Air Traffic Control Manager Prohibits Kilt

[O'Neille]

Scott, you are one stinking smart (and observant) dude. You're right of course. UC Davis may have had an internal e-mail system, but the worldwide response is doubtful. Faxes on crinkly thermal paper is more in tune w/ '88. O'Neille

[McClef]

Being permitted or not to wear a kilt at work is a general problem not limited to any particular profession.

Clearly when there is a uniform code then individual choice is removed but at least the rules are applied equally.

When the rules are more general then you will get variations in how the dress code is applied and it's often discriminatory and often down to the discretion (or rather lack of it) of local management. It is always easier for women to get away with not wearing a tie and wearing trousers than it is for a man not to wear a tie and not wear trousers.

Many organisations have "dress down" days every month, with a small donation made for charity which can allow people to vent their full individuality.

I once had a part-time job in a pub in Bristol. My first manager was happy for me to be kilted behind the bar and in fact begged me to work one new year's wearing it.

He left for another pub and I went to work one friday night kilted only to be told by the new manager that I was "unacceptably dressed" and was told to go home and change or take the night off - I took the night off and left the job shortly after.

[cessna152towser]

The local airport which I fly from here in Briatin is currently recruiting ATCO's. I don't think you'd have a problem with wearing a kilt on duty as a civilian ATCO in Britain. Most civilian control towers and radar stations which I have visited whether privately run or government run, the staff have been dressed casually. The only place there is a strict dress code is on military ATC stations where staff are always in uniform. It sounds like the US government runs their ATC as a military style operation; while this does sound unduly restrictive of staff rights to dress comfortably, it is perhaps an understandable attitude in light of terrorist threats to civil aviation. By the way, welcome to the forum.

[cavscout]

I was ATC with the Marine Corps at Cherry Point, NC back in the 90's. Welcome to the neighborhood.

Good luck with trying to work this out but with the Fed's and definitely with the FAA and now all the other entities who have a say in it... I think it will be virtually impossible. The heading "banned by the US Government" isa bit inflammatory and mis-leading. Currently the banning is by the ATC personnel at the airport you work at.

My best suggestion is to try and slowly work it in by wearing kilts to socical events with cooworkers. And eventually it may be allowed into the workplace as it becomes less of a shock to them and viewed less as a rebellion against a stricter dress code.

[macwilkin]

Utilikilts serve a special niche for me: in 1988 (if memory serves) for our first Tartan Day...

The first Tartan Day (in the US) wasn't until 1998. It was actually started in Canada in the late 80's - early 90's.

T.

[Scott Gilmore]

The first Tartan Day (in the US) wasn't until 1998. It was actually started in Canada in the late 80's - early 90's.

That must be it. A simple typo. Must say, I'm relieved.

I've been using e-mail and posting on international chat groups since 1987.

I do not doubt you.

I'm not arguing that e-mail was unavailable in 1988, just that it is unlikely (but not impossible) that an international e-mailing campaign was responsible for the result the author of that anecdote relayed. As cajunscot said above, most likely the author simply made a one-digit error and typed 1988 rather than 1998. That would make much more sense.

Regards,
Scott Gilmore

[Wompet]

As a uniformed government employee, I do have to say that if a dress code is in place, you have to abide by it.
BUT looking at some of my fellow employees, whose dress code is "business casual," a kilt would be a definite improvement.

If you're determined to address this issue, there are a few threads here you can check - search for "kilted" and "work." Confirm, if you can, that the no-kilt rule is a local policy (if it's national, you're sol). Find out which airports allow kilt-wearing, and what those ATCs did to get it allowed. Once you have all your facts together, present your case to your supervisor. After that ... well, I don't know how things work at the FAA, so you're on your own.

Just a thought - it occurred to me, after re-reading your post (you "decided" to wear your kilt to work) - did you ever wear your kilt to work prior to the new dress code, or was the first time after the dress code went into effect? If it was the latter, your supervisor may have seen your kilt not as acceptable business casual, but instead as you mocking the new guidelines. Something to consider.

[NewKilt]

It sounds to me like the "business casual" dress code that the FAA has instituted is written such that your immediate manager has rather broad authority in interpreting and enforcing the code. You could attempt to educate your manager about the kilt being an acceptable article or clothing that meets the requirement for "business casual," You could point out other government agencies that do allow men to wear a kilt.

If this does not change your manager's opinion, then as another poster had mentioned, you might be able to get some help from your union. Another possibility might be to contact your congressman. But however you would elect to pursue this, in my opinion I would keep your manager informed. Your manager may not agree that the kilt is appropriate attire, but he/she should respect that fact that you are keeping them in the loop so that there are no unpleasant surprises later. Who knows, this alone might get you in the door with your manager saying, "ok, lets give it a try and see how it goes."

Darrell