No Respect at the Airports!

[Carol F.]

I just wanted to say that my son was travelling from CA to OR by flying yesterday on leave. Hasn't been home for 6 months.
He was able to get from Oxnard, CA to Los Angeles, CA just fine. But then ended up having his flight on United cancelled due to the horrible snow storm in Portland OR.

He was in his dress blues. He tried to get many different airline personnel to help him out to get him home on another flight. He told me that the Navy uniform got absolutely no respect at all! Even from the airlines who didn't have problems with cancellations.

He told me that if he wasn't in his uniform, he would have exploded but being a Navy man, he held his temper. He is a nice, smiling young man and always is respectful to others.
But he was really really upset at the no respect aspect.

I just would like it to be known about this so the airlines could maybe tell their personnel at all times to be respectful to the military who are serving our country and protecting them!

[Dianne]

Carol, I'm really sorry to hear that. I know my son always travels in his uniform and gets treated very well. Did he make it home yet? Did I read in the A school group that he is driving instead now? I know he will make it safe and sound!! Enjoy your holidays and don't let all this airport stuff ruin it!!!

[Jean Anne]

That's right don't let delayed flights break your spirit.....the Navy it is a BIG adventure!!!!

[Ruth, Gun's Mom]

Come visit us at GM moms! We've got all kinds of airport issues. I'm headed to the airport right now to personally deliver letters to United.

[Marybeth]

I know how frustrating this can be - but unfortunately the winter storms have wreaked havoc for air travel across the U.S. Don't forget that these agents are the "messengers" (as in don't kill the messenger); there are tens of thousands of people trying to get to their holiday destination, sailors soldiers and civilians alike.

Of course.... when I'm trying to get to PIR next month... I may not be as understanding!!!

[Joyce Tucson Mom]

I can understand (and sympathize) with the weather issues . . . what I CAN'T understand is the attitude of "sounds like a personal problem - you deal with it" regarding no accomodation for food or sleeping arrangements when military personnel are left stranded for days!
Thank GOD for NFM and the connections we've made:)! Many sailors who would otherwise be left to fend for themselves are being fed and given a safe place to sleep . . . Bravo Zulu NFMs:)!

[April , PNM of Tyler]

Carol, I am feeling exactly the way you are. Our son left Groton CT on Thursday morning and made it to St. Louis. He was scheduled for a 5:00pm flight to Wichita and it was cancelled at 4:30pm. They rebooked him on a flight that was to leave STL at 7:45 am Friday and go to Chicago then on to Wichita. It was cancelled at 5:00am. He got another flight out of STL into Wichita that was scheduled for 5:00 pm Friday and it was delayed until 7:00pm. He finally made it home to Kansas around 9:00pm Friday, it was so great to see him come around the corner. They also lost his sea bag and had no clue where it was at. Almost everyone that came off of his plane didn't get their luggage.
He said while in St. Louis, all of the American Airline personell were extremely rude to him and couldn't believe it.He did go to the USO at the airport but said it was almost as bad experience as the whole St. Louis airport situation. They were expecting about 1000 Army soldiers and had a DJ. They had moved most of the beds and couches against the walls to accomodate these guys. He said anyone in there couldn't sleep if they wanted too.
The ladies at the ticket counter here in Kansas were extremely rude to him while he was filing a lost luggage claim. He said "I have been in my uniform and stuck in an airport for the last 36 hours, all I want is my bag." The lady went on to say "Welll it's not like we aren't busy or anything like that. You will just have to wait like every other person flying in the US that has lost their bag" He corrected her and said "I am not the one that lost my bag". She got an attitude with him when she asked for a description of his bag and he said "it's a green military bag" She smarted off and said like I know what that looks like. Well, last night they finally delivered his bag, it went all the way to Dallas when he wasn't even scheduled to go there.
I think that our Military should get the upmost respect from all of our airlines. If it wasn't for them, they wouldn't be flying like they are today. Show them some respect, give them priority when flying and let them fly for a small fee or even FREE.
My husband contacted American and let him know how he felt and we will see what they say.

[Carol F.]

Dianne, Yes, he finally got home this morning after driving for over 16 hrs straight!!! Wow, it was so good to see him walk up to the front door and say "Hi, told you I would come home", LOL

Ruth, I will have to find that link for the GM moms. I would love to include a letter. You can also print off what I wrote above if you want to.

Marybeth, you are right, I realize they are just workers but it was their attitude that just killed him.

Joyce, The airlines should realize that yes, Mother Nature is causing the trouble but they are in the business for traveling people so they need to know how to deal with the problems. And I am very thankful for N4M.

