Originally Posted by
GunsOfNavarone
There has been a lot of talk about military boarding on United lately.
Maybe we all missed the target? Military is United largest customer, by a long shot. Both in revenue and in overall PAX. Just as WalMart is P&Gs biggest customer. WalMart gets the very deepest discounts, yet P&G needs their revenue.
Maybe United's overall boarding plan has a motive we have missed and might hate to acknowledge. Follow the money.
If the goal were to allow them to pre-board because they're a large customer, the airline can discretely provide that to them on their boarding pass -- through discrete status matches, through their fare basis, through a negotiated agreement, etc. No need for a public announcement. But that's not the goal, the goal is to generate PR, which is why it's policy and a public announcement is made. They think they'll get more Rah! Rah! this way.