*&)*& carry on ON the plane!)
Thanks for the comment and your military service, PMV!!