Air Traffic Control Manager Prohibits Kilt

**O'Neille** · 16th September 06, 12:13 AM

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** · 16th September 06, 02:28 AM

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** · 16th September 06, 02:43 AM

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** · 16th September 06, 05:06 AM

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** · 16th September 06, 05:09 AM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

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.

**Riverkilt** · 16th September 06, 09:31 AM

Aye detective,

Wondered about that myself. I've just figured either it was a bad memory, or a typo by whoever composed the newsletter.

The detail of the events seems real enough to me, whatever the time actually was.

The moves to stand up for freedom in a free country sure seem to be an option available to any kiltwearer.

Ron

**Sir Robert** · 16th September 06, 01:34 PM

Really seriously dude, do go and get a new job. At some point you just have to say screw the US Government. It is so PC (for some) while dumping on others.

Wearing a kilt for me is not a bit different from wearing any other clothes. Until some Government puke make it an issue, then it becomes a Civil Rights issue.

**Sir Robert** · 16th September 06, 01:35 PM

Really seriously dude, do go and get a new job. At some point you just have to say screw the US Government. It is so PC (for some) while dumping on others.

Wearing a kilt for me is not a bit different from wearing any other clothes. Until some Government puke make it an issue, then it becomes a Civil Rights issue.

Are you in a Union? Make it a greavance.

**mudd** · 16th September 06, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by Scott Gilmore

To my knowledge, in 1988 e-mail as we know it now simply didn't exist.

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

**Scott Gilmore** · 16th September 06, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

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.

Originally Posted by mudd

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