EasyBlair
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: southern england
Posts: 1,650
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
EasyBlair
No 10 has announced that family Blair will be travelling to Nice on Easyjet next month, for a holiday.
Too much to hope that they will have to book-in with the rest of the pax!
Too much to hope that they will have to book-in with the rest of the pax!
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 677
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is his personal (sorry the Queen's Flight) 146 not available?
I wonder if he booked on the Internet to get his £5 saving? Will the Airline TV crew be there to witness the Blair family checking in, being handed their numbered boarding passes (numbers 10, 11 etc?) and then joining the general public in waiting for their aircraft to leave on time? Will the Blairs come with pre-packed sandwiches and drinks to save paying the high prices on-board?
I once was on the same flight as Neil Kinnock (while he was EC Transport Commissioner) going from LHR to BRU - he and his wife had been delayed on the M4 and had missed their booked flight so instead they were down the back of a Virgin Express 737 (operating for Sabenaa). He seemed to take the experience quite well, but you could tell he wished that they were in front of the curtain.
[ 19 July 2001: Message edited by: brabazon ]
I wonder if he booked on the Internet to get his £5 saving? Will the Airline TV crew be there to witness the Blair family checking in, being handed their numbered boarding passes (numbers 10, 11 etc?) and then joining the general public in waiting for their aircraft to leave on time? Will the Blairs come with pre-packed sandwiches and drinks to save paying the high prices on-board?
I once was on the same flight as Neil Kinnock (while he was EC Transport Commissioner) going from LHR to BRU - he and his wife had been delayed on the M4 and had missed their booked flight so instead they were down the back of a Virgin Express 737 (operating for Sabenaa). He seemed to take the experience quite well, but you could tell he wished that they were in front of the curtain.
[ 19 July 2001: Message edited by: brabazon ]
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: THE PEANUT BAR
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Followed the Royal 146 into Florence last year where the Blairs had been invited for a free two week holiday. Read in paper same day that Royal household had recieved a lecture re cutting back on personel junkets.(146 came back two weeks later to take the new royal family to Paris for a long weekend)
Join Date: May 2001
Location: London
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is peevish and pathetic. The British Prime Minister, whomever he or she is, represents the country whether on official business or not. IMHO this carping about minuscule savings is childish, bumptious nonsense. How many of you complainants raised a peep when Alan Clarke, as a junior defence minister, demanded and got a VC10 for jollies to the Gulf?
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: The Valley Where the Thames Runs Softly
Age: 77
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I couldn't agree more. It is only the carping of the Press that has prompted this kind of meaningless gesture. How many editors fly economy? Every major paper's editor gets a better car, more money, and better perks than the PM.
Our PM, from whichever party, should fly in a style that reflects well on the world's fourth-largest economy.
And, since we are also a nuclear power, what about the command-and-control while he is a guest of Stelios?
Our PM, from whichever party, should fly in a style that reflects well on the world's fourth-largest economy.
And, since we are also a nuclear power, what about the command-and-control while he is a guest of Stelios?
I say there boy
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So are we saying that Blair should travel Easyjet on all official business like the upcoming G8 summit at Genoa?
Why stop there? Why not let the Prime Ministerial travel contract go to the lowest bidder? We could hire that old Aztec that's on its last legs at the back of the flying club. After all Tone's only Prime Minister so he's not really representing the country.
I can just see the ramp at Genoa... the aircraft of the leaders of the World's largest economies lined up in order of size...
Number 1, Air Force One, Boeing 747-400
Number 2, Japan One, Boeing 747
Number 3, Germany One, Airbus A330
Number 4, G-ABCD, Piper PA23-250 "sorry Prime Minister, you can only bring 30lbs of baggage or we can't go full tanks...."
A great flag-flying exercise that would be.
Methinks some people in the press are letting their political views override rational thought here. Yes, we are a constitutional monarchy. That makes Blair, as Prime Minister our senior politicial decision-maker (however couched in the terms of 'advising the Monarch' that his job definition is). This means that he represents the country all the time, whether he is on official business or not, and therefore should travel in a style that befits his role and the size and importance of Britain on the world stage.
