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From the Mom's website ... it sounds like a military discount isn't what it used to be. $30 off on a $1950 fare? I'm assuming the soldier mentioned is starting out from DC, perhaps coming from Walter Reed, as his point of hospitalization.

FOLLOWING IS A RECENT EXAMPLE OF WHY OUR MILITARY NEEDS A MILITARY AIRFARE REDUCTION

April 9 I received a phone call that my 23 year old son, who is a Sergeant, was injured while fighting the war in Iraq. His injuries were not life threatening, but did require surgery. He was very lucky as one of the men he was working with was killed.

On April 20th he was finally able to give us firm dates as to when he could come home for convalescence leave. That date was April 25th. I had 5 days to make the airline reservation. I immediately got on the phone to make a reservation and explained that my son had been injured serving his country in Iraq, and had just been given the dates when he could come home to convalesce.

At this point, we definitely did not have any advance notice advantage and it showed in the fare quote I received. For my son to fly from Washington DC (after the funeral of his fallen comrade) to San Francisco and then back to his post in Georgia 3 weeks later cost $1950. I asked if there was any military discount and was told it was $30.00 less. At this point, I started begging for a break for my son who had given so much defending his country and lost so much – 4 fallen comrades. The reservation clerk suggested I call back in the morning and talk with Customer Care where there was a new information desk dealing with military issues. I followed her instructions and called back the next morning. I was told by Customer Care that no such information desk existed and nothing else could be done.

It sounds to me like our help is still needed here.

You don't understand...I sympathize with the servicemembers family, but the servicemember can and should have thought about SATO. SATO buys blocks of seats from various Airlines so servicemembers can fly at a discounted price! The Airline Ticket Agent doesn't control those pre-sold seats until the close of the flight and annouces Stand-by seating. If a service member walks up to the ticket counter, he cannot buy those seats or at that price SATO paid for them. There is an agreement already in place by the airlines with SATO at the price of the tickets.
SATO is located on every military base, even at Walter Reed Hospital, Bethesda. Being a former servicemember, I can tell you my mom meant well, but she didn't have a clue how the military operates. She even married an Army officer. These Moms need to look at the benefits that Servicemembers already get that the average flyer doesn't get! I have worked in the Airline industry for 5 years. American Air, and I can tell you someone in that organization is misinformed, or the story is bloated.