US Airways Refuses to take jacket of Army Ranger...big deal or so what?

1SG Chris Brown — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 11:32:26 -0400

Did the flight attendant aboard US Airways commit such a huge offense by not hanging this Soldier's jacket? I think the smart thing for the stewardess to do would have been just to take the jacket and hang it up. At least she could have shown him that much respect. However, does it rise to such an offense that Judge Jeanine Pirro from Fox News says the airline should "lose the privilege of calling itself United States Air"? The airline did apologize after all and this is the mistake of an individual, not airline policy. So is this still a huge deal that the airline should pay for or just the act of a single employee?

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/10/11/us-airways-slammed-after-flight-attendant-refuses-hang-army-ranger-jacket/?intcmp=latestnews

Response by Sgt Jennifer Mohler made Oct 12 at 2014 11:38 AM

Sgt Jennifer Mohler — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 11:38:37 -0400

Things like this happen every day. I really don't get why this guy is on the news. It sounds like it was handled well enough before the news started getting nosey.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 12 at 2014 12:49 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 12:49:50 -0400

Self entitlement, thy name is Soldier...

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2014 1:49 PM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 13:49:32 -0400

I would say two things;
First of all Fox News has nothing better to report about with everything else happening in the world seriously?
Secondly it seems like to me much was made of nothing. People allegedly offered to swap seats and he refused so he needs to stop whining. I can also say that while there are rules, flight attendants and airline staff usually will go out of their way to help a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine in uniform unless they are being a major pain in the ass which sounds like this guy was. A good number of the airline folks are veterans or families of military themselves.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2014 2:30 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 14:30:32 -0400

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2014 2:58 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 14:58:39 -0400

My original response was:

Fox News.......need I say more.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Oct 12 at 2014 3:11 PM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 15:11:55 -0400

It's just a case of one rude ass unpatriotic liberal. Incidents like these are becoming all to often. It's not USAirways, it's one bad Stewardess. Putting aside he was in the military, she was rude and unprofessional to a customer. For that reason, I'd fire her.

Response by SGT Steve Oakes made Oct 12 at 2014 6:47 PM

SGT Steve Oakes — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 18:47:28 -0400

As others have stated. She was rude. Her job is customer service and safety. If there was room in the closet, she should have hung the jacket.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2014 7:00 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 19:00:47 -0400

I few before with a uniform in a bag that I asked to be hung but they said they did not have room. So I flew with it on my lap. I was on my way to a funeral that I was going to wear my uniform for and did want trust or want it to be put below. I do not remember the company as it was not that big of a deal.

Face it there are people who do not like the military and think we are all that is evil with the world, baby killers, or just plain old just do not like us. Oh well......

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 12 at 2014 7:07 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 19:07:21 -0400

This previously started thread might be useful in your discussion as well.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/have-soldiers-developed-a-sense-of-entitlement

Have Soldiers developed a sense of entitlement? | RallyPoint

I am sure many of you have seen recent articles about a 1SG that was initially refused when he asked to have his ASU top hung up while flying. He was told no, that that was a first class perk. People offered up their seats, so on and so forth. I can't honestly say I have read anything that said the Soldier was outraged, more so the other passengers. I am not saying that the 1SG feels entitled and asking to hang up his jacket is an entitlement,...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2014 7:13 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 19:13:34 -0400

Absolutely disgusting. If I had someone working for me that didn't have the decency to do something as simple as that, they would be gone!

Response by SFC Melker Johansson made Oct 12 at 2014 7:27 PM

SFC Melker Johansson — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 19:27:31 -0400

This is just a distraction from things that actually has importance. It's embarrassing that this even makes any kind of news headline, even more so making the national news.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Oct 12 at 2014 7:55 PM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 19:55:01 -0400

Airlines have rules and policies, just like the military and every other organization. While it would have shown a sign of respect to hang the 1SGs blouse, flexibility is the key on both sides. Perhaps the first class section had jackets which filled the space and there was no room. Perhaps the flight attendant had dealt with 100 passengers who acted poorly and 99 was her limit for the day. I don't know. What I do know is there is no law, FAA regulation, or DHS regulation to cover the hanging of a service members blouse, so I say let's keep the discussion professional without getting carried away.

