U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has sparked a wave of reactions after urging travelers to dress more appropriately at airports.
Duffy, a former Road Rules cast member who now leads the Department of Transportation, made the remarks during a press appearance ahead of a busy Thanksgiving travel week.
He encouraged passengers to avoid showing up at airports in pajamas or slippers.
Highlights
- U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy urges travelers to avoid pajamas and slippers at airports for better behavior and respect.
- Duffy links dressing well at airports to honoring the country, families, and fellow passengers during the busy Thanksgiving week.
- FAA data reveals a 400% surge in in-flight disturbances since 2019, prompting a Trump administration airline civility campaign.
Sean Duffy urged travelers to avoid showing up to airports in pajamas or slippers
Image credits: Eric Lee/Getty Images
“Whether it’s a pair of jeans and a decent shirt, I would encourage people to maybe dress a little better, which encourages us to maybe behave a little better,” Duffy said.
“Let’s try not to wear slippers and pajamas as we come to the airport. I think that’s positive.”
He added that doing so “honors our country,” “honors our families,” and “honors our fellow passengers.”
Image credits: Federal Aviation Administration
His push comes as the Trump administration launches an airline civility campaign intended to reduce unruly behavior on flights.
Federal Aviation Administration data shows a more than 400% jump in in-flight disturbances since 2019.
Officials say the new initiative aims to “inspire” politeness and decorum while travelling.
Duffy’s comments quickly spread across social media, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s press office added fuel to the conversation by posting a pointed photo in response.
Image credits: Stephen Lam/Getty Images
The photo showed U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. walking barefoot without shoes or socks down an airplane aisle.
Newsom’s office, which is famously known for trolling the Trump administration online, posted the image without comment.
On ABC’s The View, co-host Ana Navarro, who is usually critical of the Trump administration, agreed with Duffy’s position.
“Take my temperature, because I am going to agree with a Trump cabinet member,” Navarro began.
“I fly four times a week sometimes, I am tired of seeing people’s a** cheeks, and I go through Miami and, you know, Miami people are half-naked on a good day, so it’s like a lot of people in skin-tight, skin-colored leggings from, they look naked! I don’t think that’s appropriate,” she said.
She said Duffy was right to remind people of civility, saying “manners don't stop at the gate.”
Her co-hosts were less enthusiastic.
Sunny Hostin said she missed the previous transportation secretary, Pete Buttigieg, while Joy Behar questioned the assumption that just because someone dresses well, they will be nicer. “Some of the best-dressed people are idiots and nasty,” she said.
“Sean Duffy is talking about a lack of civility. Doesn’t he work for a guy who just called a reporter a piggy?” Behar questioned further, referring to a viral incident where Trump responded to a female Bloomberg reporter asking him about the Epstein files, with “Quiet, piggy.”
FAA data shows more than 400% jump in in-flight disturbances since 2019
The View hosts also shared a video of RFK Jr. sitting at an airport gate, barefoot and sockless. “Can you think of the bacteria on those hooves?” said one host, while another shouted, “And he’s in charge of our health.”
Duffy reiterated these concerns during an interview with Fox Business.“I see people getting on airplanes and they’re having a hard time taking their luggage and getting it in the above bin [overhead bin],” Duffy told host Cheryl Casone. “Help people out, be nice, be courteous.”
Image credits: Paul Bersebach/Getty Images
If we can “be good partners as we come into the airport, and we check in and we get on an airplane and we follow the rules, and we're kind to our fellow travelers,” Duffy continued.
“The airlines are going to be happier. Those who work for the airlines and the airport are going to be happier. And you, as you get on your plane, are going to feel that much better because everyone is channeling the same positive energy of having a great experience,” he said.