Gold Star Family Booed on Plane Bringing Home Fallen Soldier

This is just disgusting. I was so saddened over this event at Bagram when I had first read about it. I hadn't seen the names of those killed released yet, last week. This young man was on his second deployment. Also killed was Pfc. Tyler Lubelt,who was just 20 years old. There were two contractors killed and 16 other men wounded. I was so upset at how this terrorist could have possibly gained entry onto the base in the first place. The sheer pain of having your child murdered must be so overwhelming and horrible, then you have the insult and lack of respect by whoever the hell did this in the first class seats. Vile. Just vile. What the hell is wrong with people? What kind of society do we have exactly? I am utterly sadden and angry that this happened to this young man's family. What is just as bad is that not one damn pax had the nads to stand up and admonish these SOBs and comfort the family either. Sickening and shameful.
 
NovemberEcho said:
My guess is the other passengers weren't aware of WHY the flight was delayed for this family, and just assumed they were running late and so the flight was held up to wait for them. At least I sincerely hope that is the reason.
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From the Army Times:

"The American Airlines flight from Sacramento was delayed, leaving about 45 minutes behind schedule, according to Stewart Perry, and time was running out for the family to make their connecting flight in Phoenix.

When the plane arrived in Arizona, the captain announced that everyone was to remain seated to allow the Perry family to leave first.

“When he made that announcement, there was some hissing and some booing behind us,” said Perry, who was sitting in first class.

Perry, a Marine veteran, doesn’t remember the captain telling everyone the reason they had to wait, but he said he does recall the captain mentioning “military personnel.”

“I believe that the passengers knew there was a Gold Star family on board,” he said. “The woman sitting directly behind us touched me on the shoulder and asked if I was the father of the soldier killed in Afghanistan.”

That leads Perry to believe some kind of announcement was made before he and his family sat down.

“It was very disappointing,” he said. “It’s just enough to put you over the edge.”

https://www.armytimes.com/articles/...mpassion-after-airplane-passengers-boo-family

and from Stockton:

"Stewart Perry said he, his wife, Kathy, and daughter were flying on an American Airlines flight from Sacramento on Monday to Philadelphia, with a quick transfer in Phoenix. From Philadelphia, they traveled to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to receive his son’s remains.

For unknown reasons, Perry said, the flight to Phoenix was 45 minutes late. The crew feared the delay might cause the Perrys miss their connecting flight.

So, when the plane landed in Phoenix, the captain made an announcement for all passengers to remain seated and to let a “special military family” exit the aircraft first, Perry said.

Several passengers in first class began to boo and complain, Perry said.

“Some people were saying ‘This is just baloney,’ and ‘I paid for first-class for this?’ ”

He said American Airlines “did everything they could” to accommodate his family.

Perry and his family made their connecting flight, and the pilot in Phoenix stayed at the gate for 40 minutes to make sure they made it on board.

“It was just disgusting behavior from people in first class. It was terrible to see. Perry said. “You could see the disappointment from the flight crew.”
 
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I'd venture a guess that a good percentage of the folks flying first class on any given flight didn't actually "pay" for it…….ie paid business travel or membership based upgrades from a lesser ticket. Just sayin…...
 
There was one I saw on a regular basis while commuting. Look up ass in the dictionary and there is probably a picture of her. She always sat in row 1, aisle seat. Took off her shoes and put her feet on the bulkhead. Treated FAs like crap. Heaven help it if a non rev was put next to her.
 
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