Does anyone else remember "dressing up" to fly?

[Jeafl]

I do remember, and actually I still do try to at least look nice whenever I fly. I also remember being able to "tour" the plane before it took off even if you weren't a passenger. We used to get free decks of cards and "flight wings" too. Does anyone else remember being able to choose your meal from a menu??? And that was in coach too!

Boy do I feel old today!

 

[OrlandoMike]

I remember getting dressed up to fly!

I also remember when the airlines treated you like a human being!

 

[olena]

I'm an airline brat and we always had to dress up. No shorts, bare legs (had to wear stockings), sneakers or denim were allowed. Those rules have relaxed considerably since I quit flying non-rev. I still dress a little bit for flying, out of habit. My father used to tell us about how people used to dress up for the bus and train.

 

[delmar411]

as a child I dressed decently but comfortably although pics of me in the very late 70's in the airports show me in sundresses and such so rather dressed up for a toddler. My mother still dresses nicely but comfortably to fly...like business casual.

I also remember transatlantic flights with people smoking and the little ashtrays in the armrests. Sitting up front with the pilot for hours on end when I flew by myself. The movies on the wall that I could never see since I was too short! LOL

We try to be decent but casual. Open toe shoes are inviting disaster on an airplane IMO so I don't allow the kids to wear them.

I prefer the casual but covered look for people.

 

[marshallandcartersmo]

I do remember, and actually I still do try to at least look nice whenever I fly. I also remember being able to "tour" the plane before it took off even if you weren't a passenger. We used to get free decks of cards and "flight wings" too. Does anyone else remember being able to choose your meal from a menu??? And that was in coach too!

Boy do I feel old today!

I ermember touring the plane! When my brother and I were young we could say hi to the pilots and they'd give us little plastic wings that were a pin to wear.
And Piedmont Punch..............I loved Piedmont Punch!!

 

[DawnCt1]

Yes, in fact, I always made sure that the DSs dressed nicely. Three times we were upgraded to first class. I don't think it would have happened in jeans.

 

[mamacatnv]

I'm an airline brat and we always had to dress up. No shorts, bare legs (had to wear stockings), sneakers or denim were allowed. Those rules have relaxed considerably since I quit flying non-rev. I still dress a little bit for flying, out of habit. My father used to tell us about how people used to dress up for the bus and train.

My Father worked for United and we flew all the time. We always had a "flying" outfit in our closets. Skirt, blouse, Jacket and hose along with a dressy shoe. My Mother would wear slacks but she would not allow me to. When I was in my older teens, I wore slacks, a blouse and a jacket.

Couple of years ago, I took a friends DD to the airport (her Father is an Pilot for American) she was wearing a sundress and slip on mary jane style sneakers. The front desk crew made her change the shoes to the sandals she had in her carry on.

I go for comfort. I am always hot on airplanes so I will wear jeans and a tank top or bermudas and a tank top. I always wear flip flops, makes getting thru security faster and easier. I see no need to dress up.

 

[olena]

Yes, in fact, I always made sure that the DSs dressed nicely. Three times we were upgraded to first class. I don't think it would have happened in jeans.

I can tell you right now that it would not have happened.

 

[DawnCt1]

I can tell you right now that it would not have happened.

You are right. After the first upgrade it was very easy to get the DSs to dress nice. They would pick out their outfits days before we traveled just in hopes of an upgrade. It didn't happen often but it was worth it to look nice. Those were the days when the pilot would show the kids the cockpit. DH and I still dress nice.

 

[puffkin]

On our last Airtran flight there was an employee who wasn't allowed on the prior flight because he didn't have proper attire. His father ran some dressier shoes to the airport for him and they let him on our flight (he wore khakis and a polo shirt).

We didn't fly at all as kids but on my first flight to Spain on a school trip in 1998 they still allowed smoking in part of the aircraft! That seems so hard to believe now!

My parents never flew either as kids (mom's first flight was the afore mentioned spain flight) and my dad has never been on a plane. They both remember dressing up to go to the movies though.

I dress pretty casually to fly. I always where cotton and usually where the heaviest shoes I am taking (so my suitcase doesn't go overweight!).

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I remember that I had to wear a dress uniform (military) when flying. (of course, it was made of wool!!!)

Now I just wear chinos and a cotton shirt. But I always remember what a flight attendant told me once. IF there ever was an emergency, and a "bad" landing, the biggest problem would be fire. the people wearing shorts and flip flops would have a really small chance of surviving. Those that had even a small amount of cloth covering (not nylon, etc.) would have a much better chance of escaping and possibly less injury from fire. Hmmmm.

(I also remember getting upgraded to first class while wearing a dress uniform!, but then again Vietnam was an ongoing war of which I had participated in.)

 

[GeorgeG]

The first time I flew was in the mid-60s and a jacket and tie was the norm for men. Around that same time I was also flying a lot while in the navy and a dress uniform was always required when using any public transportation and the military usually got to travel at half the normal price, sometimes free on things like city buses (since changed). I also remember getting decent food.

