{"id":172002,"date":"2026-02-27T21:19:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T21:19:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/172002\/"},"modified":"2026-02-27T21:19:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T21:19:08","slug":"first-came-crocs-is-tampas-airport-now-banning-pajamas-too","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/172002\/","title":{"rendered":"First came Crocs. Is Tampa\u2019s airport now banning pajamas, too?"},"content":{"rendered":"

No more slippers or sweatpants in the terminal, the Tampa International Airport said in a social media post<\/a> this week.<\/p>\n

Really?<\/p>\n

No. Of course not.<\/p>\n

For Tampa Bay locals familiar with the airport\u2019s often-satirical social media, the post announcing a ban on sleepwear was no surprise. But the message, which urged passengers to \u201chelp Tampa International Airport become the world\u2019s first Crocs-free AND pajama-free airport,\u201d quickly drew national attention.<\/p>\n

\u201cToday\u2019s post about \u2018banning\u2019 pajamas was another playful nod to day-of-travel fashion debates,\u201d read a statement that the airport\u2019s communications team said it sent to roughly 20 national and international media outlets on Thursday.\u201cWe encourage our passengers to travel comfortably and appreciate our loyal followers who enjoy the online humor.\u201d<\/p>\n

The airport has long joked about a ban on Crocs, writing on X in July<\/a>, \u201cThe TSA will now let you keep your shoes on through security at TPA!!!!! Unless you\u2019re wearing Crocs\u2026you should take those off and throw them away.”<\/p>\n

This week\u2019s post came three months after the rollout of a \u201ccivility campaign\u201d from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, asking passengers to say please and thank you to airport staff, keep control of their children and \u201cdress a little better.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a November video<\/a> that spliced grainy footage of suit-clad passengers from decades past with modern-day moments of airport chaos, Duffy said, \u201cThings aren\u2019t what they used to be.\u201d Frank Sinatra\u2019s \u201cCome Fly With Me\u201d played in the background.<\/p>\n

According to a news release<\/a> from the Transportation Department, the Federal Aviation Administration has seen a 400% increase since 2019 of in-flight \u201coutbursts,\u201d from disruptive behavior to violent brawls.<\/p>\n

Duffy said \u201cdressing with respect\u201d could encourage better travel behavior.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s try not to wear slippers and pajamas as we come to the airport,\u201d he said at a news conference last year. \u201cI think that\u2019s positive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Emily Nipps, the airport\u2019s communications director, said in an email to the Tampa Bay Times that Thursday\u2019s post \u201cgenerated tons of engagement and interest on our own social media pages and on those of media outlets that covered it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thousands of people took to the comment sections of Tampa International\u2019s online accounts to debate appropriate airport attire.<\/p>\n

There were questions: Are sweatpants considered pajamas? Are flip-flops allowed? Is it OK for children to dress casually, but not adults?<\/p>\n

Others shared strong opinions.<\/p>\n

\u201cHonestly, as I\u2019ve gotten older, I agree with this,\u201d one commenter on Instagram said of the post. \u201c(I) was in Terminal A this morning and was shocked at the people in pajamas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll have to rip my PJs and Crocs out of my cold, dead hands,\u201d said another.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Even Duffy weighed in.<\/p>\n

\u201cBig Pajama right now: \ud83d\ude2c,” he commented on the airport\u2019s Instagram.<\/p>\n