Did Southwest “Skirt” The Issue of Customer-Centric PR?

Chalk one up for the over-zealous fashion police but have you heard the one about the airline passenger who almost didn't get on the plane because of her skirt?

About two months ago, a 23 year-old college student/Hooters waitress/fashion-victim tried to board a Southwest Airlines flight with a skirt that, in the flight crew's opinion, was a little to revealing. After giving the young woman a good talking to, they finally let her on board and thus ensued a PR story that apparently won't die.

Granted, I would be mad too if I was in her situation (hey, at least it wasn't one of those hideous velour track suits) but in all fairness, people are taking this too far. Southwest did what they had to do and issued a rather humorous apology, even going as as to laugh off the incident with a mini-skirt“ fares sale. Now, Church of the Customer is decrying Southwest's choice of PR tactics, citing customer outrage at their apparent mockery of the situation.

As far as the skirt goes, I really don't care. I've blogged about dress codes before and from past experience I can tell you that there is no good way to win of these fights. What I can tell you is that I think Southwest did a great job handling the situation with brand-worthy humor and the rest of it is up to them to deal with, internally.

Technorati Tags: church of the customer, pr, skirt, southwest

Comments

[Sharran Srivatsaa]

Now that's crazy.