[ 20 July 2001: Message edited by: foghorn ]
Why stop there? Why not let the Prime Ministerial travel contract go to the lowest bidder? We could hire that old Aztec that's on its last legs at the back of the flying club. After all Tone's only Prime Minister so he's not really representing the country.
I can just see the ramp at Genoa... the aircraft of the leaders of the World's largest economies lined up in order of size...
Number 1, Air Force One, Boeing 747-400
Number 2, Japan One, Boeing 747
Number 3, Germany One, Airbus A330
Number 4, G-ABCD, Piper PA23-250 "sorry Prime Minister, you can only bring 30lbs of baggage or we can't go full tanks...."
A great flag-flying exercise that would be.
Methinks some people in the press are letting their political views override rational thought here. Yes, we are a constitutional monarchy. That makes Blair, as Prime Minister our senior politicial decision-maker (however couched in the terms of 'advising the Monarch' that his job definition is). This means that he represents the country all the time, whether he is on official business or not, and therefore should travel in a style that befits his role and the size and importance of Britain on the world stage.
[ 20 July 2001: Message edited by: foghorn ]
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 645
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Foghorn, just a minor remark: "Germany One" is an Airbus A310-300, recycled from former east German "Interflug." No A330s with Luftwaffe yet.
Similar debate in Germany about the Luftwaffe's "Flugbereitschaft" and its high cost. Most of the time the chancellor uses a "personal" challenger. Might be his choice for Genova as well.
Similar debate in Germany about the Luftwaffe's "Flugbereitschaft" and its high cost. Most of the time the chancellor uses a "personal" challenger. Might be his choice for Genova as well.
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Perm any one from 3 !
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'll think you will find that 'Air Force One' is any aircraft that the President of the United States of America is travelling on rather than a specific airframe.
i.e If he used their Aztec it would become 'Air Force One' for the day.
I hope so, otherwise I have been setting my favourite pub quizz question wrong for the last few years !!
I am also pretty certain that the fleet took at least one 400 a few years back.
[ 20 July 2001: Message edited by: TimS ]
i.e If he used their Aztec it would become 'Air Force One' for the day.
I hope so, otherwise I have been setting my favourite pub quizz question wrong for the last few years !!
I am also pretty certain that the fleet took at least one 400 a few years back.
[ 20 July 2001: Message edited by: TimS ]
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Perm any one from 3 !
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well according to this I was part right (but no sign of the 400) ....
Mission
The mission of the VC-25A aircraft -- Air Force One -- is to provide air transport for the president of the United States.
Features
The presidential air transport fleet consists of two specially configured Boeing 747-200B's -- tail numbers 28000 and 29000 -- with the Air Force designation VC-25A. When the president is aboard either aircraft, or any Air Force aircraft, the radio call sign is "Air Force One."
Principal differences between the VC-25A and the standard Boeing 747, other than the number of passengers carried, are the electronic and communications equipment aboard Air Force One, its interior configuration and furnishings, self-contained baggage loader, front and aft air-stairs, and the capability for in-flight refueling.
Accommodations for the president include an executive suite consisting of a stateroom (with dressing room, lavatory and shower) and the president's office. A conference/dining room is also available for the president, his family and staff. Other separate accommodations are provided for guests, senior staff, Secret Service and security personnel, and the news media.
Two galleys provide up to 100 meals at one sitting. Six passenger lavatories, including disabled access facilities, are provided as well as a rest area and mini-galley for the aircrew. The VC-25A also has a compartment outfitted with medical equipment and supplies for minor medical emergencies.
These aircraft are flown by the presidential aircrew, maintained by the Presidential Maintenance Branch, and are assigned to Air Mobility Command's 89th Airlift Wing, Andrews Air Force Base, Md.
Background
Presidential air transport began in 1944 when a C-54 -- the "Sacred Cow" -- was put into service for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Then came the "Independence," a DC-6 (Liftmaster), which transported President Harry S. Truman during the period 1947 to 1953. President Dwight D. Eisenhower traveled aboard the "Columbine II" and "Columbine III" from 1953 to 1961. While the call sign "Air Force One" was first used in the 50s, President Kennedy's VC-137 (Boeing 737) was the first aircraft to be popularly known as "Air Force One."
