NATS dress code?
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It's a fun discussion and I have no real axe to grind, just some observations made over the years.
I started off with the jacket and tie culture, even while at CATC Hurn, I can't remember when we largely stopped wearing them, probably in the 1990s. I have never found a tie to be comfortable to wear anyway, so I was glad to go without. One of our STPOs would still wear a collar-and-tie to work on night-duties. I think a return to formal ops-room dress would be about as popular as the return of a smoking ops room.
A good point was made earlier though. I've just been reading the link on the other thread about EC driven cost-reduction, and a lot of 'stakeholders' are keen to see ATC staff paid less. Over the coming years, these holders of purse-strings will be visiting towers and looking through viewing-gallery windows. Notwithstanding the first-class service that ops-room staff provide, (about which they know little), these 'suits' will inevitably question why people dressed for the beach, golf-course or whatever, receive the remuneration that they do.
I started off with the jacket and tie culture, even while at CATC Hurn, I can't remember when we largely stopped wearing them, probably in the 1990s. I have never found a tie to be comfortable to wear anyway, so I was glad to go without. One of our STPOs would still wear a collar-and-tie to work on night-duties. I think a return to formal ops-room dress would be about as popular as the return of a smoking ops room.
A good point was made earlier though. I've just been reading the link on the other thread about EC driven cost-reduction, and a lot of 'stakeholders' are keen to see ATC staff paid less. Over the coming years, these holders of purse-strings will be visiting towers and looking through viewing-gallery windows. Notwithstanding the first-class service that ops-room staff provide, (about which they know little), these 'suits' will inevitably question why people dressed for the beach, golf-course or whatever, receive the remuneration that they do.
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Ooh Prune Radar has EVENTUALLY done it.
A NATS supplied uniform. Now then ...let the BAND 5 gold scrambled egg rank indicators versus an ATCE boiler suit (white for the DTO naturally) versus a whatever for the ATSAs commence.
Or are we going to be all egalitarian in our outlook ....and wear casual polo shirts and chinos?
Seriously though. Two points.
Can NSL AFFORD to have another cost placed on it ? There will have to be at least TWO of everything supplied and replaced as they wear out,
And doesn't this twaddle raise its head every ten years or so? I survived thirty some years without one. I don't see why things have changed.
A NATS supplied uniform. Now then ...let the BAND 5 gold scrambled egg rank indicators versus an ATCE boiler suit (white for the DTO naturally) versus a whatever for the ATSAs commence.
Or are we going to be all egalitarian in our outlook ....and wear casual polo shirts and chinos?
Seriously though. Two points.
Can NSL AFFORD to have another cost placed on it ? There will have to be at least TWO of everything supplied and replaced as they wear out,
And doesn't this twaddle raise its head every ten years or so? I survived thirty some years without one. I don't see why things have changed.
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NATS dress code?
Uniform would be a disaster. Cheap polyester shirts and shiny trousers - no thanks!
As for RP2, they're not going to pay us less because we decide to wear jeans to work. That's a silly assumption.
As for RP2, they're not going to pay us less because we decide to wear jeans to work. That's a silly assumption.
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My headset is my uniform. This shows far more professionalism, integrity and responsibility than a cheap suit ever could. The visitors in suits need to understand this.
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In the US we had this battle over dress code during our "white book" period (5-10 years ago). It was a management tool to exert authority and control. 
The reaction of the atco's was anger. As the local union rep. I wore the same two neon yellow polo shirts for the entire period of the contract. I always wanted them to see where I was. If you treat people with respect and professionalism they will react and dress as such. Uniforms in the work place are found in fast food restaurants and petroleum transfer stations and may not accurately reflect the effectiveness of the workforce ie a facade. In air traffic control facades are not necessary.
The reaction of the atco's was anger. As the local union rep. I wore the same two neon yellow polo shirts for the entire period of the contract. I always wanted them to see where I was. If you treat people with respect and professionalism they will react and dress as such. Uniforms in the work place are found in fast food restaurants and petroleum transfer stations and may not accurately reflect the effectiveness of the workforce ie a facade. In air traffic control facades are not necessary.
When I was at LATCC (1971-'73) we had an ATCA on our watch (B) who wore a different (immaculate) suit to work every day. I think his name was Andy Price.
