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Because of the looming budget sequestration situation, Vice President Joe Biden has announced that he will now be taking Amtrak for weekend visits to his home in Delaware instead of Air Force 2. Until now, the Secret Service has not allowed Biden to use Amtrak because of security concerns. But Biden is volunteering to save the American taxpayer the cost of flying him back to Delaware on weekends.
I wonder what modifications will be made to Acela trains and the NEC service to accommodate the Vice President's trips.
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
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This is all a big dog and pony show. We're only talking about $44 billion. This has nothing to do with grounding an Air Force plane for the VP.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Ah, the things a railfan will do to justify a train trip. I'll bet Biden carries a scanner with him.
Posts: 2397 | From: Camden, SC | Registered: Mar 2006
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If Rep. Mica is correct about our "Soviet style" passenger rail system, his train will look like this.Posts: 1572 | From: St. Paul, MN | Registered: Dec 2002
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You mean to tell me that the VP takes a huge jet from DC to Delaware? Amazing! The train will take less time.
Posts: 519 | From: Maynard, MA, USA | Registered: Sep 2000
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quote:Originally posted by TBlack: You mean to tell me that the VP takes a huge jet from DC to Delaware? Amazing! The train will take less time.
That's a really good observation. I would like to know what the truth is here. As most people know, the big 747 that the president travels in has traditionally been called, "Air Force One". And the modified 757 that the VP travels in has traditionally been called, "Air Force Two". HOWEVER.....it's not the airplane that has that name. It is ANY aircraft that has the person traveling on-board. It could be a Cessna 172 and it would be "Air Force One" if the president was in it.
So with that said, I wonder if the Air Force uses the big 757 to shuttle Biden back and forth such a short distance? I would think that they would use one of their smaller Gulfstream jets, or an older 737 variant or SOMETHING---something other than the 757. Does anyone know the answer to this?
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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It looks like the C-32 (modified 757) has been used for Biden's weekend jaunts.
from the linked article:
quote:Obama placed Biden in charge of a Campaign to Cut Waste, which will “hunt down and eliminate misspent tax dollars in every agency and department across the federal government,” according to the White House website.
In an email, Biden told supporters that he was the “new sheriff in town.” He said that “particularly at a time when we’re facing tough decisions about reducing our deficit, it’s a no-brainer to stop spending taxpayer dollars on things that benefit nobody.”
When was the last time a President or Vice President was seen on public transportation as a paying customer?
Posts: 831 | From: Seattle | Registered: Jan 2011
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Air Force One costs $50 a minute to operate. I'm sure Two is less. But no matter what he flies in, a train will be less.
We could pay for a private rail car charter and it would cost less than flying.
Posts: 23 | From: Milwaukee-North | Registered: Apr 2012
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Lest we forget, even this little C-20 puddle jumper could be Air Force One; it all depends who's on board. Early during the first term, "Barry and Michelle" had a "date night" in New York, and it was an aircraft like this assigned for the mission.
A C-20 could be Air Force Two for Joey on a KADW-KILG hop (mysef: I have actually flown KILG-KDCA; also KADW-KDOV).
But stand by for "budget cutting stunts" like this:
quote:Originally posted by pporro: Air Force One costs $50 a minute to operate. I'm sure Two is less. But no matter what he flies in, a train will be less.
We could pay for a private rail car charter and it would cost less than flying.
I think you are way off on your math. I think you meant $50 each second.
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Gilbert B Norman: Lest we forget, even this little C-20 puddle jumper could be Air Force One; it all depends who's on board. Early during the first term, "Barry and Michelle" had a "date night" in New York, and it was an aircraft like this assigned for the mission.
Nancy Reagan used a very similar aircraft to fly out to California to have her hair done. Some times it was used to fly her hairdresser to Washington.
It was always serviced by Continental at LAX. Friends who worked on it said it wasn't anything special inside. They actually preferred Bob Six's Sabre Liner AKA "Pilot Trainer" that he and wife Audrey Meadows used to fly to their ranch in Colorado.
I think I'd rather have something like Ty Warner's 737 which is based here at SBA. More room without being TOO ostentatious.
Frank in gorgeous SBA
Posts: 2160 | From: Santa Barbara, CA, USA | Registered: Oct 2003
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I think I'll take Roman Abramovich's private Airbus A340 widebody any day! That thing is gorgeous!!
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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Several "private parties" have ordered B-787 Dreamliners. According to a WSJ article, there is one order from an "undisclosed party" for an A-380.
Posts: 9982 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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How much you wanna bet that the A380 order is for a Saudi prince or king?
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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If that happens, the Republic of Texas will allow Amtrak to pass through our Nation
Posts: 1418 | From: Houston, Republic of Texas | Registered: Jan 2001
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quote:Originally posted by TwinStarRocket: Do you think Hillary will abdicate?
As I heard once: Hillary can't run she has already held the office for 8 years. (Who do you think has the brains in that duo?)
Posts: 2810 | From: Olive Branch MS | Registered: Nov 2002
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Nah...Romney's not gonna run again. I'm pretty sure he said exactly that---at least, I have a vague memory of something like that. Let's hope the GOP puts up a true conservative this time. The last two times, we've put up a RINO (McCain and Romney)--and look what happened.
Posts: 2355 | From: Pleasanton, CA | Registered: Apr 2007
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