[mykalberta]

Personally while I dislike Obama, I have no problem with this per say. I do have a problem with the US government or any government picking up the tabs for reporters.

The transportation costs alone for Aircraft are approx 8K (price per flight hour) * flight hours for round trip * number of aircraft used. Which is approx 8*2*3 = 42K at standard leasing rates for a GF550.

However its under the standard 3 hour minimum time so unused time is normally charged at 1/2 flight hour rates so 8 * 2 * 3 + 4 * 1 * 3 = 54K and that is just for aircraft leasing.

Now these aircraft have approx 14 seats in them. Now I am sure the Obama's travel alone with security - I have no problem with that. But 2 planes with 28 seats total for aides and reporters? Why do aides and reporters need to travel with them at all for a "night on the town". I think its likely the Bush's did similar things, but they didnt have the need to try to show themselves as liberalite superior to everyone else.

Security, helicopters, etc etc are all extra and not included in the above.

I used market rates above as that is a ballpark estimate as to what it would have cost if gone private or if the aircraft were owned since the utilization of owned gov aircraft is likely very low compared to a private operator.