Australian war veterans are saying no thanks to a plan by Virgin Australia to recognize their service with priority boarding and special announcements onboard.
The New York Times reports vets are embarrassed and ashamed of the new recognition:
Critics, including many veterans, said the policy was at odds with Australia’s egalitarian national ethos. The notion of a veteran singling himself or herself out for special treatment, some critics said, was distinctly un-Australian. Others described it as something even worse: an Americanism.
“It’s a very American thing to do. We’re not quite as loud or noisy as that,” said Mike Carlton, the author of several books about Australia’s military history. “Australians are a little more subtle.”
“It’s just not in our nature to do stuff like that. Almost any veteran I can think of would be hideously embarrassed by being singled out like that,” Mr. Carlton added. “I’ve interviewed a lot of them for my books: World War II vets, vets from the Burma-Siam railway. They would hate the notoriety of being singled out like that.”
I’d call Mr. Carlton’s comments outright hyperbole. Seriously? Why would anyone be “hideously embarrassed” for being recognized for their willingness to lay down their life for their country? The American jab is unnecessary. But I still agree with his overall sentiment.
Allow me to draw you back to a story I wrote in 2011 on this very issue, when United started boarding uniformed members of the military in front of everyone else. My argument then (and still now) is that this was a bad idea.
Yet we should show that appreciation not by those awkward moments like parading military members onboard an aircraft before anyone else, but in volunteering time and money to veterans’ causes (like the Hero Miles Program), showing solidarity with military families in tangible ways like sharing meals, and voting for politicians who will not be so flippant in sending other people’s children to war.
The bottom line is that while soldiers hold a special place in American society and deserve special recognition for their willingness to put themselves on the line for others, so do policemen, firemen, and some doctors and missionaries. All are paid for their work and receive satisfaction from doing a job that helps and protects others. They do not need to be reminded of that every time they step onto an airplane and there are much better ways, as I outlined above, to show gratitude.
The incredible sacrifice our military personnel have made from the Revolutionary War to the ongoing War in Afghanistan is something we must constantly keep at the forefront of our minds. But as General and later President Dwight D. Eisenhower stated in his 1945 Guildhall Address in London, “Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in the blood of his followers and the sacrifices of his friends.”
> Read More: Why Soldiers Should Not Board First on United Airlines
And in case you were not aware, I did serve in the United States Air Force and therefore do not address this issue an as outsider.
More than embarrassment, think how even being called out for pre-boarding incidents might trigger PTSD among those who have harrowing memories of active combat.
Qantas Not Playing
Unlike Virgin Australia, Qantas has vocally distanced itself from government efforts to single out members of the military for special honor:
We’re conscious that we carry a lot of exceptional people every day, including veterans, police, paramedics, nurses, firefighters and others and so we find it difficult to single out a particular group as part of the boarding process.
I do think that is a fair point. Nor does that diminish the incredible sacrifice made by brave men and women in the armed forces.
CONCLUSION
Virgin Australia may be reconsidering its decision. The carrier has been “very mindful” of public reaction and will consult its military veteran employees.
What do you think about priority boarding for the military? As we approach the centennial of Armistice Day, should the military enjoy an extra special place of recognition on airplanes?
image: Virgin Australia
This is a very touchy subject, of course, especially as we approach Veterans Day/Remembrance Day. As you correctly point out, many other public service jobs entail significant risk to life and limb so why are they in Group 5 while the military, by virtue of being in a uniform, get priority boarding? There’s really no fair answer other than someone many years ago (at CO, I believe) thought this would be a good way to honor military personnel and the idea caught on. it’s too late to change it and impractical to add other groups.
“think how even being called out for pre-boarding incidents might trigger PTSD among those who have harrowing memories of active combat.”
Umm, who’s being hyperbolic now?
Perhaps, but I’ve seen some very damaged vets.
Aussies dont seem to mind being known for being loud and drunk all the time, but being recognized for serving in the military is seen as embarrassing?
i mean i dont like veterans getting something for free that i worked my ass off for (upgrades, priority boarding) but this was obviously an attempt to honor some people and the backlash that’s being faced is too hilarious.
I think your opinion on the subject isn’t to relevant minus your own experience of serving… in another counties armed forces. The quote you used by Mike Carlton even spells it out for you, it’s almost ironic that you are blatantly ignoring whats said and complaining about a ‘American jab’.
“Why would anyone be “hideously embarrassed” for being recognized for their willingness to lay down their life for their country?”
Australians do suffer from fear of ‘tall poppy syndrome’, this extends to all facets of life- socially, business, armed forces etc etc. Most are humble, and while are respectful don’t want to be singled out. As stated in the article you quoted.
What you have to remember is that in Australia, our military is viewed as being something past, distant almost (however it is still very much active). In Australia, we remember those who died and fought in rememberable day and Anzac day, and those are very somber affairs, we also want to respect those who fought by affording them a respectful and peaceful life once they have fought, so that they are treated like any other person. That is why we don’t want priority boarding, because we just want to be normal.
There is a very high regard in Australia for those who serve in the military, as well as for those with past service. But the American way of singling them out for special recognition at airports is regarded outside the US as a bit cheap, vulgar, tokenistic and hokey. It’s just a cultural difference , no big deal.
In other respects I like the way Americans demonstrate appreciation for those who serve, but I’m not keen on the boarding priority: it looks tacky rather than respectful.
This blind worship of the military is merely a way for the Elites to send the poor and uneducated to war while keeping their kids safe.
It also dissuades anyone from questioning the reason for unending wars, because, our soldiers are dying.
Gyahahaha…. i just learned a new thing today. “Americanism” is a legit insult words. See the comments above me, so many butthurt. You may have travelled around the world, but learned nothing of other culture. Americanism. Hahahaha….