A Pennsylvania congressman wants airlines to cut fares for service members on leave. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pa., is sponsoring what he calls the Homecoming Help for Our Heroes Act, which not only would order reduced fares but also ease rules for getting standby seats. Murphy said active-duty service members often get time off on short notice, so they don’t have much flexibility in their schedule or time to shop around for the cheapest fares — so they end up with expensive tickets and often lengthy delays trying to get home.
Airlines say that they have available seating with a military discount. However many have basically ignored what they have on their websites. One reader said "this is the high season and there are never any available seats to offer for military discounts." this was a quote from one of the airlines. In other words the airlines want to benefit from the image of supporting our troops but the bottom line is just that the bottom line. There is no charity or giving back to those who serve. Should airlines who practice this be allowed government contracts to fly our troops at other times?
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I don't think the government should regulate military discounts, but if an airline doesn't want to give out soldiers discounts then the government should bar all travel on that airline for government employees on official business.
If the government really wants to help, Why not set up a schuttle system of military aircraft across ths US where servicemen can to to a civilian terminal, go to the Military Airlift Counter and book on an available flight passing through on a schedule. A ride for free on a C-130, C141, C17 or another aircraft is better then paying for an airline ticket, probably a lot less hassle too.
I believe the airlines should offer military discounts to all active-duty personnel and their families. Many are seperated from their families and can't afford to fly home even for a long weekend. These soliders are not being paid what they should be paid for all the sacrifices they make for all of us. At least the airlines can do, is to help them.
