Passrider Denied Boarding Over Open-Toe Sandals - Too Strict?

As someone active in airline employee travel groups on Facebook and Reddit, I often come across interesting discussions about the nuances of flying standby.

Recently, a post in one of these groups caught my attention. A passrider flying standby out of Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) claimed they were denied boarding for wearing open-toe dress sandals. When they pointed out the official pass travel attire policy, the gate agents allegedly insisted they had the final say.

This situation raises a common frustration among non-revenue (nonrev) travelers: the inconsistent enforcement of dress codes. Most airlines have specific attire policies for standby travelers, which are often stricter than those for revenue passengers. While many airlines allow business-casual footwear, including certain types of sandals, some international stations seemingly enforce stricter interpretations, sometimes beyond what’s explicitly stated in the rules.

In this case, the passrider was caught off guard because they believed their shoes were compliant. Unfortunately, when traveling on as a passrider, gate agents have discretion over what is deemed acceptable. Some airports and individual agents seem to interpret these policies differently, leading to inconsistencies from one location to another.

This raises the question: Should there be stricter adherence to written policies, or should local stations retain the flexibility to apply their own standards?

And as a standby traveler, how seriously do you take these dress code policies? Have you ever been denied boarding or had to scramble for a wardrobe change at the airport?

Share your experiences and thoughts in the comments below!