The airline apologized and I am sure every flight attendant on a US Airways Aircraft is hanging camo Gucci jackets and bus driver uniforms now just to be sure.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 12 at 2014 9:16 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 Oct 2014 21:16:18 -0400

I think we can see how the passengers are the ones irritated with this. First, the 1SG was not interviewed in any outlet that I have seen. Further, if so, I think he would have corrected them. He is not a Ranger (even though he is Ranger qualified according to his uniform....maybe it would be better to say he is not JUST a Ranger)....he is a long-tabber. You would think that they would want to run with the SF thing over Ranger.

From what I can tell, the flight attendant was probably a bit overzealous in following the policy in this case, but is it really worth this much? It is nice that the first class passenger assisted him like he did, but I don't see a SNCO acting in an entitled manner. I feel like he probably asked and others overheard and raised the issue. Those who are saying that he was acting entitled are drawing conclusions that are not based in the story. He turned down two first class passengers in their offer to trade him seats. I don't see how that is acting entitled in the slightest.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Oct 13 at 2014 3:30 AM

SGT Michael Glenn — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 03:30:08 -0400

Why couldnt the fool just do it himself??? the tab doesnt make you special, at least mine never did.I think it was the ranger who showed disrespect by making an issue of it, you want respect, you have to show respect.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2014 4:04 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 04:04:56 -0400

I doubt the flight attendant was attempting to offend. She probably following company protocol. If it is was the other passengers interfering with the issue than so be it. I did not realize this was a first class perk, I have had jackets and even uniform bags hung when I flew normal coach. I suppose as customer service answer to anyone not just military would have been to allow it to be hung if there was room for it. I doubt the captain of the plane would have an issue with it. Obviously if the hangars were full than it would have been a non issue.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2014 7:30 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 07:30:35 -0400

I dont think that flight attendant did anything wrong but for all the Airlines being so "Supportive" of the military I think out of Respect she should have asked if he wanted to Hang his Jacket... But Being in the Military doesn't entitle us to having better service when knowingly we volunteered to join ..We are Offered the better service out of Respect and Courtesy of serving our Country .... Plus its FOX News they blow everything out of proportion.

Response by SFC Jonathan Griffith made Oct 13 at 2014 9:46 AM

SFC Jonathan Griffith — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 09:46:45 -0400

Where is the relevance in the larger scope of world, or even local news. Come on, news outlets stop feeding drivel to the masses. Educate the public on the issues (FACTS) not conjecture, and what viewers can do to influence change both for and against. Our nation needs to have an educated, empowered, and involved citizenry.

Response by SFC George Snow made Oct 13 at 2014 11:11 AM

SFC George Snow — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 11:11:31 -0400

What has the World become when one person is the entire company? If this stewardess made a bad decision should an entire airline be brought to pay? I SUPPORT the US MILITARY and all we stand for but come on let's be realistic. The real problem you could say is why didn't they give him a first class ticket, or someone up there should have given up his/her seat or... who takes responsibility for ones own actions. Thank you for listening to my rant. I am just tired of no one being personally responsible.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Oct 13 at 2014 1:39 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 13:39:51 -0400

I think this has been blown way out of proportion. Should the airline employee taken the blouse and hung it up? Certainly... Was it a violation of airlines policy? Probably not, but it was probably not standard operation procedure, as the plane has very limited hanging space and it is typically used only for First/Business Class passengers.

If the flight attendant hung up everybody's jackets and coats who wanted it, there would not be nearly enough room. However, a uniform blouse, with awards and decorations that could be damaged or fall off if crammed into the overhead luggage compartment of a plane should probably warrant an exception by the flight attendant.

As I am a very frequent flyer who almost always get upgrades, I usually sit up front and have seen many, many instances of flight attendants hanging up Coach/Economy passenger suit coats, etc. upon request, when there was space available. I think this flight attendant simply made a bad judgment call. Don't know her motivation, however, I think it is a safe bet that she won't do it again.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Oct 13 at 2014 1:43 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 13:43:55 -0400

He's my question. Why was he in uniform in the first place? Correct me if I'm wrong, but per the regulations aren't you only suppose to fly in uniform when on official travel? According to the article, his family said he was wearing it to job interviews which are not part of any official military business. Has anyone vetted this guy out? Let's not forget the story of the fake Marine who wore a uniform and got a seat from a famous sports star. Not saying this is the case with this guy but really; who would wear their uniform to job interviews? Just my two cents.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2014 2:07 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 14:07:44 -0400

I think this getting blown way out of proportion. So she said "no". I am sure there are thousands of other active duty military folks that fly in their uniforms. And I am fairly certain they find a way to stow, or secure, their jackets.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 13 at 2014 3:09 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 15:09:44 -0400

She followed company policy. We expect our service members to follow (legal) orders, why should we get our noses bent out of shape when others do the same thing?

