Air Traffic Control Manager Prohibits Kilt

[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.

[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!

[Rex_Tremende]

I'm having a little trouble understanding how folks can complain about having been subjected - unwillingly, apparently - to diversity issues in one breath, and in the next cry foul when someone tries to enforce conformity. If you don't like diversity (as others would have it), rejoice in conformity!

Or...

If you don't like conformity, form an alliance, get political (in the sense of wielding influence), and explain patiently to policy makers how one's choice of clothing is but one aspect of diversity. Small gains can be won over, one employer at a time, but I think it will be a long slog before the government requires public contracts to be bid on by companies run by kilt-wearers.

For me, diversity ≠ tolerance, but rather it is learning to respect, if not appreciate, people's unique talents, cultures, experiences, strengths, and struggles. It's about what people contribute, not what people can get away with. No doubt, many an employer's diversity program began after the exit interviews. They learned that if you want the very best and the brightest, you can't be too picky about the package.

Regards,
Rex in Cincinnati


Oh...,

The plane doesn't land because an ATC does or doesn't do their job. Nor does it not land because a woman is wearing a mini skirt and a tight cashmere sweater. The plane lands because the flight crew makes it land and they can't see into the tower. The government is wrong on this as well as many issues.

Whether or not the government has a right to dictate policy that it believes minimizes distractions in the workplace, the flight crew does not navigate busy and often confusing airfields and air space alone. Forty-nine people died in Lexington, KY, this month because a pilot turned down the wrong runway on takeoff, while the sole ATC turned his back from the controls to do paperwork and was unable to spot and correct the mistake. It takes teamwork, not heroes, to fly commercial aircraft.

[rbuxton]

And to add to this a bit,,,, a female co-worker a couple of days ago wore a kilt to work and nothing was said to her except that it looked good. This is an example of the diversity and equality stuff the governement preaches but ignores.

Why is it okay for a woman to wear a kilt and not a man? And, the lame reason I have heard is that a kilt is a dress. Oh really?

[Angus MacSpey]

Andrew Green:

Admittedly, my rant about government excesses was a bit extraneous. The bottom line -- in my opinion -- is this: if you don't like your boss's rules, go get a new boss. It would be like joining the Army if you didn't want to wear camouflage. Personal experience from years of "fighting the man" told me this, and I either quit a job or got fired more than a few times. Now I am self-employed, which is where mavericks belong in life.

Fortunately for society, most people are sheep. If everyone was a maverick, noone could cooperate with others long enough to accomplish a task that required teamwork. However, many owners of small businesses are mavericks, and will give a lot of leeway for their few employees. Utilikilts Co. seems a fine example.

Mega-corporations have employees so far separated from the actual owners (aka stockholders), and one's superior is usually the person who was more authoritarian than the others to achieve that promotion. Large businesses promote mediocrity; that's just how it is. Mediocre people do not challenge conventions. Mediocre people tend to drag the mavericks down to their level any way they can. Government agencies are the same, only more so.

As for what's not Politically Correct about the kilt, it's really quite simple. It's traditionally or typically seen as a Heterosexual White Male thing. Heterosexual White Males are not considered "diverse."

[scoutniagara]

In my retirement, I'm able to wear anything I choose, but I still have to follow "uniform" on occasion. As a Therapy Dog Handler, I am supposed to wear black pants, and as a volleyball referee, I have to wear navy pants. I'll take note on what the "workers" in the seniors' homes wear, but I couldn't see myself up on a referee's stand wearing a kilt; others down below, might see tooooo much. ;)