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U.S. male air traffic controllers wear dresses to work to protest dress code
Canoe Network ^ | 6/28/2007 | AP

Posted on 06/28/2007 10:44:58 PM PDT by Utah Girl

Air traffic controllers locked in a staffing dispute with the U.S. government are upset about a dress code and have shown their displeasure in high-flying fashion, with some men protesting by wearing women's clothing.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's dress code, instituted in September, bars jogging outfits, halter tops, shorts and jeans. Approved clothing items include dress slacks, casual shirts with collars and sweaters. Midnight-shift workers are exempt.

"From our point of view, not a big deal," FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro said.

But a few times in the last year, male controllers have worn dresses or kilts to work, the controllers' union, the 15,000-member National Air Traffic Controllers Association, said. The point was to illustrate the silliness of the dress code because nothing bars male controllers from wearing dresses, union spokesman Doug Church said.

The dress code is typical of professional environments, said FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory.

At the FAA's Cleveland Air Route Control Center in Oberlin, Ohio, one controller was disciplined because he wore an orange shirt a supervisor said "looked like a highway traffic cone" and another was told his aquamarine pants were "not gender appropriate" for a man, Church said.

Cory said she was unfamiliar with that situation but there have been rare instances of outrageous outfits meant to create a stir while technically complying with the dress code.

Under the FAA-union contract, first-time dress-code violators may be sent home to change on their own time. Subsequent violations would be handled as employee misconduct through the agency's disciplinary process.

There have been 15 to 20 disciplinary actions across the country, ranging from letters of reprimand to a three-day unpaid suspension for a worker in Chicago who wore a yellow suit, said Bryan Zilonis, vice-president of the union's Great Lakes region. All are being contested.

In their larger negotiations, the controllers are upset about changes in schedules, no mandatory breaks every two hours and pay issues, including a pay cut for new hires, Church said.

And though the dress code is a smaller issue, Zilonis said for the FAA, "it's just an opportunity to be oppressive."


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To: -YYZ-
"These guys don’t have contact with the public and spend their days closed up in a high stress work environment - who cares what they wear to work? Stupid regulations."

you dress yourself as you see yourself....

if you see yourself as a disciplined professional with huge responsibilities, you wear adult, professional clothing and you play the part of an adult professional.

21 posted on 06/29/2007 11:22:32 AM PDT by cherry
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To: gcruse

You said "peckers".

L

22 posted on 06/29/2007 11:28:06 AM PDT by Lurker (Comparing moderate islam to extremist islam is like comparing small pox to ebola.)
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To: Lurker

They wuz huntin’ peckers, hehe heheh he heheheh he.


23 posted on 06/29/2007 11:29:30 AM PDT by gcruse
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To: Utah Girl
Where does one go to buy a yellow suit? Wal-Mart?

I thought the protest was silly until I read down to the part where people were getting reprimands for things like orange shirts and blue-green pants. Now, I hope the controllers win.

24 posted on 06/29/2007 11:29:38 AM PDT by Cyber Liberty (Did Dennis Kucinich always look like that or did he have to submit to a series of shots? [firehat])
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To: Lurker
Reagan

You're fired!

25 posted on 06/29/2007 11:31:01 AM PDT by TheDoctorNoh (The road to hell is paved with liberal stupidity)
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To: gcruse
The rest were just hunt ‘n’ peckers.

You mean hunting peckers, right?

26 posted on 06/29/2007 11:41:53 AM PDT by Doohickey (Giuliani: Brokeback Republican)
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To: Doohickey

It’s really a vocal gag that doesn’t work so well in print. Since the phrases sound identical, it works aloud. But to put huntin’ peckers as a written punch line doesn’t jibe with the precedent of typing.


27 posted on 06/29/2007 11:46:33 AM PDT by gcruse
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To: cherry

I don’t agree with your position...a professional wears the right clothes for the job at hand. For ATC one should dress in a manner that maximizes productivity and minimizes distractions. For example, no butt seam pants would seem to be a no brainer. Makes it much easier to so sit for extended periods without pain. However that is a very casual cut. Same with shoes. Good sneakers or casual shoes would make much more sense than heels (one of the women got giged for not wearing pumps).

Making an issue where there really isn’t one is dumb. Companies that make dumb decisions eventually go out of buisness, unfortunately there is no such remedy for Gov agencies like the FAA and USPS.


28 posted on 06/29/2007 12:08:41 PM PDT by Starwolf
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To: Burkean
I said that the students would have far more respect for men teachers who are far more professionally dressed...

Perfect. I use this type of negotiating tactic often.

I'll voice an opinion in favor of a particular course of action and then I'll start pointing out the negative consequences of it. In a few minutes, others will be offering alternatives which gives me an opening to offer mine. By the end of the meeting, they are convinced that my course of action was their idea, which is fine with me.

29 posted on 06/29/2007 12:10:15 PM PDT by SC Swamp Fox (Join our Folding@Home team (Team# 36120) keyword: folding)
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To: CholeraJoe

IS making a JO nearly piss his pants a violation of the UCMJ these days? I used to be cosidered sport with the O-4s and above.


30 posted on 06/29/2007 12:11:41 PM PDT by Starwolf
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To: Utah Girl

How juvenile. They do not have the maturity to hold this type of job.


31 posted on 06/29/2007 12:14:42 PM PDT by Jane Austen
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To: Starwolf

Pretty much. After Tailhook, the services are pretty humorless these days. No more carrier landings or food fights.


32 posted on 06/29/2007 12:26:26 PM PDT by CholeraJoe (July 11, 2007. The Rebellion begins!)
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To: Cyber Liberty

I hope the controllers win, too. Change the rules and make them all wear dresses.


33 posted on 06/29/2007 12:44:42 PM PDT by MARTIAL MONK
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To: Utah Girl

What were the previous dress requirments? Pajamas?


34 posted on 06/29/2007 12:46:31 PM PDT by <1/1,000,000th%
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To: Starwolf

Got a few smart ass comments from a JO who was Mr. Vice, until I buried the dirk I was wearing in the tabletop in front of him, for which I was sent to the grog bowl.


No Claymore? And you call yourself a Scottsman???!!!


35 posted on 06/29/2007 12:49:59 PM PDT by Grizzled Bear ("Does not play well with others.")
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To: Grizzled Bear

One does not bring that kind of weapon into the mess, at least on mess nights. However, dirks are allowed/expected, unless of course you are a clueless JO


36 posted on 06/29/2007 12:52:11 PM PDT by Starwolf
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To: CholeraJoe

We have clearly been to different mess nights


37 posted on 06/29/2007 12:52:42 PM PDT by Starwolf
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To: Starwolf

One does not bring that kind of weapon into the mess, at least on mess nights.


They might have made an exception if you said it was your Grand Pappy’s...


38 posted on 06/29/2007 12:54:06 PM PDT by Grizzled Bear ("Does not play well with others.")
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To: Utah Girl
MY...

I think we should all be allowed to wear pajamas like they wear in China. (That's the ONLY thing about China I like!!!!)

WHAT IN THE WORLD is wrong with comfort?

39 posted on 06/29/2007 1:15:40 PM PDT by bannie (Is the amnesty bill the REASON our Founding Fathers insured our RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS?)
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To: Grizzled Bear

The dirk was originally great grandfathers and has been carried into combat by every generation but me (no combat on my watch). If one of my kids goes into the military (one may), they will be given it when they are commissioned.

We be serious about being Scot in my family


40 posted on 06/29/2007 1:46:58 PM PDT by Starwolf
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