O's flyover pisses off NY'ers

[poak]

washingtonpost.com

In N.Y., Low-Flying Planes Panic Locals, Infuriate Lawmakers

White House Apologizes for Not Warning of 'Aerial Photo Mission'

In this image taken with a cell phone by Jason McLane, the primary presidential aircraft, a Boeing 747 known as Air Force One when the president is aboard, flies low over New York Harbor, followed by an F-16 chase plane during a federal government photo op Monday, April 27, 2009. A low-flying Boeing 747 escorted by two fighter jets as part of a federal government photo opportunity over lower Manhattan caused a brief panic among workers near ground zero on Monday. (AP Photo/Jason McLane) (Jason Mclane - AP)

By Tomoeh Murakami Tse

Washington Post Staff Writer

Monday, April 27, 2009; 5:19 PM

NEW YORK, April 27 -- A plane used as a backup for Air Force One and a fighter jet escort swooped low in the sky over New York Monday morning as part of a government photo-op, panicking workers, forcing evacuations and prompting an outcry from lawmakers.

The White House later issued a profuse apology over the incident.

The flyover -- involving a 747 that is one of two used by the president and an Air Force F-16 fighter jet -- took place in Lower Manhattan's financial district and caused traders, construction workers and others to flee for safety. An Air Force spokeswoman said the "aerial photo mission" was authorized to take place in Lower Manhattan and New Jersey and was to last 30 minutes.

The New York Police Department said in a statement that the flight was authorized by the Federal Aviation Administration "for the vicinity of the Statue of Liberty." It added that "local authorities" had been told not to disclose information about it and to direct inquiries to the FAA.

The FAA did not return calls for comment, but a spokesman there was quoted earlier today by news agencies as saying local authorities were made aware of the flight before it took place.

The flyover infuriated New York lawmakers, who said they were not notified in advance and lashed out at federal authorities. The Air Force referred calls to the White House, but White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, when questioned about the matter at his daily briefing, said he was unaware of the photo mission.

Louis Caldera, director White House Military Office, subsequently said in a statement that he approved the mission last week.

"I take responsibility for that decision," Caldera said. "While federal authorities took the proper steps to notify state and local authorities in New York and New Jersey, it's clear that the mission created confusion and disruption. I apologize and take responsibility for any distress that flight caused."

Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said it was "outrageous and appalling" that the FAA would plan the photo-op "knowing full well that New Yorkers would still have the memory of 9/11 sketched in their minds."

"We cannot let this happen again," he said.

New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg (I) said he was "furious" that he was not notified about the flyover. Had he known, he said, he would have tried to stop it.

"People started moving down on their own," said an executive who works at a large financial services firm near Ground Zero and who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized by his company to speak publicly. "Particularly for people like myself who were here on September 11, it was kind of an uncool thing. Someone should have made a public announcement."

[Punisher84]

I thought McCain was supposed to be Maverick!

YouTube - REQUESTING A FLY BY

[DavidD]

Way to go President O! He pissed ole Chuckky Schumer off. Now that is priceless .

[TGO David]

This is destined to become an SNL skit.

[Guest SomeGuy]

So, the people up in Yankeeland don't like being a part of fly-over country.

Tough. This marks the first time Obama's office did something I can see a reason to support. (Granted, the waste of taxpayer dollars for an Obama photo-op bothers me, unless it was actually for the military to do recruiting.)

[Guest TargetShooter84]

Just shows that Obama doesn't care about what happened to NY in 9/11 attacks....really dumb thing of him to do the flyover if you ask me.

[Mike.357]

The Big O does what he wants when he wants.

[bteague2]

The Big O does what he wants when he wants.

Yep, raise your hand if your surprised...

[K191145]

Flying a 747 low over downtown NYC without telling anyone you're going to do it? That's definatly the definition of stupid, and a little cruel also.

[Guest Arko]

So, the people up in Yankeeland don't like being a part of fly-over country.