Response by SGT David Walch made Oct 13 at 2014 3:49 PM

SGT David Walch — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 15:49:38 -0400

At no point during my term of service did I feel that any special attention or treatment was due to me. Tragically our Vietnam Veteran brothers and sisters received the most dismal treatment and lack of respect from the public that at the time many felt forced to keep their service private. Today the military enjoys a high level of respect from most of the general public - even despite our own issues as we've returned from our tours of duty.

My fear is that we've grown a bit too accustomed to such a high level of gracious treatment that not only do we often take it for granted but we even have an expectation that we will receive special treatment.

This attendant was simply doing their job - likely the same way it's always been done - but this time somehow is different. Seems more like a witch hunt by the overzealous than a reasonable and justifiable complaint of misbehavior.

While I certainly would have appreciated my clothes being hung, had it not happened it never would have been mentioned thereafter, much less spur a public discussion about whether the airline or attendant was wrong.

My service to my country was my gift for which I expect nothing in return. It is my personal point of pride and (at least in my own mind) a badge of great honor. More importantly it was an opportunity to repay my debt to those who served before me and to those men and women whose sacrifice was greater than mine; those whose lives were taken from them and the families who were forever impacted by their loss and those who have come home with intense physical and/or emotional wounds and the families who have also been impacted by this.

As men and women of service I would think we have greater issues to worry about that petty instances like this and expectations of entitlement need to be reconsidered before we drive ourselves back into a public sentiment of indifference towards our sacrifice and the sacrifices our families have made in support of our service.

Ascend to Victory, all!

Response by Cpl Chris Rice made Oct 13 at 2014 5:06 PM

Cpl Chris Rice — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 17:06:09 -0400

From my understanding of the story the employee was following the company protocol, and she could not hang his jacket until she was sure there was plenty of room for the 1st class passengers stuff. I fly southwest because I hate the airplane class system, but I understand when you do it is under those rules.

I would say had this been completely opposite, the civilian on a military flight, and they asked the PFC who was in the passenger area if they could break the rules the PFC would be given an atta boy for his over zealousness. Rules are rules, and it would not sound like the most outlandish thing to see an article with the headline "Flight Attendant Fired for Hanging Soldiers Coat" because she had been warned about bending the rules twice previously with other passengers.

I voted asking why would you wear a service uniform, I don't even like that I have to wear pants on airplane why would you want to wear a suit.

Response by SSG Keith Evans made Oct 13 at 2014 5:46 PM

SSG Keith Evans — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 17:46:15 -0400

Another non-event. The airline attendant followed policy and he didn't seem to mind too much, so why should we? There are more important things to worry about.

Response by SFC Brian Mattson made Oct 14 at 2014 10:05 PM

SFC Brian Mattson — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 22:05:52 -0400

She should have hung the jacket up just like everyone else's that she did on that flight.
My question to her is why she didnt

Response by PO3 John Jeter made Oct 15 at 2014 12:42 AM

PO3 John Jeter — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 00:42:41 -0400

I'm thinking this particular flight attendant isn't the poster child for personal initiative....... I'm pretty sure her next evaluation will not be a promotion bell-ringer.....

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2014 7:05 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 07:05:03 -0400

Is it worthy of all of the publicity and embarrassment of this attendant and the airline? No! We are supposed to be quiet professionals. While the outpouring of support is heartfelt it is not why we serve.

Response by 1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2014 10:27 AM

1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 10:27:49 -0400

Yeah, listen...this has gotten way out of hand among the general public. As a disclaimer, I am a US Airways corporate employee (now American). Poor service in any industry is a problem, and we take it very seriously. I won't stand here and defend what she did, but I'm not going to criticize it to the extent that I've seen all the shock jocks on TV do. What they won't tell you is that the FAA strictly regulates many parts of what happens inside the plane, such as the whole "no three belongings rule"...yes, we airlines are liable to be fined if you bring more than two separate items onto the plane, which is they won't let you do it.

