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Post by Medic1nz on Feb 16, 2011 15:25:45 GMT 12
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Post by Ykato on Feb 16, 2011 16:50:10 GMT 12
Great Photo's Medic V Nice - cheers.
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Post by flyjoe180 on Feb 16, 2011 18:18:48 GMT 12
Very nice, and blue sky in the Capital too!
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Post by mstokes on Feb 16, 2011 20:34:05 GMT 12
As a current taxpaying contributor in Aussie, I am doing my sums. BBJ costs at least $47 million... (I know they are leased but even so)  It you are desperate to get to Wellington on a 737, Pacific Blue can get you there on Premium Economy for $749 each way which has 69kg of baggage for the Hon Ms Gillard PM. Chances are the P/B guys would have flown the Wellington approach many times before as well which is a bonus on windy days. Including $20 each way for a cuppa and choc bar, I have deliverd 'savings' to the budget of approximately $46,998,442, which could be another drop in the ocean towards disaster relief (Or legislating on crooked insurance giants that change their flood 'definitions' after the event  ) ;D |
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Post by flyjoe180 on Feb 16, 2011 20:48:34 GMT 12
I think a similar cost-saving measure was suggested somewhere regarding the use of the Air Force B757s vs Air NZ for VIP travel. All about prestige and impressing the hosts I guess.
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Post by yak2 on Feb 16, 2011 22:17:30 GMT 12
This issue was debated many years ago when the RAAF used 707's for VIP transport. Difficulty in using commercial flights is scheduling and availability. It is not only the PM, but her entourage that travels. At one time the press covering the PM's trips also were accommodated and paid commercial rates for the honour. Dunno if that is still the case. And there is the security aspect to be considered. As a taxpayer, I don't have a problem with this arrangement as long as it is not abused. During the 1980's I was on a domestic flight, as was one of the state Premiers. He made a thing about travelling economy, and sat in a window seat with a bodyguard for company. Not sure who he impressed. To me it projected the image of a small man with small ideas. Not the head of government.
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Post by corsair67 on Feb 16, 2011 22:39:11 GMT 12
You can send the BBJ back, but you can keep Joolia.
Personally, I don't have a problem with the PM having their own jet to get around in. Often times, someone like a Prime Minister can't always operate to a fixed airline schedule, so the flexibility of having access to a fleet of VIP aircraft more than makes up for the cost of having the fleet.
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Post by yak2 on Feb 16, 2011 22:48:40 GMT 12
..... you can keep Joolia...and the apples Aircraft looks pretty much tag free which is a pleasant change  |
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Post by strikemaster on Feb 16, 2011 23:42:51 GMT 12
Gilly is over for tea and cake so she can borrow the HMNZS Canterbury for Yabbying. The HMAS Melbourne is being played with by the Chinese ATM, and unavailable.  Tag free? |
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Post by corsair67 on Feb 17, 2011 0:55:24 GMT 12
A RAAF C-17 was tagged by unwashed, greasy-haired, dirty-bottomed, peacenik feral types at Whenuapai a couple of years ago. |
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Post by beagle on Feb 17, 2011 6:27:03 GMT 12
hey, thats not fair talking about our future recruits like that.
then again they might be part of your workforce in 10 years when they can'y get a job here and join the thousands in moving to your wind swept soggy land
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Post by flyjoe180 on Feb 17, 2011 9:54:16 GMT 12
The BBJ was in Wellington not Auckland. The taggers are a bit rarer down south.
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Post by mumbles on Feb 17, 2011 10:06:20 GMT 12
The BBJ was in Wellington not Auckland. The taggers are a bit rarer down south. That and being the capital, and thus super-duper sophistimacated about these things, the hard stand at Wellington has a high tech anti tagger device known as a 'fence' installed... |
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Post by beagle on Feb 17, 2011 10:31:55 GMT 12
So it would have to be an inside job.
Maybe after too many wines at the Dinner Party, John said to the other Nats, hey lets do an Auckland thing, grab a few cans of paint at the petrol station on the way, while in my brand new BMW and use my authority to get passed the sleeping security and draw some funny faces on her plane.
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