#43 in L H R

[Capt. Fantastic]

Our Blighty BMs may have some comments on this:

Bush's London stopover delayed 40,000 people

Anyone who has ever been within several miles of the US President when he travels knows the disruptions. I wonder why the Heathrow authorities did not get the word out to the public. Seems like a seriously-botched PR event.

[Older man]

Why didn't he land on a military base?

Bush landing there or not I find Heathrow one of the worst international airports in the world. I specifically avoid this airport on my international trips.

[ub2yoo]

Originally Posted by Older man

Why didn't he land on a military base?

Bush landing there or not I find Heathrow one of the worst international airports in the world. I specifically avoid this airport on my international trips.

I agree, I spend every other day at some random airport, but luckily it's not Heathrow anymore. Any given airport in the Middle East is more relaxed
and comfortable than walking the dirty carpets and hallways of Heathrow. The whole atmosphere is very depressing and security enforcement is just
over the top arrogant. 1 time only this year so far...hope to keep it that way.

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by Older man

Why didn't he land on a military base?

While he can certainly decline landing at a certain airport, I doubt he or his team picked Heathrow.
I think the blame here (if there is any) should go to the organizers in the UK.

In the US AirForce 1 almost always lands at a military airport.
In over 20 years of traveling all over the place, I have only been close to a delay once, and that was at Albuquerque airport which shares runways with an air force base.

This was several years ago and Reagan was due to land in Albuquerque. While at the gate the pilot made a quick announcement for all to hurry up and get seated and for the flight crew to close the door ASAP or we would be grounded. In a serious rush all got buttoned up and we were on our way like a race car to the runway and took off immediately.
I was new to flying and was thinking this is not good. The pilot is trying to take off before an inspection that would render the plane not suitable for flight. It was not before we were in the air that I learned that the whole commotion was to escape the airport before the mandatory closure of airspace 30 minutes before the President's landing.