Airports forcing troops to change on tarmac?

[PPRuNe Radar]

To me, it smacks of mis-interpretation of an operator-specific advisory notice, transformed into a PC inspired airport bye-law by a spineless 'apparatchick', enforced by a non-idigenous NED (Non-Educated Dillinquent), wearing a 'BIA Security' uniform doing his bit for the Jihad against the hordes of returning Infidel Crusaders & BIA hastily issuing a justification that clarifies NOTHING.

Sounds like a Daily Mail soundbite to me

[iain8867]

"BIA is not party to a list of airlines operating such policies, nor is it aware of specific airlines that impose such policies."


"he mentioned a certain German carrier that bares the name of the capital city of the fatherland WILL NOT allow ANY military personnel wearing uniform to travel with their airline...."

I can not believe that airlines can get away with this...........

I work as Cabin Crew for a Charter Airline and about 2005 we had a group of RAF on board, they had been recalled from holiday. As soon as I knew I spoke to the crew and we all chipped in to purchase drinks for them as a thank you for the thankless job that they do.

If the foreign carrier does not want uniformed personnel on board then they should not be booked to fly on them.

Unbelievable

[Top Bunk Tester]

Guys

As this, if memory serves, has already been mentioned in a previous thread on the subject, I believe that this is MoD policy, NOT that of BAA. Obviously this will need clarifying, can't wait to see the idiot on either side who admits to it though.

I have travelled back through BZZ regularly for the last 2 1/2 years from the desert and have been welcomed each time by a muppet on the Arrivals lounge PA telling the guys to get changed into civvies before boarding the busses to LHR/LGW. There are also numerous signs on display to the same effect.

Be careful where you lay blame fellas, it may be due closer to home.

Have a great and safe new year, especially if deployed.

TBT

[S78]

" If the foreign carrier does not want uniformed personnel on board then they should not be booked to fly on them"


Try telling that to the MOD - they're the ones who awarded the contract for the Germany-BHX trooping flights to Air Berlin in the first place......


S78

[orgASMic]

As TBT says above, it is MOD policy:

JSP 800 Defence Movements and Transport Regulations
Volume 2 Passenger Travel Instructions
2.2.18.012 Dress - Security

"In the interests of security the MoD wishes to reduce the military profiles of flights carried out on its behalf at civilian airports"

This does not excuse the fact that troops were made to change clothes on the tarmac. Whoever made that decision is an idiot. A bad policy poorly enforced.

[diginagain]

Sadly, it seems there's another contributor to the original thread on Arrse who would like to take issue with the service provision and decision-making process - see page 11.
Left out in the cold

[Top Bunk Tester]

Orgasmic
Thanks for the reference, but from BZZ by coach to LHR/LGW does not constitute a flight. What the muppets at BZZ are saying is that you cannot arrive at LHR/LGW by foot/car/coach/rail/taxi/tardis in any type of military uniform in case it causes some kind of offence to the 'minority' groups that dare to call this great country of ours home...........life would be a lot better if said groups would just pack up & Foxtrot Oscar to wence they came

[slimjim007]

common knowledge

I work at BIA and its common understanding that military personnel cannot wear their uniform, never know why but thats alway been the case...

[RobinXe]

So does slimjim's post indicate that the BHX press release is a lie, or that someone in the MOD is still living in the era of 'the troubles'?

[orgASMic]

TBT - au contraire. The ref goes on to include travel to/from airheads to the extent that you cannot use obviously (ie green) mil tpt and drivers should be in civvies as well. Bunch of ARRSE.

Sorry to resort to getting the book out, I am an air trafficker and its what we do. Doesn't mean we agree with the book though.

[EdSet100]

JSP 800 Defence Movements and Transport Regulations
Volume 2 Passenger Travel Instructions
2.2.18.012 Dress - Security

"In the interests of security the MoD wishes to reduce the military profiles of flights carried out on its behalf at civilian airports"

OK, so its taken us 3 days to work out that this is a case of in-house stupidity in slavish adherence to a Regulation. Firstly, the regulation is only there to reduce the military footprint in the civilian environment, which is understandable (to some of us; not all). Secondly, it does not mean that we all, as individuals travelling/flying alone or in small groups, must wear civvies. The regulation applies only to "flights", not individual personnel, so we do not need to get all worked up about dress codes.

As some of us have already opined, it was the ridiculous and demeaning application of the regulation in the cited case that needs to be addressed. We either don't go to the civvie airports, or we make make sensible provisions to change into civvies while airborne, or we get on the jet in civvies. It can't be difficult to resolve. Either that, or the MoD reviews its profile policy.

With some luck this subject will on the CAS's desk on Mon 7th.

[Top Bunk Tester]

So from Orgasmic;s reply it seems I am borme out in my ascertation that this is an MoD cluster and not one of BAAs making? Yet again are we not our own worst enemy? Come on, someone with a spine at MoD resond!

[Two's in]

TBT,

Be careful where you lay blame fellas, it may be due closer to home.

I hope they've got you running the the Fortune Teller's tent at the Families Day, you'll make a killing.

When faced with the 2 C's in the MoD, Cock-up or Conspiracy, your best instinct must be to go with Cock-up first.

[Pontious]

Sorry to disappoint you,Pprune Radar...

It is an opinion based upon experience, observation & analysis. However feel free to PM me should you discover it copied into the 'Mail whilst you are perusing the tabloid.

Now c'mon, Chaps, about this Coup.....

[Green Flash]

Now c'mon, Chaps, about this Coup.....

Ah, but only if you tick the right box on JPA and get it authorised ..... And keep all the reciepts, of course.

[rmac]

Sorry to throw this in, but it is worth consideration. I believe that the midlands has the nations largest concentration of south asian muslims, and the question should be asked, "Is MOD, or anyone else generating this policy out of fear of upsetting them ?"

[faarn]

This whole episode is not unusual.

Some guys I know where coming back from Telic last year and had to divert to Luton due to fog. When they landed on they went into the terminal to await baggage, still in uniform.

After 30 mins the number of armed police in the terminal visibly increased and they were put in a holding corner for another 20 mins, still no baggage.

In the end they were moved outside onto an empty end of the airfield in the cold to await buses. Still no baggage.

The baggage arrived eventually on the tractors that unload them from the aircraft; they had to unload the tractors themselves.

Welcome home boys, we appreciate all the work you are doing for the country.

[Melchett01]

I believe that the midlands has the nations largest concentration of south asian muslims, and the question should be asked, "Is MOD, or anyone else generating this policy out of fear of upsetting them ?"

This is England, not some tinpot 'stan full of religious extremists. Shouldn't even be considered as an after thought let alone as a policy thought.

Then again, this is Noo Lab, UK 2007......

[Faithless]

This is England, not some tinpot 'stan full of religious extremists. Shouldn't even be considered as an after thought let alone as a policy thought.

You've hit the nail on the head Melchett01... Even if BHX/MOD or who ever is right or wrong....THIS IS ENGLAND...GREAT BRITAIN...UNITED KINGDOM what ever you want to call it - our home.
Now do Iraqies/Afganies etc when visiting their home do things different not to upset us....MMMMMMmmm now let me think.

[call100]

slimjim007
common knowledge
I work at BIA and its common understanding that military personnel cannot wear their uniform, never know why but thats alway been the case...

I've worked there since it was just the Elmdon site and I can assure you all that this has not been a common understanding or indeed any policy at any time at Birmingham international.
As their statement said they cannot change an airlines policy. Your argument is with the MOD who booked the airline in question to ferry personnel without checking the policy or indeed once knowing cancelling said policy.