Not quite sure where your getting your information about airline baggage fees or Navy Uniform Regulations from. United offers three free bags to active duty military while traveling on leisure travel (leave) and four free if traveling on official orders. Delta and American have mostly the same policies although they may vary by a bag or two. You can verify this information by checking the websites of said airlines, specifically there checked baggage fee page.
As for your contention that Sailors can only wear dress uniforms off base that is simply not true. The only uniform not allowed off base are Coveralls. They are considered a true working uniform and are not allowed out of the shop if on shore duty or off the pier if on sea duty. All other uniforms (NWU's, NSU's, Dress Whites/Blues) can be worn off base. What is true is that dress uniforms are the only authorized liberty uniforms, so if one is planning on traveling in uniform, or drinking, or partying, or doing anything that can be construed as liberty then one must be in their dress uniforms or civilian clothes.
But to get back on topic I have only been asked to show my Military ID once on Amtrak (or any ID for that matter) but I am asked to show it every time I check in for a flight.
Edited to correct spelling. Im an Auxiliarymen and unfortunately i spell like one.
On Amtrak, no problem. Active duty ID - get the discount, no hassles.On various airlines last 3-4 years (my informant who is actually an E6 says) bypass the security line -depends on the airport, usually the airport is happy to let persons with active mil id get thru security faster.
Free bags, not in uniform with active duty ID, often didn't happen on United. Frequently, United and other airlines have demanded to see orders - whatever that means, when flying domestically, not for the security gate bypass, but for the "free bags" -
My sailor friend has been hassled for orders, when flying not in uniform,(the only Navy uniform allowed to fly in is whites - check the rules) more than once. Not for the ticket on leave (some Navy thing gets a big discount)) just for the baggage fee. Several times last 5 years..
You have never seen a Sailor in blueberries, or Peanut Butters, much less coveralls ever at an airport or anywhere else. Maybe in the DC special uniform rules area officers who themselves wear Blues get some kind of deal, but ordinary sailors get no discounts or freebies, and have to pay the airline checked bag fee.
Yes, United and other have denied my Sailor friend the free bags more than once -- for not in uniform, or not presenting "orders" (how would an airline gate dragon know orders from not? )
My sailor friend has had enough denial of the "free bags thing" (Airline says -"present your orders" or "you not in uniform, you no sailor" )
Kinda like the random rules some Amtrak emplyess make up
She chooses Amtrak -- because -- get this -- Knows what to expect -- airlines all different, airports all different, and sailors only have ID, not uniform.
Amtrak - never hassles
I don't know the uniform wearing regs, but I do know that
You have never seen a Sailor at any airport in any uniform but Whites. You havent.
Sailors are forbidden to expose themselves in such private uniform.
What I said was true, I don't know uniform regs, but know that you will never see a sailor at an airport in anything but whites. Or civilian slops (maybe a good idea -)
