Bernie Sanders May Be Taking More Rides on Private Planes

[RandySF]

Bernie Sanders has entered a new stage of his campaign. The Vermont senator, who is running for president on a populist message and often speaks passionately about environmental issues, was for months regularly seen flying in coach class on commercial flights.

There is even a community of photos on Twitter, under the hashtag #SandersOnAPlane, where fans have posted photos after seeing him fly. There will likely be fewer photos of a luggage-wielding Sanders moving forward.

This holiday season, Sanders changed his routine and flew almost exclusively on private chartered planes with members of his traveling staff -- taking at least four trips.

Most recently, the campaign confirmed, a Gulfstream 200, took the Senator and some staff from Burlington, Vermont two days after Christmas and then from Las Vegas, Nevada to Moline, Illinois for campaign events in eastern Iowa this week.

Days before the holiday, a private jet whisked the team from Omaha, Nebraska to Chicago, Illinois in order to fit more campaign events into this tight schedule.

ABC News asked Sanders about whether the extremely high per-person carbon footprint of private planes was consistent with his staunch environmental policies. Sanders often talks about the need for “bold” action on climate change and even criticized the recent international Paris Accord for not going far enough to curb carbon emissions.

“The carbon footprint? As opposed to what?” the 74-year-old Senator said recently. “We are trying to get around Iowa and get around the country as best we can. So we have a lot of people to see and that is the best way can do it.”


http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/bernie-sanders-taking-rides-private-planes/story?id=36033253

[PyaarRevolution]

1. Thought the coach bit was a great PR move.

But it may be a huge timesink. I mean it may cost more for a private plane but he could possibly meet more people at rallies. Who knows how much hassle his whole team has to go through with the TSA and the line every time.
He probably will not have to deal with that as much. I didn't even realize that taking a jet enables you to land in smaller airfields.

edit: Just finished reading the whole article and it mentions the company Sanders is using a charter plane which clarifies things. I would like to know if the Gulfstream 200 is like a Cessna. In other words, if this post is exaggerating the type of private travel he's getting as when we hear "Gulfstream" we think rich and lavish.

[RandySF]

2. For $85

I get to go through the pre-cack line for the next several years. No coats, shoes or belts removed. You just put your stuff through the x-ray machine and walk through the metal detector just like the old days.My son can even go through the same way until he is 12. And, since Bernie is a U.S. Senator, I doubt he would have to wait three weeks for the background check like I did.

[PyaarRevolution]

3. Truly a bg check.

Or do they snoop into you constantly whenever you come in?

Oh jeez, I totally forgot the obvious problem for ANY candidate doing commercial, the delays. This would cost you precious face time with courting voters and I think charter flights would greatly minimize that.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

70. The Clinton campaign is getting desperate

Hillary the millionairess is having more difficulties resonating with people who do not have much money.

[Codeine]

53. The g200 is a very nice

executive jet. Not a huge one, but definitely not a Cessna.

[stevenleser]

62. Gulfstreams are among the most luxurious private jets on the market.

[CorporatistNation]

68. WTF Is HillBill Flying These Days hmm?

The schedule has tightened and Bernie has more places to be and people to meet if he wants to WIN... So THIS is entirely a NON -issue! The point is Bernie had been going commercial while he could... saving money as the early schedule permitted such. Now he is fast on the track and tak'in the most effective route to success. When did HillBill EVER fly commercial? 1984 maybe!

This criticism of Bernie is a TOTAL pile of shit!

[stevenleser]

69. Did her supporters post pics of her in coach flying in the middle seat and suggest that meant

something? No? I didnt think so.

You guys did that with Bernie and now you own it.

[questionseverything]

63. that was my thought also...google says

GULFSTREAM G200
As the first super-midsize jet of its kind, you’ll get fast, nonstop travel in a spacious and comfortable cabin.
The Gulfstream G200 offers the range and comfort of a large cabin jet – for a midsize cabin price. It also has a cruise speed of 540 mph, making it ideal for nonstop transcontinental travel. One of the first things you’ll notice about the Gulfstream G200 is how spacious it is. It can seat nine passengers comfortably and has 6’3” of stand-up headroom, which exceeds all other aircraft in its category. And it has the largest baggage capacity in its class.

