Obama plans to pay full fare for flights on private planes

[sabra]

http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=4392051&nav=1sW7

Obama plans to pay full fare for flights on private planes

CHICAGO Senator Barack Obama (ber-AHK' oh-BAH'-muh) is taking a leading role among Democrats promoting ethics reform in the wake of the scandal surrounding lobbyist Jack Abramoff (AY'-bruh-mahf).

With Obama speaking out on ethics, his office has announced that when the senator travels on private planes, he will pay the full cost.

Members of Congress are allowed to fly on corporate planes, if they pay the price of a first-class ticket for their flights. But privates planes cost much more than a first-class ticket.

...

Gibbs says Obama wants to make sure that what he says about ethics reform is consistent with his actions.

[SoCalDem]

1. I wish they would ALL stay OFF "private planes"

None of the senators I know of ..or congresspeople are such "rock-stars" that people would mob them. Just fly first class or business class like the rest of us, and politely decline converstaion...or ..HEY.. why not use that opportunity to "connect with people" and see what we're really interested in :)

[Lindacooks]

2. You and me both. Stay OFF small planes, Democrats!

n/t

[zann725]

14. Totally agreed!

n/t

[1932]

18. Remember reading '03 FEC filings showing that Edwards team flew Southwest

almost all the time during primary run. The only time they didn't was if SW didn't fly the route. Maybe they didn't have a ton of money, but the guy did the cattle call like everyone else. Sharpton was the other extreme: first class air and hotel.

[SoCalDem]

20. If you are going to run as a "man of the people", you cannot fly

"private/corporate" jets..

Most flights for campaigning are short hops anyway.. what's the worst that could happen? they might have to listen to real people pouring their hearts out, about what's really bugging them:)

[pdurod1]

3. Get the lobbists out of Washington,

POWER to the people, where it belongs... It is written

[shance]

4. How does one pay "full price" on a private plane?

n/t

[SoCalDem]

6. Exactly.. The "owner" can charge whatever he/she wants

and the door is open to questions of impropriety.

[WhiteTara]

16. The planes are rated at so much per hour n/t

[jody]

5. Obama and congresspersons should remember they are the elected lobbyists

for "We the People".

[baby_bear]

10. excellent point, jody

We need to remind them of that.

We are their constituents, not the guys who stuff their pants pockets with moolah.

I am saddened and unimpressed with Obama's statement. They should all fly coach --
in the MIDDLE SEAT.

b_b

[jody]

11. Middle Seat! I flew from Atlanta to LA between two contestants for a

strongest man in the world contest. Each weighed 400 pounds plus! It was a miserable, unforgettable flight.

[baby_bear]

12. exactly my point

Every member of the House and the Senate should experience what you did...on a regular basis.

They all need to be humbled.

b_b

[bklyncowgirl]

7. Hey Senator, I got a better Idea, fly coach.

Chances that anyone's actually going to actually recognize you range from slim to none--at the most you'll hear some whispers like "Hey Honey, isn't that the guy who was on Oprah?" "Nah, that's the guy from that pizza commercial."

Most people are too shy to approach a celebrity.

If someone really does recognize you and wants to talk to you, what's the big deal. You'll get to talk to a real person--not a member of the inside the Belway crowd and they'll get the thrill of telling everyone they know "I was on a plane with Barak Obama. He's a really cool guy." They'll tell everyone they know and word that you're a cool guy who acts like a real person will get around.

The worst that could happen is that you might run into a Rush Limbaugh fan who's knocked back a few pre-flight martinis. If that happens just summon the flight attendant. They're reall good at subduing obnoxious travellers. If you're quick you could make sure you lend a hand in the arrest.

Imagine the headlines "Senator Obama assists in the arrest of unruly passenger." and give you a great opportunity to turn the subject protecting our airways from terrorists and drunken dittoheads.

[1932]

19. He probably will.

[athena]

21. I'm pretty sure he does.

Note that the article says he will pay full fare when he flies on private planes. I've seen a feature on him in the Chicago Tribune (the Jan 2nd, 2006 edition, I believe) where he was pictured in economy class, talking to a stranger while waiting to deplane. He flies to Chicago from D.C. every week to see his wife and kids; I'm pretty sure he flies commercial airlines, and I suspect he often sits in economy class. He probably takes private planes when he's invited to give a dinner speech right after another engagement in another city and can't find a commercial ticket to get him there on time.

Obama is also not wealthy like most other senators. He spent years working as an organizer in poor neighborhoods in Chicago, making very little money. Read his book and inform yourself before you pass judgment. He's one of the best advocates of the working class in the Senate.

[Dunvegan]

8. Excuse my jaw-dropping at how pro-actively honest and decent ...

...some of our best and brightest Dems are.

Obama is most certainly a rising bright and shining star.

With a few years of polish and learning the insider politico ropes, a man of Obama's intellegence, charm, and wit will be a great boon to our party.

Obama is young...and although still a touch green in a few places, a great hope for the future.

He has world enough and time to mature into greatness, if he so chooses.

In Obama we may be looking at the future first Black President of the United States.



On edit: Having said that...Noooooo! Please pay for coach on standard airline flights, Senator Obama!

:tinfoilhat: Remember Wellstone! Stay OFF small planes!!! :tinfoilhat:

[Bluestar]

9. Oh, Please--Forgive My Cynicism

Why are we supposed to be impressed that they pay first class fare (let's say $1500 for a flight) for a private jet ride? Those private jets are leased to companies at outrageous rates--something like $50,000-$100,000 per month (I'm not sure of the amount, but I know it's a lot). The comparison of first class rates to actual cost just doesn't cut it.

Another dodge by our wonderful members of Congress. Like the poster says above--get a clue and fly coach. Corporations have rules about their executives taking gifts and they are very stringent. Why should we expect less from Congress?

[Lochloosa]

17. 3000 an hour.

fly coach. What a fucking dumb thing to say

[athena]

22. The article does not say he doesn't fly coach.

Read my other post. People like you don't deserve someone like Obama who stands up for the working class. All you can do is criticize, even though you clearly don't know a thing about the guy.

[Child_Of_Isis]

13. he will pay the full cost.

Does that mean he used to get a discount?

[BiggJawn]

15. Maybe he'll use Travelocity...

Don't forget your....Hat?