Uniform at UK airports

[dwhcomputers]

Nothing to do with reserve service did not want to employ people with a Public Service Pension (Mostly Authorities who cover the map in red)

[Climebear]

Well my faith in the great British Public is (partly) restored. I managed to escape from my Purple Cave yesterday and travelled on the rail system in uniform (although I changed my usual set of natty combat pyjamas (with some lovely badges ) for blues for the occasion (to appease any dress regs geeks) and checked that regs permitted it first (to appease any sy geeks)). On arrival at Kings Cross ticket hall a member of staff approached me offering assistance, after explaining that I was getting a ticket with a warrant, he asked me to wait, approached the nearest teller then led me straight past the long queue of fellow passengers (no 'counter number 6 please' for me).

A big thank you to GNER and Kings Cross.

Airports take note...

[BEagle]

Perhaps he thought you were the driver?

[Climebear]

Originally Posted by BEagle

Perhaps he thought you were the driver?

That would have been a worrying thought!

[Phil_R]

Hi,

Sorry to revive an old thread (And I have almost no connections with the RAF, so I hope you'll excuse the intrusion) but - this has answered a couple of questions for me.

I did wonder why I had absolutely never seen anyone in uniform outside of a military facility, and even that's limited to a couple of hours I spent at Coltishall shooting some video. In fact, I've never seen anyone in military uniform of any kind, anywhere in the UK, ever, the only exception being on TV and the occasional brass band.

Of course this does rather put the dampers on a piece of drama I'm in the process of writing, where we'd arranged things so that our heroine could be seen in No.1s as frequently as possible, and probably much more frequently than is realistic, so as to look as impressive as possible on screen. But to expand on the "we really don't love our military" thread, you only have to look at how frequently they're depicted in film and TV. Other than "Soldier Soldier" and the abysmal "Strike Force", it simply doesn't happen. It's vastly easier to rent American uniform in London if you're costuming a production. Quite disturbing, really.

- Phil

[Comp Charlie]

Hi Phil,
if you want your production to be as realistic as possible AND you want the heroine to be in Number 1's as often as possible may I suggest some of the possible scenarios for your script:

1) Have her charged frequently for various misdemeanors (late for work, drink-driving etc)

2) Have her dicked for various parades (freedom of the city etc) and show her being shouted at by the SWO.

3) Show her being presented with various campaign medals after back-to-back tours in the 'Stan and Iraq.

To be fair these are about the only times we wear Number 1's anymore...

CC

[Pontius Navigator]

Phil,

You have led a sheltered life.

Many motorway service areas have a load of squaddies in combats. You would notice how they all look inwards rather than the 1000 yard stare.

Weekends is also a good time to see all the TA moving around.

[dwhcomputers]

Re-write your script to the 60s. North Walsham just north of RAF Coltishall would have been full of Service personnel in uniform. Even the shift change coach From Coltishall to Trimmingham, Trim to Colt, Colt to Neatishead and return stopped there to allow people to shop (unofficially) plus of course the rich buggers who bought their 3 bed detached bungalows for £1250 or less. Add to that the people in private accommodation living there and the people using their thumb to go to the local cinema (The Regent) . This scene would be repeated all over the country wherever a RAF Station was situated.

[Comp Charlie]

Alternatively, buy up some old copies of 'Get Some In' (remember that gem!) on Betamax, digitally enhance the quality, rebrand and title it and pass it off as your own work.

Plenty of people sat around the Naafi in Number 1's in that show!!



CC

[Chugalug2]

Originally Posted by Comp Charlie

I don't think it would come as a shock for you to know that unfortunately, a lot of people, Brits included, see us as a 'dirty little secret' and don't want our existance pushed into their face. I agree, they should be kicked out at 30,000 feet but unfortunately that solution is impractical, and i seriously doubt that when the complaint from the civvy comes in, the powers that be tell them to 'ram it' as should be the case. Instead i suspect an ass-kissing of the civvy is probably the usual response.

I would love to name and shame the airlines who have an issue with military uniform, and despite Ray-Darrs post, I would love to name and shame those employees (management) of BAA who have expressed their discontent at uniform in the airports (I imagine that Ray-Darr is a grunt on the shop floor of security, and as such not privy to these recommendations by his management...).

