Military Boarding Policy

[elims]

I've looked up the Military Boarding Policy and this was what I found from a Southwest employee.

"Patriotism runs deep at Southwest Airlines, and we are proud of all those who serve. When it comes to our military boarding policy, we invite active duty, uniformed members of the U.S. military to board before the B Group."

However, today, I was deny access after showing my DoD CAC card because I was not in "uniform". Not every branch in the military can travel in "uniform". 

Is this really how Southwest treat our military members? 

[chgoflyer · Accepted solution]

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@elims wrote:

I've looked up the Military Boarding Policy and this was what I found from a Southwest employee.

"Patriotism runs deep at Southwest Airlines, and we are proud of all those who serve. When it comes to our military boarding policy, we invite active duty, uniformed members of the U.S. military to board before the B Group."

However, today, I was deny access after showing my DoD CAC card because I was not in "uniform". Not every branch in the military can travel in "uniform". 

Is this really how Southwest treat our military members? 

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Unfortunately, it is.

Southwest requires that military be in uniform in order to receive boarding benefits. It's well understood that many military passengers are unable to travel in uniform, even while on duty. This has long been a policy that seems to mostly disappoint military passengers.

Hopefully this disappointment is offset a bit by Southwest's military fare discounts and flexibility, along with oversize & excess baggage fees exceptions.

[SWFlyer007]

THANK YOU, for your service to our country.  It might be something to bring up with customer relations, but as stated by Chicago, it has been a policy for some time,  (taking his word on it)  Sounds like a policy that might be looked at if you press the issue politely.  

[bwallet]

I appreciate what our military does. However, I'm sure that I'm not alone in wishing military members would feel less entitled. Yes, it is a hard and a dangerous job for some. However, the US military is all volunteer. If Southwest chooses to give special boarding privileges to military members, that is great. But, if they don't, well, I don't see that as a reason to be upset.