Thursday, did I see Air Force One taking off in Newport News? (house)

[RosemaryT]

I was at PHF (Newport News) waiting to pick up my husband, and I saw something that looked like Air Force One off in the distance, climbing through the skies. It was too far away to have taken off from PHF.

It had the distinctive markings of Air Force One and was definitely a Boeing 747. Did anyone else see this?

Rose

[KTull]

It was the plane, yes, but it was not carrying the president. There are three planes that are in the air almost 24 hours a day that are commonly referred to as "Air Force One" (though "Air Force One" is actually just the call sign of the plane when the president is actually on board). If you're in the area much, you'll see one of the presidential planes doing "touch n' go's" at the NN airport once every couple weeks.

[RosemaryT]

Thanks. That's interesting.

I was 90% certain it was *the* airplane. It's interesting that despite our grave economy, we can still afford to waste so much time, money, fuel and labor to keep these planes airborne.

[Erma]

Originally Posted by RosemaryT

Thanks. That's interesting.

I was 90% certain it was *the* airplane. It's interesting that despite our grave economy, we can still afford to waste so much time, money, fuel and labor to keep these planes airborne.

It's for security reasons. He was here, but that may have not have been the plane he was on.

[VA palmetto]

It flies near my house at least once a week. I saw it yesterday many times practicing. Sometimes it swoops low over the trees.

I remember when Bill Clinton shut down the LA airport years ago so he could get a haircut while the plane was sitting on the runway. That absurdity cost taxpayers many thousands. I was if it was really a haircut he came for?

[froggin4colorado]

Both of them flew down Wednesday, he left right away and she hung out all day. They flew in separate planes. When they fly in, it drives my husband nut because it just kills his day and prevents him from doing anything. When it is a touch and go, it is no biggie.