I always thank people for thinking of us when they thank me for my service. It works.
For others' info, I'm pretty sure all airlines will let spouses through security both coming and going for a pre-9/11 style send off and return.My last homecoming I was by myself on a commercial flight. The airline let my wife into the terminal to meet me at the jetway, when she told them what the situation was. A much quieter but still memorable homecoming.
... all of the civilians at BWI wearing red, white, and blue. They cheered as we all exited the aircraft.
If you make an exception for a spouse coming home from deployment, why can't you let a a parent meet a child at the gate after a few months away at college?
I will remember every homecoming I've had so far. My favorite part of the big squadron homecoming after my first deployment wasn't the big hoopla and ceremony they had for us in Jacksonville but being greeted by the folks in Bangor, Maine our first stop state-side. You couldn't help but smile when there were 15 or 20 folks standing there at 5AM cheering for you and shaking hands. The reception and the first cup of Green Mountain coffee and a lobster omelet for breakfast made Bangor a favorite place of mine. The pomp and circumstance in Jacksonville later that day was thankfully brief and they let us get on our way home.
My last homecoming I was by myself on a commercial flight. The airline let my wife into the terminal to meet me at the jetway, when she told them what the situation was. A much quieter but still memorable homecoming.
I watched an awesome film about the group in Bangor (I think it ws Bangor) that makes sure every flight arriving back from deployment has a group there to greet them. It was bunch of very senior seniors, and they dedicated so much time and energy to this, and it was really touching.
The fly off for husband's det was today and they had their damn cups in the fence and welcome signs to drive past on their way home. Maybe it didn't mean anything to any of them, but I guess the chance that it did (or that it will) was worth a couple hours of my time.
Now if my husband would just hurry up and get here...
I haven't been deployed yet so I don't really know what it's like coming back, but these hardly seem like they're even in the same ballpark. I get the point you're trying to make (i.e., why one exception and not others) but I think they would have to come up with a better reason than a kid being gone for a semester of college to warrant being an exception to something as strict as airport security these days.
phrogdriver said:Dependent ID, maybe, but does that mean only those with spouses and children deserve welcome homes?