Jay Honeck wrote:
As of today, the FAA has imposed a dress code on their employees,
requiring that they (*gasp!*) NOT where flip-flops and cut-offs to
work! Amazingly, believe it or not, these employees are now actually
going to be required to wear (*Oh-mi-God*) DRESS PANTS and a DRESS
SHIRT to work!

That's a really dumb requirement on the FAA's part.

In the face of this terrible affront, the controller's union, NATCA,
has decided to do the following, quoted from AvWeb:
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What's A Union To Do?
While the battle inside the towers and centers may (to outsiders) have
its whimsical side, the practical impact of the new regime could be
significant. NATCA appears determined to fight each and every violation
of the new rules cited by management. In a memo to controllers at a
major center (we do know which one), union leaders are urging members
to exercise their rights to the letter. "If a supervisor tries to talk
with you regarding the way your are dressed, it constitutes a formal
meeting," the memo reads. "Stop the conversation immediately and ask
for a union representative. The same approach should be used on any
other changes in your working conditions, ask for a rep immediately.
The Agency has a legal obligation to comply." But the memo also says
the overall battle won't be won by individual members discussing their
fashion challenges. "One person alone can not change the course the
agency has decided to take," the memo says. "However, collectively we
can unpave their course and start a new road. I and the rest of your
elected leaders will need your help now more than ever."
************************************************** ***********************************************
Unbelievable! They're actually going to fight against their employer
for dictating what they must wear to work... Apparently their right to
look like bums in a professional setting has been violated, and the
union is going on the offensive!

Looking like bums in a professional setting is entirely appropriate
sometimes. Seriously... they're sitting far away, in a dark room,
staring at screens and talking on the radio. What do I, Mr Customer,
care about the way they're dressed? As long as I don't get vectored into
a mountain, I'm fine.

Jay, if you haven't visited a TRACON, please line up a visit, talk to
the fine folks, watch them do their job, then tell me why requiring them
to dress up is a good idea.

-jav