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View Full Version : Obama's Air Force One flight to Chicago and back Monday to cost $236,000


Regis Philbin
Jun 15th, 2009, 05:46 PM
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-air-force-one-15-jun15,0,2483578.story

Obama's Air Force One flight to Chicago and back Monday to cost $236,000

Secret Service protection, motorcades and helicopter transports not included

By John McCormick | Tribune reporter
June 15, 2009

As President Barack Obama flies Monday to Chicago for a midday speech on health-care reform, the round trip on Air Force One will run about $236,000, according to government estimates of the operating costs for one of the top symbols, and perks, of the presidency.

But that does not include such expenses as Secret Service protection, motorcades and helicopter transports.

After landing at O'Hare International Airport, Obama is scheduled to spend about 2 1/2 hours here. To avoid snarling traffic on the Kennedy Expressway, he likely will be taken from the airport by helicopter to a location near the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

A Government Accounting Office report in 2000 showed Air Force One cost $54,100 to operate each flight hour, or almost $67,000 in today's dollars. It is a tough number to estimate, however, because of so many variables and fixed costs that could be included in or excluded from the calculation.

LesterX
Jun 15th, 2009, 06:32 PM
What is your point? It's a business trip. Presidents don't have the option to fly Southwest.

WannaBreatheYou
Jun 16th, 2009, 11:28 AM
Uh. The President has to fly Airforce One. And he has to have Secret Service. And he has to have motorcade vehicles. It's called protecting the President of the United States. Why is this a big deal?

Annoyedlistner
Jun 16th, 2009, 02:08 PM
Uh. The President has to fly Airforce One. And he has to have Secret Service. And he has to have motorcade vehicles. It's called protecting the President of the United States. Why is this a big deal?

The big deal is that its a democratic president.....

Christina_Rulz
Jun 17th, 2009, 11:36 AM
this is pointless and dumb news. obama has to travel and he needs the security.

db44
Jun 19th, 2009, 08:10 AM
My Republican friends here are even laughing at these reports now: Like Obama and his adminstration are supposed to stop all spending.