When the US President comes to your hotel ...
Sep 8, 2006, 5:34 pm
#16
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Texas
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What an interesting thread! I worked on Capital Hill for a US Senator who ran for nomination as his party's Presidential candidtate, was on the losing end of a Presiential race who feathered him as the VP candidate, ultimately was appointed as the US Sec. Of Treasurer, etc. so this thread brings back many memories during my time as a member of the US Senate staff.
As a business-person today, I agree, avoid the reported high-level political meeting, visits, etc. if at all possible! You will likely be inconvienced at best.
As a business-person today, I agree, avoid the reported high-level political meeting, visits, etc. if at all possible! You will likely be inconvienced at best.
Sep 9, 2006, 7:10 am
#17
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I was doing interviews in the club lounge at the Shangri-La when the prime minister of New Zealand was scheduled to take a meeting in one of the conference rooms in the same lounge.
About 25 minutes before she arrived, one (count 'em -- one) security guy showed up. He checked things out, and as we both had extra time, we chatted a bit about New Zealand. Then the P.M. came in with a modest entourage, and went to the meeting room. No inconvenience at all! *SMILE*
About 25 minutes before she arrived, one (count 'em -- one) security guy showed up. He checked things out, and as we both had extra time, we chatted a bit about New Zealand. Then the P.M. came in with a modest entourage, and went to the meeting room. No inconvenience at all! *SMILE*
Sep 9, 2006, 9:03 am
#18
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Originally Posted by BobBHX
I was staying at the Hyatt in downtown Houston in 1998 when Clinton was staying in the hotel. Apart from a few burly men in dark suits with wires coming out of their ears hanging around the atrium, the only disruption to normal life was that there were barricades set up about a block around the hotel in each direction. My cab could not get near the hotel and I had to drag my luggage a block and a half to checkin.
Sep 12, 2006, 4:17 pm
#19
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Given the beefed up security, the Chinese TV reporters, and the "Welcome Premier of China" signs carried by outlookers on the sidewalk 
...I reckon the Premier of China is at my hotel now in London.
Zero problems, zero hassle so far.
...I reckon the Premier of China is at my hotel now in London.Zero problems, zero hassle so far.
Feb 15, 2007, 2:12 pm
#20
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During the 04 Republican convention in NYC, my apartment building was actually _inside_ the "frozen zone." Had to show special building ID to an assortment of cops and secret service agents to get through the barricades and into my building. Kind of surreal - I've never felt safer, given that there were probably 2-3k armed men and women within two blocks of my home.
Feb 18, 2007, 4:58 pm
#21
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My daughter lives in Georgetown and had to walk by Kerry's house frequently during the last election. The prime interest of the SS in front of the place seemed pretty much on hitting on hotties walking by. 
Here in LA when the Pres is going on the freeway, the CHP runs a block on on-ramps and does a traffic block before the motorcade. I was the very last car onto the 405 just before they blocked the entrance, and it was really weird seeing NOTHING behind me for quite some distance except a bunch of zig-zagging CHPpies.
Here in LA when the Pres is going on the freeway, the CHP runs a block on on-ramps and does a traffic block before the motorcade. I was the very last car onto the 405 just before they blocked the entrance, and it was really weird seeing NOTHING behind me for quite some distance except a bunch of zig-zagging CHPpies.
Feb 18, 2007, 5:29 pm
#22
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attempt at being covert?
Feb 18, 2007, 5:48 pm
#23
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
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I was in La mamounia Marrakesh while Hillary Clinton and Al Gore where there doing a trip of northern Africa. It was of course during the clinton presidency. There was secret service people everywhere, on balconies overlooking the pool (Hillary stayed in one of the couple of villas).
I actually bumped into Al while he was leaving the hotel one day ( he was polite) and Hillary was applauded by guests as she left her villa and had to pass by the swimming pool.
This was pre Amanjena of course.
I actually bumped into Al while he was leaving the hotel one day ( he was polite) and Hillary was applauded by guests as she left her villa and had to pass by the swimming pool.
This was pre Amanjena of course.
Feb 18, 2007, 5:51 pm
#24
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I remember back in the nineties, when Clinton made his first visit to Belfast, the local authorities just said yes to everything the Secret Service wanted.
The result was a paralysed city centre and nobody on the streets, his motor cade drove thru a ghost town. Very embarrassing.
It became so obvious beforehand what would happen that many businesses just closed for the day and told everyone to stay home.
In total embarrassment they had to demand that they be allowed to open some areas or he'd be giving his outdoor address that night to a few homeless people in front of City Hall.
At least we were one of the few winners as we delivered a ton of take out to his hotel which was about 200 metres from us.
The result was a paralysed city centre and nobody on the streets, his motor cade drove thru a ghost town. Very embarrassing.
It became so obvious beforehand what would happen that many businesses just closed for the day and told everyone to stay home.
In total embarrassment they had to demand that they be allowed to open some areas or he'd be giving his outdoor address that night to a few homeless people in front of City Hall.
At least we were one of the few winners as we delivered a ton of take out to his hotel which was about 200 metres from us.
Feb 18, 2007, 10:29 pm
#25
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Not exactly the US president, but when I was in Malaysia last, the Regent was hosting a trade conference with about 10 Asian countries officials in attendance. I was suprised to see a dozen armed men in front of the hotel and the requirement to go through the metal detector while entering the hotel. Since they are professional security people, all they did was make me walk through a metal detector and ran my luggage through an oversized xray machine. No shoes off, they let me keep my water, and the best...they were polite.
Fortunately I got a couple of doors down from a minister of finance or something and I had a set of guards sitting right outside my door. I felt like I was a governement official!
Fortunately I got a couple of doors down from a minister of finance or something and I had a set of guards sitting right outside my door.
I felt like I was a governement official!
Feb 19, 2007, 12:28 pm
#27
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Working in hotels in the 80's I was able to see three Presidents Ford,Carter and Regan. I worked out logistics for the Secret service on many occasions. I do remember once they dug under a street to secure the telephone lines needed. I always liked watching the Major carrying the football or briefcase handcuffed to his wrist just sitting nearby.
Feb 25, 2007, 6:04 am
#28
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I point to my front door and say I live right there so I continue walking (obviously a mistake). He yells "SIR - STOP RIGHT THERE" and moves to draw his weapon <snip>... He actually drew his weapon on a car that inadvertently turned down the street and made the driver get out of the car in the middle of the street and stand there for 10 minutes with no umbrella or anything - they driver was in a sports coat and could not have gotten any wetter if he had jumped in a pool.
Jun 26, 2017, 6:36 am
#29
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Seems like (former) POTUS Obama and family are at the FS in Bali http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...t-holiday.html
Wonder if they will stay at Amanjiwo as well
Wonder if they will stay at Amanjiwo as well
Jun 26, 2017, 4:28 pm
#30
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: London
Posts: 3,439
We were at the IC Howard St SF when Obama stayed on his first visit to the city on becoming president - http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/12716169-post354.html
