Veterans to receive Priority Boarding & "thank you for your service"

[SheikYerbouti]

So why screw Scott Morrison and News Corp.They have nothing to do with this subject.It is a VA decision.

Do you even know WHY Virgin are doing this?

Because of the New Corp-led, and Morrison-supported, #ThanksForServing campaign. Go and look it up.

 

[RooFlyer]

Do you even know WHY Virgin are doing this?

Because of the New Corp-led, and Morrison-supported, #ThanksForServing campaign. Go and look it up.

So I looked it up by following your link.

A report by The Guardian. Oh, sure

 

[SheikYerbouti]

A report by The Guardian. Oh, sure

Did it take long to get those blinkers fittered?

Go and read up on all your preferred news sites. It's all over News Ltd (eg The Australian), Macquarie radio, TV shows like Sunrise, 7 News, etc.

But if you are sure that Virgin are not doing this as part of the #ThanksForServing campaign with News and the PM, despite every news outlet in the country saying that they are, well, good luck to you.

 

[Blinky]

Do you even know WHY Virgin are doing this?

Because of the New Corp-led, and Morrison-supported, #ThanksForServing campaign. Go and look it up.

This was acknowledged in news reports today. It was also reported that veterans would be saluted as they board. My cringe just strengthened.

 

[RooFlyer]

Did it take long to get those blinkers fittered?

Go and read up on all your preferred news sites. It's all over News Ltd (eg The Australian), Macquarie radio, TV shows like Sunrise, 7 News, etc.

But if you are sure that Virgin are not doing this as part of the #ThanksForServing campaign with News and the PM, despite every news outlet in the country saying that they are, well, good luck to you.

I'd rather discuss the issue actually. I posted up thread my thoughts on the matter and didn't see the need to get into politics or throw obscenities or abuse over it. In Virgin's case, seems to be a well intentioned but misdirected gesture. I expect it will quietly be dropped but I hope it won't discourage other, more meaningful recognition of Veterans. YMMV.

 

[Anna]

Until a couple of years ago VA gave lounge access to ADF members booked on Defence travel. Have they reinstated that benefit?

 

[Blinky]

Until a couple of years ago VA gave lounge access to ADF members booked on Defence travel. Have they reinstated that benefit?

I haven’t noticed anyone in uniform in my regular visits. Given how crowded VA lounges often are it wouldn’t surprise if this was the reason it was revoked.

 

[drron]

Did it take long to get those blinkers fittered?
.

Before removing the blinkers from your brother's eye remove the plank from your own.

 

[Anna]

I haven’t noticed anyone in uniform in my regular visits. Given how crowded VA lounges often are it wouldn’t surprise if this was the reason it was revoked.

Wasn't necessary to be in uniform to get access, only to be on Defence travel.

 

[Vic]

I like that Qantas have official admitted they can't even recognise people spending 100s of thousands of dollars are part of the boarding process.

This is just another example of the cultural cringe we have in Australia. We don't need to be copying the over the top rubbish of the USA. In particular the BS of Saluting people getting on the plane. What a joke! That alone degrades and debases the meaning of the salute. I wonder if those supporting this utter nonsense, this flag waving nonsense of the conservative right and news corp have ever pulled on the uniform and served.

Finally, the weekly stories of suicide and mental health problems seen on facebook among the infantry and other veterans. Strongly say proper mental health support is needed for Australian soldiers and sailors and airmen, not tokenism. How is that priority boarding and salute going to help someone battling demons - IT WONT.

Then there is the young girl at my wife's work who is a widow. She gets questioned every time she pulls out her gold card. "You're too young" Basically accusations of stealing the gold card. There are very really problems that need to be addressed for our veterans. Forcing Qantas to copy this BS isn't a solution.

 

[opusman]

Ridiculous jingoism. I suspect it will be quietly dropped after a few months.

 

[BudgetFly]

I suspect most veterans will not wear any pins or identify themselves as vets. Why would you want the attention? And would you want to board first (ahead of folk with small kids, or with mobility issues)?

Some kind of understated but meaningful recognition (lounge access, discounts etc) would be much better. You could still promote these. But then that would cost money....

Yes, I did quite a few years Army service and am cringing at the thought of it!

 

[Denali]

Theres something called stolen valor, people wearing uniforms, medals ect but arent actual military for the attention.

Waiting for the first photo of a spouse, girlfriend, child or faker wearing grandads or ebays medals to the front of the gate, because you know its going to happen. These days, some people have a need to be special.

 

[JohnM]

 

[Must...Fly!]

Another week, another gimmick announcement from VA.

I have the utmost respect and thanks for those who served in the name of Australia, deployed or otherwise. The absolute utmost respect. However I am not a fan of the American way of thanking for service. It's not a divine task - and many veterans still alive today chose to serve, though I recognise there are of course many who did not. But either way, I don't think many of them would be too crash hot on this idea.

I'll be honest. VA's marketing team seems to be scraping the bottom of any barrel it can find in the dusty warehouses in Brisbane. I'm confused, because this airline struggled to make money left, right and centre for nigh on 20 years. It's *finally* finding its feet financially after being smashed in a capacity war (only surviving thanks to it's overseas owners) and yet it is *still* struggling to find new and keep existing loyal flyers. Call that a silly statement if you wish, but I can't think of any other reason for the handing out of lounge memberships like lollipops through flybuys, absurd token gestures like this...

Point is, for mine, if they had their heads screwed on straight they'd be too busy running an airline and finding other places for their A330s to fly instead of throwing out these kind of headline grabbing policies that clearly were never tested outside of a marketing boardroom...

 

[kermatu]

Ridiculous jingoism. I suspect it will be quietly dropped after a few months.

Not sure it will last the week.

 

[JohnM]

This bears on the matter: https://www.canberratimes.com.au/po...ain-on-memorial-industry-20181102-p50djk.html

 

[jamesatfish]

I flew QF CBR-MEL last Monday, in J.

There were about 6 J seats spare after the doors closed, and the FAs went down the aisles and upgraded a number of Korean War veterans who had been in Canberra over the weekend for a memorial service.

They also made specific mention of them during the in flight announcements and upon arrival in Melbourne.

All the veterans were greatly appreciative (as would anyone who gets an op-up from QF these days), and nobody begrudged the announcements, but I did find it odd as that was the first time I’d ever seen that US-style approach to recognising military service on an Aussie airline.

Very interesting timing considering Virgin’s announcement a few days later.

 

[Jonesaus]

Virgin have just made a statement on their facebook page:

“We are very mindful of the response that our announcement about recognising people who have served in defence has had today. It was a gesture genuinely done to pay respects to those who have served our country. Over the coming months, we will consult with community groups and our own team members who have served in defence to determine the best way forward. If this process determines that public acknowledgement of their service through optional priority boarding or any announcement is not appropriate, then we will certainly be respectful of that.”

 

[Mr Pumblechook]

Another week, another gimmick announcement from VA

Yes I think this is a perfect illustration of VA and Velocity's performance over the past couple of years. Empty hype that's intended to get news headlines and social media traction yet has no real substance and will either never happen at all or will be abandoned after a few months.

Why not give them Explore Gold? Everybody else has it.