New check-in procedures...

[DaveS]

Source?

 

The helicopter typically costs about $1000/hr plus fuel ($200/hr) to operate including the pilot.  Seems like the local SWAT snipers would appreciate some aerial practice and would be on the payroll anyway. 

 

My employer....

SWAT snipers are not typically on the payroll of the Federal Government that I know of.

 

Dave S

Edited January 30, 2013 by DaveS

[peejman]

My employer....

SWAT snipers are not typically on the payroll of the Federal Government that I know of.

 

Dave S

 

 

So is the helicopter government owned?  The $1000/hr is typical of something like a Jet Ranger which is commonly used.  If they're flying something much larger (Blackhawk-ish), then cost would be considerably higher.  But I'd expect something like a Blackhawk to belong to the National Guard.  Seems like they'd happily call it a training exercise.  That's still us taxpayers footing the bill, it just comes out of a different bucket.  I'm a bit surprised TWRA could afford/justify a $10k/hr expense for something like that.  But then, I'm routinely surprised at what sorts of things our tax money is wasted on. 

[DaveS]

So is the helicopter government owned?  The $1000/hr is typical of something like a Jet Ranger which is commonly used.  If they're flying something much larger (Blackhawk-ish), then cost would be considerably higher.  But I'd expect something like a Blackhawk to belong to the National Guard.  Seems like they'd happily call it a training exercise.  That's still us taxpayers footing the bill, it just comes out of a different bucket.  I'm a bit surprised TWRA could afford/justify a $10k/hr expense for something like that.  But then, I'm routinely surprised at what sorts of things our tax money is wasted on. 

TWRA typically doesn't. The USFWS, Wildlife Refuge System and other Government Agencies use the services of the USDA.

 

Dave S