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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.
smitty195 Member # 5102
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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.
palmland Member # 4344
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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.
George Harris Member # 2077
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I'm underwhelmed.
RRCHINA Member # 1514
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Such phony BS
TwinStarRocket Member # 2142
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If Rep. Mica is correct about our "Soviet style" passenger rail system, his train will look like this.
TBlack Member # 181
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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.
zephyr Member # 1651
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quote:Originally posted by TwinStarRocket: If Rep. Mica is correct about our "Soviet style" passenger rail system, his train will look like this.
Now that was funny, TSR. I think the colder it gets in Zip Code 5, the funnier you get.
smitty195 Member # 5102
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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?
Vincent206 Member # 15447
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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?
pporro Member # 31539
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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.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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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.
sbalax Member # 2801
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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
smitty195 Member # 5102
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I think I'll take Roman Abramovich's private Airbus A340 widebody any day! That thing is gorgeous!!
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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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.
smitty195 Member # 5102
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How much you wanna bet that the A380 order is for a Saudi prince or king?
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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That's a sure bet, Smitty.
mr williams Member # 1928
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Fast forward eight years and I wonder what Amtrak will look like as President Biden starts his second term?
(Hears various members of the forum collapse in apoplexy!)
Mike Smith Member # 447
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Or laughter...
If that happens, the Republic of Texas will allow Amtrak to pass through our Nation
TwinStarRocket Member # 2142
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Do you think Hillary will abdicate?
George Harris Member # 2077
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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?)
RRRICH Member # 1418
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2016 -- Hillary vs. Jeb Bush? Hillary vs. Romney? Biden vs. Jeb? Biden vs. Romney?
Or did I hear somewhere that Romney AIN'T GONNA run again?
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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'Hi Ho, Hi Ho; it's off to Open Discussion we go".
(Moderatrix, are you reading?)
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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Also known as the Let's-You-and-Him-Fight Forum.
Ocala Mike Member # 4657
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Here's what I say about that forum (borrowed from Yogi Berra):
Nobody goes there anymore, it's too crowded.
Tanner929 Member # 3720
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Terrific RRich,
I have the campaign motto for the entire 2016, in the words of Hillary Clinton.
WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE!
perhaps we should put this phrase on our money.
2016 -- Hillary vs. Jeb Bush? Hillary vs. Romney? Biden vs. Jeb? Biden vs. Romney?
Or did I hear somewhere that Romney AIN'T GONNA run again?
smitty195 Member # 5102
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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.
Mike Smith Member # 447
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quote:Originally posted by George Harris:
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?)
Their dog???
George Harris Member # 2077
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quote:Originally posted by Mike Smith:
quote:Originally posted by George Harris:
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?)
Their dog???
Probably not. If the dog had enough brains he would have run away.
Mike Smith Member # 447
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Well, he did get himself run over in their driveway.
posted ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
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