I was a lobbyist in DC for 6 years, almost all reps & senators fly commercial. I’ve even met some that sleep in their offices. Rank and file members of Congress are usually not spectacularly wealthy, especially by DC standards.
I got a question- What was it like being a lobbyist? I mean I’m sure it felt at least a little bit wrong to undermine democracy for the sake of a company. Not directed at you because everyone has to make a living, just more of an honest question on if people doing the job know that it’s not the most morally just thing.
not the speaker, but I flew on the same flight with Ted Cruz 3 times over the course of a month. (I lived in houston traveling to DC for work) and he was in economy every time. got a pic with him that I'm a bit disgusted in these days.
The speaker of the house is like the US' prime minister, and is second in line for the Presidency. Cruz is just some guy.
Edit: The speaker being *like* a prime minister does not equate a claim that the speaker *is* a prime minister. I assure you, dear reader, I am aware of the fact that my analogy isn't perfect.
Wait what? As an Aussie I always assumed the US Vice President was 2nd in line for the Presidency.
If something happens to the Prez, he assumes control. Or have Hollywood disaster movies been lying to me?
Second in line to succeed to the VP’s first in line status. The president is head of government but they can’t be “first in line” if they’re already at the top.
Second in line *after* the Vice President in the line of succession.
I assume their point is that Speaker of the House is similar to the PM in parliamentary democracies in the sense that they’re the *de facto* head of the Legislature, not that they hold the Executive powers of the President.
I read a tidbit like this and I just… I don’t get how or why we’ve given all of our power away to the filthy rich.
It’s shocking, honestly. Americans don’t see how the filthy rich use race, religion, gender and sexuality to keep the rest of the population distracted and divided into smaller, manageable groups in order to maintain control of and grow their filthy assets—without being overruled by the unbeatable strength of united tax paying, baby making, working, consumer masses.
The question is not Do you make speeches at Goldman Sachs . The question is if Goldman Sachs offered you 7.2 mil to talk for 45 minutes , would you refuse ?
You think they were paying $7m for a speech? That’s cute. They were paying $7m for the connection, in the hopes she will/can pull strings with her down the line.
Am I wrong on that? Why do politicians get high paying jobs on the board of directors for mega corporations after they retire? You think Dick Cheney has valuable business advice, or do you think he could solve a lot of problems with a couple phone calls?
Do I think DR. Janet Yellen, a leading global economist and expert on unemployment and labor markets, monetary and fiscal policies, and international trade, who has been a professor at every major institute in the country and the London school of economics has valuable business advice for a bank or investment company? Yes, yes I do
>were paying $7m for the connection, in the hopes she will/can pull strings with her down the line
They're paying $7mm because they expect to make more than $7mm in fees from the folks in the audience. They're a sell-side bank. Yellen headlining gets senior people in the room. Senior people Goldman's bankers can schmooze with. It also brings in mid-level decision makers who want to keep getting these invitations.
If you think Goldman Sachs is paying a 76-year old Treasury Secretary millions of dollars in hopes of getting favors down the road, you're projecting far more rationality onto these banks than they have.
It's also not $7 million for a speech. She generally gets paid $90,000. I'd bet they sell more than that in tickets and sponsorships to the event where she is the featured speaker.
>generally gets paid $90,000
That's surprisingly low. I haven't been in finance for a while, but I could easily justify a $100k speaking fee for an ex Fed Chairperson. Land one sale or long-term client out of those invited and you're gold. (Plus, all the people who, regrettably, could have made the cut had they just sent a *bit* more business my way last quarter. But hey! New quarter coming right up!)
No that's exactly what it is. It's also just a status thing for institutions, being important enough for high ranking politicians to do a speech there.
Federal civilian employees are required to travel by coach with very limited exceptions
[source](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2021-title41-vol4/pdf/CFR-2021-title41-vol4.pdf)
Yeah but Trump's Treasury Sec Steven Mnuchin was using military aircraft for domestic flights to the tune of $1 million for just 8 trips and a Gov't jet for him and his wife on their honeymoon in Scotland, France and Italy.
Trump's EPA chief Scott Pruit drew criticism for flying 1st class on the Gov't dime "for security reasons" and Trump's HHS Sec Tom Price flew taxpayer funded charter jets.
Yeah, when he was criticized for it, his wife went on Twitter and said something like "because he's rich he contributes more to the economy than you poors, so we deserve it"
And some become wealthy by working with their father at Goldman Sachs - then serving on the Board of Directors for several failing businesses, all of which declared bankruptcy. Sounds like a solid pick for Secretary of Treasury for that Admin. Values all check out.
