Posted on 12/26/2006 5:19:02 PM PST by West Coast Conservative
British Prime Minister Tony Blair was confirmed to be aboard the British Airways flight that overshot the runway at Miami International Airport Tuesday evening.
Flight 209, carrying 343 passengers and crew onboard luckily had no injuries. The plane did not sustain any damage, but some runway lights were broken by the plane. The plane was making an arrival from London’s Heathrow Airport, with Blair traveling in first class.
No word yet on what caused it to slightly run off the landing area and onto the grass.
The plane, with passengers inside, is being towed to the terminal.
CBS sources would not comment further as to why Blair was traveling on the plane.
(Did I say that???)
Great journalism, similar to a slight midair collision?
I find it kind of surprising that the RAF has the Queen's Flight designated for the UK's titular head of state, but not an aircraft dedicated to the actual executive head of the government. I understand your viewpoint, but with the UK being a nucular(tm GWB) nation, I'm surprised that he doesn't have a dedicated aircraft, for communications purposes if nothing else.
I thought I'd read a while back that the RAF was purchasing a couple of Boeing Business Jets--extended-range 737-700Ws with all the expected touches in the interior--but I may be confusing that with the RAAF. I'm pretty sure the Aussies bought at least one BBJ for long-range travel.
Oh, is the Queen's Flight still using those old Vickers VC-10s?
}:-)4
Yikes! Don't they have an Air Force One type plane? Who does security on a commercial flight?
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4905616.stm
This is an interesting article
That would explain the commercial flight. Personal travel, hence not spending his taxpayers' money.
Here is details of the Royal Squadron which has replaced the Queen's flight.
For long haul they often lease a commercial plane.
http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page2611.asp
Hard to believe in this day and age he would be on a commerical plane.
Thanks for the website....I had fun exploring it...
Probably going to the Bahama's then if it's a holiday????
Too bad American's don't think as matter-of-factly, snugs. If we did perhaps Hillary Clinton wouldn't be running all over the place with Secret Service because she is a former First Lady of the USA...biggest waste of taxpayers money I can think of. Even Bill shouldn't get it now he is no longer President (IMO) or any of the other living ex-Presidents.
Damn Irish pilots
Take two aspirins and go lie down. You are obviously delirious. :)
(For the record I agree)
ROFL,L,L.
Why in the world would the Prime Minister be flying with 300+ other passengers? And, (second question) how could he be protected from every one of them, even with several security personnel?
"Correct that has happened in the future...." Damn, what other prognostications do you have for us?
Nope, president and prime minister is not the same thing.
A prime minister is always the head of an administation and nowadays is responsible to the legislature - even if theoretically responsible to the monarch.
Presidents are directly elected and responsible to the electorate.
As Yakov Smiernoff (sp?) says, "What a country".
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.