Military Personnel: Upgrades and Other Benefits on Delta Air Lines
Sep 6, 2007, 12:20 am
#62
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Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
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Pot calling the kettle black?
They would be great gestures if the people didn't feel compelled to brag about their patriotism and generosity on an Internet bulletin board. My belief is that most people who do this (there are exceptions, of course) do so more to make themselves feel good at little cost and pat themselves on the back than for any other reason.
BTW, ever notice how not too many brag about having given up their personally paid FC seats to soldiers?
And finally, soldiers are being paid to do a job, just like firefighters and cops. They accepted the job voluntarily. If you want to put them on a special pedestal, that's your business. If your action makes you feel good, that's wonderful. I just don't see the point in these periodic self-congratulatory posts.
They would be great gestures if the people didn't feel compelled to brag about their patriotism and generosity on an Internet bulletin board. My belief is that most people who do this (there are exceptions, of course) do so more to make themselves feel good at little cost and pat themselves on the back than for any other reason.
BTW, ever notice how not too many brag about having given up their personally paid FC seats to soldiers?
And finally, soldiers are being paid to do a job, just like firefighters and cops. They accepted the job voluntarily. If you want to put them on a special pedestal, that's your business. If your action makes you feel good, that's wonderful. I just don't see the point in these periodic self-congratulatory posts.
Sep 6, 2007, 12:28 am
#63
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 839
They would be great gestures if the people didn't feel compelled to brag about their patriotism and generosity on an Internet bulletin board. My belief is that most people who do this (there are exceptions, of course) do so more to make themselves feel good at little cost and pat themselves on the back than for any other reason.
BTW, ever notice how not too many brag about having given up their personally paid FC seats to soldiers?
And finally, soldiers are being paid to do a job, just like firefighters and cops. They accepted the job voluntarily. If you want to put them on a special pedestal, that's your business. If your action makes you feel good, that's wonderful. I just don't see the point in these periodic self-congratulatory posts.
BTW, ever notice how not too many brag about having given up their personally paid FC seats to soldiers?
And finally, soldiers are being paid to do a job, just like firefighters and cops. They accepted the job voluntarily. If you want to put them on a special pedestal, that's your business. If your action makes you feel good, that's wonderful. I just don't see the point in these periodic self-congratulatory posts.
Sep 6, 2007, 5:17 am
#64
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: in your villages
Programs: legions, foreign and domestic
Posts: 1,472
I always give up my first class seat for ACLU lawyers (can usually recognize them from the ponytails).
Sep 6, 2007, 6:29 am
#65
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Join Date: Sep 2000
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Folks, please stop all of these personal remarks immediately!
RSSrsvp - Moderator
RSSrsvp - Moderator
Sep 6, 2007, 7:25 am
#66
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Wayne, PA USA
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I think it's very generous for folks to give up their first class upgrades to service personnel, and I really respect everyone who does that.
On the other hand, I think it greatly cheapens the gesture when people make a point out of publicizing their generosity. To me, it seems like they're trying to say "See, I'm a better American/person than you because I 'support the troops'".
Personally, I think the classy thing to do would be to simply and very discreetly give up the first class seat without announcing it across the intertubes and take quiet, private, personal satisfaction in the act.
personal side note - if people really 'support the troops', why not fight to get them out of harms way? Or at least demand that they immediately receive the best armament and most secure vehicles possible? I suspect a soldier in combat would much prefer functional body armor to a First Class seat.
On the other hand, I think it greatly cheapens the gesture when people make a point out of publicizing their generosity. To me, it seems like they're trying to say "See, I'm a better American/person than you because I 'support the troops'".
Personally, I think the classy thing to do would be to simply and very discreetly give up the first class seat without announcing it across the intertubes and take quiet, private, personal satisfaction in the act.
personal side note - if people really 'support the troops', why not fight to get them out of harms way? Or at least demand that they immediately receive the best armament and most secure vehicles possible? I suspect a soldier in combat would much prefer functional body armor to a First Class seat.
Sep 6, 2007, 7:33 am
#67
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: new york, ny, usa
Posts: 13,536
i wonder what the NY Times ethicist would say?
Sep 6, 2007, 7:49 am
#68
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Atlanta
Programs: DL:PM - Reserve, 2MM, FC, RW; HH: SILVER MR: SILVER
Posts: 1,225
I realize that the idea isn't orginial. I have a friend who was deployed to IRAQ, and he told me that someone did this for him, and how much he appreciated it. So, as noted, I am not the first, but happy to do it. Just a simple suggestion -- that's all. If you don't feel compelled to do it, or don't agree with it, that's fine... but don't assume that I am grandstanding at all here, that wasn't even close to my intent.
Sep 6, 2007, 8:06 am
#69
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Somewhere today, somewhere tomorrow!
Programs: Delta DM
Posts: 6,768
there are many many many many many closed threads about this one which I started a while back that I can think of Points are still valid which were made in that one. Front of the line
more to it: More
one which I started a while back that I can think of Points are still valid which were made in that one. Front of the linemore to it: More
Sep 6, 2007, 8:17 am
#70
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: Skyteam
Posts: 5,759
Would you give up your JFK-SEA/LAX/SFO for a soldier?
Personally, I've been looking for an opportunity to give up my seat for a service person but, they always seem to travel in pairs.
Personally, I've been looking for an opportunity to give up my seat for a service person but, they always seem to travel in pairs.
Sep 6, 2007, 8:21 am
#71
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: in your villages
Programs: legions, foreign and domestic
Posts: 1,472
Ask not what your country can do for you, ask if you can give up 4 or 5 inches of pitch from Atlanta to Little Rock (and a free drink).
Sep 6, 2007, 8:24 am
#72
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
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Folks,
Threads of this nature always go off topic and become political and personal in nature. As we have covered this topic several times before, I see no need to continue this discussion.
RSSrsvp - Moderator
Threads of this nature always go off topic and become political and personal in nature. As we have covered this topic several times before, I see no need to continue this discussion.
RSSrsvp - Moderator
Dec 27, 2007, 9:04 pm
#73
Join Date: Dec 2005
Programs: DL GM, SPG Lifetime Gold/SPG Platinum 100
Posts: 69
Delta FAs, seats in first, and military in uniform
I'm not really surprised at this behavior, but I wanted to see what everyone's opinions were.
Recently on a flight ATL-SFO, later in the evening but certainly not redeye, sat in first (upgraded). Saw three active duty military (in uniform) get on the plane for SFO, seated in coach. I was surprised to also see three Delta FAs (in uniform) sitting in first. When we landed in SFO, DL flight leader asked everyone to let the military pax off first. This is standard in my opinion and makes sense, but I was surprised the FAs did not sit in coach and let the military folks sit in first. What are your thoughts? Is there some official delta policy against this?
Recently on a flight ATL-SFO, later in the evening but certainly not redeye, sat in first (upgraded). Saw three active duty military (in uniform) get on the plane for SFO, seated in coach. I was surprised to also see three Delta FAs (in uniform) sitting in first. When we landed in SFO, DL flight leader asked everyone to let the military pax off first. This is standard in my opinion and makes sense, but I was surprised the FAs did not sit in coach and let the military folks sit in first. What are your thoughts? Is there some official delta policy against this?
Dec 27, 2007, 9:21 pm
#74
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Posts: 55
Why should military sit in First?
Dec 27, 2007, 9:40 pm
#75
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: RDU, Delta GM/1MM, Hilton Diamond (for now), Bonvoy Titanium
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