That being said, I doubt that use of the stewardess' closet is a highly regulated thing, and I've been allowed to hang my uniform in their a few times. But everyone needs to step back and take a look at the big picture; did the flight attendant make a mistake in the course of her highly stressful job of getting butts in seats, making sure people aren't doing dumb things with their luggage, and operating their seat belts correctly? Yes. Does the airline deserve to have "US" removed from its title, and should the stewardess be exposed to Ebola as a certain idiotic "Judge" on Fox News would tell us? Give me a break.

God bless that Soldier for not making a scene, and damn all the pundits who sit there and overreact just to get bonus points and higher ratings. So sick of it.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 15 at 2014 11:55 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 11:55:25 -0400

Usually the hanging closet for jackets is for First Class passengers. He wasn't traveling in First Class from what I understand. I really don't get it when people get all bent out of shape if a military service member isn't given the white gloves treatment by a private company. Personally, I thought I joined up to serve, not to be served.

Response by SSgt James Connolly made Oct 15 at 2014 8:14 PM

SSgt James Connolly — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 20:14:30 -0400

What was the attitude of person asking for personal service? Grow up she did't spit in your face.

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Oct 16 at 2014 4:03 AM

PO1 Rick Serviss — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 04:03:08 -0400

The Flight Attendant probably didn't want to set a standard.

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Oct 16 at 2014 2:51 PM

CMDCM Gene Treants — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 14:51:18 -0400

I recently flew US Air from O'hare to Charlotte. When I boarded the Aircraft I had a Carryon Bag and a Suit Bag in (Navy Cammie). I asked the Flight Attendant if I could hang my Suit in the Closet (yes, in First Class) and was allowed to do so. Wow, no news story was made of that.

Sometimes the people who work do the right thing and sometimes they do not. On the way to O'Hare, I had to put the suit in the Overhead Compartment. Once again, no big deal.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Oct 16 at 2014 3:16 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 15:16:16 -0400

So he was going to civilian job interviews in his uniform? This is sillyness. We have real problems and he was probably safer wearing his jacket...might be the extra layer needed to stop the Ebola virus?

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2014 9:21 AM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 09:21:48 -0400

While it may have been crude of her to deny his request when it was a small request, policy is policy and at the end of the day she did her job and he was an adult about the situation. I would rather have to iron/steam my uniform after landing at my destination than cause a scene and receive the repercussions for that. It sounds like the entire situation was blown out of proportion.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2014 3:35 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 15:35:45 -0400

At first blush, I thought this was a big deal, but after reading some of the comments, I think it's overblown. We should have the discussion, but not allow the topic to become just that, overblown. He was, after all, offered first class seats and refused them.

Like many other stories, there's likely more to this than we know. For example, the story says: "Marle's parents told the station that their son has been wearing his uniform at job interviews around the country and say his dream is to become a doctor." Say what?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2014 1:47 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Dec 2014 13:47:30 -0500

I personally do not travel in uniform unless deploying. I don not want the extra attention, good or bad.

AR 670-1; para 3–7. Required or prohibited wearing of the Army uniform
Note: This paragraph is punitive with regard to Soldiers. Violation by Soldiers may result in adverse administrative action and/or charges under the provisions of the UCMJ.

c. Personnel on official travel and traveling by commercial travel means will wear the service uniform or appropriate civilian attire. Soldiers may wear the combat uniform on commercial flights only when deploying/redeploying or on rest and recuperation leave to and from the combat theater. However, commanders may authorize service or utility uniforms for Soldiers when traveling by commercial travel for emergency leave or casualty assistance duties.

Response by PO2 Corey Ferretti made Dec 7 at 2014 3:37 PM

PO2 Corey Ferretti — Sun, 07 Dec 2014 15:37:11 -0500

I dont think it is a big deal it is policy only 1st class gets to have the coats hung up. I think this issue got blown way out of the water. It was not anti american in my book. Some of the response that came from service members feeds the stereotype that service members and veterans have entitlement issues.