I don't fly often now, but when I do I dress in nice casual, which may include a sports jacket if flying to a cooler climate.

Appropriate dress doesn't seem to exist much these days and that's a shame. We see that a lot at WDW. You can wear something appropriate and still be comfortable.

 

[marybet]

I took my first plane ride in 1963 from Ohio to California. We went first class because they had a "family fare" on TWA. My sisters and I got new outfits to wear, it was quite the occasion.

I still wear something nice when I fly, but it has been since the 70's that I flew in a dress or a skirt. I am all for comfort but still looking good.

 

[olena]

You are right. After the first upgrade it was very easy to get the DSs to dress nice. They would pick out their outfits days before we traveled just in hopes of an upgrade. It didn't happen often but it was worth it to look nice. Those were the days when the pilot would show the kids the cockpit. DH and I still dress nice.

I know what you mean. Nowadays, there's a definite barrier in dealing with flight crews. We can blame 9/11, but it was starting before then.

I remember when they had Family Day at my father's airline hanger. The whole family could tour all the shops (seat refurb, engine blades, safety equipment), play carnival games, have a go in the pilot simulator (we always crashed...LOL) and there would be a jet with all the exits open. We'd spend hours playing hide-and-seek on the plane.

 

[DawnCt1]

I know what you mean. Nowadays, there's a definite barrier in dealing with flight crews. We can blame 9/11, but it was starting before then.

I remember when they had Family Day at my father's airline hanger. The whole family could tour all the shops (seat refurb, engine blades, safety equipment), play carnival games, have a go in the pilot simulator (we always crashed...LOL) and there would be a jet with all the exits open. We'd spend hours playing hide-and-seek on the plane.

That sounds like it would have been so much fun. What nice memories. My big aviation thrill was spending an evening in an air traffic control tower. I was fascinated. I discovered that some men could really think and chew gum at the same time! I was amazed how an ATC could explain his job to us, talk to the pilot, pass the plane "on the stick" to the next ATC and resume his conversation with us with the exact next word. I never heard one say, "Now what was I saying?" I also got to fly a small plane one, take off and steering for about 15 minutes. Of course there was someone in the next seat who was probably doing a lot more with his feet than I was with the yoke.

 

[bookgirl]

My first flight was in the mid eighties...we wore jeans heck think I wore shorts even. The only thing I do is make sure I'm wearing closed toe shoes like sneakers and jeans...supposed to be safer in case of emergency evacuation.

However my mom remembers the dress nice for the plane days, heck I always wanted to know why my luggage (hand me down from grandmother) had a square hard box known as a train case, for your makeup and such (it had a mirror in it). My mom then told me how her and grandmother used to travel to the west coast by train to see her aunt. You kept that case with you to freshen up your make up and stuff. It would hold more make up than I wear in a decade but now that I think about it the case was the size to carry a full sized can of Aqua net.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I had my first flight in 1961! My mother wore a hat and white gloves! WE had to have gloves and new outfits and it was a big deal as to what we would wear. My sister and i carried those round hatbox type of suitcases on the plane ( you know like Barbie used to have). I remember taking my kids in the late 80's and dressing them up too(not to the extent that my mom did but ). If you notice people do not really dress for anything anymore. Most restaurants accept jeans etc. I remember 25 years ago the night before I had my first son, I went to a restaurant with my husband and parents and my husband had on a shirt and tie but they would not let him in b/c he did not have on a sport coat. He had to wear one of the ones they kept by the hostess stand and were really ugly( most likely so people would not steal them).

 

[Handbag Lady]

I used to dress nicely for flying. I started flying regularly in 1986, but before that, we couldn't afford to travel that way.

Over the years, with the security hassles getting bigger and bigger especially after 9/11/01, I now dress for my safety and not to be the fashion icon.

I often will wear a nice track suit with a blouse or t-shirt and clean flip-flops or sneakers. I like to have a light jacket so that I can fold it into a pillow or otherwise have warmth without bulk.

After reading this thread, I do get the covered-toe philosophy, though.

I still can't understand why ladies wear super high-heels on flights. It is dangerous in case of emergency and if you get stuck in an airport overnight, I feel sorry for your feet.

 

[askelton]

My father worked for the airlines, too and we had to dress. Usually a skirt but sometimes nice pants were allowed. Since we never knew where or if, a seat would be available, we had to be dressed to sit in first class. I was in college trying to fly from DC to Memphis, and the only seat available was in first class. Well, I wasn't wearing a skirt, so I didn't get on the plane. I bought a skirt while I was waiting for the next plane. I still dress to fly although not as fancy but I guess when it's drilled into your head for so many years...

 

[mamamary]

When I was little, my first airplane ride was in 1976 (Disney of course). Anyway, I remember vividly going shopping with my mom for a special outfit to wear on the plane.