methinks if times were different (i.e. if this were during/after say...WWII) a lot of sentiments would be different. i think the conflict we're currently engaged in has soured many.

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But did they get free food or did they bring their own vittal?

Well put. +1

Wow, this thread keeps going lower and lower. By the sounds of it, I guess I shouldn't have bothered putting my hand up in the air 6+ years ago to swear an oath to defend the Constitution (that's right kids, not Bush, not Obama, but the Constitution of the United States of America). Yup, clearly would've been better off getting a business degree and chilling on Wall Street like a few others in my HS class.

I stand by my post from earlier today that this small gesture of appreciation was a good move and, ultimately, beneficial to CO's bottom line. Frankly, both sides in here ought to have left politics at the door and debated this move solely on the basis of how it affects a. CO b. the CO customer base, including the joes who got comped.

For that matter, daggone it, it would've been nice for certain participants in this discussion to put themselves in joe's shoes and really consider what this gesture meant to those joes. When I left the ranks to enter the commissioning pipeline, one of my NCOs pointed out that it was a good thing that I had gotten to see how the other half lived. Maybe it'd be useful for those who want to drag in politics, ideals, right/left discourse, whatever, to step back and try to really imagine what it's like to be a joe. I really could care less about one's politics, but believe me, if you want to try to twist all that around into some unfounded beef with joe, that sure as heck fires me up. Alright, off of my soapbox for tonight, hopefully...

The fact that there is so much discussion on this issue indicates that perhaps it's not that good of a business decision. Or at least for the positives that it has, there are also unintended negatives.

Frankly, I believe there are additional folks who don't agree with the move, but the'yre afraid to state their opinion out of fear of being labeled "unpatriotic." Perhaps even a silent majority, but the pro-military sentiment in this country is so vocal, that people don't feel comfortable voicing their opinion on this subject.

If you think airing one's opinions make things lower, I'm happy to take my share of the blame for it.

Soldiering vs. Wall Street - they both sound about equal to me - you could have gone to Law School to improve your standing though (j/k) .

The politics is a natural progression in this particular argument. There are people who fly several times a week who for years have done the rah-rah- support the troops routine, and will do a lot to recognize them, but my feeling is that even they are beginning to get a bit cheesed off with losing out on upgrades, watching others get free drinks, listening to pep talks, etc. It might currently still be a positive for the customer base for airlines to do a little extra for soldiers, but what about four years from now, when the wars will still be going strong and people will have lost their will?

I take a flight from the gate adjacent to the Baghdad Express at DFW most Monday afternoons. I know from speaking with the soldiers, and pulling their leg a little, that some love the attention and perks they get while traveling commercially, and have even begun planning their travel around it (almost like Flyertalkers to be honest). However, I see others who just couldn't care less, and I swear I see rolled eyes at some of the antics at the gate - they seem to like the 5'11" blonde gospel singer that shows up occasionally though.

Since when did supporting the US Military make you a Republican and Governor Palin supporter? If I am a Republican, it is not because I support the US Military, and if I am not a Republican it is not because I do not support the US Military.

I went into a public-'ouse to get a pint o' beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, "We serve no red-coats here."
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:
O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, go away";
But it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play,
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's "Thank you, Mister Atkins", when the band begins to play.

I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, wait outside";
But it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide,
The troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
O it's "Special train for Atkins" when the trooper's on the tide.

Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap;
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.
Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, 'ow's yer soul?"
But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll,
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll.

We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too,
But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you;
An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all your fancy paints,
Why, single men in barricks don't grow into plaster saints;
While it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, fall be'ind",
But it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind,
There's trouble in the wind, my boys, there's trouble in the wind,
O it's "Please to walk in front, sir", when there's trouble in the wind.

You talk o' better food for us, an' schools, an' fires, an' all:
We'll wait for extry rations if you treat us rational.
Don't mess about the cook-room slops, but prove it to our face
The Widow's Uniform is not the soldier-man's disgrace.
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Chuck him out, the brute!"
But it's "Saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot;
An' it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' anything you please;
An' Tommy ain't a bloomin' fool -- you bet that Tommy sees!

In these discussions those that have served in the military always take things personally. Why is that? Why is that some people don't share the need to thank the military at every moment of their lives?

I'm just asking if we can keep CO out of the nationalism business. You want nationalism, go to a baseball game or something. Plenty there for sure.

We have multiple individuals in this thread explaining how, to them, it is alienating. You are going to have to do a lot more to convince me that this is a good decision than simply repeating "it was a good business decision."

Show, don't tell.

I'll ask again. Should we thank the soldiers from Abu Ghraib on the next CO flight they take?

Sure, and while we're at it -- let's stereotype and classify large groups of people based on the actions of a few. I guess all pilots are drunkards, all police officers are bigots, all politicians are adulterers, etc.

Man, why didn't I think of this before -- life is so much easier panting with a very broad brush!!

Sarcasm aside, whether or not you agree with the agenda of the US military, the mental and psychological duress these individuals are subjected to is nothing short of astounding and horrific. I, for one, will go out of my way to help soldiers assimilate back into a normal routine and let them know that their sacrifices did not go unappreciated or un-noticed.

You're not telling me anything I don't know. Look at Zimbardo's Stanford Prison study from the 70s. The psychological duress under an oppressive structure is well identified and replicated. But I'm not sure it is CO's responsibility to rehabilitate these individuals. Do you think it is?

Like I said earlier, feel free to be these guys/gals a drink at the airport bar on your own dime. I think that would be a nice gesture.

I think an empowered agent of the company made a decision. Just like they do every day, on a much less debated scale.

As has been said before, there is no company-wide CO policy that dictates whether or not FA's should do this.

Exactly!

Here are my thoughts on this.

I've never been upgraded as a military member. If I sit in F/C it's because I used an upgrade instrument, or it's a op up.

Regarding the "business decision" as a plus or minus for Continental I've seen nothing but opinions and we all know what they say about those....

For those that wish to thank military members for doing what they thank you. For those that chose not to thats ok too as we've given you the right to free speech, your opinons, and beliefs.

So this thread is over? @:-)

Dear CO forum regulars, I will gladly accept your drink chits (or Dunkin') in thanks and appreciation for stepping into the line of fire and ending this "debate." :-: