Kilted Mailmen?!

[macwilkin]

Hmmm...as the grandson of a former USPS Director of Customer Service, I'm not sure what to make of this. I remember my grandfather in the late '80s complaining on how the uniform standards of the PO had went down over the years; He passed on on 2005, but I wonder what his reaction to this would be?

I don't want to sound like Cliff Claven here, but I know folks have asked me over the years why I didn't push for kilts in the USNPS when I was a ranger. Whilst I love my kilts, the USNPS Ranger uniform is just that, a uniform, with specific standards and regulations.

Sorry to be the Devil's advocate, but it just isn't working for me...but I don't have to wear it either.

T.

[Wompet]

I like the idea, but looking at the picture ...
uniform shirt, uniform shoes, proper kilt socks, and a postal blue kilt (I think a USAK would look better than a UK) - that would make a better, more "uniform" impression in my opinion.

[Panache]

I like the idea, but looking at the picture ...
uniform shirt, uniform shoes, proper kilt socks, and a postal blue kilt (I think a USAK would look better than a UK) - that would make a better, more "uniform" impression in my opinion.

I think a narrower military pith helmet instead of the explorer version would help as well.

Cheers

Jamie

[Wompet]

I think a narrower military pith helmet instead of the explorer version would help as well.

Cheers

Jamie

Well, that is the uniform helmet, so we can't do anything about it.

[Rigged]

The picture shown might not be the ideal kilt outfit, but it still looks better than those dorky shorts they make postal carriers wear. The same kilt in postal blue would work -- or any of the modern kilts in the uniform color should be acceptable IMHO.

[keepoffgrass]

I think it would be pretty cool for a letter carrier to have the option of either the pants, shorts, or kilt, either the utilikilt version pictured or the USPS tartan. I think any of those choices would be acceptable as part of a uniform, and should be up to the individual letter carriers as to what he or she would be most comfortable in.

[Woodsheal]

I think it would be pretty cool for a letter carrier to have the option of either the pants, shorts, or kilt, either the utilikilt version pictured or the USPS tartan. I think any of those choices would be acceptable as part of a uniform, and should be up to the individual letter carriers as to what he or she would be most comfortable in.

The way it works is: if the resolution passes, then the Joint Uniform Board would have to approve a specific pattern of kilt. Then, manufacturers would be given contracts to mass-produce the item based upon the approved pattern. (This works the same way as with military uniform contracts. There might be slight variations in the final product from different manufacturers, but the base pattern is the same.) Utilikilts could conceivably get such a contract, if they have the manufacturing capacity....

A letter carrier's kilt would definitely have to be a "working" garment, exposed to vehicular grease and grime, rain, dust and dirt, and the filthy mail itself (my hands are black by the end of the day!). So, it would have to be able to stand up to constant laundering. A tartan wool version would NOT be an option. It would have to be heavy cotton, canvas or polyester type kilt.

[keepoffgrass]

The way it works is: if the resolution passes, then the Joint Uniform Board would have to approve a specific pattern of kilt. Then, manufacturers would be given contracts to mass-produce the item based upon the approved pattern. (This works the same way as with military uniform contracts. There might be slight variations in the final product from different manufacturers, but the base pattern is the same.) Utilikilts could conceivably get such a contract, if they have the manufacturing capacity....

A letter carrier's kilt would definitely have to be a "working" garment, exposed to vehicular grease and grime, rain, dust and dirt, and the filthy mail itself (my hands are black by the end of the day!). So, it would have to be able to stand up to constant laundering. A tartan wool version would NOT be an option. It would have to be heavy cotton, canvas or polyester type kilt.

I would imagine a P.V. tartan kilt could handle its fair share of laundering, and I would imagine it would be much much less expensive to produce than its wool counterpart (I never said wool would be viable choice of material). I do not know the ins and outs of government contract work or how they go about doing whatever it is they do. Best of luck to you and your fellow letter carriers. I just figure a little choice and freedom of carrier as to their specific uniform; while still keeping things in a set and specific form and function; may be good for moral and help break up some of the monotony of life. However, I'm not a member of the Joint Uniform Board or any other part of the Postal Service. It was just a thought.

[emolas]

... I do not know the ins and outs of government contract work or how they go about doing whatever it is they do. ...

It's simple really: lowest bidder wins. That goes for everything from uniforms to weapons.

I, for one, would like to see kilts accepted as more mainstream and having postal carriers walking around kilted would really go far in making that a reality. It would be nice to be able to wear a kilt and have everyone recognize it as such with nobody thinking anything was out of the ordinary.

[skeeney]

...I do not know the ins and outs of government contract work or how they go about doing whatever it is they do...

Oooo, oooo, I know, I know!! That's what I do for a living. And it's not always lowest bidder... that's kind of gone out of style in favor of Best Value...

and don't get me started on this or Mark will look over his glasses at me.