TSM,
My point was explanation not justification; in a world where 'harmonizing' regulations is virtually a new religion the discrepancy over charging officers for non-protective uniform has been 'avoided' because, on average, most officers would lose money from the removal of the tax relief. Those who would suffer most would be the ones who spend most of their duty time in free-issue protective clothing (CS95, flying suits). The last time I did some rough calculations based on overall 'sales' of uniform to officers at a well-known StratAT MOB it was a good deal.
Personally speaking, this whole arguement seems pointless to me. If you are in an aircraft either flying me, or flying over me, I would like you and the rest of the crew to be in good form, which must mean eating when required and eating food prepared in an appriopriate (ie in-flight catering) environment. I would imagine that eating on a long mission isn't really a matter choice as a BOI finding we had just taken 250+ casualties because the crew's reactions had been slowed by low blood sugar levels would be difficult. So, its your duty to stuff your face as far as I am concerned and if it's a duty it should be free.
As to bursting your seams at the pie-eating quip, as it wasn't that funny really perhaps the pies are challenging your existing clothing already?
Last edited by BluntedAtBirth; 29th May 2007 at 10:58.
Reason: Hyphen crime