In 1962, a C-137C specifically purchased for use as Air Force One, entered into service with the tail number 26000. It is perhaps the most widely known and most historically significant presidential aircraft. Tail number 26000 is the aircraft that carried President Kennedy to Dallas, Nov. 22, 1963, and returned the body to Washington, D.C., following his assassination. Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn into office as the 36th president on board the aircraft at Love Field in Dallas. This fateful aircraft also was used to return President Johnson's body to Texas following his state funeral Jan. 24, 1973.
In 1972 President Richard M. Nixon made historic visits aboard 26000 to the People's Republic of China in February and to the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in May. Tail number 27000 replaced 26000 and carved its own history when it was used to fly Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter to Cairo, Egypt, Oct. 19, 1981, to represent the United States at the funeral of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.
Tail number 26000 was retired May 1998, and is on display at the U.S. Air Force Museum, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
The first VC-25A -- tail number 28000 -- flew as "Air Force One" on Sept. 6, 1990, when it transported President George Bush to Kansas, Florida and back to Washington, D.C. A second VC-25A, tail number 29000 transported Presidents Clinton, Carter and Bush to Israel for the funeral of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. The VC-25A will usher presidential travel into the 21st century, upholding the proud tradition and distinction of being known as "Air Force One."
General Characteristics
Primary Function: Presidential air transport
Contractor: Boeing Airplane Co.
Power Plant: Four General Electric CF6-80C2B1 jet engines
Thrust: 56,700 pounds, each engine
Length: 231 feet, 10 inches (70.7 meters)
Height: 63 feet, 5 inches (19.3 meters)
Wingspan: 195 feet, 8 inches (59.6 meters)
Speed: 630 miles per hour (Mach 0.92)
Ceiling: 45,100 feet (13,746 meters)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 833,000 pounds (374,850 kilograms)
Range: 7,800 statute miles (6,800 nautical miles) (12,550 kilometers)
Crew: 26 (passenger/crew capacity: 102)
Introduction Date: Dec. 8, 1990 (No. 28000); Dec. 23, 1990 (No. 29000)
Date Deployed: Sept. 6, 1990 (No. 28000); Mar. 26, 1991 (No. 29000)
Inventory: Active force, 2; ANG, 0; Reserve, 0
Point of Contact
Air Mobility Command, Public Affairs Office; 503 J Street, Suite 214; Scott AFB, IL 62225-5335; DSN 576-5003 or (618) 256-5003.
Mission
The mission of the VC-25A aircraft -- Air Force One -- is to provide air transport for the president of the United States.
Features
The presidential air transport fleet consists of two specially configured Boeing 747-200B's -- tail numbers 28000 and 29000 -- with the Air Force designation VC-25A. When the president is aboard either aircraft, or any Air Force aircraft, the radio call sign is "Air Force One."
Principal differences between the VC-25A and the standard Boeing 747, other than the number of passengers carried, are the electronic and communications equipment aboard Air Force One, its interior configuration and furnishings, self-contained baggage loader, front and aft air-stairs, and the capability for in-flight refueling.
Accommodations for the president include an executive suite consisting of a stateroom (with dressing room, lavatory and shower) and the president's office. A conference/dining room is also available for the president, his family and staff. Other separate accommodations are provided for guests, senior staff, Secret Service and security personnel, and the news media.
Two galleys provide up to 100 meals at one sitting. Six passenger lavatories, including disabled access facilities, are provided as well as a rest area and mini-galley for the aircrew. The VC-25A also has a compartment outfitted with medical equipment and supplies for minor medical emergencies.
These aircraft are flown by the presidential aircrew, maintained by the Presidential Maintenance Branch, and are assigned to Air Mobility Command's 89th Airlift Wing, Andrews Air Force Base, Md.
Background
Presidential air transport began in 1944 when a C-54 -- the "Sacred Cow" -- was put into service for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Then came the "Independence," a DC-6 (Liftmaster), which transported President Harry S. Truman during the period 1947 to 1953. President Dwight D. Eisenhower traveled aboard the "Columbine II" and "Columbine III" from 1953 to 1961. While the call sign "Air Force One" was first used in the 50s, President Kennedy's VC-137 (Boeing 737) was the first aircraft to be popularly known as "Air Force One."