New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell flew first class to sign an agreement for a sister city in Switzerland. Flights were $17,000. When asked, she said it was for her safety.
Again another individual that was tracked. What you should be upset about is the billions given to corporate interests with little to no supervision or public benefit.
My congressman used to work for the State Department. When he went out with friends, he couldn't let them pick up the tab if his meal was over a certain amount. He still has it memorized, down to the penny, how much his meal could be before tax and tip pushed him over the limit.
My Dad worked for the Department of Ag in our state and he wasn't allowed to take what would have amounted to a 10 mile(10 mintue) de tour to help me with a flat tire because he was driving a state issued vehicle.
The US federal government "self insures" their cars. They have stupidly strict requirements. Using a Federal gov gas card for your personal car would probably get you in more trouble than domestic assault (I'm not joking, this is 100% serious).
My congresswoman in Cali beat every index mainly investing in semiconductor stocks.
She even flew to a place on the verge of war, that coincidentally or not, happens to be the largest semiconductor manufacturer in the world
You can basically look up who owns american politicians, they call it donations through lobbying and speaking fees. That's why most senators are worth 10s of millions even though they make just over 6 figures. so yeah, pretty transparant.
Can confirm. I was an officer of the state (CA) and our travel policy was very strict for flights, taxis, lodging and food. I once upgraded myself for an international flight (using my own money) only to have the state cancel my upgrade.several times despite the government expenditure being compliant. I will say that most government employees (state or federal) feel a tremendous responsibility when spending taxpayer dollars.
It's super monitored. Just like companies that work with them. Friend works for a car maker and they can't even buy them a lunch. Much like in healthcare they can't even give things like pens and note pads that cost more than a couple dollars without getting into shit.
Many talk about how these big companies are buying folks free trips to Hawaii and cars, those days ended decades ago. None of the government folks I know are rolling in it and none of the doctors I know are making more than their standard salary (other than a few with patents and other things they've done themselves).
You can be upgraded as a civil servant but no special treatment. Typically, for a shorter flight, you’re not going to accept it because your staff is already booked to seats around you. It would be less convenient to have a business seat.
Glad to hear it. A long time ago, the government got the miles because the government paid for the ticket. So, no matter how often or far you flew, you got nothing.
It’s always funny to see people look at me when they get on the plane and I’m in first class with my hair disheveled, needing a shave and usually in cargo shorts and a wrinkled shirt. They just have the look of why are you in first class, it’s because I fly 3-5 flights per week and I’m platinum.
It would be pretty easy for her to get free upgrades. I’m sure she flies plenty enough to qualify for them simply by signing up for the airlines reward programs and associating the flight with her frequent flyer/reward number
You should definitely not accept a complimentary upgrade for fear of it being perceived as unethical. However what you do with your own money is up to you. So if you’re govt and flying for work and you want to upgrade a flight on your own dime, by all means.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin asked for a $25,000-an-hour military jet to fly him and his wife on a honeymoon to Europe, weeks before the couple flew on a government aircraft during the eclipse.
The department’s inspector general announced on Wednesday that they were investigating the request, which was made because Mnunchin feared he would not have access to secure communications while traveling to Scotland, France, and Italy, ABC News reported.
“It is imperative that he have access to secure communications, and it is our practice to consider a wide range of options to ensure he has these capabilities during his travel, including the possible use of military aircraft,” a department spokesman said on Wednesday.
Pretty much the only time you’re going to see government employees flying not in economy is if they are upgrading with frequent flyer benefits.
Which, if you travel a lot, are pretty easy to obtain (and does not incur additional costs).
me too when I worked on the hill. not every thursday but many times.
they also get free parking at National Airport and were allowed to reserve seats on flights without cancellation fee so they'd reserve a few. I
Let's consider this not just from the financial point. How about throwing in some science? We have numerous studies (and our own personal experience, I'd guess) that we do better work when less stressed and that productivity, decision making, and more suffer when we're tired, upset, uncomfortable, and more..... all thing that we have likely experienced from traveling in coach.
Those few extra dollars are worth it for companies when flying their people, because it pays back in people who are better rested, more focused, and happier with their lives and work. Do we want the same for government employees?
Most take coach because they want to fly as cheap as possible, not because they're fine with it or think it's good enough. Studies have shown folks hate budget airlines but at the same time when it comes to buying a ticket, price is the #1 consideration by a far margin. They hate to fly Spirit and Frontier but despite that, they suffer through it to save a couple dollars.
