Followers respond with outrage and support before airport says post was part of 'playful' travel fashion debate
Video Air travel etiquette debate explodes as experts call for cleaner, more respectful dress Etiquette expert Alison Cheperdak joins 'Varney & Co.' to break down rising concerns over declining air travel manners and explain why dressing clean, staying courteous and respecting fellow travelers matters now more than ever.
Tampa International Airport set off a social media firestorm Thursday when the organization's X account posted an alert telling travelers to stop wearing pajamas at the airport.
"It's time to ban pajamas at Tampa International Airport," the X post began.
"We’ve seen enough. We’ve had enough. It’s time to ban pajamas at Tampa International Airport.
"After successfully banning Crocs and giving everyone the amazing opportunity to experience the world’s first Crocs-free airport, it’s time to take on an even larger crisis.
"Pajamas. At. The. Airport. In the middle of the day," the post added.
Travelers immediately descended on X to complain or applaud. But it turns out the highly controversial post was a bit of a joke.
"Tampa International Airport regularly shares lighthearted, satirical social media content as part of our ongoing effort to engage with our followers," Tampa International Airport told Fox News Digital in response to outreach for comment.
"Today’s post about 'banning' pajamas was another playful nod to day-of-travel fashion debates.
"We encourage our passengers to travel comfortably and appreciate our loyal followers who enjoy the online humor."
Even so, travelers descended on X to share their outrage.
The Tampa Airport ignited a social media firestorm after posting on X that the airport wants to ban pajamas. (Robert Sabo/NY Daily News Archive)
"What kind of authoritarian bulls--- is this?" one follower wrote.
"How are you even classifying clothing as pajamas to begin with? Are sweatpants, yoga pants, children wearing soft clothes pajamas?" the traveler continued.
Another traveler disagreed with all of that.
"I love this! Let's go back to the way it was in the ‘50s, ’60s and '70s!" the woman said.
A third commenter chimed in, "If they don’t smell bad and aren’t bothering anyone, why do y'all care so much? Can y'all focus on actually cleaning your bathrooms for once and speeding up TSA lines instead?"
In recent years, the dress code at airports has become increasingly casual. (Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg)
The Tampa Airport concluded its post by saying, "We know this decision could be disruptive to someone in your life. It’s time to have a difficult conversation with them. You can do this. We (and Phoebe) believe in you.
"The madness stops today. The movement starts now.
"Help Tampa International Airport become the world’s first Crocs-free AND pajama-free airport. DO YOUR PART. SAY NO TO PAJAMAS AT TPA."
This isn’t the first time in recent months that a dress code crackdown stirred the pot.
Last week, Norwegian Cruise Line passengers were angered when the company banned shorts and flip-flops at its premiere restaurants.
Norwegian Cruise Line passengers also complained about a stricter dress code. (Jeff Greenberg/ Universal Images Group)
