Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is facing significant public criticism after making comments about airline passenger behavior that many are calling out of touch with the realities of modern air travel.
The Controversial Comments
During an appearance on Fox Business, Duffy promoted a new campaign aimed at bringing "civility" back to air travel. The former reality TV personality, who once appeared naked on television, suggested that travel stresses could be eased if people would "be nice, say please, say thank you."
Duffy went further by commenting on passenger attire, stating: "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.' We actually might dress up a little bit." He also encouraged travelers to assist each other with luggage in overhead compartments.
Public Backlash and Criticism
The transportation secretary's remarks quickly drew mockery and criticism across social media platforms. Many critics pointed to what they called hypocrisy, given President Donald Trump's frequent use of harsh rhetoric that contradicts the call for civility.
Flight attendants and frequent travelers were among the most vocal critics. One flight attendant tweeted: "I'm a flight attendant & people wearing pajamas on the plane is the least of my worries when I go to work. This guy is so out of touch."
Several social media users highlighted the contrast between Duffy's suggestions and the actual conditions of modern air travel:
- Passengers crammed into increasingly smaller seats
- Frequent flight delays and cancellations
- Reduced legroom and comfort amenities
- Long security wait times
The Core Issue: Comfort vs. Etiquette
Many respondents argued that the shift toward comfortable clothing like pajamas and sweatpants directly results from airlines making flying increasingly uncomfortable. As one Twitter user noted: "People wear pajamas to offset how uncomfortable and tight it has become to fly. Make airlines treat customers well and then next worry about the clothes."
Another critic pointed out the economic disparity in air travel expectations: "Sure, we all need to be dressed up to squish into seats meant for pre-schoolers.... Oh wait, that is just us poors, the gravy train riders like this jerk travel business class on taxpayer dollars."
The controversy highlights the growing tension between passenger expectations and airline service reductions. While Duffy's call for basic politeness found some support, his focus on clothing and superficial etiquette was widely dismissed as addressing the wrong problems in modern air travel.
