Active Military now board before First Class
Jan 30, 2010, 2:51 pm
#1
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Active Military now board before First Class
For both flights this morning (out of DCA and IAH) the CO gate agents announced preboarding for active military (with ID), then a few moments later preboarding for First Class, then Elite, etc.
While this is a nice gesture, it just seemed a little awkward. It would appear to be more logical to just announce preboarding of active military with Elites.
If there were a few active military personnel at the gate in uniform - this would have been appropriate. But in both cases there were none.
Both flights DCA-IAH, and IAH-SEA were not full in F with paid customers. An off duty CO FA in uniform and her BF got seats in row 2. One guy (not in uniform) was preboarded (DCA) even before the announcement - to seat 4A (so he wasn't a FAM).
If I saw an active duty military person in uniform I would have asked a gate agent to add as a companion - there were empty seats (IAH-SEA).
Again - nice to do - just seemed a little awkward with no visible military. Maybe this is for security?
While this is a nice gesture, it just seemed a little awkward. It would appear to be more logical to just announce preboarding of active military with Elites.
If there were a few active military personnel at the gate in uniform - this would have been appropriate. But in both cases there were none.
Both flights DCA-IAH, and IAH-SEA were not full in F with paid customers. An off duty CO FA in uniform and her BF got seats in row 2. One guy (not in uniform) was preboarded (DCA) even before the announcement - to seat 4A (so he wasn't a FAM).
If I saw an active duty military person in uniform I would have asked a gate agent to add as a companion - there were empty seats (IAH-SEA).
Again - nice to do - just seemed a little awkward with no visible military. Maybe this is for security?
Last edited by cova; Jan 30, 2010 at 3:24 pm
Jan 30, 2010, 2:53 pm
#2
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I saw this in FLL a couple weeks ago and also thought it was odd.
Jan 30, 2010, 3:01 pm
#3
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Same thing on IAH-LAX last Sunday. Not done on return flight from SFO-IAH.
Jan 30, 2010, 3:51 pm
#5
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What is this gesture suppose to signify? A simple "Thank you for your service" should suffice.
Jan 30, 2010, 4:05 pm
#6
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This was done when I left CLT 2 weeks ago as well, I took many flights that week and this ERJ flight was the only one to have that, it was quite akward, no one even came forward.
Jan 30, 2010, 4:38 pm
#7
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Their paycheck should suffice for performing their job duties.
Jan 30, 2010, 4:48 pm
#8
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Part of me says it's a nice gesture to give people who put their lives on the line for ours an opportunity to board ahead of other passengers.
But another part wonders where we draw the line: before F/elite passengers, should they board Doctors, Nurses, EMTs, Firemen, etc?
But another part wonders where we draw the line: before F/elite passengers, should they board Doctors, Nurses, EMTs, Firemen, etc?
Jan 30, 2010, 4:50 pm
#9
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They did this for IAH-RDU this week, but done a little differently. Active military were invited to board with elites. That seems to make sense to me, but I applaud CO for the effort in recognizing their service.
Jan 30, 2010, 4:51 pm
#10
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In poor taste. They place their lives on the line for America, and other countries, each and every day.
Jan 30, 2010, 4:52 pm
#11
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Now if these folks were drafted and/or volunteering, I might feel differently. But for people who willingly enroll in a profession and are paid for it, I think it's a bit much.
Jan 30, 2010, 4:53 pm
#12
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Jan 30, 2010, 4:56 pm
#13
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Jan 30, 2010, 4:59 pm
#14
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yawn. this sure seems to come up a lot. I can see if they were preboarding fifty military folks, but really - when does that happen. I get far more worked up when someone slithers on to the blue carpet without status and the GA lets them go through. who cares - sure they signed up for the military on their own, but I'll probably never come across an I.E.D. at work - so it all works out.
Jan 30, 2010, 5:02 pm
#15
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yawn. this sure seems to come up a lot. I can see if they were preboarding fifty military folks, but really - when does that happen. I get far more worked up when someone slithers on to the blue carpet without status and the GA lets them go through. who cares - sure they signed up for the military on their own, but I'll probably never come across an I.E.D. at work - so it all works out.