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Comment by kerneloftruth | Hacker News Reader

That's only one key variable -- look also at what commercial flying has become (horrible): unruly passengers, mask mandates, flight attendants more authoritative (and understandably defensive) -- not to mention that people basically wear pajamas and sweat pants when they travel anymore.

I'm glad to see the new options becoming available. They might be much more expensive, but they'll be worth it to many (including myself).

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I gotta ask, what’s the problem with wearing comfortable clothes on an airplane? The idea of wearing a suit or even business casual on a commercial flight seems laughable to me.

I'm also baffled.

I pretty much always wear business casual (which I find quite comfortable) on a plane. I don't know. I certainly wouldn't call someone out for wearing sweats or whatever (though I wish people wouldn't wear sandals). But business casual feels appropriate to me for the most part. Who knows? Maybe it gets me better treatment.

I have yet to find actually comfortable shoes for business casual.

"Boating shoes" (e.g. Sperry's) were my goto when I went into an office. Though normally for travel I wear more of a walking shoe (or just trail shoes if I can be more casual). Allbirds are sort of a hipster fave and they are pretty comfortable. (For the plane I usually wear some very lightweight/compact shoe and have my walking shoe in my carry-on.)

But if you're talking a dressier leather shoe, they're generally not as comfortable--at least at the price levels I'm willing to pay. I do have a couple pairs with rubber soles. But I mostly don't need that dressy for travel any longer; business casual has slid a bit towards the casual side.

I’ve found that Clarks in their dress casual line are both comfy and business casual.

No need to rehash the mask debate. I’m sure you’ve met people the past 2 years who have already explained to you their side of things

Personally, I feel that there is no need for clothes that are more comfortable than normal on an airplane. I typically wear jeans and collared shirts in my daily life, and I don't need to wear different things just because I am spending a few hours in an airplane chair. And I am 6' 5" so probably less comfortable than most on an airplane (though I am only barely overweight so maybe more comfortable than average in that respect?).

So, what is the problem? It is a minor problem, but here are my thoughts. In an airport I am surrounded by people who "dress down" for reasons that do not make sense to me. It is undesirable to be surrounded by people who's behavior you don't understand--again, in a minor way. And I would say I would rather be around people who are dressed nicer, so invertign that we get: it is a minor "problem" to be around people that are dressed down.

I guess I just don’t understand why seeing people make different choices than you is undesirable to you. Moreover, I specifically don’t understand how it doesn’t make sense to you that people want to dress as comfortably as they can for what is likely one of the least comfortable common situation to be in.

Not the parent, but I feel the same way so I'll chime in. It's basically just something that stands out and looks "off" so it's (very, very slightly) uncomfortable. I'm not going to do or say anything differently, it's just something my brain processes as weird. I feel the same way seeing people dressed that way anytime they're out in public, not just for air travel.

So you are uncomfortable because of your own admitted lack of understanding. And instead of opening your mind even slightly, you'd prefer everyone play by your limited understanding of the game. Got it...

Don't mask mandates apply to private jets too?

The mask mandate applies to commercial aircraft. The "public" private jet operators (Wheels Up, NetJets, etc.) have their own rules (generally: if you're on a shared flight you have to wear a mask, if it's just one travel party then they're optional). If it's your own private jet, you can obviously do as you please.

If it’s your jet it’s no different from your house or car.

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