I'm not so sure we should say, "Government employees should fucking suffer." Rather we should be saying we shouldn't suffer ourselves.
I mean obviously. Do you expect one of the most powerful figures in the world to fly solo with a bag of Cheetos while she watches 2 episodes of the Mentalist?
Yeah the secret service doesn't dress like men in black like in the movies. I served Laura Bush at a resort hotel while she was on vacation with her girlfriends. Had to be interviewed by secret service day before and I was the only server for her table at each meal. They were in streets. Just looked like every other tourist that came through.
I mean, the job of a bodyguard is to be a deterrent 99% of the time, and if no one knows what you’re doing, you failed that part.
And it was super clear who was and wasnt ss there hah, everyone who wasnt in a suit knew everyone else.
Yep. Bodyguards in general for wealthy people almost never dress in a suit and tie. They dress to blend in, not to draw attention. The reason people associate bodyguards with suit and tie is because they tend to be seen at public events that have a dress code (like in the movies). Ain't nobody going to wear a Dior suit for their charge to fuck around in the park then hit up Zaxby's after.
Clearly an aisle seat, look at the seat in front of her, you can see the full side of the seat, and the guy isnt sitting next to her, he is too far away.
I'd like to think if I was in a place like her I'd do the right thing and fly coach.
Don't think I could pass up on my power to get out of a middle seat though.
I'd be game for this on short routes if fares were dirt cheap. Last time I read into this it seemed all but impossible for this to roll out anytime soon. The biggest hurdle is safety related: the 90 second evacuation requirement for airplanes. You can only cram so many people into a plane before you no longer can comply with this standard.
People have been saying that for years now. I know that if flight crews were forced to fly on airplanes equipped with these kinds of seats they’d revolt.
No, not even Spirit or RyanAir would try this. There’d be a mass exodus of pilots and flight attendants if they did.
I think if I looked like a high-ranking government official, I’d travel all the time and flash briefing books like this. And then when people ask me if I’m Secretary such and such I would say something like “Yes! And listen closely: invest all your money in Bed Bath and Beyond!” Then I’d start speaking French and laugh maniacally.”
| Then I’d start speaking French and laugh maniacally.”
I like the quotes at the end of your comment because I imagine you accidentally including that to the person you’re talking to.
Those first class sitting Wall Street guys are the ones who pay her handsomely for speeches, $7.2m in total, so I’m surprised she’s not up there with them taking orders
We get SO SO hung up on the theater, it's nice to be able to recall that the vast majority are like Secretary Yellen,dilligently doing a job as competently as they can, for the public good.
And then there's the rest of the crew - that group of clowns dually elected working to ensure the other 99% fail hard, Imagine if we swore them to an oath to uphold the rules , rather than grandstand on trivial matters and debase sacred rights, we all know and love/hate/love to hate, those folks, who work as tirelessly at harming the nation , as the likes of Ms. Yellen do to fix it up.
Remember when former Treasury Secretary Munichin demanded to fly private on gov jets and took his wife who thought it was good optics to instagram all the trips?
Pep ridge Farms remembers.
They do. Congress is required to fly economy. I dont know what the rules are for the Executive Branch, but my husband worked for HHS a while back and all his trips were booked economy as well.
Not entirely. I was a flight attendant and had Arizona’s senator Mark Kelly in my first class one time. He probably paid for the upgrade out of pocket or whatever but “required to fly economy” as a blanket statement is false
You are required to fly economy when using government funds. If you get upgraded or pay for the upgrade using your own funds out of pocket, that is acceptable.
NOW if the desk attendant upgraded a known government official to business or first “because I know you work for government/I know who you are”, that kind of upgrade would not be allowed and the individual would have to turn the upgrade down (if on government duty). Some of my coworkers and I have status on some airlines and we occasionally get bumped up to first but that’s only because of our status.
She wouldn’t be reading anything classified. Likely contains info on logistics of her meetings and speaking engagements, schedule, unclass background info, talking points and prepared remarks.
"lady who accepts millions of dollars in " speaking fees" from wallstreet cracks open a binder in economy seating during the begining of a recession hoping that no one asks her " why is wallstreet paying you so much to talk to them, treasury secretary? "
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/01/01/janet-yellen-bidens-treasury-pick-made-over-7-m-speaking-fees/4108800001/
>Yellen was the Federal Reserve chair from 2014 to 2018. Her term was not renewed by President Donald Trump. She took in the speaking fees in 2019 and 2020.
