Air Traffic Control Manager Prohibits Kilt

[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.

[rbuxton]

I sure appreciate all of the posts, pro and con. Thanks all.

The underlying problem with the whole issue is that my agency decided to change the dress code so that it is actually more "dress" than it was previously. No real disagreement there. Even though I wore jeans and polo shirts on most days to work I didn't dress like a slob (even though we work in a building where no one sees us at work.)

So now I decide to dress up and arbitrarily a supervisor can decide that a kilt doesn't meet his interpretation of the dress code. That's a problem (not a big problem in the big scheme of things, but,,) that I have with making a rule and changing it after it is written in stone.

[Raphael]

Most companies advocate clutural diversity, but not diversity in fashion freedom. I don't see a company want to enforce a dresscode. You will only see as a trouble maker if you are aggressively pushing your agenda.

[Cawdorian]

My employer is a Federal Contractor, we are working at the Atlanta Airport on several federally funded aviation projects. As part of our training for these projects we were required to take a "Diversity Awareness" class, the theme of the class was "a diverse team makes a good team". The classroom was virtually in the shadow of the FAA control tower.

It sounds like you are dealing with one misguided bureaucrat in this particular case. I doubt if his boss would share his opinion.

[Andrew Green]

Angus:
What is not PC about the kilt?
I see the word diversity thrown around like it's some magic corporate keyword, but then I read posts about diversity definitely not being allowed to flourish... diversity for a select few, or the few that raise enough stink about not being accepted? Not bashing the cause at all, just trying to clarify... the kilt used to be everyday wear, some people aer trying to regain this lost status. Until then, it makes great formal attire in many people's minds. So I do not see how it can be un-PC when it is one of the more formal garments you can wear (the kilt DOES clean up nicely)? Just trying to fish the brain a bit more, and see exactly what you were meaning in your post.

[McClef]

the kilt used to be everyday wear, some people are trying to regain this lost status.

Indeed.

For me it is everyday wear but I am fortunate that I don't have any management to gainsay me.

I can really appreciate the frustration of those who have, especially when not in a uniform situation or one that does not require direct dealing with the public who would find it perfectly smart anyway!