/////////////////////////////////////

it only holds 9 people

i am guessing it is smaller than her majesties' private plane

[hobbit709]

4. And during the holidays that may be the fastest way.

Especially if you're hitting a bunch of smaller cities and towns without big airports.

[left-of-center2012]

5. "taking at least four trips"

[beam me up scottie]

6. And did you see the prices???

The owner of private plane the campaign most recently used could not be reach for comment for this story, but several charter plane companies provided price estimates for similar flights ranging from $3,000-$15,000.

Many other candidates, including former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton have frequently used private planes during this campaign.

I am shocked! Shocked I tell ya!

Bernie the thousandaire who prefers to fly coach is dead to me.

[left-of-center2012]

54. "Hilary Clinton have frequently used private planes during this campaign"

Not just four ? !

[Kalidurga]

7. I looked up Hillary flies coach

and Google laughed at me, thanks a lot.

[Karma13612]

40. Top comment for me today, and it isn't even noon!!! LOL!! eom

[Katashi_itto]

8. Wise move on his part really. As his popularity increases you will see more chartering

He has to move around faster.

[Katashi_itto]

10. LOl...You do understand how silly you sound right?

"Clinton does not fly the commercial the way you fly commercial. Thanks to strict security concerns, Clinton is insulated from the public from the moment she arrives at one airport to the time she leaves the second one."

In all likelihood her campaign may very well buy every ticket for any particular flight and gloss over that little fact, or let a few "commoners" fly on the aircraft to promote the idea that she actually rubs elbows with the common rabble.


http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/even-when-flying-the-public-clinton-keeps-it-private

[beam me up scottie]

28. When was the last time she sat in the middle seat in coach?

[Douglas Carpenter]

11. good - this shows the progress of his campaign and fund raising

[nxylas]

12. Uh oh

One of my first thoughts when Bernie started running was "I hope he stays away from small planes"....

[PADemD]

13. Agree

[djean111]

14. People are not supporting Bernie BECAUSE he flies coach, ya know.

Just sayin'. And if anyone uses mode of campaign transportation/carbon footprint as, weirdly, their sole reason to support a candidate, Bernie would still be the candidate of choice.

Airplane travel does not erase war, the TPP, cluster bombs, and Wall Street. Those are reall issues.
So feh.

[awake]

17. As one whos support of Bernie was influenced by his flying coach

My support was based on the fact that he will take the middle seat and offen would fly coach which ment unlike the other candidates he experienced the real world that most of us know. I never thought that he would in all cases fly coach. Too offen a candidate has no real idea of what most voters put up with, Bernie is truly of the people.

[djean111]

38. I agree with your assessment of Bernie, but would you still support him if he was for war, the TPP,

cluster bombs, Wall Street, and Third Way policies, and changed his stances to suit polls and focus groups?
That's where I am coming from.

[awake]

42. I decided to support Bernie for a whole lot of reasons

including years of hearing him on Tom Hartman's "Brunch with Bernie", I feel our party has 3 strong candidates with good reasons to vote for each, it was Bernie's being more in-tuch with the ordinary Americans that got me off the fence. In general I am in favor looking at the positive of our choices instead of tearing down the other candidate which is one more thing that I like about what Bernie does.

If more of Bernie's supporters would fallow his lead and promote his positives and not attack Hillary we would win over more voters for him (just saying)

[djean111]

43. The issues I mentioned will affect all of our lives.

If another candidate is pretty much the opposite of Bernie on those issues, it makes a big difference to me. And should be mentioned.
The differences are what a president will do or try to do if in office.

[awake]

47. While I can not support all of Hillary's views on the issues if she wins the primary

She will be a better choice than anyone the Republicans put up. I just feel Bernie would be a better choice including for women and minorities.

[bvf]

15. The horror...

The horror...!

[beam me up scottie]

16. ...

[restorefreedom]

67. *chortle!* nt

[Vinca]

18. Darn that Bernie taking a private plane . . .

he knows all the other candidates are flying commercial.

[Live and Learn]

19. What a sad, hypocritical and pathetic attempt to demean Bernie.

Hillary supporters are really getting desperate.