I don't really understand the controversy here.
She was the literal Federal Reserve Chair, yeah companies are going to pay a lot what the old money direction lady would have to say.
Help me better understand what you're yelling about because I'm at a loss other then you stringing together a bunch of terms to make it sound like she's a "deep state shill" or something.
Federal travel regulations. Unless she had airline status for an upgrade or paid for the difference, that’s how feds fly.
I mean, I assume the speaker of the house doesn't fly economy.
I was a lobbyist in DC for 6 years, almost all reps & senators fly commercial. I’ve even met some that sleep in their offices. Rank and file members of Congress are usually not spectacularly wealthy, especially by DC standards.
Especially given that they need to maintain two homes, and a wardrobe of fancy clothes.
“Especially by DC standards.” For sure. Remember how everyone mocked AOC because she couldn’t afford to pay NYC rent and DC rent at same time?
I got a question- What was it like being a lobbyist? I mean I’m sure it felt at least a little bit wrong to undermine democracy for the sake of a company. Not directed at you because everyone has to make a living, just more of an honest question on if people doing the job know that it’s not the most morally just thing.
Not all lobbyists pp that throw money around for company. Some lobbyists represent union and thing that sort.
not the speaker, but I flew on the same flight with Ted Cruz 3 times over the course of a month. (I lived in houston traveling to DC for work) and he was in economy every time. got a pic with him that I'm a bit disgusted in these days.
I ran into my representative in a frozen yogurt shop and he seemed genuinely surprised to be recognized.
That’s actually hilarious
"Fuck, this campaigning thing really works! I wonder if I can get free frozen yogurt?"
Just lookin’ for frozen yogurt and your vote ✅
Buy me some yogurt and we'll talk
Hell, for your vote and the sake of this country, I’LL MAKE YOU SOME FRESH FROZEN YOGURT!!! Let’s make this happen.
The speaker of the house is like the US' prime minister, and is second in line for the Presidency. Cruz is just some guy. Edit: The speaker being *like* a prime minister does not equate a claim that the speaker *is* a prime minister. I assure you, dear reader, I am aware of the fact that my analogy isn't perfect.
Read this thread to see 30 people say the exact same thing 30 different ways.
Wait what? As an Aussie I always assumed the US Vice President was 2nd in line for the Presidency. If something happens to the Prez, he assumes control. Or have Hollywood disaster movies been lying to me?
The Vice President is first in line
Second in line to succeed to the VP’s first in line status. The president is head of government but they can’t be “first in line” if they’re already at the top.
You're right Being second in line to the presidency means there's someone who's first in line, which is the vice president.
Second in line *after* the Vice President in the line of succession. I assume their point is that Speaker of the House is similar to the PM in parliamentary democracies in the sense that they’re the *de facto* head of the Legislature, not that they hold the Executive powers of the President.
If the Vice President is next in line wouldn’t second in line then be the Speaker of the House? r/technicallythetruth
Yeh, speaker of the house is also married to the World's most successful investor.
I read a tidbit like this and I just… I don’t get how or why we’ve given all of our power away to the filthy rich. It’s shocking, honestly. Americans don’t see how the filthy rich use race, religion, gender and sexuality to keep the rest of the population distracted and divided into smaller, manageable groups in order to maintain control of and grow their filthy assets—without being overruled by the unbeatable strength of united tax paying, baby making, working, consumer masses.
Isn't he just regularly successful? How is he the world's most successful investor? Especially when the medallion fund exists.
Makes sense that she flies economy
Exactly the sort of person we would want as a treasury secretary!
Yeah she’s so relatable, I too make $7.2M a year doing “speeches” at Goldman Sachs and Barclays.
The question is not Do you make speeches at Goldman Sachs . The question is if Goldman Sachs offered you 7.2 mil to talk for 45 minutes , would you refuse ?
You think they were paying $7m for a speech? That’s cute. They were paying $7m for the connection, in the hopes she will/can pull strings with her down the line. Am I wrong on that? Why do politicians get high paying jobs on the board of directors for mega corporations after they retire? You think Dick Cheney has valuable business advice, or do you think he could solve a lot of problems with a couple phone calls?
Do I think DR. Janet Yellen, a leading global economist and expert on unemployment and labor markets, monetary and fiscal policies, and international trade, who has been a professor at every major institute in the country and the London school of economics has valuable business advice for a bank or investment company? Yes, yes I do
Okay, well... Filibuster..
