When DYKWIA becomes the full <airline> tanty

[Sdtravel]

Sorry for taking us off topic i know you can spend 100+ pages on PB issues. AA do PB nicely. Military, F / J pax along with OWE, then OWS, OWR then everyone else by row. Great for getting overhead space.

Anyways let's get back on topic. We can't have exhausted the list of tanty's already.

 

[Milefest]

Military, F / J pax along with OWE, then OWS, OWR

Probably a controversial thought, but I didn't like the idea that military got priority boarding for a variety of reasons..

then everyone else by row. Great for getting overhead space.

Isn't boarding everyone by row the most inefficient way to board a plane?

 

[Quickstatus]

Can we move PB to PB thread

 

[defurax]

Probably a controversial thought, but I didn't like the idea that military got priority boarding for a variety of reasons..

You wouldn't have enjoyed my last HNL-DFW flight on AA when the Captain mentioned on the PA that he saw a few servicemen boarding the aircraft and that he wanted a nice round of applause from the PAX to thank them for their service to the Nation. Patriotic stuff!

 

[prozac]

...
Isn't boarding everyone by row the most inefficient way to board a plane?

I enjoyed that clip. Always thought that boarding by row created log-jams. That and people who sit down then absolutely must get up to go to their bag in the o/h whilst passengers still boarding...can't possibly wait. Oh, and those who think an aircraft is their personal storage facility.
Apologies for OT.

 

[Quickstatus]

Probably a controversial thought, but I didn't like the idea that military got priority boarding for a variety of reasons

I'm happy for Mil to have first dibs of PB. They are last people to use the uniform as a DYKWIA.

Better than the DYKWIA who want PB based on the colour of his/her money/FF card

 

[Hvr]

I'm happy for Mil to have first dibs of PB. They are last people to use the uniform as a DYKWIA.

Better than the DYKWIA who want PB based on the colour of his/her money/FF card

I don't see any reason why military personnel should have priority boarding simply based on their occupation.

Like any occupation most don't use their role (uniform) as a DYKWIA but some do. Have seen it and it is quite embarrassing to watch.

 

[Sdtravel]

Sorry this is my fault.

Lets get back to topic

 

[anat0l]

I don't see any reason why military personnel should have priority boarding simply based on their occupation.

Like any occupation most don't use their role (uniform) as a DYKWIA but some do. Have seen it and it is quite embarrassing to watch.

Military personnel in the USA are, in general, highly respected and this is at least reflected when they fly.

Largely, when travelling in uniform, they are given "a break" from many rules. They can check in extra baggage without charge. They are allowed to board first irrespective of class or status (probably so that they have a chance of finding overhead space for their sometimes large carry-on). People are known to see military personnel boarding the aircraft and give up their F seats willingly to allow them to sit there, with no compensation.

I'd say military don't play any DYKWIA cards, except the ones who would be worthy of a charge of conduct unbecoming. They don't just bring a baggage train because they can. They don't shove people out of the way in line. They don't force people to give up their seats. That's at least how I would understand it. Of all the arguments about "class" and "status" and the deliberate inequalities there should or shouldn't be when flying domestically in the USA, the treatment of US military personnel seems one that nearly everyone agrees on, and it's not even well written up.

 

[BAM1748]

Military personnel in the USA are, in general, highly respected and this is at least reflected when they fly.

Largely, when travelling in uniform, they are given "a break" from many rules. They can check in extra baggage without charge. They are allowed to board first irrespective of class or status (probably so that they have a chance of finding overhead space for their sometimes large carry-on). People are known to see military personnel boarding the aircraft and give up their F seats willingly to allow them to sit there, with no compensation.

I'd say military don't play any DYKWIA cards, except the ones who would be worthy of a charge of conduct unbecoming. They don't just bring a baggage train because they can. They don't shove people out of the way in line. They don't force people to give up their seats. That's at least how I would understand it. Of all the arguments about "class" and "status" and the deliberate inequalities there should or shouldn't be when flying domestically in the USA, the treatment of US military personnel seems one that nearly everyone agrees on, and it's not even well written up.

I've always been impressed at the way US Military are treated and have always been impressed at the way they behave when in uniform. My own experience is they are humble and not DYKWIA. I will say a US Service Man travelling in uniform looks a lot smarter than an Australian soldier's uniform which I'm sure instills a certain level of pride.

I was standing out in the Mojave Desert as you do, waiting for something along the railway and a Special Agent (non uniform armed police) turned up and quizzed my purpose for being there, but when they found out I was Ozzie he thanked me for Australia's support of their soldiers in the Middle East, wished me well and went on his way. It was an interesting experience to simply be thanked for being from a country that supports the US.

 

[opusman]

I've always been impressed at the way US Military are treated.

The US has a very "them and us" attitude about the rest of the world; since the military protect them from "them" they are highly regarded (also the fact that they play with guns all the time probably helps).

