Blair Force One
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: Over Here
Ex FTE -
A little awry on the Canadian facts there old chap. Five A310s were purchased to help support the (even then) floundering Canadian Airlines, one of which was refitted for the VIP role. True, the current PM (in opposition at the time) will not fly in it, but it is used for other VIP tasks such as the GG, Royal family etc etc. Plus, it also has 100 regular pax seats so can be used for day-to-day operations when not required for VIP trips.
A little awry on the Canadian facts there old chap. Five A310s were purchased to help support the (even then) floundering Canadian Airlines, one of which was refitted for the VIP role. True, the current PM (in opposition at the time) will not fly in it, but it is used for other VIP tasks such as the GG, Royal family etc etc. Plus, it also has 100 regular pax seats so can be used for day-to-day operations when not required for VIP trips.
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Manchester
mjenkinsblackdog
Last one as I have work to do. I think you're missing the point. The suggestion is that this is an economical solution, read back up the list.
You must have a real downer on the guy to talk about swanning around at tax payers expense. Dont we need to have our leader (whoever you voted for shouldn't matter in a democracy) representing us and our values abroad. Nuff said from me.
Last one as I have work to do. I think you're missing the point. The suggestion is that this is an economical solution, read back up the list.
You must have a real downer on the guy to talk about swanning around at tax payers expense. Dont we need to have our leader (whoever you voted for shouldn't matter in a democracy) representing us and our values abroad. Nuff said from me.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
From: london
Sphinx.. .Your right I do have a downer on Tony Liar.. .His incompetent.. .I started this thread laddie ,by saying that it was unacceptable for a B767/B777 for his own personal use.. .I stand by that .. .I suppose your off to the labour conference soon.. .You have your opinion I have mine.. .END OF SUBJECT. <img src="cool.gif" border="0">
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: United Kingdom
15 / 15 Flex:. .Many thanks for the info. Always good to have facts. Maybe others on the forum will do the same
. .Sphinx:. .Do you ever get the impression that some people just want to rant on abut their political disappointments and not hold rational aviation related discussions?
mjenkinsblackdog:. .I do think, in agreement with views expressed earlier, that you are getting a tad angry about all this. If you want to make a political point in public on the forum, fair enough. But do help the rest of us by stating that it is just an opinion being expressed by you and that you dont want a reply that in anyway challenges your opinion.
Have a great day!
<img src="smile.gif" border="0">
[ 22 February 2002: Message edited by: EX FTE ]
[ 22 February 2002: Message edited by: PPRuNe Towers ]</p>
. .Sphinx:. .Do you ever get the impression that some people just want to rant on abut their political disappointments and not hold rational aviation related discussions?
mjenkinsblackdog:. .I do think, in agreement with views expressed earlier, that you are getting a tad angry about all this. If you want to make a political point in public on the forum, fair enough. But do help the rest of us by stating that it is just an opinion being expressed by you and that you dont want a reply that in anyway challenges your opinion.
Have a great day!
<img src="smile.gif" border="0">
[ 22 February 2002: Message edited by: EX FTE ]
[ 22 February 2002: Message edited by: PPRuNe Towers ]</p>
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 390
Likes: 0
From: london
Ex Fte.. .This was not about Tony Blair in particular.. .The thread was designed to show what a waste of present government resources at this time on b767/b777 purchase.. .My view would have been the same for Duncan Smith or Kennedy for that matter.. .For your information when Prince Jefri of Brunei was in financial problems .The first thing to go were expensive aircraft.. .Plus he was restricted by an allowance .
IT would be cheaper if ministers were on scheduled services than having their own aircraft.. .As said earlier. <img src="cool.gif" border="0">
IT would be cheaper if ministers were on scheduled services than having their own aircraft.. .As said earlier. <img src="cool.gif" border="0">
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Hong Kong
Blair Force One would be in the best interests of the 'New Labour' Project and so the Grinnin Effin Idiot would see no wrong in choosing to spend other peoples money on it. The Royal Family on the other hand merely serve the Nation and so to spend money on them would be an extravagant indulgance.. .As I said elsewhere on this board, 'It's time for a change of Tone'
Uncle Pete
Joined: Jul 1999
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 915
Likes: 0
From: Frodsham Cheshire
Back to basics ladies/gentlemen the old saying goes:-
If it flies , floats or f*******ts rent it, don't buy it, it's far cheaper!!
. .Any ideas on the paint job? The Blair family on the tail perhaps? They could go for a fleet and name them after the children? Then you'd need a large hold to carry the red carpet and an extra large bar at the front for the VIPs, Macdonalds down the back for the press and charge them for the flight as well as the food.
Speculative MP. . <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
If it flies , floats or f*******ts rent it, don't buy it, it's far cheaper!!
