Air Traffic Control Manager Prohibits Kilt

[KiltedHuntsman]

I work for the Department of Defense, and I've worn my Kilt (with jacket and tie) to the office numerous times. I've never had any problems. Being one of the office eccentrics, they just don't try to stop me anymore. I usually wear western wear, so they're used to putting up with me.

We are a bit more casual than the Washington types, and being in a field office, we're not as concerned with "professional appearances" as the beltway types. Since we don't deal with the public directly, my immediate management isn't really concerned what we look like, as long as we get the job done. We're an engineering outfit with a distinct blue collar edge.

When dealing with the vast bureaucratic beast, the key is to be like a parasite. Latch on, get your sustanance, but don't cause too much irritation, lest the beast be annoyed and roll over and squish you like a bug.

The *only* way you'll win is to

a) find some support higher up in the management chain, and get them to OK the kilt (but this will also make you the instant enemy of the immediate management, so if you need immediate management support to get a merit promotion, kiss promotion goodbye..

or

b) the nuclear option, i.e., take it to the world and media, and make a huge stink, which is really HIGH stakes, since you will either win big, get to wear your kilt, and management won't touch you, or you get squashed like a bug, and the bureaucratic leviathon rolls on, uncaring and unconcerned with the wreckage it made of your life.

Working for large bureaucracies can be very rewarding if you skillfully extract maximum money/resources/fun from them without irritating the beast enough to squash you. There are many success stories along this line. But the beast is dangerous when aroused. Principles, and "big picture" justice means nothing to the beast. Being "right" is scant protection.

[michael steinrok]

This bothers me. The US gov't has been ramming diversity down our throats for 20 years or so. Media telling us to be more accepting and tolerant. And then you get this sort of garbage! Dress codes for any other reason than saftey is BS MS and PHD. You guys should get a wiff. The plane doesn't land because an ATC does or doesn't do their job. Nor does it not land because a woman is wearing a mini skirt and a tight cashmere sweater. The plane lands because the flight crew makes it land and they can't see into the tower.The government is wrong on this as well as many issues.

I am accepting and tolerant when it comes to culture and orientation and just about anything else so long as it doesn't affect me. A direct result of the ramming and my ability to sense right from wrong.

Dress codes? You guys simply amaze me once in a while........
I expected better from you

Hypocracy :rolleyes:

[bubba]

Let's be honest here. This wasn't "the Government", it was the dictate of one minor bureacrat. These idiots come and go.

[michael steinrok]

Was it a bureacrat? You're right there Bubba. I stand on the rest though.

[Sciuropterus]

It's obvious you're not, nor ever have been, a government employee.

I take the same pride in the NPS uniform as I do my kilt. The NPS uniform is a public symbol, and in someways, an institution. The "Smokey Bear" hat is the first thing that comes to mind whenever the public thinks of park rangers. Just as powerful symbolism as the kilt is for Scottish heritage, really.

So please don't call me a hypocrite until you've worked for Uncle Sam, okay? No offence meant or intended.

Regards,

Todd

The NPS uniform analogy is not applicable here.

ATC is not being told to wear a specific uniform, they are being told to wear "business casual", which obviously allows some room for interpretation regarding the definition. Some think kilts fall in that category (I do), some people don't.

The controllers are represented by a union, which can hopefully have some influence. To further complicate things, some controllers are not govt. employees, they can also be state or municipal employees. In all the years I have been a pilot, I have never been able to tell what controller was wearing, as I only interacted with them on the radio.

[Freedomlover]

Someone else observed that we have had 'diversity' force fed to us for "20 years". Actually, it is more like thirty years, but that is neither here nor there. What this demonstrates is really quite simple. It is a matter of "do as I say because I say so and disregard my previous public pronouncements". Or, to put it another way, "I am an unabashed bigot, but that isn't my carefully crafted public personna".

If I were you, and I really wanted to persue the matter, the International Human Rights Commission might not be a bad place to start.

[macwilkin]

The NPS uniform analogy is not applicable here.

ATC is not being told to wear a specific uniform, they are being told to wear "business casual", which obviously allows some room for interpretation regarding the definition. Some think kilts fall in that category (I do), some people don't.

The controllers are represented by a union, which can hopefully have some influence. To further complicate things, some controllers are not govt. employees, they can also be state or municipal employees. In all the years I have been a pilot, I have never been able to tell what controller was wearing, as I only interacted with them on the radio.

Thank you for your observations and insights, Jerry.

I have deleted my post.

Regardsm

Todd

[SB996]

I too have been not allowed to wear a kilt at work. The managment said it is not consistent with our generally accepted dress code. BLAH BLAH BLAH! The dress code is very casual with jeans allowed and shorts in the summer. I enjoy the job and the kilt thing I over look for now. I will move jobs soon or take on the man. Good luck.

I would as others have stated wear the kilt socially around the staff and managers. Socially they cannot say anything. Soon you could wear it to work and not have it be an issue.

[Angus MacSpey]

Hypocracy :rolleyes:

Cool new word!

Hypocrisy + "-ocracy" = hypocracy: government by hypocrites.

As in: Hypocracy is alive and well in Washington, D.C.

[Angus MacSpey]

I do concur that it is absurd for a government that spends billions of tax dollars annually enforcing "diversity" will embrace only the politically correct versions of "diversity."

Of course, I find it far more ridiculous that we are spending tax money for the government to enforce someone's notion of "diversity." They are supposed to fulfill certain duties, such as maintaining highways, providing for national defense, and a few other concerns enumerated in the Constitution. Making lawyers rich is not one of them, nor is making all of their employees happy, or even just the ones who have earned Special Persecuted Minority Victim Status.

So, I don't give a damn about the plight of any government employee who wants to complain about the way his boss is treating him. Sorry -- it's not personal. You live in Uncle Sam's house, you play by Uncle Sam's rules. Otherwise, move out; get your own job. Last I checked, you can change jobs at your own will.