What is Digg?171 Comments
- howser2007, on 07/31/2008, -11/+128Since when is AA the government and has to pay for government operations? Why should they not charge them like normal customers when it costs extra gas and man power to carry those extra bags on the plane? Just because they're in the military doesn't mean they're any different from other citizens.
- homah, on 07/31/2008, -9/+62Why shouldn't they be charged for extra baggage?
- arcticblue, on 07/31/2008, -2/+51A couple things.... I was in the military (USMC) and whenever I had to attend training or when I PCS'd, my orders always stated how many bags I was allowed to bring and whether or not my family could accompany me. Also, the military covers any flight you have to take and if they don't, you just fill out a travel expense form and they pay you back. If his training exercise actually required 3 bags, then his orders would have stated that (The standard is 2 sea bags and a carry on, but I can see exceptions. Deployment to Iraq is 2 seabags, a big ass pack, and a carry on). The fact that this guy is flying in his uniform (which the required yearly anti-terrorism training says NOT to do) shows that he is just expecting perks (read: douchebag). He's looking for something to bitch about and now he thinks he has something. The airline wants to charge him $100 for an extra bag? Fine, suck it the ***** up and pay it. He's a SSgt, he can afford it. If that 3rd bag is actually required (as in, his travel orders say he needs 3 bags), the military will pay him back anyway.
I think he's just mad because someone didn't give him something for free even though he was in uniform. - inactive, on 07/31/2008, -4/+43Why is it the right thing for AA to give them a free ride? If I go somewhere on a business trip my employer is supposed to pay for the plane ticket. The government's the one that should be paying for it, not the soldier or AA.
- centifuge, on 07/31/2008, -11/+43Im a little sick of this kind of stuff. This is an ALL VOLUNTEER army. Nobody is forced to join our armed services. Am I proud of the job our military is doing? Yes. Am I also proud of the job police officers, research scientists, doctors, bankers, grocery store clerks, etc. are doing. Yes. Is the military a little more dangerous? Sure it is. But again, nobody is drafted. American Airlines is not government owned, and therefore should not have to waive their ability to make a profit. Does Boeing give free jets to the military? Do the contractors working to rebuild Iraq do it for free? No.
The defense budget (already paid for by taxpayers) has plenty of money to reimburse soldiers for training. Government employees, even those who risk their lives on a daily basis, don't deserve special treatment in the private sector. They deserve a pat on the back, and a sincere "thank you". - sUGArDawg, on 07/31/2008, -0/+27Yes, it sucks...but... he can get it reimbursed EASILY on his travel voucher....duh
- ErrorLoading, on 07/31/2008, -17/+40If my job required me to lug extra baggage around, I wouldn't expect the airline to waive it. Why is it any different when your job is a conscript?
Support troops blah blah blah, troops choose to be in the military. That 25,000-50,000$ sign on bonus that duped him into joining should cover it. - bphicke, on 07/31/2008, -0/+21They will get their money back after their trip when they file their travel claim.
- evilcaptain, on 07/31/2008, -7/+26The Military Industrial Complex is a massive business. It has expanded and keeps expanding into a finite space. Each time we let our emotions for individuals get in the way of our recognising the increasingly negative impact of the Military.
The Army doesn't need handouts from public companies. - Laserdragon, on 07/31/2008, -0/+17This is news to me. I thought they did charge like normal, but the government would reimburse travel expenses (usually to the soldier).
That's how it's always worked in my experience. - nkleffman, on 07/31/2008, -6/+21"AA actually claims it's "generous"!? At minimum military personnel should be reimbursed afterwards."
"You'd think AA would be generous enough to waive baggage fees for someone who's risking their lives for a war, albeit an unjust one"
"UnAmerican Airlines ..."
A business is not in business to be generous.
The airline market is faltering, and in order to remain profitable they must charge more money. If the soldiers don't want to pay this charge, they may choose to do their business with another airline. If they choose to continue to do business with American Airlines, then obviously they value the service that American Airlines provides more then the value of their hundred dollars.
Would it be more generous of them to not charge this extra amount and go bankrupt, thereby no longer providing their service to anyone at any cost?
I'm reading Atlas Shrugged right now, and it's really scary how some of you are speaking exactly like a James Taggart or a Mr. Mowen. - TurdZilla, on 07/31/2008, -0/+14I don't recall having to pay for any flights when working in an Official capacity. All flights were paid for by the military unless you are going on leave. You wouldn't have to take your gear with you on leave.
- Yazilliclick, on 07/31/2008, -0/+14Why does the soldier need a handout from an airline when traveling for military training? That's the military's job to pay for it, not the airline. Public/private companies should not be expected nor pressured into giving free things to the military.
- Jeepinator, on 07/31/2008, -11/+23The guy said he was supposed to have a voucher. Apparently he never got his voucher so it's not really American's policy that is bad. However, they should have just waived it instead of inconveniencing the man.
- Yazilliclick, on 07/31/2008, -0/+11How is it not generous. AA isn't the military nor should they be paying for the military moving people around. If the military doesn't want to pay for this stuff a private company shouldn't be forced to.
