Readers support Qantas enforcing dress code at airport lounges

Check out the comments under the original AusBT article, on Facebook etc, plenty of people don't agree. But as AusBT says, most business travellers and frequent flyers have no problem with this. I agree with them, some people need to put a little more effort into how they dress, not even just for the sake of lounge access but to take a little more care with their appearance!

Honestly, it's controversial because people are just too precious and fearful. It's actually pretty simple - don't look like a complete idiot and you'll be right.

Define how a "complete idiot" looks like.

That would be a question for the Immigra- I mean, the airline.

I just can not fathom why someone elses apperence even registers on peoples emotional landscape. 

I do not care, but some do. It is enough that plenty of people forcibly packed together in tight space like aluminum or plastic tube 10 km above ground, so I guess we can do courtesy each to other and make our trip not that unpleasant – IMHO it already unpleasant enough. I reckon that airlines should enforce dresscode on board as well, and especially so in economy where people sitting much closer each to other.

Could you let me know what about it bothers you? Assuming they are other wise clean?

I am really curious why people let it get to them. 

Peggy, how do you know that ensamble you've described constitutes smart casual?

That is the point isn't it? Qantas needs to make it clear by definining specifically what item of clothing is appropriate. 

No they don't.

People just need to use their common sense. No thongs, singlets, dirty clothes or offensively worded t-shirts. In any community, and the Qantas club is a community of frequent flyers, the rules work best when they are based on respect for the feelings and beliefs of others. Dressing appropriately is a sign of respect.So if that means wearing proper shoes, shirts and pants/shorts that are clean, and no singlets, then I think that is all the guidelines you need provide and all that Qantas will insist upon.

One person's sense of what's appropriate cannot be imposed on another. When was everyone programmed to think exactly the same way?

So is a sphagetti strap blouse a singlet for women and therefore appropriate? Or is it only men who are banned from singlets? 

The rules in the community determine that people are pretty much allowed to wear whatever they want (Thank God we're not France or Belgium). Why is respect only afforded to the majority? How is one's freedom to choose clothing respected if the mob has imposed their standards?

Qantas needs to decide its standards based on factually consistent criteria (e.g. closed-toed footwear, men's shirt with collar, women's top non-backless, blouse/dress straps to be no less than 2 inches wide etc. etc.) if it wants to go down this path (I'm not asking it to) and not community standards or social norms, which are arbitrary and subject to interpretation. 

It is that simple - and all this palava would end. Then if you're unhappy with Qantas' standards don't fly with them. There is never this uncertainty which forces people to default to the most conservative criteria. That is blackmail!

Community standards are arbitrary and subjective everywhere you look Babushka, think school or work uniforms. Why do we wear ties to important meets, or black to a funeral? To show respect.

This is not a big ask by Qantas. Happy to see them require a minimum standard in line with community opinion, which apparently endorses the move.

Dress "standards" are subjective. What one person thinks is “smart casual” won’t match what another thinks.

I had access to the first class lounge because i forked out nearly 14,000$ for a ticket. I dressed how i feel comfortable not to try and make someone i have never met feel comfortable. 

All that money and still no class, such a shame

And you may find to sh!t or p!ss in the corner of lounge also acceptable just because you paid $14,000?

This is a strawman argument. 

Of course it was sarcasm and your stance incredibly lame. However YMMV.

I always thought evacuating a burning fuselage was the time you took footwear off so you dont damage the slides?

Not really relevant to the lounge specifically though, is it?

Anyway if you base your footwear decisions on survivability in million-to-one scenarios, you'll want something with a nice thick rubber sole in case you get struck by lightning or electrocuted in a number of other ways. 

You'll also want them to be boots, which will protect you from snakes.

On the other hand you want something you can run in, in case you're chased by a bear.

Honestly I'm not sure what the safest general-purpose footwear option is. Probably a good pair of running shoes with kevlar-lined knee-length socks?

You proved our point right there " I want a free feed and to chow down as much grog as I can "

I don't actually work in the mines and my views are the same as yours. Stereotypes and not always correct

Way to represent your company. Yes I can really see them going in to bat for their greasy booze-guzzling employees being able to keep up that image.

It is so refreshing to hear a rational voice! Thank you paa!

Especially that last line. Good post! 

So according to your logic it is perfectly acceptable came to wedding party held in nice mention in singlets, shorts and thongs? Or say in Borat "dress"? There should be line drawn somewhere - no-one object "blue collar" dress, but dirty and greasy hi-vis vest could be tossed into bag, or it so difficult? Show respect to others and they will show it to you. Show arrogance to others and they pay you the same.

and i pay $60,000 a year for my air tickets out of my own pocket, I too am emerald one world and I dont want to be seeing people dressed as if theyve just come off the beach.

Well said crosscourt and Fonga.  And it's not just about how you dress, but also how you conduct yourself. Too many people with feet on seats, both in lounges and at departure gates, whilst others have to stand, and bad language.  We all have rights, but it's not just about us, it's about all of us and in a lounge or more particularly once on the aircraft, smelly armpits and feet are the last things we need to add to a usually long flight.  If these are the type who will fly elsewhere, they will be no loss to Qantas.