What does a Southwest Airlines Marketing Manager, local law enforcement and the CIA have in common? On a normal day nothing but today was no ordinary day at Love Field. As I start to write this article…I can hear the hum of the Air Force One engines. How many people can say that as they look out their office window…they look upon Air Force One? Okay so I might be a bit of an American geek or airplane need but my co-workers at Southwest Airlines shared in my enjoyment.
Since my arrival to work today…we have anxiously waited the arrival of George and Laura. Starting at 9 am when the fire trucks, hazmat vehicles and SWAT vans arrived and lined the fence the separates our parking lot from the area where the Bushes would soon deplane. The dog sniffed the area from about 9:30-10. Around 10 am the convoy of motorcycles, large black Suburbans, white vans, then more large Suburbans, then the Presidential limousine, followed by more large black Suburbans, white vans and finally motorcycles. The media arrives about 10:15 and we all wait (while still doing working of course). At 11 we walked to the fence to stake out our place to catch a good view of the W. Within a few seconds a few men in black appear (from out of no where) and asked us to return to our building. We quickly obeyed and stepped back watching from my friend Ram's truck bed. The first snipers we could see arrived about 11:30 and staked out the whole situation from the air traffic tower. Around 11:45, my co-workers and I were approached by the local law enforcement and informed us that we were "being watched" and it would be best if we would step out of the truck and watch from the ground. The air space was cleared about 12:50ish. The airport tarmac was cleared at 12:55ish…so we knew the time was soon.
Right at 1:15 pm…we could see the plane coming in for a landing. The Air Force One Boeing 474 is a bit larger than the Southwest Airlines 737. Right as the plane landed a helicopter started circling the area. George and Barbara stepped out and they were onto the limousine headed into Dallas. A morning worth of waiting for a quick look at Mr. and Mrs. W.
Two things I learned from this experience…being the President is pretty important. Secondly, don't trust your co-workers to take an important picture. After all the CIA, local law enforcement and the barricade left we took pictures of each of us with Air Force One. Well that is everyone but me. See my co-workers couldn't seem to get my camera to work and right about that time…Air Force One took off back to DC. So I wanted to give you all a picture with me to appreciate this whole experience but instead you get a picture with my sad face.
3 comments:
I was waving from the deck as the Prez came in for a landing! Sad that you missed the photo op! Isn't it wild how everything shuts down for Air Force One? All our flights were delayed yesterday because they had to shut down the airspace. I'm sure when Sam becomes president you'll be able to get your picture made for real.
Pretty cool Holls. Back when we were in Nashville, we had a girl named Kelley that worked with us. Her uncle had just retired from being one of AirForce One's pilots. He had flew for the last 3 presidents and had many stories to tell. Interesting, huh?
whoops, forgot to put my name on the above note. retard.
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