April, I am glad your son finally made it home. That sounds like quite a trip. And about his seabag, get real. I am sure the baggage claim people have seen a military seabag before so her attitude was uncalled for. But am glad he got it back. My son ended up luckily able to get his seabag from the first flight or he would be naked right now! LOL

I don't want to cause problems about the airlines/airports, I just wanted people to know that our Navy uniforms aren't always respected and that is so sad after what our sailors go thru in their lifes for us.

[Achseh]

All people should deserve respectful customer service. I'm a bit appalled at the attitude that just because someone is military they should be treated any better than any other passenger. You don't serve in order to be recognized or treated differently- you serve because you believe in something bigger than yourself.

I understand we are all moms who are anxious to see our children, but please take a step back and realize that being in the uniform does not entitle the wearer to demand more respect than anyone else is receiving. I would be highly upset with my son if he felt he was better than anyone else who was in the same situation.

[Carol F.]

I am not saying that they are better than others. I am saying that they should get respect in general. Just like a police officer. As a police officer in their uniform, you are to respect them and not look down upon them or ignore them but be respectful.
A lot of people do not respect young men and women so by them being in uniform should show others that they have gone thru a lot to get that uniform and that they are very proud to wear their uniform.

[April , PNM of Tyler]

Achseh- I wasn't even implying that because they are in a uniform that they should receive special treatment. But then again, these are the men and women that are providing you/I the freedom that we so grately love. If it wasn't for all branches of our Military I would hate to think where our country would be right now. They have "earned" the right to wear those uniforms and should be treated with respect as well as everyone else.
I am proud to be a citizen of the United States and even more proud of my son and also being a Navy Mom. Anyone that doesn't respect our military or what they stand for offend me. I am sorry that we disagree here. But as far as the airlines go, if it wasn't for these men/women, they would not be fling the way they do today.
I am sorry if this offends anyone, I am just stating how I feel. Merry Christmas.
I am enjoying my son for the first time since February and I will dread having to put him back on the plane Christmas night to go back to CT. I just keep telling myself that he will be back in February when he completes A School for 3 weeks before he heads to Hawaii.
Merry Christmas....

[Sponge Dawn aka Sponge Mom]

Achseh: I beg to differ... just because the military doesnt expect to be treated differently, US as civilians should go OUT of our way to treat them differently. IF it wasn't for THEM giving up their lives and family life as WE know it, We wouldn't be where we are today. Living in a Free Country. You get to sleep at night because Somebody is out there fighting for the right. some of these men and women don't get to sleep at night cause they are in the line of fire sleeping in a ditch dug somewhere either in the jungle or the sand pits of hel*. Remember that. SO No, they dont EXPECT to be treated differently... BUT as a nation, they should have the red carpet rolled out for them, they should have all the pomp and circumstance.... would the airlines treat lets say brad pitt this way? Or how about angelina jolie... Lets dive deeper..... Look at the concessions OUR country makes for people with money... WHAT our military personal does and contributes to this country is a far greater cry then what these rich people do that the airline and travel industry wouldn't DARE treat with disrespect. I'm sure if you and your family was on the recieving end of this your story might be a little different. The Sailor just wanted his bag....... NOT an attitude about what it looks like.... No body said their child was "better". We all think our children deserves alot more credit and respect for the job they do. My son was 17 when he left for boot camp. A snot nosed wet behind the ears jerk. the navy turned my son into A fine Young Gentlemen willing to give his life up for the country he loves. willing to keep the freedom of our constitution. To me.. He deserves More respect then this country could ever give him. Your son included.. All of our sons and daughters........ it is a shame what these airlines at times does... yes..there are some outstanding agents out there and outstanding stewards(stewardess), and in the same respect, they are some that just hate their job and decide to take it out on those who are in the least deserving.........

Navy Moms... Be thankful we have our Loved ones this Holiday season. That they will either be in our homes or in our hearts. Pray for the comfort of those who are not home and do not have the comfort of home to keep them safe and warm. pray for those who have lost their loved ones that gave their life for the right we so cherish today... Right To freedom and our Constitution of the United States of America

MERRY CHRISTMAS to All and to ALL a good night!

[Achseh]

Well, my family has been on the receiving end of treatment like this on occassion over my husband's 23 year career as a sailor, so I am not as clueless as you'd like to believe. On those occassions we make the best of it. Our motto has always been "it is what it is, what can I do now to make it better for me?"

Believe me, I've lived the life of a military spouse, now I'm a Navy mom and I also work for the Navy - as do my husband and my daughter. We really and truly are as military supportive as any group of people out there and don't need anyone to tell me the cost of my freedom. I know the cost, thank you, we've paid it, my son is paying it and our friends have paid for it.

And from this first hand experience, I speak. My husband is just as appalled as I am at some of these responses. No, he's embarrassed, actually. Everyone should be treated respectfully.