Anyone who blasted the original subject of this thread blasted the wrong guy for reasons I outlined previously.
We have professional standards, just like physicians, lawyers, police, etc. It is up to us to uphold them and maintain our profession at a high level. That is why the guy wearing jeans was asked to change his pants.
He knew the rules, and decided he couldn't be bothered to throw on a pair of Dockers before showing up. He had something to change into in his bag, for crying out loud!
Do you think he would have done that if he were flying on his own metal or another mainline carrier? No way in H.
I'm not against what you said about just giving the guy the verbal, "Next time don't wear jeans", and letting him ride if that's your style. But do you think a lot of mainline guys, including this very Captain, wouldn't have made you change under similar circumstances? They don't want unprofessional looking turds on their flightdecks, either.
Probably more than most professions, except maybe cops, we are watched and scrutinized VERY carefully by EVERYONE. You can sense people scrutinizing and sizing you up as you walk to the gate, through the terminal, enter/exit the cockpit, and so forth.
They are all asking themselves if you are skilled and trustworthy enough to take them and their families flying. Your appearance, and the appearance of anyone on the flightdeck, has an impact on their conclusions.
We do need to take of each other. I can't remember where I heard or read the great story of some guy who had non-rev'd somewhere, but had all of his luggage lost while on vacation. He was desperate to get back to work and only the jumpseat was available. He only had a t-shirt, swim trunks, flip-flops, and about three or four days worth of stubble. He pleaded his case to the Captain and apologized profusely. Of course, he just got a big laugh and a hearty welcome aboard.
That kind of stuff is one-off. But day-to-day standards need to be maintained, or we will just be ruining things for ourselves. Our livelihoods depend on it.