 

[JohnM]

The US has a very "them and us" attitude about the rest of the world; since the military protect them from "them" they are highly regarded (also the fact that they play with guns all the time probably helps).

I also wonder if there is also a guilt factor at play. That is to say, the cowardly civilians realise that the military types are putting their lives on the line in really horrible places to protect 'us' against 'them', so they assuage their guilt by treating the military folks they encounter almost like 'celebrities'. They can then carry on with their soft, indulgent lives safe in the knowledge that they've done the 'right' thing by a soldier.

I recall being on an AA domestic flight in F where a person in army uniform was upgraded and sat next to me. It was back in the days of the Iraq war when patriotic feelings were running especially high. I can't quite recall what it was about him, or what he had with him, but there was something that made me conclude that this guy was not an active-duty shoot-'em-up soldier, but more likely something like a clerk in the catering corps. He seemed almost embarrassed by the requested round of applause for the military on board.

 

[prozac]

In my previous work life I periodically had dealings with US Mil, mainly Navy. Regardless of rank I found them to be extraordinarily polite and genuinely respectful. They all get a thumbs up from me.

 

[Quickstatus]

The US have few friends. AUS and GBR probably the closest. And culturally similar.

Interesting how the world expects the US to fix their problems but at the same time hate it

 

[Quickstatus]

Military personnel in the USA are, in general, highly respected and this is at least reflected when they fly.

...

People are known to see military personnel boarding the aircraft and give up their F seats willingly to allow them to sit there, with no compensation.

Even a dyed in the FF card DYKWIA would not dare play the DYKWIA card when standing next to a Mil in uniform.

It's a far cry from the treatment meted out by some sections of the community after the Vietnam War

 

[Quickstatus]

I also wonder if there is also a guilt factor at play. That is to say, the cowardly civilians realise that the military types are putting their lives on the line in really horrible places to protect 'us' against 'them', so they assuage their guilt by treating the military folks they encounter almost like 'celebrities'. They can then carry on with their soft, indulgent lives safe in the knowledge that they've done the 'right' thing by a soldier.

.

Yes a lot of it is superficial even if some really believe they are doing good for these Mil people. Certainly the ongoing issues with the War Vets hospitals seem to indicate that they are not as well taken care of as you would assume from the reverence given to them on airplanes.

But I guess that's the world we live in. Manufactured outrage is the new paradigm. People now really think they can Fix the world by liking a Facebook comment or become a twitteratti or "saying sorry" to the Aborigines. Some might say it's a starting point, better than nothing but the reality it's no more than a Facebook like - just a press of a button soothes the conscience.

 

[Milefest]

I don't have that much of an issue with the fact that they are entitled to PB boarding because they're military, it's up to the airline to decide their own policy after all.

It was the fact that their boarding process is so incredibly segmented. Assisted boarding -> Military/Vets -> First -> Priority -> General Boarding. This dramatically increases the boarding time for flights.

Recently flew LAX - SFO took 45 minutes to just board the plane, which is very normal in the states.

 

[Quickstatus]

It was the fact that their boarding process is so incredibly segmented. Assisted boarding -> Military/Vets -> First -> Priority -> General Boarding. This dramatically increases the boarding time for flights.

Recently flew LAX - SFO took 45 minutes to just board the plane, which is very normal in the states.

That would be a small plane and sounds quite long. but I think it is a much more efficient than what happens in OZ where they do not have zone boarding.

Would the large amounts of HL play a role?

 

[straitman]

I don't have that much of an issue with the fact that they are entitled to PB boarding because they're military, it's up to the airline to decide their own policy after all.

Agreed

It was the fact that their boarding process is so incredibly segmented. Assisted boarding -> Military/Vets -> First -> Priority -> General Boarding. This dramatically increases the boarding time for flights.

I can't say I notice that it slows things down at all.

It's interesting how they extend their privileges also. A few years ago a friend (ex USAF) happened to mention to the airline that I was ex RAAF and they literally told me that where there are military privileges offered that I should accept them. At Pearl Harbour recently I asked and showed them my Oz DVA card and was immediately offered veteran discounts.

 

[Milefest]

That would be a small plane and sounds quite long. but I think it is a much more efficient than what happens in OZ where they do not have zone boarding.

Would the large amounts of HL play a role?

This particular trip I was flying DL and when the flights are fully booked they recommend people to check in carry on luggage at the gate, which further delays the flight.

My experience in Australia with air travel is much more positive but that may be just a bias because I've had some bad experiences in the states.

It's interesting how they extend their privileges also. A few years ago a friend (ex USAF) happened to mention to the airline that I was ex RAAF and they literally told me that where there are military privileges offered that I should accept them. At Pearl Harbour recently I asked and showed them my Oz DVA card and was immediately offered veteran discounts.

Many of the places where students get discounts is where military get discounts too I've noticed. Museums, retail stores, cinemas etc.