Uniformed Military F Upgrade
Dec 16, 2014, 9:53 am
#1
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Uniformed Military F Upgrade
I'm currently on a US flight from PNS-CLT in F and there are 2 empty F seats. I asked the F FA if they upgrade uniformed military members if they have open seats and she said no they don't. Is there a reason for this? It seems like it would be a good policy and recognition for their service. Anyone have any insight into why US wouldn't do that and let F go out with 2 empty seats?
Dec 16, 2014, 10:19 am
#2
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IMO, it would cause (dishonest) folks to put on a military-looking uniform on flight days just to score an upgrade. Kind of like the situation in this article/video: http://dailycaller.com/2014/11/30/ve...he-mall-video/
Also, where do you draw the line on who gets free upgrades? If military, why not police officers? Other law enforcement? Fire fighters? Paramedics? Other public servants?
Also, where do you draw the line on who gets free upgrades? If military, why not police officers? Other law enforcement? Fire fighters? Paramedics? Other public servants?
Dec 16, 2014, 11:28 am
#3
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While this used to be a common practice, it pretty clearly runs afoul of ethics guidelines to accept a personal benefit based solely on one's federal employment status.
At a more practical level, there are a lot of heroes out there who perform acts of public service every day. Some wear uniforms and some do not. All of them deserve recognition, so where is the line drawn here?
At a more practical level, there are a lot of heroes out there who perform acts of public service every day. Some wear uniforms and some do not. All of them deserve recognition, so where is the line drawn here?
Dec 16, 2014, 11:38 am
#4
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Who knows if there were preferred members in coach who didn't get upgraded, and if so, the order they should have? The flight attendants don't have any of that information.
Dec 16, 2014, 2:47 pm
#6
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When there are empty F seats, US offers them for sale at the gate to anybody willing to pay. Apparently nobody did want to pay, so they go out empty. Kind of bad for business if you offer someone an F seat for $99 and when he says no, you say, "OK -- it's yours freebie...."
Dec 16, 2014, 6:04 pm
#7
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On an AA flight recently, I had witnessed a GA trying to upgrade a uniformed military person (an officer, in fact, based on his insignia). However, he (the officer) refused to get upgraded and firmly insisted that he sit in a coach seat where he was ticketed. He said something in effect of setting an example for the enlisted men and women. ^ I still regret not going over and really thanking him for his service.
Dec 17, 2014, 8:52 am
#8
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I think YMMV on this. While traveling on Veteran's day, I saw two military individuals get moved to first class after the plane had completed boarding. The FA specifically addressed the "two men in military uniform to come to first class." Granted this was a short SDF-CLT regional flight. As a military contractor, I was pretty pleased.
Dec 17, 2014, 1:18 pm
#9
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I’m still stuck on the US flight with “empty F seats” part of the post. 
Dec 19, 2014, 2:05 am
#10
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Do firefighters not deserve such recognition?
Dec 19, 2014, 10:54 am
#11
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Dec 19, 2014, 11:06 am
#12
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Originally Posted by US Air Force
Air Force personnel may not upgrade their travel or accept complimentary reseating to business or first class while wearing their military uniform to avoid the public perception of misuse of government travel resources.
I thought the rule was that you are not supposed to ride on the first class while in uniforms?