Should Military Personnel in Uniform Board First?

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Viewing 14 posts - 16 through 29 (of 29 total)

  • Kaicat75
    Participant

    Americans are incredibly proud of their serving and retired military personnel, which really does not seem to exsist in other countries to the same level. So i am not surprised that AA offer this.But I have to agree with NTarrant on if it is neccessary to AA to draw attention to it.

    But in a country were it is illegal to impersonate a Veteran i would have thought the Veteran saluting would have been offered the upgrade first…. “age and served” before “young and serving”


    MartynSinclair
    Participant

    you are a hard man Starflyer – do you ever thank nurses / doctors for saving a life of a lvoed one, becasue they are also only doing a job!

    Yes the military are a democratic army in the US, but that doesnt mean you cant have pride.

    I have been affected by terrorism and war in 3 countries and have seen the effects of war. I will always be proud of any demoratic army as you put describe it and certainly do not agree with VK and others who feel military personel should treated like kids, seen and not heard or worse still, consigned to cargo!


    VintageKrug
    Participant

    MS please do not put words in my mouth.

    You have stated I “treat military like kids” think they should “be seen and not heard” or worse still, “consigned to cargo” and very early on suggested I made a post about “teenagers going to war” (not relevant to the discussion of priority boarding).

    I made no such posts.

    Very early on you aligned my comments with those who hold a culture of entitlement (“why should I give up these benefits” “why should I work”).

    This is a gross misrepresentation, and entirely without foundation.

    I made a statement, focussed on the ad, which was generic in nature and clearly stated I was not sure what I thought on the matter.

    I do not appreciate the personalisation of the argument eg VK vs. you/others’ thoughts on the matter. I am interested in others’ opinions even if I disagree with them.

    Criticise a position someone takes by all means (but note that I didn’t take one on this), but don’t criticise them personally, or align them with a position they simply do not hold.

    Rather like the House of Commons, naming participants should generally be avoided in favour of referring to the argument at hand.

    This is plainly a topic which is close to your heart, MS, but please take a moment to stand back a little.

    It’s only a lighthearted message board, after all.


    oldchinahand
    Participant

    What a rant Martyn !
    I rather suspect aimed at me and my recent post but rather clumsy and over the top with the false names bit don’t you think?

    I have been posting on this sight for several years and many know who I am. I don’t normally have the time or inclination to post several times a day or I proclaim myself to be the fountain of all knowledge on this sight .

    It happens that like yourself I am British and Jewish but live in Hong Kong, however I fail to see the relevance.
    Unlike your self I am reasonably tolerant and understand that others will not always agree with my views and as far as I am concerned if it makes you happy to stand for military personnel you are perfectly entitled to do so.

    I happen not agree with your reasoning or rational for this blind worship of the military most of whom are merely perusing a career path that causes them to at times be uniformed when there are so many others in our society much more deserving of our gratitude….and seat.

    I insulted no one but your remarks concerning how the Americans choose to treat their military are duly noted.
    They serve only to consolidate my thoughts that this kowtowing and glorification of paid military workers is a very bad idea and perhaps one of the reasons why America seems very keen to rush into military action and drag others along when other means would better serve. Iraq ! .

    As regards American Airlines while you choose to see this commercial, whose sole purpose is to fill their planes as an initiative to be applauded I see it as cheap crass commercialism of the worst kind nor do I see any parallel with BA and others having a representation of the British flag on their aircraft tail

    My view very clearly stated is that I don’t want to see paid uniformed military strutting around and being offered privileges that are much more deserved by others in our community.

    I do however respect that at the rear times of war the British military are deserving of our respect for doing well the difficult job that they are paid and trained for.
    It is my view also that most uniformed military would rightly be very embarrassed to be seated ahead of others and offered the ridiculous privileges that you mention and applaud.

    By they way I have have flown the British flag in the 5 continents where I have lived and although now past 60 willingly give up my seat to others …….but not to fit youngish, well paid uniformed military.


    continentalclub
    Participant

    I assume that the specific catalyst for the production of this advertisement (and indeed the suite of them of which it forms part) is that this Monday coming is Memorial Day in the USA:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Day

    I have no idea what the media plan is for the adverts., although I wouldn’t be at all surprised if they are aired primarily on forces TV.

    In the US (and other countries) it is still expected that serving personnel on duty, or travelling to or from duty (which may or may not be active) will wear uniform.

    The protocol exists to a certain extent in the UK, though it’s much less common to see soldiers, especially en masse, in our main civilian airports, and they rarely use scheduled services. In the UK, you’re more likely to see soldiers travelling to and from home on trains, and you will sometimes see them in uniform there. On other occasions they are told to wear suits to be less obvious, but the crew-cuts and kitbags rather give that game away.

