Airline passengers refuse to wait for body of servicemember to leave aircraft
#76
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Given the cost of flying a C130 to transport a dead soldier's body by itself -- one body at a time -- is rather high, commercial transport seems to be a more affordable, even more practical option.
#77
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Arlington VA
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You have a military connection - you live near a military base, have family and friends in the military, and live not far from Richard Nixon's home.
Because of that connection you have strong feelings on this issue - to the point that you call people that disagree with you jerks, and advocate that the pilot essentially imprison passengers in the plane to assure compliance with what you believe is right.
Not everyone has that military connection or shares your beliefs. I would think allowing people to voluntarily show respect if they choose to do so by staying on the plane would be most in line with American traditions. Forcing people to stay on the plane as you suggest by locking the door sounds more North Korean than American to me.
Because of that connection you have strong feelings on this issue - to the point that you call people that disagree with you jerks, and advocate that the pilot essentially imprison passengers in the plane to assure compliance with what you believe is right.
Not everyone has that military connection or shares your beliefs. I would think allowing people to voluntarily show respect if they choose to do so by staying on the plane would be most in line with American traditions. Forcing people to stay on the plane as you suggest by locking the door sounds more North Korean than American to me.
I agree with the sentiment that escort deplanes first. Then normal unboarding.
I dont see the reason to force delay an entire plane for a ceremony they cant even see and but for an announcement would not even know about.
Plenty of other ways to show respect beyond causing people to miss connections.
#78
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And very much in line with American military tradition. Common carrier transport has been used to send the fallen home going back to the Civil War. Railroads did that through Korea, then airlines took over beginning with Vietnam. It is not practical nor economical to use military aircraft and personnel for this task when commercial carriers are perfectly capable of handling it effectively and with dignity.
#79
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Military connection here.
I agree with the sentiment that escort deplanes first. Then normal unboarding.
I dont see the reason to force delay an entire plane for a ceremony they cant even see and but for an announcement would not even know about.
Plenty of other ways to show respect beyond causing people to miss connections.
I agree with the sentiment that escort deplanes first. Then normal unboarding.
I dont see the reason to force delay an entire plane for a ceremony they cant even see and but for an announcement would not even know about.
Plenty of other ways to show respect beyond causing people to miss connections.
This is SOMEWHAT similar to a flight being medically diverted. First responders should board, and assess (remove medical passenger immediately or treat on the plane), but everybody shouldnt have to wait on the plane because a person is being treated...
#80
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And very much in line with American military tradition. Common carrier transport has been used to send the fallen home going back to the Civil War. Railroads did that through Korea, then airlines took over beginning with Vietnam. It is not practical nor economical to use military aircraft and personnel for this task when commercial carriers are perfectly capable of handling it effectively and with dignity.
#81
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Military connection here.
I agree with the sentiment that escort deplanes first. Then normal unboarding.
I dont see the reason to force delay an entire plane for a ceremony they cant even see and but for an announcement would not even know about.
Plenty of other ways to show respect beyond causing people to miss connections.
I agree with the sentiment that escort deplanes first. Then normal unboarding.
I dont see the reason to force delay an entire plane for a ceremony they cant even see and but for an announcement would not even know about.
Plenty of other ways to show respect beyond causing people to miss connections.
#82
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 206
http://popularmilitary.com/airline-p...eave-aircraft/
If four announcements were made and people were still attempting to get off the plane then shame on them.
If four announcements were made and people were still attempting to get off the plane then shame on them.
I actually offered my first class seat to the female soldier escort but she would not take it.
While it is a terribly sensitive subject, I'm not sure its necessary for everyone to remain seated until the remains are removed. In my case, it was probably 15 minutes from door open to remains removed.
I wonder if the person misunderstood what the flight crew was asking...
#83
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I thought standard operating procedure was to ask passengers to remain seated until the military escort left the aircraft (and had a chance to descend the stairs to the ramp so s/he wouldn't be tramped by VIDs), the commence normal deplaning. That's the way it's worked on the flights I've been on.
#84
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 563
Likewise, including Delta 1149 last Friday 7/14 to HNL where a sailor killed at Pearl Harbor was being returned to be interred with his former mates. They asked that passengers wait until the two honor guard members deplaned but did not ask for further delay.
#86
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Virginia
Posts: 110
I have connected through DCA on a "regular" ticket. It is a hub for AA. I agree that while it is usually not a connection point, it very well can be.
Last edited by STVA; Jul 21, 2017 at 5:47 pm Reason: Quotation didn't format correctly
#87
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I thought standard operating procedure was to ask passengers to remain seated until the military escort left the aircraft (and had a chance to descend the stairs to the ramp so s/he wouldn't be tramped by VIDs), the commence normal deplaning. That's the way it's worked on the flights I've been on.
#88
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#89
Join Date: Sep 2006
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I am a granddaughter of a WW2 Veteran who was privileged to come home after the war was over. If I was asked to wait 2 minutes for a veteran's coffin to be off loaded on a flight, you better believe I will make sure they get respect and I will not deal with someone who thinks 2 minutes makes a world of difference for a soldier or veteran making his or her last journey home to their loved ones for a proper burial. Even if this happened on a flight overseas, I will still show respect.
#90
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I am a granddaughter of a WW2 Veteran who was privileged to come home after the war was over. If I was asked to wait 2 minutes for a veteran's coffin to be off loaded on a flight, you better believe I will make sure they get respect and I will not deal with someone who thinks 2 minutes makes a world of difference for a soldier or veteran making his or her last journey home to their loved ones for a proper burial. Even if this happened on a flight overseas, I will still show respect.
In fact, before this article had you even heard of this practice on commercial aircraft?