[Glamdring]

http://www.PetitionOnline.com/BSMMIL/

To: President Bush and U.S. Congress
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE

Our military is not “flying free” as most Americans believe. As a majority of the airlines do not provide discount fares for the military, the men and women actively serving our country are paying for their own flights home during leave and – in many instances – are paying higher fares than most of the public. The reason for this is that they are unable to book their tickets in advance as their leaves are not always granted 21, 14 nor 7 days in advance.

All too often, our military are not informed of their leave dates until the last minute. Then they frequently cannot afford the “walk up” fares. As a result, many family members have difficulty seeing their sons or daughters as neither can afford the airfare. In other instances, parents are paying exorbitant airfares to bring their children home before their deployment—worrying that this may very well be the last time they see them.

We recently sent a letter to the CEO’s of eleven airlines (Alaska, America West, American, Continental, Delta, Hawaiian, Northwest, Southwest, United, US Airways and Jet Blue) asking them to do two things:

1)Reinstate the airfare that was offered to active duty military personnel during the Vietnam War. It was called Military Standby. It was less expensive than “Military Reserve”, which was the other airfare offered during that time. Anyone showing an active military ID paid a greatly reduced price for his or her ticket. We want the airlines to fill--their otherwise empty seats--with the men and women who are putting their lives on the line to serve our country.

2)Provide active duty military personnel a guaranteed seat at the 21-day advance fare for all tickets booked anytime prior to the flight. If a flight needs to be changed because of a change in orders (which can be substantiated), the airlines should waive any fees or penalties and refund the total amount of the fare.

Blue Star Moms and the undersigned, are asking for a resolution from the United States Congress that airlines voluntarily provide military travelers on leave with their lowest fares, even on short notice. If a flight needs to be changed because of a change in orders (which can be substantiated), the airlines should waive any fees or penalties and refund the total amount of the fare. The airfare(s) structure should be easy for all military personnel to understand and for the airline reservations sales agents to execute. We are asking Congress to work with the airlines to make this a win-win for all concerned.

With the threats of terrorism being a real concern for all, the airlines and their customers receive the benefit of added security when military personnel are aboard their flights – and the military receives a loud message that you honor the service they provide their country.

Our Sons and Daughters joined the military for honorable reasons…to serve and protect their fellow Americans’ rights for liberty, freedom and justice. They are proud and will give their lives to protect the people they love—Americans—you and me. As they fight terrorism to protect our nation, show them the respect and appreciation they never ask for, yet deserve. Show them that you believe in them by supporting this resolution.

Blue Star Moms…Our hearts are on the line
www.BlueStarMoms.org

[Lone_Gunman]

Does it make sense for airlines to shoulder the whole burden?

I mean GM, Microsoft, and Coca Cola benefit just as much from the security of our military as the airline industry.

Why not make travel expenses 100% tax deductible and let the soldiers pay for it themselves?

[Hkmp5sd]

Hmmm...so the military doesn't get free airfare when they go on vacation? No one seemed to care about that back during my military service.

[Lennyjoe]

Only free airfare I know of is a "Hop" on other military flights.

I dont expect to fly free on commercial flights just because Im military.

Just a simple "Thank You" is all we want from Americans.

[Lone_Gunman]

LennyJoe,

Your graciousness is appreciated, but an airline flight home is at least as much a business expense for a soldier as it is for a physician returning from a 2 week continuing education seminar in Wakiki.

If it isnt being reimbursed in the form of a tax write-off it should be.

[c_yeager]

The difference is that while the physician can deduct his flight for attending a work related seminar he cannot deduct the fare for his flight when he goes to bermuda for vacation. We are talking about LEAVE. Im sure that there are soldiers who choose not to fly anywhere on their leave. Its up to them. Vacation is not job related. Of course with that said i honestly wouldnt object if my tax dollars went to subsidize these flights to some degree. Compared to where most of my tax money goes this seems pretty harmless.

[RKCheung]

American Airlines has a "Military Appreciation Fare" for Active-duty military personnel. It requires only a 3 day advance purchase for the lower fare. Dependents with ID are included as well.

