Scottsdale AZ Airport Closed (Bush is in town)

First Hand Freeper Observation | 11-25-03 | Narby

[narby]

Scottsdale AZ Airport, and every other airport in Phoenix is now shut down for the visit of the President. Scottsdale ATIS information YANKEE says Phoenix airspace closure is from 2210Z till 0240Z. The Scottsdale no-fly zone is from 2235Z to 0145Z

I support the President. And I know he has to have security. But I strongly believe that the citizens of this country have a right to travel, by whatever means at their disposal including personal aircraft, to wherever they wish, within reasonable limits. Closing an entire city is BS.

It's been plenty long enough since 9/11 for the secret service to have acquired shoulder fired missles, phalanx guns, whatever it takes. We're 20 miles from where the President has landed in AF1, and this is nuts.

The really stupid thing is that this really does nothing for real security, just as the "security" we had in place didn't accomplish a thing on 9/11. I can think of many ways to get around this airspace closure in an airplane (which I will refrain from putting on the net).

[RedBloodedAmerican]

within reasonable limits

Exactly. And while the Presidents aircraft is in the vicinity, that limit is enforced. What's your problem?

[Brad’s Gramma]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1028881/posts

[bikerman]

Quit-ur-bitchen take a bus.

[onyx]

We're you planning to fly today? Have you personally been inconvenienced?

I seem to recall Bill-dough tying-up traffic in downtown Manhattan several times and that was, of course, prior to 9/11. In fact, Bill-dough shut-down LAX one time for a "haircut."

[narby]

A 30 mile radius (or is it 60?) is far too large.

Whether the area is 30 miles, or 3, an intruder aircraft would be able to penetrate to within a fraction of a mile before being spotted (flying "under the radar" isn't exactly classified, and I serously doubt AWACS are in the air with "look down" radar). So the limit might as well be a half mile.

For the president to shut down 8 or 10 airports in a city is nuts.

[Joe Boucher]

When klintoon was here in south Florida the secret service would close the freeway. Would piss off more than a few. And that was before 9-11 obviously.

[narby]

We're you planning to fly today? Have you personally been inconvenienced?

Actually, yes. I wanted to test a new oil pressure guage so I could fly home over the holiday.

The cost to flight instruction businesses and FBO's today undoubtedly is in the hundreds of thousands (you ever buy gas for a Gulfstream V?).

[isthisnickcool]

...you ever buy gas for a Gulfstream V?

You own a GV?

[narby]

When klintoon was here in south Florida the secret service would close the freeway. Would piss off more than a few. And that was before 9-11 obviously.

I flew an airplane in circles for a hour, towing a banner within 2 miles of AF1 waiting on Clinton, sitting on the ramp in So. California (An Army airfield, forget the name, he never landed at LAX again after that first bruhaha).

I've seen AF1 air-to-air at least twice with Clinton on board. Within 2 miles of it. Now the entire airspace over the city of Phoenix is closed to private citizens.

[narby]

You own a GV?

Did I say that?

The example was the loss of business. I don't own one, but there's one parked in the hangar next door that isn't flying today.

[uglybiker]

Look at the bright side. For an afternoon, the whiners around Scottsdale airport will get some peace and quiet from all the noise they keep b****in' about.

[Brad’s Gramma]

WE
ARE
AT
WAR!

The rules have changed. Don't worry......it'll be over with soon.

[narby]

Look at the bright side. For an afternoon, the whiners around Scottsdale airport will get some peace and quiet from all the noise they keep b****in' about.

The serious whining in the last few months was on a couple of occasions a flight of F-18's landed for fuel (don't ask me why they came here).

I'd forgotten how cool it is to be within 200 feet of an afterburner.

Course, they'd be the aircraft that could fly today.

[isthisnickcool]

Did I say that?

You didn't say either way. That's why I asked. Geesh.

I have a friend that has a charter company that has several jets. Some "land darts", Gulfstreams, etc. It's the only way to travel:)

[narby]

The rules have changed. Don't worry......it'll be over with soon.

Bush has said this will take generations. That it will take the perserverance of the Cold War.

I don't doubt it, and support him in his actions. But they can buy the Secret Service some Phalanx Guns to protect him. They don't have to shut down the whole world.

[narby]

Sorry. Just spring loaded for flames.

Never been in a GV or GII.

Traveled a bit in a Falcon 50 though. Back then the French were the good guys.

[rovenstinez]

Maybe Bush needs to stay home, maybe! I remember in Kansas Russian PM Yeltsin tied up the freeways, and I didn't like it one bit. Did he pay taxes for the roads? And the Pope. THAT is another story. Why do they have to fork over so much cash to protect a man whose personal Body Guard is JESUS CHRIST?. Can the Pope DIE before his time? Did Jesus have body guards? Hey..life is uncertain. Take reasonable precautions, but don't tie up the airports without advising people who depend on it.

[I_BE_THE_ONE]

I am a pilot and have been allowed to fly if I file an IFR flight plan. They have to know who you are and where you are going. This has happened several times in the Carolinas and Florida. I fly between these areas often. I really know of no other way to protect the president but if you are not IFR rated you really are inconvenienced.

[narby]

I'm rated OK. But the plane is not.

And the TFR really hozes with flight training, which is a huge business out here.

I haven't heard this airport this quiet since 9/11.