We also had me, who dressed quite shabbily, on occasion. We both got Cadetships. We also had other ATCAS (various states of dress) who got Cadetships.
Most of the selection was done by ex RAF etc. ATCOS - whose dress sense was "conservative" to say the least. Our state of dress did not seem to influence them unduly when it came to promoting people.
If it didn't bother them, why should senior people in today's NATS need to exercise their authority & predilections by introducing a "dress code" ?
Some of the best ATCOS NATS ever had came from those "unwashed & untidy" officers !
We also had me, who dressed quite shabbily, on occasion. We both got Cadetships. We also had other ATCAS (various states of dress) who got Cadetships.
Most of the selection was done by ex RAF etc. ATCOS - whose dress sense was "conservative" to say the least. Our state of dress did not seem to influence them unduly when it came to promoting people.
If it didn't bother them, why should senior people in today's NATS need to exercise their authority & predilections by introducing a "dress code" ?
Some of the best ATCOS NATS ever had came from those "unwashed & untidy" officers !
StandupfortheUlstermen
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Una Due Tfc
"I hope you will be wishing my team well on Sunday BTW"
Certainly will, as will most Ulster supporters................................and if you're lucky, maybe a few of the D4 contingent too!
Certainly will, as will most Ulster supporters................................and if you're lucky, maybe a few of the D4 contingent too!
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NATS dress code?
Not sure what the dress code will specify. I could live with a ban on bermuda shorts and flip flops but if they come after jeans it will be a very sad day.
NATS dressing up.
I spent a career being known for the way I dressed more than my abilities as a controller. I guarantee that whatever dress code NATS tried to impose shirt, tie etc. I could still come into work looking as if it had been a long night on the streets! It is impossible to be prescriptive over dress, only to say that it should be smart. ATCOs on my watch dressed in shorts and t shirts would certainly look smarter than myself in a scruffy worn shirt and trews!! Worzel
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When I worked in the Tower or Radar at Manch, I wore jeans and a polo shirt, IF however, I was working in AIS/Flt Briefing, I wore slacks and a smart short sleeved shirt......
because I was on Public view
If one worked at PATCC in the '60s/70s and you arrived without a tie, you were sent home [pay docked] to get one...... times have changed
because I was on Public view
If one worked at PATCC in the '60s/70s and you arrived without a tie, you were sent home [pay docked] to get one...... times have changed
Board shorts and flip-flops are for the beach not the workplace. At best you look silly. The older ones look a little sad.
The controllers I know at SOCAL TRACON often surf after working to release stress. Seems to work out ok. No ones swapped paint because they dressed comfortably.
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When I last wore my shorts and flipflops. we did a quick poll around a couple of sectors and the outcome was that I was probably "better presented" than 2/3rds of the ops room. It is all about perception, and personal opinion as West Coast says.
I love some of the comments these kinds of threads provoke. No one has said that there is more of a concern about attire than pay/pension/RP2/RP3 and it is quite easy to be focused on both at the same time. I've had the pleasure to be in the company of some of our European colleagues recently, have you seen what they wear in their workplace? Some of them are even managers, working in offices, WEARING JEANS
Even when visiting NATS HQ!!!
Really, who cares? As long as attire is not offensive, why should someone be forced to wear a particular style?
I love some of the comments these kinds of threads provoke. No one has said that there is more of a concern about attire than pay/pension/RP2/RP3 and it is quite easy to be focused on both at the same time. I've had the pleasure to be in the company of some of our European colleagues recently, have you seen what they wear in their workplace? Some of them are even managers, working in offices, WEARING JEANS
Even when visiting NATS HQ!!!Really, who cares? As long as attire is not offensive, why should someone be forced to wear a particular style?
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Apart from the 'professional dress can display a professional attitude' debate (to which I subscribe but which which will never be resolved on this forum), one of the arguments I often hear for shorts and flip flops is that it is a hot day outside. In this unit at least (Swanwick), the temperature is a constant 21-23 degC 24/7, 365 days a year. The same individuals who use the weather as an argument for a certain casual attire in the summer strangely don't sit in snow boots, hat, scarf and gloves in the Ops Room when it is below freezing outside.
It would seem that the argument falls over at this point... perhaps it is more about wanting to cock a snook at management?
It would seem that the argument falls over at this point... perhaps it is more about wanting to cock a snook at management?
