Tampa International says no more pajamas – opening the floodgates for similar airport rules nationwide

Soon, a trip to the airport may require the same level of preparation as a church service — or at the very least, pants with buttons. Tampa International Airport became the first airport in the U.S. to issue a dress code via Instagram for travelers using its facilities.

Surprisingly, many people in the comments welcomed the idea with open arms. To be clear, the airport wasn’t dictating what passengers must wear — only what they cannot wear. Pajamas, specifically. Apparently, security grew tired of watching grown adults shuffle through TSA at noon dressed for a sleepover, Crocs included. So the airport banned them. Bedtime chic is no longer boarding.

Tampa International Airport maintains a fairly lighthearted social media presence, particularly on Instagram, where it frequently posts insider jokes featuring its resident giant flamingo mascot, Phoebe. Some users immediately picked up on the tongue-in-cheek tone. One wrote, “Pajamas at an airport is wicked unprofessional, even Phoebe the 3 year old is mature enough, smh.”

Others were less amused. One commenter called the move “weird and unprofessional,” criticizing everything from the statement’s grammar to the caption and replies, and added, “I can’t wait to see who sues you first for discrimination lmao.” A law firm later chimed in jokingly, “As personal injury attorneys, we support this. Emotional injury from airport fashion is real.” Finally, a legal cause everyone can unite behind.

It’s a flight, not a slumber party!

It’s a free country — you can technically wear pajamas anywhere you want. Grocery store. Parent-teacher conference. Jury duty, if you’re bold enough. So if someone feels strongly about defending their constitutional right to fleece pants and rubber clogs, court is always an option. It just seems significantly easier to change clothes, but to each their own crusade.

Tampa International Airport has also been in the news for other reasons. Donald Trump has reportedly pushed to have the airport, along with other federal buildings, renamed in his honor. Some would call that ambitious. Others might call it branding. Either way, the pajama ban appears to be the less controversial renovation.

The policy follows U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy’s voluntary civility campaign, reportedly titled “The Golden Age of Travel Starts with You.” At a press conference, Duffy even pleaded with Americans, saying, “Let’s try not to wear slippers and pajamas as we come to the airport.” A modest proposal. Presumably, it’s only a matter of time before other airports begin gently suggesting that passengers separate “ready for takeoff” from “ready for takeout.”

There’s a memorable episode of Modern Family in which the whole family travels to Paris. When Mitchell stops a local for directions, he’s immediately asked whether he’s looking for McDonald’s or the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa. When he asks how the man could tell, the Frenchman explains it was obvious from the lack of effort in his outfit. In the end, Mitchell makes a bit more effort — and suddenly blends right in with the fashionable crowd. Amazing what happens when you swap defeat for tailoring.

Freedom is essential. But as Bob Dylan once said, “Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose.” When it comes to how you present yourself to the world, perhaps aim a little higher than “nothing left to lose.”