Blair Force One

[Hagar]

But when has that not been the case?

I'm just pointing out that while it might be safer now for some of us in the West this is not the case throughout the whole world.

[beefhole]

Edit: Also as regards our leaders safety, I'm yet to see an attempt on any western leaders life by the islamic fundamentalists. The Brighton bomb was more than enough to show the IRA was capable of such a thing.

That's because the only way to keep someone like the US President alive is to quash the plots before they ever get anywhere near being put into action.  Bodygaurds (like the Secret Service) are an absolute last line of defense-there's not much they can do if a motorcade is attacked with military grade weaponry, or if a bomb is planted in a podium.  The only way to prevent such things is through intel and excellent preparation.

And there has been at least one likely attempt on Bush's life (Middle-eastern men in an unmarked van pulled up to a golf resort where Bush was jogging, claimed to be a TV crew that had an interview scheduled, were not on the list and acted shifty, took off quickly when they were denied access)

[Woodlouse2002]

Well, if you think about it at least the rest of the world doesn't have to worry about a conflict between the USA and the USSR any more. Thats made things safer for literally everyone.

[The Ruptured Duck]

I think Tony Blair doesn't need anything real big to get around.  Just like Pres. B*** doesn't deserve the 2 747's we pay for every April.

I think a Beech Bonanza will be quite sufficient for both of them.  Actually a 152 would reduce the costs even more

[Hagar]

I found a list of air transports of heads of state. Some of these are interesting to say the least. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_transports_of_Heads_of_State

I have no objection at all to suitable transport for world leaders, including the Queen, British PM and cabinet ministers on official business. What I do object to is when they're used for jaunts by all the hangers-on at the taxpayers expense.

I also think that it should be an Airbus or at least a European manufactured aircraft. It should also be crewed by the RAF. Fly the flag & all that. Unfortunately there's no longer a suitable British aircraft to choose from.

[expat]

Of COURSE that's all dangerous.  But we're talking stone called statistics here.

What are the chances of the crazy farmer killing YOU?

What are the chances of those bombs killing YOU, and how often do they come?

What are the chances of the terrorists killing YOU with their airplanes?

What are the chances of YOU dying because of terrorist bigotry?

Dangerous things still exist.  Just to a far lesser extent and, I would say, (although it is debatable) on a smaller scale.  Entire societies used to be conquered, massacred or enslaved not too long ago.  It's all about chances, and the chances of being hurt or killed by one of today's dangers are far less than those of yore.

I am now old enough now not to want "Chance", I have done my bit in two wars, been on the receiving end on an IRA attack. I very much want life and watch my children grow. Chance is a roulette table, the lottery, a weekend in Vegas. I do not want chance having anything to do with the next time I am in a crowed train and the guy next to me starts to tick.
There are many, many ways to die, I would rather it was not at the hands of some guy who thinks that he is getting to bed 70 virgins tonight. And here is our difference. In the days of Yore, your enemy had just as much zest for life as you do.
But before you start quoting "chance", you need to speak to the people who have been a victim. I would start small. Speak about chance to the parents of a child who has been killed in a school massacre for example. Take a look at you class mates and then decide if you want chance to make the decision  if you go home tonight when one pulls out a gun, or would you prefer to be in the next room down the hall when it all goes off. What are the chances? So your Principle decided on that nice piece of modern art in the foyer instead of spending the money on a metal detector.
Chance is a fickle thing. I would not play too much with it.
But as I said, this is getting to be a long way from "Real Aviation".

Matt

[beefhole]

I am now old enough now not to want "Chance", I have done my bit in two wars, been on the receiving end on an IRA attack. I very much want life and watch my children grow. Chance is a roulette table, the lottery, a weekend in Vegas. I do not want chance having anything to do with the next time I am in a crowed train and the guy next to me starts to tick.
There are many, many ways to die, I would rather it was not at the hands of some guy who thinks that he is getting to bed 70 virgins tonight. And here is our difference. In the days of Yore, your enemy had just as much zest for life as you do.
But before you start quoting "chance", you need to speak to the people who have been a victim. I would start small. Speak about chance to the parents of a child who has been killed in a school massacre for example. Take a look at you class mates and then decide if you want chance to make the decision  if you go home tonight when one pulls out a gun, or would you prefer to be in the next room down the hall when it all goes off. What are the chances? So your Principle decided on that nice piece of modern art in the foyer instead of spending the money on a metal detector.
Chance is a fickle thing. I would not play too much with it.
But as I said, this is getting to be a long way from "Real Aviation".

Matt

Nice post Matt-unfortunately also irrelevant to what I'm trying to say.  I'll drop it here.