- ArthurArchnix, on 07/31/2008, -1/+12You're making too much sense for the whiny crowd at consumerist.com
They're ready to riot over being asked to show their receipt at the door, but warrentless wiretaps, a DOJ with illegal hiring, a government running up massive deficits... none of that matters as long as they're allowed to consume without slightest inconvenience to themselves. - Yazilliclick, on 07/31/2008, -0/+9No, the right thing to do is for the military to properly be compensating private companies for the services it uses and not operating under the expectation of freebies and handouts. I mean my god the US military certainly has enough cash flown it's way, why should private companies have to pick up the burden?
- guerrilla_suit, on 07/31/2008, -1/+10American Airlines waived all my fees when I went through a few years back. The soldiers get travel voucher and can get reimbursed for any expenses once they get back. No biggy.
- FortyCaliber, on 07/31/2008, -0/+8I'm actually going to side with AA on this one.
I'm a former Marine and I've travelled to other destinations before on civilian aircraft. 190 lb. of luggage is a lot... in fact it's in excess of the vast majority of any traveller, military or otherwise. REGARDLESS of the weight issue, any travel expenses incurred as a result of travelling under orders would be recouped once he arrived at his station and checked in. They could charge him $1000 and he would still get it back.
There are aspects of the stroy that don't make sense: Why is he bringing so many bags? He claims to be doing "training" before going to Iraq, yet he is bringing 3 bags? If the Army is anything like the Marine Corps then all of his issued uniforms WILL fit in his issued green duffel (we called them "sea bags.") And since he is travelling in uniform, then he already has extra space due to the missing footwear and uniform. That bag full, doesn't even exceed 50 lbs.
I can accept the argument that he is bringing civilian attire. Great, 5 days-worth (and that may be pushing it) of everyday attire, one business casual outfit and 2 pairs of shoes, athletic and dress. It can even be argued that the athletic shoes are issued gear too, and thus, belong in the sea bag. Regardless, he shouldn't have over or anywhere near 100 lb. of civilian attire.
Don't give me the argument of "issued gear" either. He will be issued the mission-appropriate gear when he arrives at his next duty station, in this case, Camp Bowie. However, he may be allowed to retain his MOLLE gear between stations... which in any case should be self-packable and all issue gear would fit within that MOLLE pack. Field gear minus full canteens, weapon, ammo, MREs, Helmet, Kevlar, and mission-specific equipment shouldn't weigh more than 30 lb, if that.
So, he has his duffel, a medium bag (I used a parachute bag) of "civvies," and MAYBE a load of MOLLE gear. This should only total less than 120 lb. (and that is still a stretch, I think.) It just looks like he is trying to take advantage of a situation that has afforded him a win in the past. - Laserdragon, on 07/31/2008, -0/+8All my vouchers also showed I had a 2 bag limit. If i needed more that that I had to pay. I also would get reimbursed later in the form of a refund voucher.
I can't figure out why this article is even on the net. - clonkid, on 07/31/2008, -3/+11I feel like the day is coming when the airlines start charging passengers by the pound/kg.
- Ethek, on 07/31/2008, -1/+9This is basically just government using soldiers as a way to take out interest free loans. While men and women, who have enough to cope with already, are stuck with fighting off statement balances, due dates and late fees that come from government commitments. Banks like BofA benefit greatly. AA just doesn't care that much. The entire military travel system is a travesty to our service personnel.
- ubuwalker31, on 07/31/2008, -2/+9Can somebody explain why everybody on Digg and Reddit seems to want to charge a 250lb woman extra to fly because she is obese yet a member of the armed forces can get 3 100lb dufflebags flown for free. How exactly does this save gas?
- acolonf6, on 07/31/2008, -2/+9Where the ***** you get that number? The average is about 10, to 20 thou, the highest bonus I ever heard of was 30,000 for 6 years for a cook. For a first time enlistee that is. I got 10, for 3 years. Also Infantry don't actually get that much... I hear EOD usually get decent bonuses. Also if you only have a GED you don't get *****.
- Laserdragon, on 07/31/2008, -0/+7Not to mention they never pay it out all at once. They split it up over the life of the contract in most cases.
- xptical, on 07/31/2008, -0/+7In a lot of cases, you have to travel in uniform now. The military will buy a block of 50 seats or so and everyone gets into BDUs and grabs their guns and gear.
And then you get to Iraq and your gun goes into the armory and you never see it again... - martian, on 07/31/2008, -1/+8"I wonder why people even keep signing on after the recent years of getting screwed"... Because McDonalds wasn't hiring in their hometown of *****, MO?
They're not risking their lives for nothing; they're risking their lives for oil. - spinchange, on 07/31/2008, -0/+7Although you can bring as much of your baggage as you want to an AA meeting
- Laserdragon, on 07/31/2008, -6/+13You guys think that's funny? I'm in the army myself, and have been overseas a few times and I remember this airline for one thing:
Sometimes we charter private flights to go overseas (especially if we're going to stop in germany before heading to our final destination) and we had been approved a flight that had nobody but soldiers on it. On our way over it had been made clear to the airline that we would be bringing a cache of M16s on the flight due to the fact that we were a detachment and only had 40 of them - no ammo, just the weapons in their locked racks and secured with the baggage under the plane.
