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

[Daver6]

It runs the risk of being US-style where one almost feels that it's an assuaging guilt and/or is an overtly patriotic thing (plus they have enormous numbers of veterans) - or a virtue-signalling exercise where people don't think through the implications and our style before jumping in.

I've flown on some AA flights during the height of the Iraq war where the FAs would note the presence of military personnel in uniform and rouse a round of clapping for their service. A bit awkward; I sort of made hand-moving motions so as not to attract ire.

 

[kermatu]

I don't mind spontaneous recognition and have also seen instances in the US in airports where pax will go up to personnel in uniform and say thank you, or offer their seats etc.

I've been to many sporting events in the US where there's some set piece recognition of military personnel or veterans. Some are quite moving - especially one instance where a young family got a surprise when their father - who they thought was still deployed o/s - showed up at the stadium in front of everyone.

Don't think any of this is us in Australia.

Once announcements are made onboard, what about all the other worthy people who may be on the flight? Nurses, teachers, police, public transport drivers, scientists, SES volunteers, banking executives...?

 

[Blinky]

Bravo.

 

[Blinky]

I don't mind spontaneous recognition and have also seen instances in the US in airports where pax will go up to personnel in uniform and say thank you, or offer their seats etc.

I've been to many sporting events in the US where there's some set piece recognition of military personnel or veterans. Some are quite moving - especially one instance where a young family got a surprise when their father - who they thought was still deployed o/s - showed up at the stadium in front of everyone.

Don't think any of this is us in Australia.

Once announcements are made onboard, what about all the other worthy people who may be on the flight? Nurses, teachers, police, public transport drivers, scientists, SES volunteers, banking executives?

Add public servants, cleaners, bus drivers, hospitality workers...... hell, anyone but me.

 

[JohnK]

It's one thing to say thank you and another to be put is a situation where you have to show your respect. I would feel uncomfortable.

 

[juddles]

Next we'll have the easily offended needing to go first....

That would be a long queue.......

 

[trooper]

As a Gulf War vet I think the impulse behind this is nice...but No Thanks anyway. It wouldn't make me cringe too much to hear such an announcement but as already mentioned...why not do something concrete and offer discounts for vets - especially Gold card holders - going to reunions etc? (It would have made my dad cringe big time ...he was a WW2 vet... and my uncle who did 2 tours of Vietnam would probably loudly say something like "What The F is this BS?" ) OK..I'd like to see some sort of GENERAL acknowledgment more widely around ANZAC Day...but let's leave it at that shall we?

 

[Blinky]

As a Gulf War vet I think the impulse behind this is nice...but No Thanks anyway. It wouldn't make me cringe too much to hear such an announcement but as already mentioned...why not do something concrete and offer discounts for vets - especially Gold card holders - going to reunions etc? (It would have made my dad cringe big time ...he was a WW2 vet... and my uncle who did 2 tours of Vietnam would probably loudly say something like "What The F is this BS?" ) OK..I'd like to see some sort of GENERAL acknowledgment more widely around ANZAC Day...but let's leave it at that shall we?

I don’t have to do this (and that’s the point) but thank you. Sincerely. Even if the war might be dubious on many levels, you did your duty on behalf of the nation.

 

[clarkkent]

Is this virtue signalling?

 

[Blinky]

Is this virtue signalling?

I’ll cop it if it is. Even if I’m not certain what exactly virtue signalling is......

 

[JohnM]

Is this virtue signalling?

Most definitely IMO - I already referred to it as being just that above.

 

[JohnM]

I’ll cop it if it is. Even if I’m not certain what exactly virtue signalling is......

This may help (the mere fact that it has a Wikipedia entry pretty much says it all...): Virtue signalling - Wikipedia

 

[JohnM]

As a Gulf War vet I think the impulse behind this is nice...but No Thanks anyway. It wouldn't make me cringe too much to hear such an announcement but as already mentioned...why not do something concrete and offer discounts for vets - especially Gold card holders - going to reunions etc? (It would have made my dad cringe big time ...he was a WW2 vet... and my uncle who did 2 tours of Vietnam would probably loudly say something like "What The F is this BS?" ) OK..I'd like to see some sort of GENERAL acknowledgment more widely around ANZAC Day...but let's leave it at that shall we?

Yep - it will be totally cringe-worthy to most Australians, IMO (like many things American).

 

[ddd]

Who do I write to to complain about this?

It's one of the most tokenistic, patronising ideas I've ever heard. Even ignoring all criticisim of the ADF (I have plenty) if they really cared about veterans they'd do something useful like a donation to a support group. The rates of mental health issues and suicide among ADF veterans is disturbingly high and fixing that should be the focus, not a round of applause and priority coughing boarding.

 

[JohnM]

Who do I write to to complain about this?

Darren Chester, Minister for Veteran's Affairs. And if you read the article in the Australian (Nocookies), he sees it the way you do unlike his ministerial colleague Sreven Ciobo who hasn't stopped to think before opening his mouth.

 

[ddd]

Darren Chester, Minister for Veteran's Affairs. And if you read the article in the Australian (Nocookies), he sees it the way you do unlike his ministerial colleague Sreven Ciobo who hasn't stopped to think before opening his mouth.

Surely this is a Virgin initiative though? Unless the government is paying Virgin for it... in which case I simply don't have words

 

[kermatu]

Surely this is a Virgin initiative though? Unless the government is paying Virgin for it... in which case I simply don't have words

The specific proposal is a Virgin one, yes - so feedback on that should go to them.

But it's part (I suspect) of a broader thing being developed by the Government. A covenant.
See this: Joint media statement — Recognising and respecting our veterans

 

[Pushka]

One can only hope they have involved Veterans in making this decision.

 

[RooFlyer]

Personally, I'd be happy if PB was *offered* to holders of certain types of Veteran's cards and anyone in uniform. If someone doesn't want to flash their card or step forward, then hang back. I bet some Veteran pensioners would appreciate it though.

Announcement on board - not so much.

Yes to lounge access offered to 'higher' forms of Veterans (what I'm meaning is not fully able as a result of service and/or above a certain age - it could be worked out). 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? Maybe our large airports might chip into the cause too, and subsidise the lounge access. I'm sure they would like to make a concourse announcement as to how generous they's been .

I'm also not against an initiative just because its 'American' - I think pro active recognition of those who have served their country - especially those who have come off the worse for it - is admirable. Just got to find the right balance.

 

[Pushka]

Personally, I'd be happy if PB was *offered* to holders of certain types of Veteran's cards and anyone in uniform. If someone doesn't want to flash their card or step forward, then hang back. I bet some Veteran pensioners would appreciate it though.

Announcement on board - not so much.

Yes to lounge access offered to 'higher' forms of Veterans (what I'm meaning is not fully able as a result of service and/or above a certain age - it could be worked out). 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? Maybe our large airports might chip into the cause too, and subsidise the lounge access. I'm sure they would like to make a concourse announcement as to how generous they's been .

I'm also not against an initiative just because its 'American' - I think pro active recognition of those who have served their country - especially those who have come off the worse for it - is admirable. Just got to find the right balance.

Balance is not something our society seems to be good at right now. Pendulum back and forth meaning that at any time 50% of the population isn’t happy.