moot

I am interested to see how the media and the military handle this now that you guys have sent it on.

Yeah I agree, firing a pilot without hearing his side of the story is extremely risky for management, especially this day in age. To me it sounds like this captain had an established history and CAL was looking for a reason to go after him. Management is incredibly stupid if they just fired him without an investigation especially in this situation; CAL will probably get sued for it.

You stole my thunder with this one. I can't wait to see what billo has to say.

Would CAL normally take a sick passenger like this? Why did the Military not provide Medivac from PGUM?

The Pilot hasn't been fired, he faces a termination hearing for upgrading the Marine.

Its still despicable, even if it wasn't a wounded warrior. When we deadhead, if a 1st class seat is available, they give it to us. Though they are few and far between these days, whenever I get one, I look for the first serviceman/woman (the lower the rank, the better!) and trade them for their coach seat.

I can't wait until someone gives me a hard time for doing so.

As a veteran, I find your story shocking and incredibly sad. I have come across many rude airline employees but that red coat tops it all. The soldier you tried to help should have been given a special VIP treatment all the way because he is our hero. No IF and BUTS about it. If I was his commanding officer, I would have gladly paid for the First Class Ticket myself. I would not have put you in that position to upgrade him in the first place because I would have made sure my wounded soldier would travel First Class, come hell or high water. I wish I could have been there in the sandbox covering his six to protect him from getting hurt.

That red coat should be ashamed of himself.

As for the CAL Chief Pilot, he sounds like one of those political commanders we all know who do not back his soldiers 100% under his command but only uses them to advance his career. I, for one, am glad I am not at CAL. I can not in good consicience work for an airline that disrespects my fellow soldiers that way.

I was jump seating on Frontier out of Denver the other day and when the gate agent announced boarding she invited Summit, Ascent (their frequent fliers), and ALL ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL to board first. I was impressed by that small gesture. It also lets everyone in the terminal know what Frontier's "official" position towards people serving in the military is.

Kudos to an airline that still cares. I wish in this industry companies like this would thrive and prosper. Down with the nastiness of inept Chief Pilots and managment.

I say we send the Red Coat AND Olbermann to Afghanistan....dregs of the earth, both of them.

I know this is "Monday Morning" talk here, but with an agent bringing up such a fuss, why not depart and upgrade the involved pax when the doors are closed? (I understand this is not the point--this agent is a complete butt-head). But he/she would've never been the wiser.