Do you believe it is ethical or unethical to take advantage of an airline's offer to for military personnel to preboard?

2019-09-14T10:10:36-04:00

Response by SFC Marc W. made Sep 14 at 2019 10:22 AM

2019-09-14T10:22:10-04:00

What prompts this question about ethics in this situation?
Airlines are a business and frequently extend perks to customers who overpay and have the right to offer perks to any customer of their choosing. Based off this question, you really should be asking if it's ethical to take any kind of military discount anywhere.
Typically, I do not elect to take advantage of the preboarding offer, unless I'm traveling alone and I know the plane will be packed. I don't see it in terms of ethical vs unethical, that choice was made up by the airline.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Sep 14 at 2019 1:28 PM

2019-09-14T13:28:36-04:00

I don't see why it would be a problem of any kind. If the person is "military", then the decision to honor or advantage them is with the airline. No harm, no foul if the person takes the airline up on their offer. The airline may specify the military people they are interested in helping, for example, they may say active duty service members, reserve members on active duty, and their military dependents may preboard. In that case, just play it straight.

Response by PO1 John Meyer, CPC made Sep 14 at 2019 2:52 PM

2019-09-14T14:52:01-04:00

What's not ethical about it? It's like asking if frequent flyer miles or VIP lounges are ethical. It's differeent if you're asking wihtout being offered, but if the air line offers, why not?

Response by SPC Kevin Ford made Sep 14 at 2019 3:46 PM

2019-09-14T15:46:30-04:00

I don't see any ethics issues as the boarding order is arbitrary. You benefit from boarding earlier, the airline benefits from being seen as friendly to active duty personnel.

Response by Marcus Kesler made Sep 14 at 2019 3:56 PM

2019-09-14T15:56:26-04:00

I think it's as ethical as taking advantage of TSA PreCheck, or getting early boarding or free upgrades because of whatever Credit Card you have in your pocket or Rewards Program you belong to. It might even be as ethical as walking through a door that someone is holding open to "thank you for your service".

For me the line between "ethical" and "unethical" with many of these perks depends on if the service member is actively trying to obtain a perk versus accepting a perk that is being offered without any active effort on their part. I would look down on going up to the ticket counter or gate agent flashing your CAC and go "hey, I'm military, can I get a better seat/early boarding/free drink/etc". But if there is a blanket announcement by the gate agent saying "we are now boarding active duty military", I don't see a problem with someone taking advantage of that offer. Many airlines ask your military status when you check in to determine the cost for your luggage, and some offer you seat upgrades at that time as well. I don't think there is anything wrong with picking that $50+ dollar seat with 3" extra legroom for $0 in a case like that. I think it comes down to "are you asking to get something special because of your status" versus "are you accepting something that is freely offered to you".

I frequently take advantage of the early boarding for the simple reason that I often end up getting booked on tight connections, overhead storage is often in short supply, and government travel doesn't end up with the best boarding groups. I've had my fair share of luggage being lost which means that the only uniforms I had on me were the things I packed in my carry-on which is usually almost all uniform with hardly any regular clothing. So if I they will give me access to empty overhead bins to store my stuff instead of having it gate checked, I will gladly take advantage of that offer.

Response by CPL Linda B. made Sep 14 at 2019 4:52 PM

2019-09-14T16:52:53-04:00

In response to your service to your country ,the airlines offer this as a respectful and honor to the men and women who serve.

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Sep 15 at 2019 4:27 PM

2019-09-15T16:27:46-04:00

There is nothing unethical about taking advantage of preboarding that is offered by an airlines any more than it's unethical to preboard if a person needs assistance or is a child.

Response by MSG Gary Eckert made Sep 16 at 2019 11:41 AM

2019-09-16T11:41:36-04:00

From the annual ethics training:
Here is why is might be prohibited.
"Solicit or accept gifts from persons or parties that do business or seek official action from DoD (unless permitted by an exception)."
Here is exception on why it might be acceptable.
"Discounts and favorable rates available to the public, all Federal personnel, or all military personnel."
Here is why I wouldn't accept when traveling on Government orders unless I had paid for upgraded boarding.
"Just because a course of action is legal does not mean it is a good idea."
To summarize, I think it is ethical but the optics may be bad.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2019 2:32 PM

2019-09-16T14:32:57-04:00

its the one and only perk i take advantage of, but then again for me i hate being in crowded areas, so pre-boarding is a must so that i may avoid squeezing through people trying to board all at once.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2019 9:43 PM

2019-09-19T21:43:12-04:00

The rules are meant to prevent conflicts of interest wherein a company offers favors with the intent of wooing business or financial benefit (or any other benefit from the exchange) from the Soldier/military. This would be akin to fraternization because it constitutes an inappropriate relationship, the perception of impropriety, or actual impropriety. However, nobody reasonable thinks that you received pre-boarding benefit due to corruption.

Having said that, I do care about perception, and I personally wouldn't feel comfortable sitting in 1st class in uniform. Prior to 9/11, when I was a cadet and not in uniform, the Captain of commercial aircraft offered to let me sit in the jump seat inside of the cockpit. No way I was turning that opportunity down. It was pretty cool, and I was thrilled!