. .Any ideas on the paint job? The Blair family on the tail perhaps? They could go for a fleet and name them after the children? Then you'd need a large hold to carry the red carpet and an extra large bar at the front for the VIPs, Macdonalds down the back for the press and charge them for the flight as well as the food.
Speculative MP. . <img src="wink.gif" border="0">
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Manchester
Well, well, well the frustrated Tory right are alive and kicking at PPrune!!!!!!! 
The Blair Force One debate has now been running several weeks under the guises of 3 or 4 threads. No sooner than it is closed then up again it pops.
In previous threads there was rational discussions regarding the merits of such a scheme :- costings, PR value , security (post 9-11), a/c suitabilities etc..... But this thread has descended into pure vindictiveness. It is quite simply an anti government or more precisely anti PM diatribe, with crap spelling/punctuation to boot (Me thinks wasn't a thread recently pulled by one of the moderators because of poor grammar etc..)
As for politics what about lowest mortgages/inflation/unemployment in decades, the only G8 nation to record economic growth over the past two years and economic policies that the French and Germans are closely examining. I know that it may be a little simplistic but that is what the electorate see and are currently enjoying and responding with record levels of popularity!!!
As for a/c the US, France, Germany, Japan and Canada (I'm not sure about Italy) all use modern widebody a/c to deliver their leaders around the globe--- why is this such a problem here?
This is the British disease of always wanting to see others do poorly. Do we still intrinsically loathe success of others?
Wait for the responses of the rabid right!!!!! . .
[ 25 February 2002: Message edited by: frazhm ]
[ 25 February 2002: Message edited by: frazhm ]</p>
The Blair Force One debate has now been running several weeks under the guises of 3 or 4 threads. No sooner than it is closed then up again it pops.
In previous threads there was rational discussions regarding the merits of such a scheme :- costings, PR value , security (post 9-11), a/c suitabilities etc..... But this thread has descended into pure vindictiveness. It is quite simply an anti government or more precisely anti PM diatribe, with crap spelling/punctuation to boot (Me thinks wasn't a thread recently pulled by one of the moderators because of poor grammar etc..)
As for politics what about lowest mortgages/inflation/unemployment in decades, the only G8 nation to record economic growth over the past two years and economic policies that the French and Germans are closely examining. I know that it may be a little simplistic but that is what the electorate see and are currently enjoying and responding with record levels of popularity!!!
As for a/c the US, France, Germany, Japan and Canada (I'm not sure about Italy) all use modern widebody a/c to deliver their leaders around the globe--- why is this such a problem here?
This is the British disease of always wanting to see others do poorly. Do we still intrinsically loathe success of others?
Wait for the responses of the rabid right!!!!! . .
[ 25 February 2002: Message edited by: frazhm ]
[ 25 February 2002: Message edited by: frazhm ]</p>
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 556
Likes: 0
From: The Valley Where the Thames Runs Softly
Spot on frahsm!
It seems that nobody likes the poor man except the electorate.
Why can't people keep the discussion about whether a big rich country needs modern transport for its VIPs? The topic goes ad hominem every time. <img src="mad.gif" border="0">
It seems that nobody likes the poor man except the electorate.
Why can't people keep the discussion about whether a big rich country needs modern transport for its VIPs? The topic goes ad hominem every time. <img src="mad.gif" border="0">
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
From: uk
Unwell raptor,
Given the way Mr Blair has developed as a control freak, at the expense of other state offices and institutions, it is quite natural that criticism will be ad hominem.
If you're in charge of something, whether it's a country or squadron or a small business or whatever, there is more tolerance towards you if you take care to respect the people and the offices which are there to support you.
The criticism against Mr Blair is the price he pays for ignoring this. Maybe he thinks that it is worthwhile.
This isn't meant to be a political comment, more a suggestion as to why a more low key method of transport may be advisable.
Given the way Mr Blair has developed as a control freak, at the expense of other state offices and institutions, it is quite natural that criticism will be ad hominem.
If you're in charge of something, whether it's a country or squadron or a small business or whatever, there is more tolerance towards you if you take care to respect the people and the offices which are there to support you.
The criticism against Mr Blair is the price he pays for ignoring this. Maybe he thinks that it is worthwhile.
This isn't meant to be a political comment, more a suggestion as to why a more low key method of transport may be advisable.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Joined: Jul 2000
Aviation Qualifications: Spotter
Posts: 24,615
Likes: 7,321
From: Peripatetic
At pain of repeating the obvious, Blair is not the head of State, the Queen is. No other country has a private transport for the Prime Minister or equivalent.
This is compounded by the fact that this is the goverment which, effectively, abolished both the Royal Flight and Britannia as being too expensive.
So it does seem a bit rich.
This is compounded by the fact that this is the goverment which, effectively, abolished both the Royal Flight and Britannia as being too expensive.
So it does seem a bit rich.