[Leatherneck]

My son-in-law is currently home from Seoul, Korea, where he is halfway through an unaccompanied tour flying Blackhawks. $2,300 air fare is tough on a CW-2 pay scale. He didn't know until two days before departure whether he would be allowed to leave, or when. Thanks for posting this.

TC
TFL Survivor

[Lennyjoe]

Leatherneck, if he paid that much for a flight home he got had. I came home in Dec on midtour and my buddy just got back on midtour from Korea and we both only paid $800 bucks round trip. That was thru Asiana.

Whenever I fly TDY to any location the flight is either 1. contract air in which I dont pay a cent, the gov does or 2. A commercial flight in which I get reimbursed when I file my travel voucher.

Only time I have to pay for airfare out of pocket is when I go on leave.

[Ebbtide]

Lennyjoe,

Check out prices NOW on overseas flights. Cleveland to Morocco, $2500.00 easy. I'm going to drive to Fla. this year :(

ehenz

[Lennyjoe]

The actual round trip price from Korea to Tucson and back was $1660 dollars but Asiana cut the rate to $830. A 50% decrease for Active duty Members.

Dont know what the overseas rates are other than that. I dont travel overseas much unless its military duty. Travel on this continent is almost free for me. Why, cause my brother works for Continental. :cool:

[TallPine]

The difference is that while the physician can deduct his flight for attending a work related seminar he cannot deduct the fare for his flight when he goes to bermuda for vacation. We are talking about LEAVE. Im sure that there are soldiers who choose not to fly anywhere on their leave. Its up to them. Vacation is not job related.

Soldiers don't get to choose where they serve (work)

After all, they are "over there" on OUR business.

Yeah, just spend your vacation laying around in some hell-hole.

Geez ... :barf:

[Deepdiver]

I used to fly military standby (had to be in uniform to qualify) for all of my leaves in the early 70's..

It worked great, exceot for the way that the average "citizen" treated us due to our uniform (it was much more acceptable to go to England, hide out, and smoke dope - the rest of us were considered "baby killers"). At lease the stewardesses (that's what they were called back then) treated us like royalty.


...anyway, what's wrong with "military standby"?????

[bogie]

IMHO, nobody is asking for anything for free. They are, however, asking to not get screwed on the prices of tickets.

Been there, done that, you know? When you find out you've got three days, it may be two hours before you could hop the plane... Give the military folks a break.

[SelfProclaimedExpert]

"Military Reserve"? This must be a joke; has anyone flown lately? There aren't any standby seats - those planes are FULL. The soldier would be standing by their whole leave.

[Lennyjoe]

Actually now that I think of it I was on leave in June and wanted to fly my daughter to Georgia from Tucson to catch up with us.

Called Delta and could of had a one way ticket for $400 and when I asked about military airfare she said it was $750 bucks. Dont know why it was so much more. Guess they like to get a little extra out of the Gov. I should of reported them to the Audit agency when I got back. Matter in fact..............:evil:

[c_yeager]

tallpine, its fun to take quotes out of context then get all indignant about them. Just in case you didnt notice here is the part that you "left out".


Of course with that said i honestly wouldnt object if my tax dollars went to subsidize these flights to some degree. Compared to where most of my tax money goes this seems pretty harmless.

and yes, :barf: is amply appropriate.

[Ohen Cepel]

"..what's wrong with military standby."??

I had several joes try that to get back from Korea. NOT easy!! You can get bumped on any leg/connection and if the plane gets deadlined you can get stuck. Also, they weren't allowed to even try it unless they had the funds to buy a ticket back (that was to protect them, not screw them).

Bottom line. It's not a realistic option if you're trying to go far with several connnections and are on a schedule.

One thing that is often forgotten. The "Doc" who wants to vacation in Hawaii gets to live in the location of his choice (or close at least). About 50% of our people now are in places that I'm sure they didn't ask to be.

I'm not asking for anything except maybe a small change in the nation's view that we get tons of free stuff, fly free, and that everything on post is dirt cheap. It's just not true.