News and notes from around the interweb:
- The Air Force One ‘shadow fleet’ of Boeing 757s (HT: Joe Brancatelli)
Minutes after Air Force One takes off from anywhere in the world, another blue-and-white aircraft emblazoned with “United States of America” typically follows to far less fanfare.
That’s the way the Air Force likes it. That trailing plane is one of a quartet of bespoke Boeing 757s whose existence service officials don’t acknowledge.
- “People are willing to pay anything for a free ticket on the big business of big miles. (HT: Khalil)
- One of the most customer-unfriendly moves by airlines out there, and one of the two biggest complaints with photos I see on social media, airlines demanding customers gate check bags when there’s still plenty of overhead bin space. How do we get them to stop the madness?
.@United 30 people and I had to gate check. Not for size issues. I asked the gate agent why because I see ads saying all bags fit onboard on United. He said verbatim “It’s all bags we decide that fit” with a smirk. Please see attached photos for ample overhead space… pic.twitter.com/BYXj0OmjXh
— JDR (@JDRojakovick) January 19, 2024
@AmericanAir you guys need a better system. Gate attendant announced no more overhead bags right before scanning my ticket. I get on the plane to this. Is it that hard to communicate with your flight attendants when space is available?? pic.twitter.com/p8H7H7mZJI
— Holly (@DrakeDrakula) January 19, 2024
- New Hawaii Tourist Fees: Creative Hikes Set to Curb Tourism
- British Airports Will Miss Summer Deadline to Install New Security Scanners Because They Are So Heavy Floor Reinforcements Are Needed the new scanners are meant to coincide with lifting of rules limiting liquids through airport security.
- Seen milking those last few Bonvoy points of the campaign.
Spotted: Perhaps the last sighting up the ubiquitous NBD bus in New Hampshire, outside the Springhill Marriott in Manchester #FITN (via Kevin Lamarque @Reuters) pic.twitter.com/WGFcEPOKIV
— Gram Slattery (@G_Slattery) January 21, 2024
- U.S. citizens being warned over dating apps in Colombia
- 80s pop icon Samantha Fox “pent a night in jail after being arrested for an alleged drunken bust-up on a” British Airways flight from London to Munich
The model and pop star, 56, was on a British Airways flight to Munich when she allegedly got into a dispute with another passenger.
The plane was on the runway ready for takeoff but was turned around at London Heathrow after Fox “kicked off”, sources said. Its passengers had to get off and were put up in a hotel.
The article regarding the shadow fleet of Air Force One is clickbait. The United States Air Force has never hidden the fact that there are two so called “Air Force One” aircraft. The Vice President travels in a 757 dubbed Air Force Two. Of course, the aircraft only carry the designation when POTUS or VPOTUS is aboard. This “shadow fleet” is well known as, depending on the mission, the dignitaries will travel on a fleet of Boeing & Gulfstream aircraft, etc. The aircraft are part of the 1st Airlift Squadron, 89th Military Airlift Wing (MAW) 89th Operations Group.
Applause for gate agents who refuse to allow the stupid carry-on bags onto the plane . I live in dread of one of those monsters falling upon my head whilst being lifted by a weak passenger .
That’s 2 of the big 3 that have publicly admitted its about rapid boarding snd push back time than actual bin space. AA already admitted it.
Anyone who watched VEEP knows there is a backup plane. The question is why isn’t there a backup plane for the backup plane?
TLU
They do have a backup to the backups lol. They have gulfstreams that trail Air Force One and land at a nearby airport.
Government also has a cargo/passenger fleet that carries equipment (vehicles) and security. I guess one could call it a “shadow fleet” but it’s well known and quite visible at the airport . . . often a few days ahead of VIP arrival.