Uniform at UK airports

[Comp Charlie]

Chugalug2, I respect your opinion naturally, but without this next bit being taken out of context, you are looking at it through the eyes of (I would suspect) a British white male.

*Now the controversial bit* London airports (especially LHR) are frequently populated by people who do not fit this description. Before anyone screams 'racist' at me, I can assure you this couldn't be further from the truth.

Of course I am NOT generalising that every Asian/ African/ Indian etc is an extremist or a terrorist. But it only takes one who fancies a pop at an 'opportunist' target.

With the events at LHR today (and the subsequent fallout from this) and the repercussions around ALL UK airports I would suggest that the 'no-uniform' policy at UK airports is, in fact, a sensible and prudent measure.

I work at Heathrow. I will be more knowledgable on todays events by tomorrow afternoon...

CC

[scroggs]

Originally Posted by Comp Charlie

I work at Heathrow. I will be more knowledgable on todays events by tomorrow afternoon...

CC

So do I. So will I. When it is revealed that the threat to which we are currently reacting was in fact against military personnel in uniform, I will agree with you. If, as I suspect, the threat is shown to be against the general concept of 'Great Britain' and its allied policies with the USA, I will have to conclude that the 'no uniform' policy is entirely specious.

[dwhcomputers]

CC
Why therefore do the Americans not ban their service personnel from wearing uniforms at airports? Should I therefore advise my nephew who is a football fan not to attend any more matches as Stadiums are an easy target or close down the Tube in case of any more bombs. If we go on like this lets lock the door on UK Ltd and all go on home

[Comp Charlie]

I think if you look back a few pages my thoughts on this policy are well documented, and therefore I feel no need to expand further at this time.

CC

[DESPERADO]

The events of today have not changed my opinion one jot. I respect the views expressed by everyone here, especially those that work at the airports, and I am glad that I was able to start a polite and lively debate. If I were allowed I would happily wear my uniform at an airport/train station etc etc. I proudly wear my uniform in public whenever there is an opportunity but I won't go against the spirit of the rules that are currently in place. I just think that it is a shame that our lords and masters are not promoting the service more by encouraging more unforms in public.

It was interesting that the wearing of uniforms and marching by service personnel a gay pride marches is actively encouraged and officially sanctioned - clearly the 2 things are not the same but the gay pride marches smack of politics rather than a desire to be inclusive (perhaps this is a can of worms that I shouldn't be opening.

We need to stand up and be counted. The country is a war - perhaps now on 3 fronts - perhaps someone in military uniform at an airport/train station might actually discourage a prospective terrorist, I certainly don't see why it is likely to encourage them any more than they are already. It is time that we stopped hiding and stood out from the crowd.

[Comp Charlie]

Hear hear...

Fancy expressing those views to the powers that be?

Addresses aren't too hard to dig out for those that control 'Passenger Policy'

CC

[Chugalug2]

Originally Posted by Comp Charlie

Hear hear...

Fancy expressing those views to the powers that be?

Addresses aren't too hard to dig out for those that control 'Passenger Policy'

CC

CC: as no-one else has taken you up on your offer, may I? I came out (perhaps I should rephrase that!) in 1973, so have no idea how to go about that, but am willing to try, so would appreciate guidance. The civvie route would be via my MP who would no doubt forward on my suggestion to an MOD apparatchic who would thank me for my interest and assure me that these matters are under constant review but for obvious reasons that I would appreciate no details of present or possible future policy can be revealed! On second thoughts don't bother, I think I've just received the reply from whoever I approach. If your superiors don't take advice from the people at the sharp end like yourself then that is a reflection on them, and on the organisation, and on the service. You end up with pilots forced to fly in tight dangerous formations and who get shot down like china ducks by an opposition that has learned to fly differently. Seems to me that we are back to those days in so many ways, but that is probably non PC in any thread so I'll shut up!

[Barely Restrained]

Originally Posted by Tigs2

greycoat

Its quite a nice tale of what one family experienced at Sea World in terms of the tribute to all servicemen and women. I wish i had been there. Does anyone know if they still do this?? I also had problems with the first link to the ad. There is a good link on this page.

Not only do they still do this, Tigs, but this year (at Seaworld in San Diego) they single out British servicemen! Last year, they asked for all US military personnel to stand, then members of other military allies in Iraq (sit down you Frenchies!!). This year it is US military, British military and, finally, all other allies in Iraq.

On the subject of wearing uniform in public, a colleague of mine had to fly in uniform within the States, recently. Just before the flight departed, the captain drew attention to his presence on the aircraft and thanked him for his service - to which a spontaneous round of applause broke out.

And finally, a bunch of British and US military colleagues and I were eating in an American restaurant recently and, because we were guests of the Americans and it was semi-formal, we were in uniform. A diner at the restaurant paid for all of our meals and left, without saying anything to us, but simply asked the waitress to pass on his appreciation for our service.

Sadly we will never see anything similar in the UK. Whilst we can be a bit cynical about the American attitude to their military, they do have a genuine respect for them. That said, the average American serviceman does have a genuine respect for his uniform, which I would argue that their British counterpart probably doesn't (of course, I would further argue that that is because he is encouraged not to!). The average civvy's encounter with a serviceman is probably limited to watching some impressive vomiting/fighting on a Saturday night in a Garrison Town!

[BEagle]

'Itchy blue suit' - worn for parades, weddings and bollockings. Oh - and officer-under-instruction at court martials. Or as a member, if you're really unlucky. Plus for the Bobbers CockersP.

Incidentally, NAAFI actually stands for 'No Ambition And F*ck-all Interest'!

[C130 Techie]

I was at Seaworld in San Diego last week on holiday, admission is still free and they still do the tribute to the services. They specifically asked for members of the US and UK forces to stand and make themselves known.

A big thank you to the US Navy on Coronado who helped us out of a tight spot by finding us a new hotel at short notice on a Friday Evening.

An also thanks to the USO facility at San Francisco Airport who made our 11 hour stay at the airport a much more pleasurable experience than it would otherwise have been.

[MercenaryAli]

Further example of PC

Since this sorry excuse for a government exists purely on smoke, mirrors and political correctness I guess this is just another example thereof!
I look forwad to the revolution!