The more government hacks who leave the country the better. If only we can stop the flights back.
The costs of the trips -- borne by taxpayers -- are difficult to measure, but they're expensive. When he uses the familiar blue-and-white reconfigured 747 as Air Force One, it costs $100,219 an hour to operate, according to the Air Force. And that's just HIS plane.
There also are cargo planes, used to fly in armored limousines, helicopters, staff and other equipment, as well as the Secret Service. A single Air Force C-17 cargo jet, for example, costs $6,960 an hour, according to the Congressional Research Service.
A total of 77 other aircraft were used on one multi-country trip to Asia by former President Bill Clinton in 2000, according to the Air Force Times, including 14 C-17 Globemasters, 12 C-5 Galaxys, three C-141 Starlifters and two C-130 Hercules. ABC News at the time estimated the cost of that trip at $50 million.
http://tinyurl.com/yz8sjfj
12? I rather doubt that. The US AF only operates two VC-25's (747) (known as AF when CIC is aboard). The other 747 in the military fleet are configured for specialty missions, not passenger transport. The other passenger planes are all C-32's (757) and a C-40 (737), I believe.
When the President travels, in addition to the VC-25 and the trailing additional passenger aircraft, SS will also take at least one C-17, perhaps more than one depending on the mission requirements. I could see 6 planes perhaps, but not 12.
Don’t worry. I feel certain that on Al Gore’s advice, Obama has purchased sufficient carbon offset credits to ensure that his flotilla makes no net contribution to global warming...