When the POTUS Travels Outside Washington

[HeyHomie]

President Bush was in Springfield for a few hours today, speaking at the dedication of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. He came on Air Force One.

Somehow, he had to get from Capital Airport to downtown, a distance of about 3 1/2 miles. I’m guessing he didn’t walk. I’m further guessing that the presidential limo was in Washington at the time. This begs the question, when the POTUS visits another city, how does he get from AF1 to his destination? Do they press local limos into service? Do they have presidential limos throughout the US and press them into service when need be? Or does AF1 have a big enough cargo bay to bring the presidential limo with the POTUS?

[nivlac]

@HeyHomie

President Bush was in Springfield for a few hours today, speaking at the dedication of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. He came on Air Force One.

Somehow, he had to get from Capital Airport to downtown, a distance of about 3 1/2 miles. I’m guessing he didn’t walk. I’m further guessing that the presidential limo was in Washington at the time. This begs the question, when the POTUS visits another city, how does he get from AF1 to his destination? Do they press local limos into service? Do they have presidential limos throughout the US and press them into service when need be? Or does AF1 have a big enough cargo bay to bring the presidential limo with the POTUS?

What makes you think they don’t take the presidential limo along on the trip? Air Force One is a very big plane.

[cher3]

According to this site, the motorcade vehicles travel in a separate cargo plane:

How Air Force One Works

[silenus]

Remember, **Air Force One ** is a call sign, not an airplane. If Dubya was flying in a Piper Cub, it would be designated Air Force One. **Marine One ** is the helicopter that transport the President from the White House to wherever.

[Whack-a-Mole]

There is more than one presidential limo and they are moved around ahead of the President. The POTUS always drives in his special limo no matter where he is (in or out of the country).

I wish I could remember the details of a story (on NPR I think) that discussed what was necessary to prepare the way for where the President goes. It is not just moving his limo but getting security forces and such in place ahead of time as well. The cost is rather high when all things are considered.

[jnglmassiv]

Whenever the Prez makes a scheduled stop, there has been weeks of prepration for the visit. Motorways, routes and buildings have to be cleared, extra police might be brought in, background checks on those attending the event need to be completed and a thousand other things. The White House Communication Agency will have set up secure communications gear for the security detail and overall coordination.

Overnight trips, of course, need even more prepration.

[vertizontal]

@silenus

Remember, **Air Force One ** is a call sign, not an airplane. If Dubya was flying in a Piper Cub, it would be designated Air Force One. **Marine One ** is the helicopter that transport the President from the White House to wherever.

Actually, if that Piper Cub was a civilian aircraft, it would be Executive One.
And here’s everything you thought you wanted to know about Presidential aircraft call signs (from the FAA web site):

7. Presidential aircraft and Presidential family aircraft:

(a) When the President is aboard a military aircraft, state the name of the military service, followed by the word “One.”

EXAMPLE-
“Air Force One.”
“Army One.”
“Marine One.”

(b) When the President is aboard a civil aircraft, state the words “Executive One.”

(c) When a member of the President’s family is aboard any aircraft, if the U.S. Secret Service or the White House Staff determines it is necessary, state the words “Executive One Foxtrot.”

REFERENCE-
FAAO 7110.65, Operational Priority, Para 2-1-4.

8. Vice Presidential aircraft:

(a) When the Vice President is aboard a military aircraft, state the name of the military service, followed by the word “Two.”

EXAMPLE-
“Air Force Two.”
“Army Two.”
“Marine Two.”

(b) When the Vice President is aboard a civil aircraft, state the words “Executive Two.”

(c) When a member of the Vice President’s family is aboard any aircraft, if the U.S. Secret Service or the White House Staff determines it is necessary, state the words “Executive Two Foxtrot.”