[meandog]

1. Bush was a Navy pilot. There was a reason for the uniform. He flew the plane.

I didn't catch this one before but for your information Bush didn't fly the plane. He was a passenger. Bush, an F-101 Air Guard pilot back in the 60s, wouldn't be qualified to takeoff and land even in a VFR-rated ultralight under FAA regs stipulating current air hour competence much less an AS-3 attack aircraft on to the deck of an aircraft carrier (although he might have taken a turn or two for a few minutes at the controls, under supervision of the pilot naturally). BTW, I am a former pilot (Piper Cherokee)

[mkjessup]

It’s been my understanding that although GWB was not certified for landing (or takeoff) operations on a carrier, he did in fact handle the controls of that S3B en route to the Lincoln, you are correct on that point.

The fact is, GWB correctly judged that seeing the Commander-in-Chief get out of a Navy jet on board the Lincoln, even IF he was only in the co-pilot’s seat, would be a tremendous boost to morale not only to the crew of the Lincoln, but to our armed forces world-wide.

I think it was well thought out, well executed, and I think it was a good decision.

[ohioWfan]

I corrected the error about the Navy and ANG. According to the pilot, President Bush took the controls and flew the jet.

You'll have to take it up with him if you don't agree.