CC: As a new member, but an ex RAF/Civie Pilot, I am appalled that you and your fellow service personnel feel the above to be the case.A low profile policy for the armed forces really kicked in with the "troubles", late 60s. Before that it was not uncommon to see members of the Armed Forces thumbing lifts in uniform (and getting them!). Well that was a far off world to which we shall never return. But the reason for the change was clear, to avoid the unwelcome attentions of the IRA, not to avoid raising the ire of the civilian population. The fact that most people now have no personal knowledge of service life, and know no-one who is serving, makes it all the more important for them constantly to be reminded of those who do, and the debt we all owe them. By disappearing into a brief footage on the news you are creating a vacuum that is simply filled by the ignorant prejudices of ladies with little hammers spent on smashing the industrial military complex, and war itself (if only). If you can wear civvies you can wear a decent smart uniform. Not provided? Well it should be. The respect from complete strangers will set an example to others less well informed. Airlines should not determine such policies. Take away their military contracts and they will reappraise their position overnight. OK, all this takes time, and will only happen as a result of political pressure on the Whitehall Mandarins, but the way things are going now, of not so benign neglect as instanced in this and other threads is unacceptable. Of course security is paramount, but life is a risk, and using it as an excuse for pandering to the loud mouthed opponents of the Armed Forces is wrong.

[Phil_R]

Hi,

Thanks for the info. It's gratefully received, because there really is so little reference about the modern RAF. If I was writing about the modern USAF, there's a thousand books I could buy; but with our guys, it's almost imposssible to find anything that isn't WW2. I've read John Nichol and Michael Armitage, that seems to be about it, so I'm rather relying on the accuracy of "Team Tornado"!

The two main scenes we've engineered our character into "the itchy blue suit", as one actress put it, are a funeral and going to see a very senior officer, so I'm hoping that's OK - although this thread has already told me that uniform isn't worn at the MOD HQ, so I may have to change the location.

There's so much I could ask (What does NAAFI stand for?) but I don't want to be a pain, since I'm an unrepentant civvie - does anyone have an objection if I start up a thread to discuss this?

Regards,

Phil

[Rev I. Tin]

Ask away fella.

NAAFI

Navy, Army and AirForce Institutes
Official trading organisation of HM Forces, providing retail and leisure services to the services (although the 'leisure' is primarily for Junior Ranks, seniors and officers enjoying the Mess)

Try HQ Strike Command at High Wycombe for very senior officer.

[Comp Charlie]

Originally Posted by Chugalug2

CC: As a new member, but an ex RAF/Civie Pilot, I am appalled that you and your fellow service personnel feel the above to be the case.

No, no no! You misinterpreted my post(s). I'm just an monkey, not an organ grinder...

These decisions are made waaaay above my rank and status. I would love nothing more than to proudly wear my uniform when and where I see fit, however this is not the case.

Worst case scenario - terrorist 'dicks' you as serviceman. Plants IED in or around your motor vehicle (for instance), goes off and ends up taking out innocent woman and 2 kids out shopping.

These are the kind of things 'civvies' are afraid of I'd reckon. Therefore, do we not have a duty of care to the civilian population to NOT compromise them, just because we fancy walking round Sainsburys/ Gatwick airport in Combat 95 uniform?

I would love for us to go back to the day and age when I could lob a kitbag on my back and thumb a lift home on the M4. But it isn't going to happen. Unfortunately.

CC

[Chugalug2]

Originally Posted by Comp Charlie

These are the kind of things 'civvies' are afraid of I'd reckon. Therefore, do we not have a duty of care to the civilian population to NOT compromise them, just because we fancy walking round Sainsburys/ Gatwick airport in Combat 95 uniform?. CC

CC It is your assumption that we civvies want to avoid you guys like the plague because of all sorts of theoretical scenarios and bad Karma that you bring with you that I challenge. The silent majority in this country would, I am sure, be proud to see you in uniform in "our world", instead of merely on our TVs. The change in policy made in the late 60s to travel in Civvies may or may not have saved lives over the years, who knows? One thing is for sure is that it has succeeded in turning the military from a familiar family in which Uncles, Brothers, Sons (and these days of course all the appropriate female equivalents) and neighbours served, to an alien and remote bunch of people who are never seen other than on the evening news. If you don't want to travel in uniform because of perceived security risks, fine, I respect that. But as potential target myself I'll take my chances, as we all do these days, and be glad to see you guys and girls in our midst (though where this idea came from that endless rounds of beers should be involved, I'm not clear!).