In 1962, a C-137C specifically purchased for use as Air Force One, entered into service with the tail number 26000. It is perhaps the most widely known and most historically significant presidential aircraft. Tail number 26000 is the aircraft that carried President Kennedy to Dallas, Nov. 22, 1963, and returned the body to Washington, D.C., following his assassination. Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn into office as the 36th president on board the aircraft at Love Field in Dallas. This fateful aircraft also was used to return President Johnson's body to Texas following his state funeral Jan. 24, 1973.
In 1972 President Richard M. Nixon made historic visits aboard 26000 to the People's Republic of China in February and to the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in May. Tail number 27000 replaced 26000 and carved its own history when it was used to fly Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter to Cairo, Egypt, Oct. 19, 1981, to represent the United States at the funeral of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.
Tail number 26000 was retired May 1998, and is on display at the U.S. Air Force Museum, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
The first VC-25A -- tail number 28000 -- flew as "Air Force One" on Sept. 6, 1990, when it transported President George Bush to Kansas, Florida and back to Washington, D.C. A second VC-25A, tail number 29000 transported Presidents Clinton, Carter and Bush to Israel for the funeral of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. The VC-25A will usher presidential travel into the 21st century, upholding the proud tradition and distinction of being known as "Air Force One."
General Characteristics
Primary Function: Presidential air transport
Contractor: Boeing Airplane Co.
Power Plant: Four General Electric CF6-80C2B1 jet engines
Thrust: 56,700 pounds, each engine
Length: 231 feet, 10 inches (70.7 meters)
Height: 63 feet, 5 inches (19.3 meters)
Wingspan: 195 feet, 8 inches (59.6 meters)
Speed: 630 miles per hour (Mach 0.92)
Ceiling: 45,100 feet (13,746 meters)
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 833,000 pounds (374,850 kilograms)
Range: 7,800 statute miles (6,800 nautical miles) (12,550 kilometers)
Crew: 26 (passenger/crew capacity: 102)
Introduction Date: Dec. 8, 1990 (No. 28000); Dec. 23, 1990 (No. 29000)
Date Deployed: Sept. 6, 1990 (No. 28000); Mar. 26, 1991 (No. 29000)
Inventory: Active force, 2; ANG, 0; Reserve, 0
Point of Contact
Air Mobility Command, Public Affairs Office; 503 J Street, Suite 214; Scott AFB, IL 62225-5335; DSN 576-5003 or (618) 256-5003.
I say there boy
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 1,065
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the corrections guys... I also think that the US have had a -400 in their fleet for a while now. Unfortunately I don't know the registration numbers of the foreign VIP transports so had to give the callsigns instead :o
KK - I was trying to remember what flavour of 'bus Germany used... thanks. Interestingly enough for us Brits, the German Chancellor is the equivalent of Blair in their non-excutive republic (ie. senior politician rather than head of state). Germany is slightly larger in population and economy to Britain, but not too dissimilar - they're the world's #3 economoy, we're #4. So why do our papers moan about Blair using a 146 when the Chancellor of Germany also has a large Bizjet based on an RJ at his disposal?
KK - I was trying to remember what flavour of 'bus Germany used... thanks. Interestingly enough for us Brits, the German Chancellor is the equivalent of Blair in their non-excutive republic (ie. senior politician rather than head of state). Germany is slightly larger in population and economy to Britain, but not too dissimilar - they're the world's #3 economoy, we're #4. So why do our papers moan about Blair using a 146 when the Chancellor of Germany also has a large Bizjet based on an RJ at his disposal?
TimS,
Yes, AirForce 1 could also be a Gulfstream, or a C9, but on international trips is normally one of the (heavily modified) 2 747-200's.
Yes, the Japanese have 2 -400's (nearly always to be seen together). The Sultan of Brunei also has one (recently seen gracing the concrete at that famous Oxon airbase where everything seems to be happening at the moment!)
For the trip to Genoa today, what is Tony using?
