While the rest of us are mulling our transportation options to Washington, DC for the inauguration festivities, President-Elect Barack Obama is (obvz!) already there. The New York Times reports that Obama and his family left Chicago last night in one of the Air Force planes used to ferry presidents and top government officials. However, only the plane that the (current) president is actually flying in can be called Air Force One. And since Obama is still president-elect, we're calling this plane Air Force One Elect.
Says the Times:
The Boeing 757-200, part of the Air Force’s Special Air Mission fleet, bore the distinctive blue and white colors and the words United States of America.
Mr. Obama greeted Air Force members at the plane and ascended its red-carpet steps, stopped near the door’s presidential seal and waved to reporters, saying, "See you in DC." On board he met Col. Scott Turner, who will pilot Air Force One when Mr. Obama becomes president, and Reggie Dickson, who will be his chief flight attendant. From Mr. Dickson, he ordered a cheeseburger, fries and water.
So it IS good to be president after all. What we would do for a cheeseburger, fries and water on an airplane without having to either buy a first-class ticket or pay $12. Apparently, the answer is to become president.
Until he officially takes office, Obama will be shacking up at the ritzy Hay-Adams Hotel. If you're heading to town for the inauguration, we got you covered on things to do while staking out the hotel.
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