[1859sqn]

Not so sure about the "late 60's" I used to thumb lifts home from Benson and then Odiham from '69 until the end of '72 when I paid my £200 to "Pass Go." btw Around 90% of the people (including unaccompanied females) who stopped for me said that they would NEVER usually stop for hitchhikers............

[Hammer Head Too]

Joined up in 75, got bo££ocked in 79 as a Sqn Ldr picked me on the A1 as I was hitch hiking in uniform. I remember him saying it was an air ranking officer had made the decision "no uniform off camp, in pubs etc" because of the PIRA threat. Fair do's but it was taken to the enth degree at some camps whilst being totally ignored at others. Our standing in the community has since withered and the military has become something to hide away and be slightly embarrassed about.......huge shame
HH2

[Phil_R]

Hi,

I don't think anyone's embarrassed of the military. If people give you a second glance in public, my first reaction would be that it's so incredibly unusual.

I've seen military - I always presumed army - vehicles on the road, but not much more.

Anything that unusual has a mystique all of its own, but especially when it's such a way-of-life-defining issue as being in the military. Part of the PR (and recruitment) problem may well be that most people's experience of it begins and ends with "Full Metal Jacket", and they're fully convinced that you all put up with that sort of thing as a matter of daily routine. At 17 and 21 that misconception certainly put me off pursuing the otherwise attractive prospect of the pointy, fast things.

So it's probably not embarrassment or fear most of the time, it's curiosity.

Phil

[Pontius Navigator]

One give away early on with the no uniforms rule was luggage.

Navy had very smart pussers issue suitcase straight out of 'ello 'ello'. Air Force had very smart (joke), very large navy blue holdall. Aircrew had very smart, leather trimmed, navy blue holdall. The rules stripulated that you carried your flying kit so it was not an unusual sight on British Rail.

Anyway, about 1972, there was a rail go-slow and I was to attend a course at Scampton. Got as far as Nottingham and the trains stopped. I buggled up the SDO at Newton and a waggon picked me up in about 20 minutes. Also looking lost was a 'civvie' with said holdall. Now he could have been going to any RAF Lincolnshire base but, as it happened, he was also bound for Scampton.

Got to Newton, dropped airman off at the guardroom - see you tomorrow - and off to the mess where I was met by the staish.

He apologised that he could not let MT run me to Scampton but had got Scampton MT to pick us both up 0830 AM.

Now without the visual clue he was an airman that man would have been in
sh1t one way or the other. Either sleeping rough, hitching, dossing, late or out of pocket.

Mind you, if you know, there are still signs. At Heathrow I saw four men collecting 'tickets on departure' which is one sign. Their appearance was another. They were almost identikit alike and I am 100% certain they were army and at least 50% sure what regiment.

[Cumbrian Fell]

Uniform at Airport...a good idea?

Today might not be a good day to wear uniform at a UK airport....as you'll probably be roped in to root through people's handluggage and, er, smalls. Of course, if you wish to combine a hobby with a career, go ahead!

[TMJ]

Originally Posted by Phil_R

The two main scenes we've engineered our character into "the itchy blue suit", as one actress put it, are a funeral and going to see a very senior officer, so I'm hoping that's OK - although this thread has already told me that uniform isn't worn at the MOD HQ, so I may have to change the location.

Weddings are another opportunity; you could even get away with her wearing a sword there. Of course for accuracy you'd need the members of the Guard of Honour desperately conferring to remember bits of drill they've not had to do since Cranwell before the kickoff (at least if my experience is any guide)...
Other occassions I've worn 1s:
Battle of Britain Cocktail Party - in the Officers' Mess, all attending Service personnel in 1s.
Remembrance Day parade; if she's alone any Remembrance Day service
An uncommon one was a prizegiving for the Schools' Aerospace Challenge, a nationwide competition the Air Force sponsored and the prizes of which were given out by CAS; probably quite hard to work in!


Other occasions one might wear 1s: Royal garden parties, launch of one of HM's ships, courts martial.