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

[kermatu]

But PB is after pre-boarding not before so that scenario wouldn't happen.
And by the way I am expecting the politicians who have been spruiking bs about dangerous jobs are now going to refuse PB as theirs is not a dangerous occupation.

The only politician I've ever seen board early is K Rudd -- presumably so everyone could see and say G'day to him in Row 1. The rest will be comfortably in the Club or CL so priority boarding pretty irrelevant.

 

[kevrosmith]

I think one of the things they have in large US airports is some sort of 'lounge' for those flying in uniform? Does anyone know who pays for that?

The lounges are run by USO, which is a non-profit organisation with support services for US military and their families. In a way, perhaps a bit like our RSL...?


I can be slightly cynical generally, but I do believe that VA thought their intent was noble. I feel it just doesn't fit with Aussie society in general. Americans celebrate success and acknowledge honour much better than we do in Australia. Our tall-poppy syndrome generally kicks in much quicker, and we tend not to want to view each other as too different or special, not that we don't appreciate those who have served in the military.

I was in US recently, and at the boarding gate for each flight, they called Veterans and active members to board with Group 1 or 2, and the boarding-announcement agent encouraged everyone at the gate to provide a round of applause for their military personnel. I felt that the response was genuine and meaningful from everyone around me. I did wonder how I'd respond if someone challenged me for not joining in the applause.

Priority boarding is a more pertinent issue on US airlines in general, seeing that they nearly all charge for all checked-in luggage, so often people are trying to bring everything, including the kitchen sink, on-board. Many of the military personnel I saw boarding at that time carried large duffel bags, and were obviously keen to ensure they could secure precious overheard locker space for their belongings.

I was also surprised to see similar expressions of patriotism in Canada. At an NHL ice hockey match in Ontario, everyone joined in a standing ovation to honour military personnel and veterans in attendance.

 

[alviau]

Well done VA Marketing Team

I’ve seen some comments attributing the creation of this policy to the marketing team. As someone who’s worked in marketing for over 10 years, I can almost assure you the marketing team had very little to do with this.

A marketing team will rarely create policies. They may be consulted and in particular on the execution of a creative idea.

This very likely came from a very senior level in consultation with their Government Relations and Public Affairs departments. That’s my educated guess.

 

[trooper]

There have been a number folks on this thread coming out with the "but what about cops/nurses etc" comments. IF ANY of this was a Government driven notion, then yes, I'd agree with you.
Virgin is however a private company, and if they choose to give some form of veteran recognition that is THEIR choice. There is nothing to stop them, or another company - or even YOUR company - providing some form of appropriate recognition to police, firefighters, nurses ...whoever you like really... This is not a zero sum game.

 

[Pushka]

A funny radio skit this morning had the usual captains annnouncements and then started with the Public Recognition of Veterans. Sound of clapping. Then went on to recognise Volunteers in the Rescue Industry. More clapping sounds. Then Nurses. More clapping. Another group. More clapping. Went on for ages. Then “the Australian Cricket Team”. Crickets.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Stupid idea from the politically correct leftist mobs.

 

[opusman]

Stupid idea from the politically correct leftist mobs.

Jingoism like that rarely comes from the left.

 

[kermatu]

Not many call News Corp left or PC.

 

[Pushka]

Nah. Not going there.

 

[99Luft]

Rather than nice words why not give them something that they want or even better what they need.

Time and time again we hear of veterans struggling in spite of being highly qualified and highly skilled they are ignored in the civilian job market. make a difference Virgin and Qantas - set employment targets of recent veterans to help them start a new life.

 

[Pushka]

Rather than nice words why not give them something that they want or even better what they need.

Time and time again we hear of veterans struggling in spite of being highly qualified and highly skilled they are ignored in the civilian job market. make a difference Virgin and Qantas - set employment targets of recent veterans to help them start a new life.

Agree. But giving Vets what they need is hard.

 

[Blinky]

There have been a number folks on this thread coming out with the "but what about cops/nurses etc" comments. IF ANY of this was a Government driven notion, then yes, I'd agree with you.
Virgin is however a private company, and if they choose to give some form of veteran recognition that is THEIR choice. There is nothing to stop them, or another company - or even YOUR company - providing some form of appropriate recognition to police, firefighters, nurses ...whoever you like really... This is not a zero sum game.