You would have thought we were terrorists. The little guy who I assume was some kind of manager was doing his damnedest to refuse to let the weapons be checked in spite of us having all the proper forms and clearances. It took two hours, a lot of calls, and a director chastising the idiot's butt for us to get on our flight.
You'd think that a bunch of people in unifom headed OUT of the country shouldn't have this much trouble. - ryancawdor, on 07/31/2008, -1/+8Transportation costs money, even if you're "fighting for our freedom". You expect AA to bear the costs of the non-drafted soldiers choices?
- Laserdragon, on 07/31/2008, -2/+8Speak for yourself asshat, I joined before sept 11th and I do base support carpentry. I've not had to kill anyone. I am involved in the war that the president that was elected started and I'm obligated to fight or go to Jail.
Don't blame me or all other soldiers for a war that was started by a president many of them didn't vote for and started AFTER they signed. - mb3581, on 07/31/2008, -0/+6Its not just AA, all the airlines are cutting back and ramping up the frivolous charges. The free soda and juices you have been used to for years are going to $2 starting Friday on US Air. I am sure everyone else will follow suit. No more free meals either, they are $7 now. I understand having to recoup for high gas prices, but I wish there was an option to pay an extra $20 or so on your ticket to cover meals, etc. The planes only take cash, and as a business traveler expense reports are a big enough pain without having to deal with cash.
- RivyBeAsT, on 07/31/2008, -0/+6"The standard is 2 sea bags and a carry on, but I can see exceptions. Deployment to Iraq is 2 seabags, a ***big ass pack***, and a carry on"
I'm not in the USMC, but I believe that is the correct terminology for that particular pack. - RivyBeAsT, on 07/31/2008, -1/+7Lemme clarify a bit. I'm not so upset that they charge me a fee (because I can simply amend my TDY orders and get the money back). I'm more upset at they way I am treated at the airport. I am always pulled aside and searched (random, my ass). If I fly as a civilian, it's no big deal.. If I fly as a U.S. Soldier, I can expect to wait at least 1 additional hour through security.
I guess it's easy for terrorists to wear U.S. uniforms and forge military ID cards. Much easier than buying some clothes and a haircut at the local Walmart. - Laserdragon, on 07/31/2008, -0/+5My last unit got around our 2 bag rule by buying those Gorilla Lockers, and stuffing any nonesential stuff in there and mailing it to our APO right before leaving.
I'm sure the post office hated us that day, but it worked a charm and cost less than $100 freakin' dollars :) - chanop, on 07/31/2008, -2/+7reply
- Laserdragon, on 07/31/2008, -0/+5Okay, man - take a breath... That's it - beathe... Ok, better now?
Some things have been established. That the soldier mentioned doesn't know how his orders work, and that AA isn't responsible for this, and that consumerist isn't as spot on about things as the site would like everyone to beleive.
But no need to have a conniption - Most soldiers aren't looking for handouts, just some freaking respect. Please don't get the individual soldier here confused with the rest of us. Most of us were trained better - ScionX, on 07/31/2008, -0/+5While I was in bahrain you got a max of 40k before they charged you excess, and holy ***** was that expensive. (around $175)
- TheSavant, on 07/31/2008, -1/+6Airports have little dollies you can use to carry luggage. Also some luggage has wheels.
- MrWhite7, on 07/31/2008, -4/+9You want to just start quartering soldiers in private homes and get it over with?
- jgzman, on 07/31/2008, -5/+9The Army? No, it doesn't.
The soldier with a family? Yea. He might. - inactive, on 07/31/2008, -0/+4Yes, they charge for golf clubs do be stupid.
http://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/travelInfor ... - TheSavant, on 07/31/2008, -0/+4When I had to fly with the Army we didn't pick our airline. The Army gave us our tickets.
- Hedgecore, on 07/31/2008, -0/+4No, that was KBR.
- b0k0n0n, on 07/31/2008, -1/+5Because all recruiters are honorable men (& women).
- smoger, on 07/31/2008, -0/+4rhodydog: if those fire fighters were required to travel for their jobs, then their employer should pay for the travel.. the same way that the military should. no company is in the business of handouts..
- boobsbr, on 07/31/2008, -3/+7it's their problem they joined the military corps of a warring country, not AA's. their government should pay AA the extra fee.
- DteK, on 07/31/2008, -0/+4The military makes dependents pay for MAC flights so they are no different than AA or any other airline. You can be bumped or delayed just as any other airline. Besides military personnel get travel vouchers when flying civilian on orders so he will be reimbursed.
- randall82, on 07/31/2008, -0/+4I don't think those other things are the reason they have that website. A person can go to more than one site, not everyone has to be a clearing house of all information. If I want to read about the latest political scandal, I'll search the news feeds and blogs. If I want to read about best buy, I'll go to consumerist.com.
- copyland, on 07/31/2008, -0/+3voucher, WTF? Just pay the fee the send a bill to Bush, like every other company does. He's not going to pay it anyway. Your kids will.
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