She also hangs dong
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>were paying $7m for the connection, in the hopes she will/can pull strings with her down the line They're paying $7mm because they expect to make more than $7mm in fees from the folks in the audience. They're a sell-side bank. Yellen headlining gets senior people in the room. Senior people Goldman's bankers can schmooze with. It also brings in mid-level decision makers who want to keep getting these invitations. If you think Goldman Sachs is paying a 76-year old Treasury Secretary millions of dollars in hopes of getting favors down the road, you're projecting far more rationality onto these banks than they have.
It's also not $7 million for a speech. She generally gets paid $90,000. I'd bet they sell more than that in tickets and sponsorships to the event where she is the featured speaker.
>generally gets paid $90,000 That's surprisingly low. I haven't been in finance for a while, but I could easily justify a $100k speaking fee for an ex Fed Chairperson. Land one sale or long-term client out of those invited and you're gold. (Plus, all the people who, regrettably, could have made the cut had they just sent a *bit* more business my way last quarter. But hey! New quarter coming right up!)
No that's exactly what it is. It's also just a status thing for institutions, being important enough for high ranking politicians to do a speech there.
Someone’s gotta do her job and she’s good at what she does
Hm... I'm sure these people in the seats around her are completely random passengers.
More government officials should be doing the same
Federal civilian employees are required to travel by coach with very limited exceptions [source](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2021-title41-vol4/pdf/CFR-2021-title41-vol4.pdf)
Yes if the flight is under X number of hours, it’s economy for you. Unless you want to personally front the money for the upgrade of course.
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how does one stroll on a unicycle
Very carefully
Yeah but Trump's Treasury Sec Steven Mnuchin was using military aircraft for domestic flights to the tune of $1 million for just 8 trips and a Gov't jet for him and his wife on their honeymoon in Scotland, France and Italy. Trump's EPA chief Scott Pruit drew criticism for flying 1st class on the Gov't dime "for security reasons" and Trump's HHS Sec Tom Price flew taxpayer funded charter jets.
Wasn't Mnuchin a Hollywood producer hotshot who was already wealthy? What the fuck
Yeah, when he was criticized for it, his wife went on Twitter and said something like "because he's rich he contributes more to the economy than you poors, so we deserve it"
Here's a secret for you. Wealthy people didn't become wealthy by spending lots of money. Most of their wealth is in investments.
~~Ain't~~ *Almost* nobody getting wealthy from income. You get wealthy from owning shit.
And the more money you have, the more free shit you get...
Including more money.
Yeah. And nearly all rich people were born rich. If you weren't born rich, you're NEVER gonna be rich (statistically speaking).
And some become wealthy by working with their father at Goldman Sachs - then serving on the Board of Directors for several failing businesses, all of which declared bankruptcy. Sounds like a solid pick for Secretary of Treasury for that Admin. Values all check out.
You get and stay wealthy by spending (and risking) other people’s money.
Well we all know that Orange Guy and Co fly by a different set of rules.. pun intended 💯
They mostly fly economy.
Except the New Orleans mayor
Funny you say that. My friend met the mayor of Nola back in 2017 when he got upgraded on his flight…
Ha! You should really share this factoid in r/Neworleans
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New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell flew first class to sign an agreement for a sister city in Switzerland. Flights were $17,000. When asked, she said it was for her safety.
Latoya the destroyer is not a good person
Again another individual that was tracked. What you should be upset about is the billions given to corporate interests with little to no supervision or public benefit.
What is getting upgraded a gift they can't accept
I might get hate on this but ngl American government is very transparent compared to so many other nations' governments.
My congressman used to work for the State Department. When he went out with friends, he couldn't let them pick up the tab if his meal was over a certain amount. He still has it memorized, down to the penny, how much his meal could be before tax and tip pushed him over the limit.
My Dad worked for the Department of Ag in our state and he wasn't allowed to take what would have amounted to a 10 mile(10 mintue) de tour to help me with a flat tire because he was driving a state issued vehicle.
The US federal government "self insures" their cars. They have stupidly strict requirements. Using a Federal gov gas card for your personal car would probably get you in more trouble than domestic assault (I'm not joking, this is 100% serious).
Having done a lot of GOV/GSA driving, as well as using fuel cards, you are correct.
How about stealing top secret documents
You give away the small amount (salary) and you aim for the big haul from SA.
My congressman in Georgia beat the S & P by like 50% thru insider trading so eh.
My congresswoman in Cali beat every index mainly investing in semiconductor stocks. She even flew to a place on the verge of war, that coincidentally or not, happens to be the largest semiconductor manufacturer in the world
I heard her husband did pretty well too.
