Tampa Airport's Viral Pyjama and Crocs Ban Announcement Turns Out to Be a Joke
Tampa International Airport sent shockwaves through social media yesterday with a post declaring a sudden ban on pyjamas and Crocs, only to later reveal it was all in good fun. The airport, which serves 25 million passengers annually, posted a message stating, "We've seen enough. We've had enough. It's time to ban pyjamas," and added it would go "croc-free," leaving many travellers stunned at the purported dress code change.
Social Media Frenzy and Clarification
The post quickly went viral, with followers expressing outrage and confusion over the abrupt policy shift. Airport spokesperson Beau Zimmer told AP that the announcement was part of the social media account's "tongue-in-cheek" persona, designed to engage regular followers who "eat this stuff up." He emphasized, "This is all in fun, and we encourage our travellers to be comfortable." After the backlash, the account posted a clarification, explaining it was a "playful nod to day-of-travel fashion debates" and reaffirming support for passenger comfort.
Passenger Reactions and Broader Context
Despite the clarification, passengers had already flooded the comments with humorous and sarcastic replies. One user wrote, "Flying from JFK to Tampa in pyjamas and crocs tomorrow out of pure spite," while another noted, "Airport food costs $47. Flights are cancelled randomly. But yes. The pyjamas are the crisis." The joke appeared to reference Transport Secretary Sean Duffy's campaign last year, where he urged airline passengers to "dress with respect" and avoid slippers and pyjamas, promoting a "Golden Age of travel" with 1960s-style adverts.
Actual Dress Code Policies in US Air Travel
In reality, US airlines do not have universal dress codes banning items like Crocs or pyjamas. Instead, they enforce "Conditions of the Carriage," which allow flight attendants to refuse boarding for "inappropriate attire" such as offensive clothing with bad language, swimwear, explicit outfits, or very messy clothing. For now, passengers can continue wearing their comfortable Crocs and pyjamas without fear of being turned away at Tampa International Airport or other US hubs.