[Old Codger]

21. Yup n/t

[INdemo]

39. My News Years Resolution:

Make sure I am viewing the results of the Iowa Democratic caucus on Feb. 1, so I will be able to witness Hillary Clinton's
"Scream Speech"

[treestar]

65. did you say that about the previous posts

slamming Hillary as a 1%er over her travel arrangements?

[Live and Learn]

71. Can you post a picture of Hillary EVER flying coach? nt

[KingCharlemagne]

20. At least Sanders doesn't have the blood of a million innocent

Iraqis dripping from his hands when he flies.

[MineralMan]

22. Of course he is. He has lots of traveling to do,

just like all candidates. Scheduled airline travel isn't how it's done. I don't see the issue, really. Not at all. With all the places candidates must visit, many of which don't even have scheduled commercial flights, getting around requires chartered planes. Nothing whatever should be made of this in the campaign.

[Karma13612]

41. thank you! eom.

[riversedge]

23. I really have no problem with this. It is what it is. Many

politicians start out trying to be as carbon free as they can but practicalities sets in sooner or later.

[Renew Deal]

24. Well, it makes sense

That's why his supporters getting hyped up like its the Pope in a Fiat are funny.

[fredamae]

25. OT but Speaking of Planes

I'll never forget when the entirety of congress-with the senate still under Dem Maj. and upon Learning Sequester Cuts to FAA would Affect their convenience's at the airports Quickly and Quietly via Unanimous Consent Restored said funding To the FAA whilst they allowed Cancer Treatment, SNAP, Meals on Wheels Cuts, Kids Summer Meal cuts to stand.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2013/04/congress-passes-bill-to-end-sequester-flight-delays/
http://www.alternet.org/cancer-clinics-congress-should-have-restored-our-sequester-cuts-addressing-airport-delays
http://www.npr.org/series/172965908/the-effect-of-the-sequester

[MsLeopard]

66. ^This

Yet another example of the two tier system of everything in the USA.

[Bluenorthwest]

26. Let me skip many other aspects to say this: I do not question the logistical choices or

modes of travel selected by political campaigns or any other traveling group which might face security issues. Use a lavish party jet, yeah I'll comment on that, but the mode itself, that's off the nit pick list. Hillary most certainly flies private and she really should.

I will say that there is a large difference in my mind between using a private jet to fly one or two people to and from places that are well served by airlines and using a private jet to fly a group of people to and from places that are poorly served by airlines or not served at all.

[saltpoint]

27. Whatever plane or train or bus he's

on, he'll continue to step off it into a venue packed with informed, attentive, and motivated supporters.

[Thinkingabout]

29. But, Bernie hasn't changed in forty years.

Guess we can put that to sleep also.

[jkbRN]

49. I wish you would go to sleep.

[LuvLoogie]

57. Easy there, Stash.

[Thinkingabout]

59. Now was that nice?

[uponit7771]

51. Yeap, Sanders is "compromising" already and isn't even president

[Bleacher Creature]

30. You can't win a Presidential election on a series of gimmicks.

Which is pretty much my problem with Sanders in a nutshell. I'm glad he and his campaign have finally acknowledged reality.

I still don't think he's got much of a chance, but it would almost be worth it to see him win the nomination to watch him try and justify his sudden change of heart on the way his campaign is funded and supported. And in terms of DU, It would answer the question of whether someone could get thrown under their own bus.

[INdemo]

45. You Clinton supporters are acting like a bunch of damn Republicans

Reminds me of the 2008 campaign when the Republican trolls were trashing Obama.
When you defend Hillary's actions or her record you just don't have any facts to back up your statements.

Bernie Sanders could win the Iowa Caucus and the NH primary.Which could be the the obvious reason Hillary supporters are doubling down on Sanders,but could you please at least act like Democrats when doing so with real facts.
Hillary's record can be torn to shreds on many issues and her on again off again opinions depends upon which city she is in.
Bernie Sanders has been talking about and supporting the same issues for 40 years.
When you mentioned "I still don't think he's got much of a chance"
That is certainly your personal opinion,and no doubt wishful thinking.

[tecelote]

31. This women is not flying coach...

Take a tour of the Clinton family's $50,000-per-week rental mansion in the Hamptons
http://www.businessinsider.com/tour-hillary-clintons-50000-per-week-hamptons-rental-2015-8

[libdem4life]

32. When in Rome (or the Hamptons) you Must Do What They Do.

[MoonRiver]

60. She never claimed to be.

Bernie's campaign on the other hand...

