Air Traffic Control Manager Prohibits Kilt

[rbuxton]

I am an air traffic controller working for the FAA near Washington DC. On September 3rd the FAA implemented a new dress code for air traffic controllers that calls for dress to be "business casual." The intent is to stop air traffic controllers from wearing jeans, shorts, tennis shoes, and other comfortable type clothing.

I decided to wear my kilt to work. Was immediately sent home to change because I was told that the wearing of a kilt did not present a professional image to the public (even though there is no public that sees us at work) and that wearing the kilt was causing a distraction (which did not happen.)

I was wondering if anyone knows what avenues I might be able to take to educate the FAA managers that a kilt is acceptable wear in the workplace (at least I think it is.)

I''ve heard of lawsuits and massive letter writing campaigns when these types of things have happenned. I think something needs to happen. There are other co-workers of mine around the nation that are being told not to wear their kilts. While at the same time at some workplaces they are permitted.

Thanks.

[Southern Breeze]

First off, welcome. IMHO getting permission and the dress code changed is not likely to happen. You're dealing with the Feds and the bureaucracy therein.

[Tattoo Bradley]

I must second that thought. You're dealing with the federal govt. There's no such thing as "compromise" there! Bummer. Don't feel too bad. I can't wear mine to work due to OSHA.

[Bob C]

No offense, but I'm WAY more worried about guys in your job getting the planes up and down safely.

[beerbecue]

What were you wearing on your upper body?

Are women allowed to wear business skirts or skirts in general?

Did you wear a tie?

[turpin]

I must second that thought. You're dealing with the federal govt. There's no such thing as "compromise" there! Bummer. Don't feel too bad. I can't wear mine to work due to OSHA.

I work for the feds, and my agency would allow me to wear it - haven't done so yet because i'm waiting for an "occasion" to give me a pretext, to start this phase of kilted life. i don't see going full-time at work, but i am certainly much more aware of the discomfort of bifurcation in a chair all day at work since experiencing the other side of the farce.

[Andrew Green]

You know, now that I wear a kilt from time to time at work, I AM more aware of how uncomfortable pants are. Just can't beat the kilt. My SWK heavy is warmer than most of my pants as well. I may cheat on my weekend dress code for security in the cold months (I work in a shack, with no insulation and a crummy little wall heater that DOESN'T keep the shack warm, on top of not being issued new cold weather gear... my weekend job is full of BS circumstances, but not bad aside from that), and wear a kilt when there is no one around (which is over half the time). It IS very tempting!

8 and 9 are right next to each other, on the row, and the 10-key, it would very easily be a typo.

[Blu (Ontario)]

IMHO I believe there sould be standardized or restricted attire for ATC personnel, pilots, security, agents, and anyone else that falls under FAA jurisdiction. I wonder if you've realistically evaluated your motives and the relative importance of a kilt in your particular workplace.

I can tell you right now... if I'm on an inbound flight to a busy airport, I would prefer that the tower personnel was concentrating singularly on air traffic and not on kilts or fashion freedom issues.

Sorry... I agree with the FAA management on this one!
..

[macwilkin]

As a fellow Federal employee (US National Park Service Ranger GS-5), I have to agree with Blu and Bob C. on this one. No offence, but when you work for Uncle Sam, you have to play by his rules. As much as I would have loved to have seen a USNPS tartan to wear with the "grey and greens", I knew that it's not going to happen, and besides, the NPS uniform is just that -- a uniform, and as a ranger, I have to follow the regs.

Besides, as you said -- no one is going to see it anyway -- so save it for off-duty when someone will!

Regards,

Todd

[Southern Breeze]

I've worked as a welder many years ago on DOE sites. I was told there's a right way, a wrong way and the Governments way.