    Otherwise, you’ll sometimes see large army contingents, in uniform, at secondary or even tertiary airports in the UK, awaiting charters to their postings. This only happens when RAF bases are not being used for the purpose.

    In the USA, bases can be far further away from a soldier/sailor/flyer’s ‘home’. Trains are less practical. In the USA, many commercial airports have USAAF bases on site, and if/when troops are flown into them, it makes sense that they then use the commercial terminals for their domestic onward connections.

    There is also a culture, in the USA, of uniformed public servants being encouraged to actively ‘display’ their uniform. This is most notable when you’ll see off-duty Police in diners and coffee shops. The idea is that it comforts the good guys and intimidates the bad guys.

    In the UK, however, our natural response tends to be that we perceive these people, on breaks, as somehow shirking.

    It’s simply a different culture, or perhaps just a more old-fashioned one in the States.

    Time was, here in the UK, that a nurse could be disciplined for uniform standards transgressions when travelling to and from a shift.

    Anyway, back to the specific point: the ads are all to do with it being Memorial Day in the US, which is a holiday that engenders very significant public support in that country.


    Senator
    Participant

    continentalclub,

    Factual, and none-emotional as always.. Thank you very much.. Having spent a good seven years as a “non-resident alien” in the US, you are spot on. Many Americans are proud to serve their country.

    This discussion about AA and US Armed Forces is a cultural discussion. In Europe we may not understand what the fuzz is all about, but having flown with both Her Majesty the Queen of Sweden, Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess of Sweden on LH and LX, there was much fuzz about whilst many American passengers would perhaps not make a big deal of it. Imagine what it would like if Her Majesty, the Queen of England came to the boarding area of T5B gate.

    Given the wider topic of consideration and civil courage; I for one sometimes turn into my alter-ego at airports. In normal life, I show patience, consideration to my peers. However, at airport I am the perennial Mr. Scrooge. Fuzzing about at security wondering how on Earth people can’t be prepared, “running onboard” to catch a seat (and locker space) even if my row is not called.

    Let’s agree to disagree, and recognise that this special ad covers an area dear to many Americans… Respect for the men and women of the US Armed Forces is very strong in the American culture.

    And I for one will try to bring my civil courage back with me on my next trip.


    Potakas
    Participant

    Just to note, that AA doesn’t fly not even close to the places where the US military have operations, don’t say it is easy. But if they want to serve their soldiers maybe they should start routes where their families can reach them.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AA-Des.svg


    MartynSinclair
    Participant

    VK – without making any excuses I send you my unreserved apologies. I interpreted the video incorrectly and as you quite rightly recognised, there was something in it that made the post extremely sensative and far too close to home. My apologies to the other posters on this site – I shall red card myself from entering this debate/ discussion further and if my post offended anyone else, my apologies to you as well.

    Martyn


    SimonRowberry
    Participant

    Hi Potakas,

    I think the reference was to US domestic destinations, rather than international ones.

    Just a (slightly tongue-in-cheek and not intended to be disrespectful) thought – I don’t expect we’ll see uniformed military on the new services recently announced to Iraq or, for for that matter on Ariana Afghan, somehow.

    Simon


    Potakas
    Participant

    I wasn’t talking about uniformed military on a JFK-SDA route for example,

    I was saying that they should try to have new routes closer to where the US forces have operations for years.


    SimonRowberry
    Participant

    Hi again Potakas,

    I presume you only mean for the families and friends, rather than the serving military personnel?!!

    I suppose an issue is that when personnel are serving in an operational theatre, they are obviously not able to have visits from friends and family? Also, I can’t see AA serving Baghdad International, Basra or Kabul…..It might make them somewhat of a target.

    I guess that I’m not exactly sure of the point you are making (and I’m not being disrespectful or unkind here – I genuinely don’t understand what you are driving at).

    Regards,

    Simon


    Potakas
    Participant

    Hi Simon,
    Excuse me everyone in this topic. I can’t make my self clear probably because of my English,

    Yes i mean Families and friends, i mentioned it above.

    I also mentioned that this kind of service it will not be easy and also it will be dangerous, thats why i said:

    ” AA doesn’t fly not even close to the places where the US military have operations”. I could not imagine an AA flight landing at Baghdad International airport.

    Simon you are right saying ”an issue is that when personnel are serving in an operational theatre, they are obviously not able to have visits from friends and family?”

    Probably they can’t and this makes all my thoughts useless.

    Apologize for the misunderstanding Simon.


    SimonRowberry
    Participant

    No worries, Potakas. I always find your contributions to be positive and interesting.

    Also, don’t worry about your English – mine is far from perfect and it’s my first language (well, Birmingham English is, anyway!).

    Cheers,

    Simon


    VintageKrug
    Participant

    MS thanks for your considered and sensitive response on what is obviously an emotive subject for you and others in your situation.

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