Is this de-rigeur for all US diplomatic missions? Or for ex-presidents? I'm not questioning your facts, I've just never heard of this kind of hand holding. I was under the apparently mistaken impression that US diplomats flew commercial airlines when they travelled. (OK, so he'll sit in First Class, that's OK with me.) I had no idea that even though he's a private citizen we foot the bill for that kind of treatment.
I was under the apparently mistaken impression that US diplomats flew commercial airlines when they travelled. (OK, so he'll sit in First Class, that's OK with me.) He's not a normal diplomat. He is a former president of the US who travles with a Secret Service detail wherever he goes. Since it is HIGHLY likely the Secret Service will want to bring a couple of the armored Suburbans over with them,this spells "US Military or charter aircraft".
I had no idea that even though he's a private citizen we foot the bill for that kind of treatment.
He's not a private citizen,and never will be. He's a former president,and he,Bubbette!,and even Bubbette! Jr all have Secret Service bodyguards.