How would you react if you were on a flight where a family was boo'd for being allowed off the plane first to receive their soldier's body?

I would read the morons the riot act. Then I would pray at the top of my lung for the deceased service member.

I would do as I did in South Alabama college when I stood faced the teacher and called her out for wearing the black arm bAND TO CLASS TO PROTEST THE Vietnam war. Protesting is fine but not in the class I am paying for. I walked out.

I would probably be all in the face of whoever was the largest complaining passenger doing my best USAF version of Gunny Ermey

To put it civilly, I would definitely find out what his major malfunction was. Those of you in the armed forces know what I mean by that.

Meaningful answers need a meaningful question to respond to. There was no offered evidence from this report (now more than 3 years old) that the passengers were told that the individuals were being let off ahead of everyone else on the plane were (1) a Gold Star family, or (2) that they were on their way to meet remains of a fallen hero. The airplane's captain only made reference to "special military personnel". If that was indeed all the passengers were told, I can understand why many might be less than happy. Had a more complete announcement been made, I suspect there would have been no boos at all.

Though I don't fly to California, I'd offer to "school" that passenger.

I would stand up and tell them to show some respect.

I'd say "These people are debarking first to receive the mortal remains of a service member who died in the service of our country. If anyone has a problem with that, come see me."

But I would not cuss at them. Because if you do cuss then you're a bigger a** then them.

I would stand up and explain why this action needs to happen. Maybe the crew did not inform the passengers. If they were informed then I would have a few not so good words for those who chose to go further with it.