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Have you ever wondered why the wonderful military privilege of the Airport USO is always outside of Security? Once you get inside and have gone through the utter scrutiny of the Airport, why would you be willing to go outside and then have to go through it all again?
As a result, I often do not utilize the USO, which irritates me, because it is a great thing to sit with brothers and talk of travels!
I wonder if somehow, someone on RP could make a difference on this.
As a result, I often do not utilize the USO, which irritates me, because it is a great thing to sit with brothers and talk of travels!
I wonder if somehow, someone on RP could make a difference on this.
Travel
Security
Leisure and Travel
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
1stSgt Nolan, it may be because airports were designed before 9/11, and security used be much easier to go through. If you recall, family members often went in to the actual gate to pick up their family/visitors. Going in and out of security wasn't a big event... so when USOs were put into airports, they probably just put them where there was the most space. That would be my guess.
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
I remember when my aunt and uncle would sit for my brother and I and they used to take us to the airport to watch the planes taking off and landing right from the terminal. Today, forget it, you can't even park on the roads near the runway to sit and watch.
To move the USO facilities to a more secure location or extend the security to include the USO would cost money obviously so who pays for it? I would think that a USO would be a potential target of opportunity so some thought has to be given to it.
To move the USO facilities to a more secure location or extend the security to include the USO would cost money obviously so who pays for it? I would think that a USO would be a potential target of opportunity so some thought has to be given to it.
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Only some of the airports have USO's outside of security. But the good news is that active duty members are on the pre approved TSA list so you can cut the line and not have to take off your shoes along with not going through the X-ray machine. Just have your CAC handy. It just takes 5 mins to go through the shorter line.
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CMSgt James Nolan
CPT (Join to see) Good point ma'am, I was just thinking how much better ALL the airports would be if they were all inside.
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CPT (Join to see)
The worst USO placement I ever saw was at LAX. Its not even inside the airport. It's outside of the terminals at a crossroad area, in a trailer.
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1SG (Join to see)
San Jose's location isn't much better. The USO "lounge" is about a 20 minute walk from the terminal...which sucks when you are carrying your entire issue and clothing bag.
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The USO provides an invaluable service and I appreciate their commitment to our veterans and families. Frankly, I often forget about them. But when I see their office in an airport I make a beeline to them. Every facility I've visited has the friendliest people; the environment is so pleasant. I don't know the answer to why USO's are generally located outside the security checkpoints, but I would suspect the main terminal locations provide a more centralized locations for all veterans to access. Again, thanks to the USO organization and their staff for all their efforts.
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