Seat belt policy aboard Air Force One?

[BRE]

Re the picture of the president and some staff watching the soccer match aboard AF one yesterday, sitting in dark brown leather swivelling chairs along a massive looking, typically American dark brown table - can the president order no clear air turbulence? Or do those chairs have integrated seat belts and everyone is wearing them?

[aterpster]

The "cloak of immunity" extends to Air Force One.

[nitpicker330]

More to the point, when I watched the Nat Geo Airforce one doco the cockpit crew didn't wear shoulder harness for takeoff or landing........I wonder why?

Also no headrests on their seats......

Mmmmm

[BRE]

At a closer look at the picture, none of the soccer match watchers are wearing them, and there do not seem to be any unused belts hidden that they are sitting onl.

[Tinwacker]

He's the man!!!!!

Game 3am CGK time Mr. president....

[Phileas Fogg]

At a closer look at the picture, none of the soccer match watchers are wearing them, and there do not seem to be any unused belts hidden that they are sitting onl.

I'd suggest you report the lot of them to the FAA Report Travel Problems, Concerns & Complaints (http://www.faa.gov/passengers/travel_problems/) and whilst you're at it report Harrison Ford also because he wasn't wearing a seat belt in the movie either.

They all think they're a law unto themselves!

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

I can't imagine why anyone would want to discuss the arrangements aboard AF1, considering that nobody on here is likely to be a passenger on the aeroplane.

[con-pilot]

They all think they're a law unto themselves!

With Air Force One, in US airspace, they kind of are. However, they fly the published arrival and departure routes like everybody else.

But, they can request, which is always granted, a direct to anywhere, anytime they desire and bypass the published routes. In US airspace.

As for what goes on in Air Force One, stays in Air force One.

One of our PFEs was a flight engineer on the 747s with the 89th and made many flights when the 747 he was assigned to operated as Air Force One. So he was the source of my knowledge of Air Force One.

[Markdem]

But, they can request, which is always granted, a direct to anytime they desire

The way I read that it sounds like they are on a time machine :O.

[Evanelpus]

I can't imagine why anyone would want to discuss the arrangements aboard AF1, considering that nobody on here is likely to be a passenger on the aeroplane.

Because their lives are empty and they have nothing better to do, perhaps?:{

[con-pilot]

The way I read that it sounds like they are on a time machine

Oops. :O


I'll go fix that, thank you! :ok:

[FlightlessParrot]

I can't imagine why anyone would want to discuss the arrangements aboard AF1, considering that nobody on here is likely to be a passenger on the aeroplane.

Perhaps because they want to know how much "seat belts fastened at all times" on aircraft for the common folk is genuine concern for their safety, and how much it's lawyer driven. Perhaps also because they'd like to know how often the seat-belts sign is used as a form of crowd control, or again because the company lawyers are nervous.

I don't have much interest--as a Nervous Flyer, I've kept my seat belt fastened at all times since I first heard the phrase "Clear Air Turbulence," but there is perhaps a real interest in what is considered best practice at POTUS level. Of course, it is always possible that the rich and powerful believe they are subject to custom-designed laws of nature.

[crewmeal]

I would imagine common sense would prevail. Having experience of private flying, seat belt signs are still in operation but no announcements are made by the crew. If the Captain feels there is possible danger from turbulence then a PA might be made. Whether they belt up is another matter.

Air Force One personal are just as susceptible to turbulence as any other person flying.

[downwindabeam]

One also has to remember AF1 is not a fore hire flight, so most rules governing normal passenger flights do not apply to a flight flying the president. Sure seat belts are part of the basic rules but that also applies to private jets and nobody is really there to enforce those rules nor is needed.

Truthfully most of those 'seat belts while seated' rules are there to protected the airline from liability when you hurt yourself and try to come after them for damages. It's only rarely (statistically speaking) that the seat belts are truly protecting you from what they were designed to.

[glendalegoon]

Excuse me. Doesn't anyone get it? ITS AIR FORCE ONE. NOT AIRLINE ONE (thought one will get some insight in looking up , "EXECUTIVE ONE" during the Nixon Administration.

IT IS A MILITARY PLANE. Regulations concerning its operation are military and it has the boss of the military on board. IF they wanted to fly under the golden gate bridge, it would be ok if it was a military order!

[Piltdown Man]

I'll stick my neck out. I reckon the guys who fly Air Force one respected by these who fly on it. So when the "Belts" light is on everybody's belt is on (including the Preseident) and when they hear over the PA or from any cabin crew "..therefore may I suggest that..." The listeners will follow the suggestion. I'll also not expect that any of the crew of this aircraft will ever be challenged by the passengers regarding the decisions they take before or during any flight. They may well have to justify what they did afterwards, but only to their direct seniors. And if we think about the Polish Tu-154 flight in 2010, it appears from anecdotal evidence, that interfering with or putting pressure on a flight crew's decision making process might not be a wise course of action.

PM