Why Not? Our emergency services (please don't use the Americanised term First Responders, we've already got enough American cultural infiltration) have high rates of death and injury in the job, they put their bodies in harm's way to save lives of our citizens, sacrifice a lot of time away from home and their families and miss birthdays, holidays etc to serve the community, have high rates of trauma and stress as a result of their actions and for lot of them they do it on a completely volunteer basis for no monetary reward. They absolutely deserve to be in the highest league of people honoured in our country. I'd argue for police officers they do that while copping a fair amount of undeserved abuse from the public as well. A greater number of emergency service workers have been killed on the job in Australia since 2003 than military personnel killed in conflicts over the same time period.

Let's not get into a contest about which vital professions are more worthy or deserving of respect, either we single out every individual group for praise or we treat all citizens equally. I'd rather the latter.

Priority boarding, to me, means you get to sit longer in your seat whilst waiting for the doors to be closed - nothing more. Except, maybe, being able to find an empty locker to put your carry-on baggage in to.

I think we should avoid failing to show gratitude for any particular person's contribution and sacrifice by giving ALL passengers priority boarding - that has to be the fairest solution, surely?

PDR

This sums it up perfectly.
You are not obliged to take up this offer , if you don't like it then just stay seated until the normal boarding call.
The choice is yours , it's NOT compulsory so make your own choice.

The whole thing stinks of American patriotism. Next thing we know Tiger will be petitioning for all residential allotments to install flagpoles. I thank all past and present veterans, nay, ADF members - but in my experience, us Australians are a tad more humble. Let businesses put their money where their mouth is - if they truly value the service of the ADF then make financial contributions to necessary and underfunded veteran welfare services rather than embarrassingly singling out veterans for the pathetic benefit of boarding an aircraft 30 people earlier.

I would be interested in how many people in favour of this are actually past ADF members.
From my circle, about 90% of the ADF personnel I know (aged between 30 and 90) find it a bit embarrassing... yet people with no military background are all for it.

Reminds me of a local stoush over pool access rules for kids under 15.
The local Council has put up the age for mandatory parental/guardian supervision to "all ages below 15" citing sex predators and drowning hazards and risk management.
None of the Councillors has children or grandchildren affected by the decision.
None of the loudest supporting voices in the community have children affected by the decision.

Reminds me also of the stoush over Part 135/121 and its approval by RAAus, Virgin and Qantas.
They are in favour of these ****ty rules that don't affect them at all.

Motorists all seem far more in favour of bike helmets than cyclists.

Australians seem pretty good at supporting **** that doesn't affect them.

Interesting all of the commentary is along the lines of "I've never served but...", "whataboutisms" of Dr Dre or even veterans themselves with "Americanisms" all seem to immediately deride or shut this simple gesture down. Sure it could be better with cheap airfares but that is unlikely...

What we should be asking "why do our veterans not feel proud enough of their service to even identify themselves?", or
"why do Australian veterans continue to feel the need to hide in anonymity?" Alot of it has to do with the continued public perpetuation of humble, stoic and silent ANZAC digger stereotype.

After 19 years in the Army the only time anyone has ever gone out of their way and thanked me for my service was in a foreign country (US). It is not something I seek out or need, but like when someone compliments you, it does change your day. It also says a lot about how we look at and treat veterans in Australia. Perhaps more 'silent honoring' is the true Australian way.

Maybe I will identify myself and board early, maybe I won't. The fact that I ask the question speaks to a larger cultural issue. In the future, maybe a younger serviceman or woman will accept this offer and never even ask this question to themselves.

A small gesture by Virgin, but nonetheless they have at least done something, which is better than nothing.

While I get where you're coming from, they're part of the team and spend as much time away as anyone else in the ADF. They didn't ask for this either.

They are indeed considering the backlash. Personally I think it was just a cunning stunt (that's backfired) to get free media attention, after all the Red Rat are always in the papers & the vision news, they where smart enough to see how Virgins great idea went before they weighed in on the story to their advantage which they have done by not having a bar of it. America go about this recognition in a huge way nationwide, it's in their culture they are a very proud nation, we are simply different not right not wrong just different. Am sure our servicemen & women past & present know that Australians respect their service in our own special way:-)

The Nashos suffering the abuse of the anti war movement as they filed in to report for duty would have far different opinions, as would those who were told don't go in public in uniform when you return home from Vietnam. And Bob Hawke with his ACTU hat on denying transport of goods to the war zone, yet taking pride of place on the saluting dais at the Sydney welcome home parade. Yes, Bob was a driving force behind organising the parade, but I see it as a little hypocritical given his ACTU action.

Mention of how dangerous other professions can be is a little precious, comparing that to a job which requires you to be a target for an enemy. No H & S rep ever seen on a battle front.

Absolutely.
You want to recognise and honour our servicemen? Then get your butt out of bed next Anzac Day and attend your local dawn service.
That's the AUSTRALIAN way of recognising our veterans.

Just to make a point. In the USA only current serving military personnel in uniform get priority boarding. A Vet in civilian clothing has to wait like everyone else.