Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2003 6:53 P.M.
Good news story today! It's kind of long, but I wanted to print it in it's entirety.
Airlines offer discounts to vacationing combat troops
By BRAD FOSS
AP Business Writer
Major airlines are offering discounts to soldiers on vacation from
the campaign in Iraq, after the miltary's rest and relaxation program
was criticized because the last leg of soldiers' travel in the United
States is not paid for.
Under the first major R&R program since Vietnam, the government pays
for flights from Iraq to Germany, and then the United States, at
which point the troops must pick up the tab for any domestic travel.
Before Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines this weekend began
offering the troops special fares requiring no advance purchase,
soldiers on vacation with little notice were faced with buying
expensive last-minute fares.
"What family can afford to pay $2,000 or more for a same-day plane
ticket?" said Sherry Billups of Blackduck, Minn., whose husband
Steven Baazard is a 15-year veteran of the National Guard.
Under the terms of discounts offered by Delta and Southwest, no
advance purchase or minimum stay is required and fares are
refundable. American Airlines, which had been offering soldiers
discounts on three-day advance purchase tickets since May, updated
its policy Monday to match its competitors.
Northwest Airlines on Monday said it matched the three-day advance
purchase deals offered by American.
The carriers' discounts are good for travel between Baltimore-
Washington International Airport, where troops have been arriving
since last week, and anywhere else in the United States.
All the carriers are offering roundtrip fares in the continental
United States to soldiers and their dependents that cost less than
$200.
Southwest's offer is valid through Jan. 7, while American's and
Delta's offers are good through Sept. 15, 2004.
Aware of the minor stir caused among soldiers facing high-priced,
last-minute fares, the Army said it could have done a better job
informing carriers before the R&R program went into effect.
"One thing the Army might not have done well was coordinate with
commercial airliners," Army spokesman Joe Burlas said Monday. "We're
glad they're getting the word now and offering these discounts."
Burlas said more than 700 soldiers a day would be flying in and out
of the country under the home leave program. He said that, in
addition to Baltimore, the government will eventually begin flying
soldiers to Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth and Los Angeles.
Harry should be told soon that he can go home for his 15 day leave. Thank God. He needs to. His wife, mom and kids need him to. We all do.
Later...