Er yeah. I was one who came out with the police etc stuff.

Yes Virgin is a private company. One I spend a lot of money to help remain viable. If I think they make stupid decisions, like here, I will make my feelings known. If they ignore feelings of customers, well yes they can keep making stupid decisions. At their cost. Jeez...

 

[SheikYerbouti]

IF ANY of this was a Government driven notion, then yes, I'd agree with you.
Virgin is however a private company.

yes, this is a government-driven notion. It was the PM who talked it up when he launched the new Vets' cards and the half-a-billion extension of the War Memorial, News got on board with a hashtag, and here we are. The Virgin decision is intrinsically linked to the politics of it all.

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/na...r-virgin-veteran-debacle-20181105-p50e4r.html

The One Part Of The PM's Veterans Package That Is "Cringeworthy", A "Joke" And A "Brainfart"


Virgin Australia would offer ADF veterans priority boarding and acknowledge them before flights.
They would receive these benefits by showing either a discount card or lapel pin being rolled out to the 300,000 ADF veterans by the federal government.
Virgin Australia “mindful" of reactions to veterans recognition initiative

 

[Vic]

Stupid idea from the politically correct leftist mobs.

Scott Morrison, leader of the liberal party, conservative pentacostal christian. Not usually a background that screams PC leftist.

But you might be right about one thing, it is a stupid idea from the LNP mob.

 

[drron]

yes, this is a government-driven notion. It was the PM who talked it up when he launched the new Vets' cards and the half-a-billion extension of the War Memorial, News got on board with a hashtag, and here we are. The Virgin decision is intrinsically linked to the politics of it all.

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/na...r-virgin-veteran-debacle-20181105-p50e4r.html

The One Part Of The PM's Veterans Package That Is "Cringeworthy", A "Joke" And A "Brainfart"


Virgin Australia would offer ADF veterans priority boarding and acknowledge them before flights.
They would receive these benefits by showing either a discount card or lapel pin being rolled out to the 300,000 ADF veterans by the federal government.
Virgin Australia “mindful" of reactions to veterans recognition initiative

News Ltd had the hashtag a good 12 days BEFORE the government released their plans.
And those links are genuine examples of Fairfax Faux Facts.Scott Morrison did not release the details of the Virgin plan.
Go back and read the links I provided earlier.Both the News ltd hashtag and the Government's discount card(which was only part of the package) received a good reception until the VA announcement.

 

[DC3]

... politically correct leftist mobs.

I’ve spotted a typo in that bit.

 

[Vic]

News Ltd had the hashtag a good 12 days BEFORE the government released their plans.
And those links are genuine examples of Fairfax Faux Facts.Scott Morrison did not release the details of the Virgin plan.
Go back and read the links I provided earlier.Both the News ltd hashtag and the Government's discount card(which was only part of the package) received a good reception until the VA announcement.

The Prime Minister announced a lapel pin scheme to worship military veterans and challenged businesses to recognise veterans => Virgin, a business, announced they were going to start saluting and generally fawning over veterans.
The only fake news seems to be trying to deny the direct link between these 2 events. A business making an announcement doesn't disprove the link.

 

[drron]

The Prime Minister announced a lapel pin scheme to worship military veterans and challenged businesses to recognise veterans => Virgin, a business, announced they were going to start saluting and generally fawning over veterans.
The only fake news seems to be trying to deny the direct link between these 2 events. A business making an announcement doesn't disprove the link.

But the PM released details of a card to give veterans discounts-not PB benefits.The announcement also had details of further spending for veterans including help in job finding.In QLD after 2 years of leaving the ADF 35% of veterans are unemployed still.So to call the PM's announcement a "worship military veterans" scheme is basically a load of trollop on your part.
The PB announcement by VA was all their own doing.

 

[DC3]

It’s sad that recognising veterans is seen as a “cringeworthy American trait”.

Sad, but true. Standing at those AA gates and listening to those announcements it’s hard not to cringe.

Edit: Probably best described as “uncomfortable”.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Then “the Australian Cricket Team”. Crickets.

Crickets, or the sound of sandpaper on leather?