usbusinesstraveller

I've seen UA pilots and flight attendants bring uniformed military from the back of E- to sit in F, J and (when it was available) Global First, when space has been available. In GF they asked us paid F pax if it was okay with us and it was a unanimous Aye. That doesn't seem unfriendly to me.

FlyerTalker70

Military documents and ID should suffice. Not everyone will feel comfortable being all decked out in military uniform in such a public setting

This has been the custom at least within North America to grant courtesy for those enlisted in either Canadian or US military. The two countries share a unique military relationship the lengths of which would be too long for a discussion on FlyerTalk. I suppose you could open it up to other allied countries such as NATO members but I wouldn’t want to know that these privileges were extended to say members of the PRC military or North Korean military or Russian armed forces... well I think you get the point.

-James

guv1976

Except that:

"I checked with her via Text and she is traveling on Leave Orders. I did not know that she has some leave before reporting for training."

(See Post #29.)

STS-134

Well OP already stated that the person was not in uniform. UA policy apparently requires that the person be in uniform OR have leave/rest and recuperation orders AND be flying a UA/UX operated flight. Are the orders required to be presented in writing?

All that said...OP's daughter really needs to get a Priority Pass card and head over to the A/B gates and go in the TK lounge, which offers you a full hot meal that's very good. All of the UC lounges at IAD are a dump compared to the A/B lounges. Heck, I'd even pick the AF/KL lounge (also PP accessible during certain hours) over the UC lounges because even though the food isn't great there, it's way better than at the UCs. Or...find someone who's UA*G and ask him/her to guest her into the LH lounge. If I were ever traveling alone and anyone in military uniform approached me and asked me to guest him/her into a *A lounge, I'd gladly do so. Especially on Veterans Day.

IAH-OIL-TRASH

UC rules require service members traveling on orders to be in uniform if wanting to take advantage of the free entry. If the military thought there would be a significant security issue, they’d issue a blanket order for all military traveling commercial aircraft ditch the uniforms. They haven’t. If it’s up to the service member to decide whether or not he/she wants to enter the Club and whether or not to wear the uniform to do so.

tylerdurden4543

Not "And" but "Or"

Where do the rules require that?

MSPeconomist

AFAIK some military personnel are forbidden to wear uniforms when traveling on commercial airlines while others might be ordered to wear their uniforms much more. It can be the decision of the base commander or similar officer (and depend on the nature of the post/duties as well as the current political climate) rather than a matter of individual preference given the tradeoffs.

calmasahinducow

The only thing worse than servicemembers' entitlement is their parents' servicemember entitlement. I say this as a currently serving Army officer: nothing makes me cringe harder than people like OP (and possibly his/her/xer daughter if she raised a big fuss about it).

FlyerTalker70

Per the United Club rules:

The relevant phrase is one of the following. They need not be dressed in uniform if they have leave orders or R&R papers. That being said the orders were not enough to satisfy the lounge attendant which makes one wonder whether other orders (I.e. leave or R&R) would have been accepted by said agent. I would also be curious if OPs daughter would be entitled to the AA or DL lounges. Surely they must also have a liberal access policy?

Not every airport has a USO lounge!

-James

STS-134

Whoops. Edited post. Are the orders required to be presented in writing? Could that be the reason for the denial?

calmasahinducow

I am like 99% sure the issue was overcrowding. I take advantage of American's military lounge policy all the time (no uniform necessary, just orders) and I get turned away about 30% of the time due to crowding....which is totally fine because this is a super generous perk and not some sort of entitlement.

JetAway

Anyone who thinks UA is military unfriendly needs to stand in Group One while active duty military (uniformed or not, orders or without) and their families pre-board.

FlyerTalker70

I don’t think we’re arguing whether or not UA is military friendly but rather trying to get to grips with the access policies they have put in place for some of the services they provide to those serving. The website says one thing but it seems like experience may be different.

Antonio8069

I agree with those who suggest the title of this thread is over the top.
Also, its wrong to condemn UA on the basis of one incident.
For my part, I board dozens of UA flights per year. Each & every time, boarding group one is active duty military.
My question is this. Why sound off on FT? Why not contact UA about the isolated incident and share the reply??
NB The fact that its Veteran's Day is irrelevant. UA policy applies every day, IMO.

usbusinesstraveller

Just to be clear, active military is pre-boarding (before official BG1). And (what you probably mean) they’re the highest priority pre-boarding after people with disabilities/needing assistance. That’s ahead of Global Services, families with under 2’s and finally 1K.