[craigwatson]

Rich – there is no presidential designator for ground/sea transport. The term navy 1 would be used only if the prez was flying on a naval aircraft, this has only happened once in history, george bush traveled out to an aircraft carrier on a S-3 and it had the call sign Navy 1, the vice president travelled on Navy 2 to see the US hockey team in Lake Placid. The above is all referenced from wiki.

Oh and typical of the US, after the flight the plane was taken out of service and sent to the air and space museum, what a waste of taxpayers dollars there!

[RichHI1]

Which one Navy 1 or 2? A lot of people still cannot believe George W Bush was ever president so I guess this is documentary proof. Was the occassiion when he said the war in the Middle East was Won? When did UK retire the Queen’s fleet VC10’s?
I would be interested whether UK Government civil servants and minsters fly coach, business or first (whenit comes to wasting money).

[MartynSinclair]

I dont think it takes a brain surgeon or much discussion to answer which class of travel a Government minister uses.

I am sure that senior Civil Servants are treated much the same way as senior executives and directors with junior Civil Servants treated much the same way as junior managers etc.

[RichHI1]

You are probably right. I find it interesting that a big fuss was made over cutting back on ministerial cars if Ministers are still flying first class. A lot of Multi Nationals now restrict First for Top Board Members and make senior managers and directors from the compnent companies travel business.
I remember soem MP’s whining bitterly they no longer got first class rail travel.
Does Brusells provide much business in the Private Jet Business?

[MartynSinclair]

I think a lot would be suprised to learn that the use of Private Jets by Brusselcrats is minimal. Probably down to 2 reasons:

1. Decent air and rail links from Brussels to most of Europe

2. The ….crats know they wouldnt get away with it

…..unlike the Americans and their love for Private Jet travel.

[RichHI1]

Yes I think Mainland Europe has a good rail infrastructure and that probably reduces the demand for intra-european travel.
It is sad that many states have refused to engage in president Obama’s rail initiative though republican California as was went ahead. Regrettably land based public transport is seen as socialist by many in the US.
Not sure how much use government makes of general aviation but industry and the entertainment industry certainly do.

[MartynSinclair]

Whilst many policitians make use of GA privately, publicly, pictures of British politicians waving from the steps of a Lear Jets & Gulfstreams would probably have a negative effect with the British electorate.

The last picture I recall of a Gulfstream making the headlines in the UK papers was the chap bought back from his American “holiday” at Guantanamo Bay into Northolt.

[Author]

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