Very nice pic of Hillary btw.

[Motown_Johnny]

33. Exactly the argument used by wing nuts against Al Gore.

Thanks for being so clear about exactly what Clinton supporters are like.



http://faircompanies.com/blogs/view/gulfstream-greens-gore-man-vs-gore-messenger/


^snip^


"Al Gore, he says he's green, but he rented my Gulf Stream to fly alone to Los Angeles". It took me a minute to process this neatly delivered packet of information delivered to me at a party recently. Obviously, the messenger didn't have a problem with his flying in a fuel guzzling machine since he routinely flew it alone so I wondered whether it was Gore's campaigning for the earth to which he took offense or truly the two points combined.

I felt an instinctual reaction to defend Gore for waking up a large part of the country to the warming of our planet despite his less-than-exemplary personal life (see my blog Hitler was a vegetarian), but the Gulf Stream owner had a point. Still stumbling for a response, I replied, "oh, how much fuel does that take?".

This must not have been the standard reaction to his bit of gossip as he fumbled for a moment before guessing, "maybe about 11 to 15 thousand gallons". That is a lot of fuel-- roughly equal to adding 15 to 20 Americans to the road for a year (while jet fuel isn't equal to gasoline it uses petroleum and gallon for gallon more petroleum than gas). Even if his calculation was off (I read that a mid-size Gulf Stream uses 2,400 to 3,000 for a roundtrip cross country flight though his jet could be much larger), we're still talking about the equivalent in fuel of several Americans for an entire year.

[beam me up scottie]

34. I remember that, good point.

And the Gulfstream 200 isn't very large:

[Bluenorthwest]

36. GS200 burns about 278 gallons per hour average, 1,000 mile trip w/o wind costs about

$3,030 with fuel at $5.50 a gallon, it's currently about 5.21 per. That is of course not counting the charter fee, this is expenses if you own it. That particular model, and forgive me for even knowing this, is considered less than optimal by many private travelers. This is particularly true for those without upgrades after market to the interior, which do not draw the highest charter fees....
http://www.vanallen.com/index.php/acquisition-services/vanallen-jetguide/gulfstream-g200/

[Motown_Johnny]

37. So you agree it is the same argument...

...and are just picking nits now?


There are other examples of Mr. Gore using private planes, I just picked out the one at the top of the Google search.

[AzDar]

35. Next up: Air Force One.

Feel The BERN!

[Karma13612]

44. Yea Baby!!!! FeeltheBern. eom

[NCTraveler]

46. Perfect answer from Sanders.

And why it being an endearing factor was funny in the first place.

[Starry Messenger]

48. I'm sure his security detail is a lot happier.

That flying coach thing was kind of dumb, imo.

[uponit7771]

50. And so the "compromises" have begun...

[rynestonecowboy]

64. This is very convenient for the HRC supporter narrative......

The problem is if you guys really cared about facts Bernie never said he wouldn't fly private. In the past on several occasions he admitted that at some point he would have to charter aircraft. DU should be about debating positions, not about how someone is unelectable because of their supporters. We must be running low on oxygen.

[Dem2]

52. I don't give a crap about stories like this

But seeing the somewhat snarky reactions by some was kind of entertaining.

[Boomer]

55. This is precisely why I donated to his campaign

If Bernie Sanders is going to be taken seriously as a candidate, and if his campaign is going to be effective at a national level, he can't operate on a shoe-string budget.

Time is money, and if my donation has helped Sanders make better use of his time because now he can afford a private plane, then my money was put to good use. To seriously expect any candidate to do otherwise is naïve.

[LuvLoogie]

56. Bernie's private jet is more authentic and genuine.

Not a DLC, DNC, corporatist, 1%er private jet.

[Ferd Berfel]

58. ...and Hillary will be talking more Wall Street $$, Transnational Corporate $$, Dark $$ (PAC)

My money is with Bernie.

[ViseGrip]

61. I wish he'd be more careful. Remember Wellstone! and a few others....

[R B Garr]

72. lol @ his quotes. Looks like he's "evolved'.

At least these phony talking points are being exposed.