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.