Best USO?

[maebyfunke]

I haven't been in a few years, but I always liked Denver's. Lots of comfy recliners.

[audette]

I thought LAX was kinda cute! But, I could see it being considered small.


I actually prefer the D terminal USO at DFW. It's _tiny_, but a lot of my flights are in/out of that terminal, so it's convenient. And it just feels more personal to me - I feel lost and out of place at the B terminal USO there. (yeah, it's big, and they have more food, but I always feel like I'm the only civilian there...)


There apparently is one at ORD, but I always fly with AA, and to get to the USO at ORD, I'd have to leave security to get there. That's not happening...

[panicked]

we were just at the dfw b terminal ISO this weekend. It was lovely. I've used the one at Denver too, which is great, although a bit out of the way.

[amaristella]

The only one I've been to is Atlanta, which, last month was in a temporary location. But they had different spaces. An office space, a room with TV news and recliners, a kids' room, drinks and snacks of the fruit, cookie and sandwich variety. Also plenty of volunteers to chat with.

[meltoine]

I've only been to a couple, but Denver was my favorite.

[killercupcake]

I've only ever been to the old one in San Diego and a wannabe one in Pittsburgh.

I liked the one in Pittsburgh because it was never busy, they always had good snacks, a private bathroom, and a comfy couch.

I liked being in the San Diego one on pickup day. lol "If you're here for Marine Corps bootcamp, get your stuff and get outside. NOW." lol I always went and watched as they got on the busses.

[killercupcake]

Jun 11, 2015 19:42:23 GMT -5 Stan said:

Jun 11, 2015 19:27:09 GMT -5 killercupcake said:

I've only ever been to the old one in San Diego and a wannabe one in Pittsburgh.

I liked the one in Pittsburgh because it was never busy, they always had good snacks, a private bathroom, and a comfy couch.

I liked being in the San Diego one on pickup day. lol "If you're here for Marine Corps bootcamp, get your stuff and get outside. NOW." lol I always went and watched as they got on the busses.

That would have amused me quite thoroughly! 

According to H who was there with me one day, they've gotten a little soft over the years, but it's still fun to watch the terror on the recruits' faces. 

[ilovecandy]

Charlotte has been my favorite I have used that, Columbia,sc, detroit, atlanta, and dfw, I maybe have used the iah one but I can't remember lol.

[Beeps (WOT?*)]

They just opened a new one at SeaTac airport in Seattle. The old one was cramped and old and had all the services (except additional luggage check-in) in a space not much larger than my house. The new one is about 7,500 s.f. with beds, lunch area, gaming area, media section, conversation area, kids' play area, etc. So much nicer and in a new, clean space.

[beans]

Just wanted to throw in a fun fact. There was a USO at the MEPS in Columbus. I didn't take advantage if it because I was done pretty quick but it's an option!

[NomadicMama]

I have only been just in the door of the USO at BWI and Frankfort.

What I find frustrating is that the ISO at National Airport is in the crappy wing (which I avoid at all cost).

[killercupcake]

Can veterans use the USO, or do they have to be active or retired?

ETA: And by veterans, I mean, "no valid military ID."

[panicked]

Jun 14, 2015 22:48:44 GMT -5 killercupcake said:

Can veterans use the USO, or do they have to be active or retired?

ETA: And by veterans, I mean, "no valid military ID."

You have to have some form of military ID, be it retired/ad/widow/etc...

[killercupcake]

Jun 14, 2015 22:57:05 GMT -5 panicked said:

Jun 14, 2015 22:48:44 GMT -5 killercupcake said:

Can veterans use the USO, or do they have to be active or retired?

ETA: And by veterans, I mean, "no valid military ID."

You have to have some form of military ID, be it retired/ad/widow/etc...

So H couldn't bring a copy of his DD214 and still gain access?

[panicked]

Jun 14, 2015 22:59:53 GMT -5 killercupcake said:

Jun 14, 2015 22:57:05 GMT -5 panicked said:

You have to have some form of military ID, be it retired/ad/widow/etc...

So H couldn't bring a copy of his DD214 and still gain access?

This is from the USO website-

OCcasionally, donors who are veterans or military retirees contact us to tell us they couldn’t get into a USO airport facility because they didn’t have an active military ID card. We’ve thought about this a great deal, and as much as we’d like to open the doors to all those who have honorably served their nation and risked their lives for our freedom, we just don’t have the resources. We hope you will understand that we must focus our mission on serving the needs of those who need us most – active duty members of the military and their families. For 70 years, that’s been our mission.

[ilovecandy]

Jun 14, 2015 22:48:44 GMT -5 killercupcake said:

Can veterans use the USO, or do they have to be active or retired?

ETA: And by veterans, I mean, "no valid military ID."

I volunteered with them the official stance is active duty or retired only. However some places will let in veterans depending on how busy and how nice they feel like being.

[killercupcake]

I'm discovering that active and retired only are the official stance of a lot of places when they are offering things to veterans. It's pretty frustrating for H. It's like his 8 years don't matter to anyone because he doesn't have an ID anymore.

[killercupcake]

Jun 15, 2015 14:08:18 GMT -5 killercupcake said:

I'm discovering that active and retired only are the official stance of a lot of places when they are offering things to veterans. It's pretty frustrating for H. It's like his 8 years don't matter to anyone because he doesn't have an ID anymore.

I'm also going to clarify because this sounds a little entitled: H has mentioned to me how he feels like it doesn't matter that he served because he didn't retire and is no longer active. It's frustrating for me to see him feel this way.