Tampa International Airport is taking aim at comfortable travel wear. On Thursday, Feb. 26, the facility’s verified X account released a statement calling for a ban on pajamas.
“We’ve seen enough. We’ve had enough,” the message began. “After successfully banning Crocs and giving everyone the amazing opportunity to experience the world’s first Crocs-free airport, it’s time to take on an even larger crisis.
“Pajamas. At the airport. In the middle of the day,” the statement continued. “We know this decision could be disruptive to someone in your life. It’s time to have a difficult conversation with them… The madness stops today. The movement starts now. Help Tampa International Airport become the world’s first Crocs-free AND pajama-free airport. Do your part. Say no to pajamas at TPA.”
The airport hasn’t officially banned Crocs; however, its social media team has used its platform to poke fun at the polarizing footwear. Case in point? A 2025 announcement about TPA security protocols: “The [Transportation Security Administration] will now let you keep your shoes on through security at TPA!!!* *unless you’re wearing Crocs…you should take those off and throw them away,” the post read.
The Crocs post was, of course, released in jest, as indicated by C.J. Johnson, the witty man behind TPA’s social media posts. Johnson spoke about his troll-y content during a 2025 appearance at the University of South Florida, explaining why it was so important to incorporate humor in between serious TPA news.
“You have to give people a lot of sweets, so when you need to feed them a vegetable, they’ll listen,” he said. “If I got on every day at Tampa International Airport and tweeted we have flights today, who would care? No one. If we do funny, silly stuff like this with targeted messages that grow your audience and then I say, ‘Hey guys, by the way, we are closing the airport due to a hurricane,’ then people lean in and listen.”
The pajama post was also done in jest, as the airport confirmed to USA Today. “Tampa International Airport regularly shares lighthearted, satirical social media content as part of our ongoing effort to engage with our followers,” they said in a statement. “Today’s post about 'banning' pajamas was another playful nod to day-of-travel fashion debates. We encourage our passengers to travel comfortably and appreciate our loyal followers who enjoy the online humor."
The TPA pajama post came about four months after U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy launched “The Golden Age of Travel Starts with You” — a civility campaign that encouraged Americans to improve their airport etiquette; this included everything from assisting others with their bags to saying "thank you" to airline staff to "dressing with respect."
Duffy addressed the campaign on the Katie Pavlich Tonight show, saying a stricter dress code could inspire travelers to behave better.
"I can't mandate you dress up, but don't wear pajamas and slippers to the airport,” he said. “I think if you dress a little better, you behave a little better," he said. "We're all getting into pretty tight airline seats. The prices go down when we do that. But I want people to be well behaved and I think a little better dressed would help with that.”
