Proper etiquette

[oldtimer]

A question for all military personell on proper etiquette.
Although I learned to fly on an Air Cadet scholarship eons ago, all my flying experience has been civilian. I have, on ocassion, flown into a military establishment. Upon exiting the airplane, I have been met by military personell and they always offer a salute.
Being a civilian, what is the proper response? A salute? a nod? a thank you?
What is your suggestions.

[Heliian]

Only military or those that hold a ceremonial rank should salute.

waving should be fine. Maybe nothing? Where's the military flypersons when you need em?

[AuxBatOn]

May I ask you where that was and how were you dressed?
In amy case, a nod, thank you and simple wave should suffice.

[oldtimer]

I was at CFB Cold Lake, CFB Comox, various civilian ramps bringing in military equipment, medevacing military personell. I was usually dressed in the civilian "uniform" of shirt and tie or jacket. Sometimes in a very civilian flight suit. I usually gave an eye contact nod.
I noticed that President Trump gave a military style salute and I wondered if that was correct etiquitte.
I also remember when Obama stepped off Marine One and failed to acknowledge the salute that he turned around and made a definate acknowledgment the salute the Marine at the door presented.

[AuxBatOn]

Some civilians are to be saluted, the Commander-in-Chief, is one of them (in Canada, that would be the Governor General, in the USA, the President).

Like I said, just say thank you and perhaps explain them you are not a military officer or the Commander-in-Chief!

[Big Pistons Forever]

Acknowledge the salute by momentarily standing at attention. That is stiffen your body straight up, legs together arms straight down the side of your body.

[Kitzbuhel]

I find it strange they would salute on the flight line?

[Rockie]

The military fall back position, when in doubt - salute it.

Acknowledging with a polite "thank you" and quiet mention that you are not to be saluted is appropriate here I think.

[cgzro]

I got salutes and a red carpet when I arrived in Quebec city for the Air Force 90th anniversary with the Vintage Wings Finch. No kidding , four smatly dressed folks saluted me as I taxied in and rolled a red carpet up to the old girl. I was speechless. Great folks.

[Heliian]

You could always give a big flamboyant fake salute or my favourite, the "upside down hand" salute.

Just a joke, I respect the work our military does.

[Gannet167]

If you are not in the military (or cadets) and you are neither the Governor General, Prime Minister or the Minister of National Defence, you do not salute. Retired military are technically civilians and also do not receive or return salutes, although a military person in uniform saluting a veteran out of respect is not entirely out of place.

Saluting is generally not done on an active ramp area, as headdress are generally not worn once you cross the fence line. Salutes are not given or returned unless wearing headdress (unless your army, in which case you wear your hat at all times regardless of anything, making love to wife, taking a shower, sitting on toilet etc, despite it being great FOD). Normally, the only exception to this is headdress worn by the aircraft commander who salutes the GG, PM or MND whenever they board or exit an aircraft.

If you're a civilian, you don't need to and should not return a formal salute, nor should you stand at attention and check your arms (the equivalent of a salute when your arms are full or you're not wearing headdress). It is important for military people to exchange salutations, showing respect and deference to the rank. As a civilian you are not subject to the military code of discipline and not required to submit to people of various rank levels. You may have to follow their direction by virtue of their position (ie, military police officer, operations officer in charge of the airfield, ATC controller etc) but this is positional authority, not rank. As a civilian, you are not required to follow the orders of a Major merely because he/she has that rank. So saluting and/or standing at attention is not appropriate.

What you may be seeing is the kind of salute that friends give one another, not a formal military gesture but more of a "hey, how you doin'?" wave. You may also have military personnel approaching you that are unsure if your clothing is from another nation's military, in which case they still are required to salute (although, it would still be unusual to do this air-side). When in doubt, military people will pop a salute off, as being caught not saluting when you should have is far worse than saluting when it wasn't required. In either case, it would be appropriate to merely wave back.

[MrTurbine]

If you are not in the military (or cadets) and you are neither the Governor General, Prime Minister or the Minister of National Defence, you do not salute. Retired military are technically civilians and also do not receive or return salutes, although a military person in uniform saluting a veteran out of respect is not entirely out of place.

Saluting is generally not done on an active ramp area, as headdress are generally not worn once you cross the fence line. Salutes are not given or returned unless wearing headdress (unless your army, in which case you wear your hat at all times regardless of anything, making love to wife, taking a shower, sitting on toilet etc, despite it being great FOD). Normally, the only exception to this is headdress worn by the aircraft commander who salutes the GG, PM or MND whenever they board or exit an aircraft.

If you're a civilian, you don't need to and should not return a formal salute, nor should you stand at attention and check your arms (the equivalent of a salute when your arms are full or you're not wearing headdress). It is important for military people to exchange salutations, showing respect and deference to the rank. As a civilian you are not subject to the military code of discipline and not required to submit to people of various rank levels. You may have to follow their direction by virtue of their position (ie, military police officer, operations officer in charge of the airfield, ATC controller etc) but this is positional authority, not rank. As a civilian, you are not required to follow the orders of a Major merely because he/she has that rank. So saluting and/or standing at attention is not appropriate.

What you may be seeing is the kind of salute that friends give one another, not a formal military gesture but more of a "hey, how you doin'?" wave. You may also have military personnel approaching you that are unsure if your clothing is from another nation's military, in which case they still are required to salute (although, it would still be unusual to do this air-side). When in doubt, military people will pop a salute off, as being caught not saluting when you should have is far worse than saluting when it wasn't required. In either case, it would be appropriate to merely wave back.

Absolutely accurate. Do not salute back unless you are military personnel only. Saluting the wrong way is extremely offensive. Just respectfully nod your head. They will know very quickly that you are not military. Don't be obligated to do anything you are not taught/trained properly to do.

[Meatservo]

There are many ways to formally and politely acknowledge someone, and if as a civilian you receive a salute, you should just remember you are receiving a formal and polite acknowledgement. Depending on the circumstances, and polite nod and smile, a verbal greeting, the offer of a handshake, can each be appropriate. It is not appropriate to salute back, although I've seen members of every level of society make this error.

I'm not sure if this is the case anymore but upon boarding a military ship, civilians can salute the quarterdeck by removing their hat, if wearing one, and facing the quarterdeck. In this case though, you're not returning a salute nor offering it to an actual person.

In general though, the salute is offered in a spirit of respect, so I'm sure you can't go wrong with a respectful greeting in return as long as it's not something flamboyant that could be interpreted as mockery.

[SAR_YQQ]

I've never been saluted on a military flight-line - I've spent my entire career flying off Wings and Bases. I agree with those that say offering your hand is the best reply - handshake.

[fleet16b]

I got salutes and a red carpet when I arrived in Quebec city for the Air Force 90th anniversary with the Vintage Wings Finch. No kidding , four smatly dressed folks saluted me as I taxied in and rolled a red carpet up to the old girl. I was speechless. Great folks.

That is the appropriate reception for any Fleet Finch or Finch pilot

[I WAS Birddog]

I love the 'army' dudes...very friendly and they always nod back. Maintaining a higher level of professional courtesy towards other industry colleagues.

A break from the airport terminal 'look the other way' civilian pilots.

[Cat Driver]

Proper etiquette is resting your weight on your elbows and knees.

[Spokes]

A question for all military personell on proper etiquette.
Although I learned to fly on an Air Cadet scholarship eons ago, all my flying experience has been civilian. I have, on ocassion, flown into a military establishment. Upon exiting the airplane, I have been met by military personell and they always offer a salute.
Being a civilian, what is the proper response? A salute? a nod? a thank you?
What is your suggestions.

A simple thank you will do.