Posted on 12/17/2008 7:27:29 AM PST by CedarDave
We all know Gov. Bill Richardson likes to travel, and we all know he has a sweet tooth for executive jets like the $5.5 million Cessna purchased by his administration.
But he's probably going to be flying a lot more on commercial airlines — in coach — once he's confirmed as Barack Obama's commerce secretary.
Sure, the federal government has jets, but their use by Cabinet secretaries and others is restricted.
Also, as a federal employee, Richardson will face restrictions on how he can finance travel on private jets and rules on when he can accept free plane rides from special interests and others.
The governor has been a frequent user of the state's Cessna Citation Bravo jet since its purchase in 2005. He has used it for in-state hops, cross-country travel and trips to Mexico.
For political travel, Richardson has accepted free jet rides from supporters and special interests, including the world's largest smokeless-tobacco company, an international gay civil-rights group and the nation's largest maker of payday loans.
He also has used campaign funds to pay for travel on private jets — often from political backers at bargain-basement prices.
On at least two occasions since he took office in January 2003, Richardson has said he personally paid for travel on private planes — once for a trip to Denver and another for an Acapulco getaway. He has refused to say how much he paid for the trip to Acapulco but said it was "market value."
~~snip~~
Federal travel regulations generally require government employees to fly commercial and to sit in coach. (Employees can upgrade to business or first class at personal expense.)
Use of government aircraft is permitted only when such travel is needed for communications or security reasons or for extraordinary scheduling requirements.
(Excerpt) Read more at abqjournal.com ...
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Looks like Richardson has more problems than flying coach http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/12/15/grand_jury_investigation_into.html?hpid=topnews
Naturally Bill will scrupiously follow all of the rules. After all, he learned his craft from another Bill, along with his wife, Hill! Of course that Grand Jury investigation might just cause a small problem. Small indeed, as our straight-arrow MSM will ignore it until it finally goes away. What cash for contract?
Fly enough, and you can upgrade to B or 1st with miles, any time it actually matters.
Its probably safer that way for Droopy Dog.
Ron Brown, Clinton’s SecComm, was on a government plane......
try and use those miles, though.
Blackout dates, no seats, “we’ll give you a seat, but it’ll cost you more miles”, etc.
I rarely bother (lots of flights on little birds), but haven’t had too much hassle the few times I’ve tried.
That’s on United ... can’t comment on other airlines.
Well, those Delta cards Amex pushes are the spawn of Satan himself, hehehe.
Eeeeeeewwww!! Where was your warning? I just ate breakfast. I could have lost it. LOL
Nice home page, btw.
OK then, I forgive you. ;o) I’m usually a brunch eater so I don’t normally eat that early. Today was the exception. Seeing those two criminals together is enough to bring up last night’s dinner, after it’s digested. LOL!
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