Celebrity Sightings on DL Flights
Sep 26, 2014, 2:38 pm
#3361
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: Gold DL, Silver UA, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 255
FYI, I work the UNGA detail and as a supervisor with NYPD I can assure you its not the NYPD's fault. We are at the mercy of these heads of states. We have zero say and little advanced notice as to their exact schedule and time of movements. We do however, need to put pedestrian freezes in effect so that when they are ready to move, we are ready. That takes time. I'd love to get into more detail but I can't and I also know that it is a huge inconvenience for the general public, but its not the NYPD's fault..its like saying a flight is delayed due to weather and blaming delta for not knowing exactly when the flight will depart
I find that if you do it year after year, you develop a system where you know where to go when and how to get there. And I was stopped this week by the Colombian president motorcade on 2nd Ave. It took all of 15 seconds of my time to wait which is really not the end of the world.
Thanks for your work making sure things go smoothly during UNGA, DL2SXM.
Sep 26, 2014, 3:14 pm
#3363
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CHA, MAN;
Programs: Delta DM 1 MM; Hz PC
Posts: 11,169
Sep 26, 2014, 4:51 pm
#3365
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 63
Most head of states are not in any danger. Just like the Governor of California, Texas, or New York, whom aren't targets.
Even the President of the United States is safe in an airport. However, because the nuclear football remains with the President, instead of staying with the highest ranking official in Washington (the Russian football stays in Moscow), the President has an excuse for private security and planes.
Besides, the President can be relaxed knowing that nobody in their right mind would want the VP to become President. That same thought applied to Nixon, who wisely noted that he was safe as nobody wanted Agnew as President.
Even the President of the United States is safe in an airport. However, because the nuclear football remains with the President, instead of staying with the highest ranking official in Washington (the Russian football stays in Moscow), the President has an excuse for private security and planes.
Besides, the President can be relaxed knowing that nobody in their right mind would want the VP to become President. That same thought applied to Nixon, who wisely noted that he was safe as nobody wanted Agnew as President.
Sep 26, 2014, 6:03 pm
#3366
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
It is a big deal to New Yorkers, but not in the ways you might think. The UN GA throws up so many barriers that it can impede pedestrian access. On Wednesday I find myself suddenly trapped for about 30 minutes walking home from work. Nothing like not being able to go in any direction, and the NYPD not having any idea as to how long one will be stuck.
Sep 26, 2014, 6:23 pm
#3367
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: AA-Gold 0.425MM), AS MVP Gold, National EE, Marriott Titanium (LT-G), UA Silver
Posts: 1,136
Sep 26, 2014, 8:05 pm
#3369
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
The UN pedestrian gridlcok - and subsequent blaming of the police story reminded me of this little gem from a number of years ago . . . .
I was in London's Victoria Station, in the little office where you buy Underground & Bus tickets and maps, etc. . . .
At the moment, the tube was completely closed indefinitely due to a bomb scare. A woman walks in and asks how long they expect it to be closed. The sales agents said that they had NO IDEA how long!
Well, the woman gets LOUD, and huffy & puffy and shouts in a very DYKWIA tone - UGGHH! CAN'T YOU JUST GIVE ME AN IDEA HOW LONG THESE THINGS USUALLY LAST?!?!?
They were stunned! . . . and replied in a harsh tone . . . It'll be open AS SOON AS THE POLICE FEEL IT'S SAFE!!!
I was in London's Victoria Station, in the little office where you buy Underground & Bus tickets and maps, etc. . . .
At the moment, the tube was completely closed indefinitely due to a bomb scare. A woman walks in and asks how long they expect it to be closed. The sales agents said that they had NO IDEA how long!
Well, the woman gets LOUD, and huffy & puffy and shouts in a very DYKWIA tone - UGGHH! CAN'T YOU JUST GIVE ME AN IDEA HOW LONG THESE THINGS USUALLY LAST?!?!?
They were stunned! . . . and replied in a harsh tone . . . It'll be open AS SOON AS THE POLICE FEEL IT'S SAFE!!!
Sep 26, 2014, 9:23 pm
#3370
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 1,685
Internal studies within the division have come to the conclusion that the security details themselves are more of a risk to the average protectee than if they had no protection at all. Good example is the DHS head, there's now a USSS detail for them, when most people wouldn't know who they were, but now the men in black with the surveillance mic, ear pieces and lapel pins give them away to folks in a DL Sky Club to post on FT. It's especially problematic if suddenly they choose to chat up random travelers drinking Gordon's and visiting on a Groupon deal.
Sep 26, 2014, 9:40 pm
#3371
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
Sep 27, 2014, 3:02 am
#3373
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,046
Most high visibility leaders gets USSS protection. If he were to die on US soil it would be a major PR coup for whoever did it. It would also effect the area. If you don't think the PM had USSS protection then you've not looked at security before. Even Iran's President gets USSS protection when in the US.
Sep 27, 2014, 3:05 am
#3374
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,046
lol
Sep 28, 2014, 1:59 pm
#3375
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Seattle
Programs: Delta DM, suffering Marriott Titanium
Posts: 94
Or, in the days of Bush 41 (George H. W. Bush), Dan Quayle served as impeachment insurance.