Pajamas at the Airport? Sec. Duffy Says No!

As the holiday travel season kicks into high gear, you might want to think twice before heading to the airport in your comfiest PJs. Sean Duffy, who served as Transportation Secretary under the Trump administration, has a rather bold suggestion for travelers: let’s bring back some style and manners to the skies!

Launching a ‘Civility Campaign’

Duffy is spearheading what he calls a ‘civility campaign,’ encouraging everyone to be more courteous in airports and on planes. This isn’t just about basic politeness; he’s talking about saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you,’ offering a hand with luggage, and yes, ditching the sleepwear for your journey.

During an appearance on FOX Business, Duffy stated, “Sometimes you just have to ask people, ‘Hey, let’s maybe go back to an era where we didn’t wear our pajamas to the airport.’” It seems he believes a little effort in our attire could go a long way in improving the overall travel experience.

Why Now? The Rise in Unruly Behavior

This initiative comes at a critical time, with flight disruptions and passenger misbehavior on the rise. The FAA has reported a staggering 400% increase in in-flight incidents since 2019, with flight attendants facing thousands of altercations. Duffy is looking for feedback on what happens at the gate and baggage claim, hoping to address these issues.

While Duffy acknowledges that restoring politeness won’t magically fix flight delays or FAA staffing shortages, he firmly believes that a dose of kindness and a more polished appearance from travelers can significantly improve morale and the travel process. With 81.8 million Americans expected to travel for Thanksgiving, these simple changes could make a big difference.

Beyond Civility: Modernizing Airspace

Duffy’s focus isn’t solely on passenger behavior. He’s also looking ahead to the future of air travel, including upgrading the airspace system to accommodate the growing demand from drones and the potential for flying taxis. It’s a multi-faceted approach to improving the entire aviation ecosystem.