Tough. This marks the first time Obama's office did something I can see a reason to support. (Granted, the waste of taxpayer dollars for an Obama photo-op bothers me, unless it was actually for the military to do recruiting.)

Now hold on a minute...

I am now fully a Tennessean, but I am FROM NY state, and I gotta tell ya, you have NO idea how badly seeing a low flying plane chased by an f-16 near skyscrapers and monuments would scare decent people. There ARE decent, conservative open minded folks among the horde of wussified over liberal idiots, and I for one kind of take offense.

[Falcon1]

"I take responsibility for that decision," Caldera said. "While federal authorities took the proper steps to notify state and local authorities in New York and New Jersey, it's clear that the mission created confusion and disruption. I apologize and take responsibility for any distress that flight caused."

Too many people in government today (from either side of the "aisle") seem to think that an apology is all that is needed to "take responsibility." Back in the day, "taking responsibility" meant that you paid a price, e.g., resigning in disgrace. Now, all it appears to mean (to me at least) is that a particular nit-wit gets fifteen seconds of fame on camera.

I probably cannot fully understand how panicked our fellow citizens in New York were by such a sight, but I can understand that they were.

This was not a shining moment for the current administration....

[Bigiron]

Its nothing that a few well placed AckAck batteries couldn't fix. Seriously, what a collossally stupid thing to do.

[Oh Shoot]

Agree that it was an absolutely egregious act. Surprised it didn't cause a bunch of heart attacks.

Maybe they'll do a U.S. Calvary reenactment at Wounded Knee next, or stage a few hundred costumed Klansmen at the next NAACP national convention.

Just about as idiotic and tasteless.

- OS

[Tempest455]

Just shows that Obama doesn't care about what happened to NY in 9/11 attacks....really dumb thing of him to do the flyover if you ask me.

Ditto.

This video illustrates everything you need to know.

Edited April 28, 2009 by Tempest455

[Guest MediaBuster]

Obama knew damn well this was going on.. He & his administration are professional liars.

[creeky]

Too many people in government today (from either side of the "aisle") seem to think that an apology is all that is needed to "take responsibility." Back in the day, "taking responsibility" meant that you paid a price, e.g., resigning in disgrace. Now, all it appears to mean (to me at least) is that a particular nit-wit gets fifteen seconds of fame on camera.

Exactly!

[Guest 270win]

BO is an arrogant piece of garbage that doesn't care about offending those in his own party. He is already showing how ineffective he is. He will be a one term rodeo.

[Mike.357]

I dunno, I guess I am totally alone in this but I say who cares!

It caused no harm, no one was in danger.

I say this whole thing is a non incident.

[Guest nraforlife]

Oh , busted on a pizza run

[Guest bkelm18]

I say this whole thing is a non incident.

Well, obviously its not.

[Garufa]

Big O was not on the plane in question.

[Mike.357]

its only an incident because conservatives and Fox News are grasping at anything to take shots at Obama and his administration.

There are plenty of reasons to blast him and his administration. This fly over is not it.

[Guest SomeGuy]

Mike, what you said might hold water, if people like Schumer and Bloomberg weren't going after him as well.

Personally, I still don't care of a bunch of cowardly communist yankees are scared. I say do it again for chuckles.

[Oh Shoot]

its only an incident because conservatives and Fox News are grasping at anything to take shots at Obama and his administration. ...

Jeez, Mike...the 911 switchboard there was jammed, people really freaked out, thousands left their office buildings, really disrupted commerce if nothing else.

But think of all the folks who lost loved ones on 9/11 and their understandable reactions.

I really thought it was stupid, insensitive, disruptive, and even dangerous.

It also cost over $320,000.

A copy of PhotoShop is about $600.

- OS

Edited April 29, 2009 by OhShoot

[Oh Shoot]

...Personally, I still don't care of a bunch of cowardly communist yankees are scared. I say do it again for chuckles.

I think we've found the winner of this week's misanthropy competition.

- OS