NATCA Going Down in Flames

On 12 Sep 2006 11:50:26 -0700, "bdl" wrote:

Jay Honeck wrote:
************************************************* ******************
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!

I thought it was strange as well Jay, that a profession that considers
itself a very "professional" occupation (and is paid commensurately
with other professionals) dressed so shabbily. I know when I took a
tour of the STL TRACON I was surprised at how unprofessional some of
the controllers looked. It certainly didn't look like I was visiting a
place of business.

I'm not sniping at you, Brian, but your post gives me a junp-off point
for a rant:

Speaking as someone who was required to wear a jacket and tie from the
thrid grade through gradschool (well, except for 2 years in
highschool), I have to say I found it refreshing when the boomers
right behind me trashed a tradition that was clearly designed to
perpetuate stereotypes of "professionals" and "tradesmen."

They/we were, of course, almost immediately co-opted by the makers of
"designer" dungarees and so forth, but it was nice while tie-dying and
such was still a cottage industry.

At this point, it's all been taken over by big business -- to the
point where it's all part of a continuum, with even the most vulgarly
offensive crap being fronted in mass quantities in malls coast to
coast by outfits like Spencer Gifts.

So it's now just a different manifestation of what my father called
"regimented robots" when the nuns first proposed jackets and ties in
1952. But make no mistake -- outside the military, clothing has no
relationship to professionalism.

As an aside, it may have been in the same article, but I read recently
that the other rule the FAA put in place that has the union up in arms
is "no naps" while on breaks... Oh, and they have to stay at the
facility.....

Demonstrating precisely how "professional" they consider their workers
to be.

Don

I'm not sniping at you, Brian, but your post gives me a junp-off point
for a rant:

Hey, its usenet, feel free :-)

Speaking as someone who was required to wear a jacket and tie from the
thrid grade through gradschool (well, except for 2 years in
highschool), I have to say I found it refreshing when the boomers
right behind me trashed a tradition that was clearly designed to
perpetuate stereotypes of "professionals" and "tradesmen."

I've been in both types of dress code jobs. Wearing a suit and tie as
a consultant when part of my job required going behind dusty computers
and ruining the tie for that day. I've also worked from home, where
sometimes I'd still be in my bathrobe at the end of the day.

I found that I didn't work as effectively in the bathrobe. I may be
more comfortable, but not necessarily towards my work.

If controllers worked in a windowsless room all by themselves I think
it would matter less to me. But they don't. They work in a facility
with other controllers. Right next to them. Peer professionals. By
dressing to a minimum standard they are showing that they are
professional. One of the reasons the military wears uniforms is to
instill that sense of unity and esprit de corps. There is no esprit de
corps with flip flops... well there was that summer as a lifeguard but
that was the uniform... and I digress.

So while dockers and a collared shirt may not be as regimented as a
uniform its still better in my opinion than a cavalier, anything goes
attitude.

As an aside, it may have been in the same article, but I read recently
that the other rule the FAA put in place that has the union up in arms
is "no naps" while on breaks... Oh, and they have to stay at the
facility.....

Demonstrating precisely how "professional" they consider their workers
to be.

Or demonstrating how professional the workers actually are BEING, in
that they were taking naps in the facility at a time they could be
called to duty at any moment. If they were too tired to stay awake,
they should have called in sick.

Maybe making them dress up a bit will stop the "we're just lounging
around" attitude. I know its easier to take naps in my shorts and flip
flops than it would be in a suit and tie.

I found that I didn't work as effectively in the bathrobe. I may be
more comfortable, but not necessarily towards my work.

Was it because of the bathrobe, or because of the close proximity of the
refrigerator, TV, internet, and three kids?

One of the reasons the military wears uniforms is to
instill that sense of unity and esprit de corps. There is no esprit de
corps with flip flops.

What kind of espirit de corps would improve ATC?

Or demonstrating how professional the workers actually are BEING, in
that they were taking naps in the facility at a time they could be
called to duty at any moment.

Airplane pilots take naps on duty too. They are fresher when called to
duty.

Jose
--
There are more ways to skin a cat than there are cats.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

Jose wrote:
Was it because of the bathrobe, or because of the close proximity of the
refrigerator, TV, internet, and three kids?

I've been doing the telecommuting thing since around '95 so I've got a
lot of experience with it. Getting dressed in the morning (just like I
would with any commute) improves my performance during the day. I get
more things done. With or without the fridge, Tv, internet, and 1
kid.

I don't turn on the TV when working form home. I have the internet,
but then I have the internet at an office to. Same with the fridge.
As to the kid.. thats why I have a dedicated room in my house that is
my office. She's not allowed in when I'm working. Just like if I was
at the office she wouldn't get past the badge readers or the guards.

What kind of espirit de corps would improve ATC?

Any kind. Workers who feel part of the same team should work better
than workers who don't. I would maintain that everybody operating to a
minimum standard would enhance that team. A person who cares about
their appearance will help with that sense of team.

Are you saying that ATC as an organization has no room for any
improvement?

Airplane pilots take naps on duty too. They are fresher when called to
duty.

But if the airline said they shouldn't as part of their operating
procedures you would agree that that would be ok right? Or do you
think the pilots should be able to set their own operating procedures
for their particular flight? To hell what their employers decide?

The FAA sets the standards in my opinion. And I don't think anything
outlined so far is excessive.