1. A small 4 engined jet from Northolt?
2. A larger (and much more noisy!) 4 engined jet from the above-mentioned Base ("Beags" finest)?
3. A loaner from BA?
4. Or is he hitching a ride in AF1?
What he should be doing is taking G-BOAF for another test run, as a statement of confidence in the Conc!!
Yes, AirForce 1 could also be a Gulfstream, or a C9, but on international trips is normally one of the (heavily modified) 2 747-200's.
Yes, the Japanese have 2 -400's (nearly always to be seen together). The Sultan of Brunei also has one (recently seen gracing the concrete at that famous Oxon airbase where everything seems to be happening at the moment!)
For the trip to Genoa today, what is Tony using?
1. A small 4 engined jet from Northolt?
2. A larger (and much more noisy!) 4 engined jet from the above-mentioned Base ("Beags" finest)?
3. A loaner from BA?
4. Or is he hitching a ride in AF1?
What he should be doing is taking G-BOAF for another test run, as a statement of confidence in the Conc!!
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 955
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Blair Cant Win
Queens Flight => Scandalous waste of public money
Easy jet => Parlous state of our public services (RAF)
Tabloid Press is responsible with their
reactionary irresponsible thoughtless
cr@p
Of course he should go by the Queens
Flight not least because of the
security implications.
Good PR for Stelios though !!...
Queens Flight => Scandalous waste of public money
Easy jet => Parlous state of our public services (RAF)
Tabloid Press is responsible with their
reactionary irresponsible thoughtless
cr@p
Of course he should go by the Queens
Flight not least because of the
security implications.
Good PR for Stelios though !!...
I had a nose around on the web and found out this…
Apparently the USAF has 7 Boeing 747s. There are four E-4B airborne command posts which are "militarized versions" of the 200. Two more 200s are designated as "Presidential Aircraft".
The only 400 is being converted into an experimental YAL-1A "Attack Laser" which you might think sounds a bit far fetched. Apparently it's going to have a powerful laser mounted on a nose turret. A fleet of seven aircraft are planned to be operational by 2008 and they will form part of the anti ballistic missile system – supposedly able to “detect and destroy theatre ballistic missiles in the powered boost phase of flight immediately after missile launch.”
Whatever your feelings about the ABM programme (personally I think it’s an extremely dangerous direction to move in) it is rather worrying that a civilian airframe is going to be used to carry a critical component of the system. Will a “rogue state” interested in clearing the local skies of US ABM capable aircraft be able to tell the difference between a civilian 747 and a YAL-1A?
Apparently the USAF has 7 Boeing 747s. There are four E-4B airborne command posts which are "militarized versions" of the 200. Two more 200s are designated as "Presidential Aircraft".
The only 400 is being converted into an experimental YAL-1A "Attack Laser" which you might think sounds a bit far fetched. Apparently it's going to have a powerful laser mounted on a nose turret. A fleet of seven aircraft are planned to be operational by 2008 and they will form part of the anti ballistic missile system – supposedly able to “detect and destroy theatre ballistic missiles in the powered boost phase of flight immediately after missile launch.”
Whatever your feelings about the ABM programme (personally I think it’s an extremely dangerous direction to move in) it is rather worrying that a civilian airframe is going to be used to carry a critical component of the system. Will a “rogue state” interested in clearing the local skies of US ABM capable aircraft be able to tell the difference between a civilian 747 and a YAL-1A?
One more thing,
Foghorn, thinking about it, I think that the -400 you mention is the one being modified to carry a f**k off big lasergun on the nose (part of "Son of Star Wars", I think)
Drat, stagger, you beat me to it with the answer!!
[ 20 July 2001: Message edited by: Wycombe ]
Foghorn, thinking about it, I think that the -400 you mention is the one being modified to carry a f**k off big lasergun on the nose (part of "Son of Star Wars", I think)
Drat, stagger, you beat me to it with the answer!!
[ 20 July 2001: Message edited by: Wycombe ]
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Warwickshire
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If this report is correct, the Prime Minister is travelling on private family business and thus is free, as all of us are, to make his own travel arrangements.
Good on you Mr Blair for supporting local airlines. I wish you a very pleasant trip
Good on you Mr Blair for supporting local airlines. I wish you a very pleasant trip