It wouldn't be "collectivist" to talk about senior citizens getting senior discounts; by definition they are eligible. AF is talking about military boarding an aircraft first, which by policy they are eligible to do. How that is collectivist is beyond me.
I gave a couple of reasons, but I think the reason this is being done in that particular situation is to "thank them for service." Frankly, that's ridiculous on various levels.
If you are going on the assumption that everyone wearing a military uniform has served (which is, by the way, collectivist), and so they deserve special thanks, then what of veterans? I mean, aren't there a whole lot of NON-UNIFORMED people out there who've actually served? If it is really about gratitude for service, wouldn't the pre-boarding be for veterans who can present military ID or proof of service? Why wouldn't the airlines provide, say, a check-box where you can say you are a veteran and present ID? Of course, will we allow foreign veterans to present ID and board? What's the definition? Is it only for people who are a part of the US Armed Forces? That's kind of rude, you know. What if there's a WWII veteran visiting from the UK or France? Shouldn't they get to pre-board?
When you start to think of it that way, the "honoring" and "thanking" goes out the window, because there are assumptions being made that are baseless. You are including very green recruits in this category and excluding veterans, sometimes of multiple wars, who deserve thanks and honoring.
The kicker is that if you asked that last category whether or not they wanted a "thank you" at every turn, they'd be pretty likely to tell you "no."
If it were a government mandated program I'd say legitimate gripe, but it's a private company. They can board their plane whatever way they see fit, including forcing First Class to board last, if that's the way they want to run it. If you are unhappy with their policy, voice your concern with them. If you are unhappy with their response, cease your business with them. If you're unwilling to use your most powerful tool against a private company as a consumer, then it's really not that big of deal to you.
To a certain extent, this is true, but please note that it is the airport and not the airline that seems to have the policy.
so wear a military uniform, and enjoy the better things.
It's against the law, though, so if you're already at an airport (where we know that common sense and rights are endangered species), it's probably not worth it. Much safer to just fake a limp and say you need to get on with all the new mommies and cripples.
There's also this for a bonus, in case you want to be more than a common military kiddo:
Under the Stolen Valor Act it is now a Federal Offense, punishable by up to $5,000 fine and six months in jail (double that if the offense involves valor awards or the Purple Heart), to claim VERBALLY or in WRITING, to have received any military award you did not.
