Virgin Australia has announced a plan to give veterans priority boarding and salute them before take-off.Credit:Fairfax Media
As in the US example,this might also involve identifying the veterans so fellow passengers can offer applause.
The proposal is problematic on several levels.
It's also symptomatic of a deeper issue. So few modern Australians now “get” their defence force,and how it should and does fit into our national community,that it seems odd that such a proposal could be floated as appropriate or a good idea.
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To the contrary,the initial reaction from most veterans is a clear preference for acknowledging their service with practical help,rather than a gesture that risks becoming swiftly tokenistic.
In the case of airlines,why not instead reinstate the Service discount for domestic flights that was dropped in the early 1980s as memories of World War II and Vietnam faded? Or was such practical thanks not considered because it incurs a real cost?
More generally,reform of the legislation covering veteran healthcare,and continued reform of unfair or unwieldy Department of Veterans'Affairs claim processes,are surely far higher priorities than a veteran’s placement in an aircraft boarding queue.
Many,probably most,veterans are likely to soon tire of such embarrassment. The more harrowing the service,the speedier the likely objection.