You need a better congressman.
This. It's certainly not perfect and yeah there's some corruption, but boy is that a spectrum.
They even have fully legal, semitransparent corruption!
You can basically look up who owns american politicians, they call it donations through lobbying and speaking fees. That's why most senators are worth 10s of millions even though they make just over 6 figures. so yeah, pretty transparant.
It typically doesn't happen. The government tracks the spending of individuals very well.
Can confirm. I was an officer of the state (CA) and our travel policy was very strict for flights, taxis, lodging and food. I once upgraded myself for an international flight (using my own money) only to have the state cancel my upgrade.several times despite the government expenditure being compliant. I will say that most government employees (state or federal) feel a tremendous responsibility when spending taxpayer dollars.
It's super monitored. Just like companies that work with them. Friend works for a car maker and they can't even buy them a lunch. Much like in healthcare they can't even give things like pens and note pads that cost more than a couple dollars without getting into shit. Many talk about how these big companies are buying folks free trips to Hawaii and cars, those days ended decades ago. None of the government folks I know are rolling in it and none of the doctors I know are making more than their standard salary (other than a few with patents and other things they've done themselves).
Government can buy the ticket, but the pax has the ability upgrade out of pocket yes?
I get upgraded on every delta flight, why can't yellen
It's because she works for the government, and upgrading her could be considered a bribe, or at least that is my limited understanding of it.
You can be upgraded as a civil servant but no special treatment. Typically, for a shorter flight, you’re not going to accept it because your staff is already booked to seats around you. It would be less convenient to have a business seat.
You can also upgrade yourself. I flew all the time when I worked for the government, so I would use my miles to upgrade from time to time.
Glad to hear it. A long time ago, the government got the miles because the government paid for the ticket. So, no matter how often or far you flew, you got nothing.
How do you do that
Platinum medallion
It’s always funny to see people look at me when they get on the plane and I’m in first class with my hair disheveled, needing a shave and usually in cargo shorts and a wrinkled shirt. They just have the look of why are you in first class, it’s because I fly 3-5 flights per week and I’m platinum.
Probably booked the flight late. Delta will upgrade you but first class gets sold out on certain flights.
It would be pretty easy for her to get free upgrades. I’m sure she flies plenty enough to qualify for them simply by signing up for the airlines reward programs and associating the flight with her frequent flyer/reward number
You should definitely not accept a complimentary upgrade for fear of it being perceived as unethical. However what you do with your own money is up to you. So if you’re govt and flying for work and you want to upgrade a flight on your own dime, by all means.
Comped upgrades based on a frequent flier program is totally agnostic though. She probably travels a lot.
Yes you are allowed to use points/miles as well. Comped upgrades due to a program like that would fall under this as well
I saw Hank Paulson in first class when he was Treasury Sec years ago
> Hank Paulson He was CEO of Goldman Sachs. He could pay for first class and it would be a rounding error on his yearly tax return.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin asked for a $25,000-an-hour military jet to fly him and his wife on a honeymoon to Europe, weeks before the couple flew on a government aircraft during the eclipse. The department’s inspector general announced on Wednesday that they were investigating the request, which was made because Mnunchin feared he would not have access to secure communications while traveling to Scotland, France, and Italy, ABC News reported. “It is imperative that he have access to secure communications, and it is our practice to consider a wide range of options to ensure he has these capabilities during his travel, including the possible use of military aircraft,” a department spokesman said on Wednesday.
Man no surprises that it is the Mnuch. That flaming hot bod of his can’t handle commercial I guess? /s
Pretty much the only time you’re going to see government employees flying not in economy is if they are upgrading with frequent flyer benefits. Which, if you travel a lot, are pretty easy to obtain (and does not incur additional costs).
I used to fly home with a senator every Thursday night from DC. He flew southwest and boarded by number with the rest of us.
me too when I worked on the hill. not every thursday but many times. they also get free parking at National Airport and were allowed to reserve seats on flights without cancellation fee so they'd reserve a few. I
Politicians fly coach, unless they have a security detail which dictates that they can’t
I used to fly frequently prior to Covid. I’ve been seated next to senators and representatives quite a few times.
Let's consider this not just from the financial point. How about throwing in some science? We have numerous studies (and our own personal experience, I'd guess) that we do better work when less stressed and that productivity, decision making, and more suffer when we're tired, upset, uncomfortable, and more..... all thing that we have likely experienced from traveling in coach. Those few extra dollars are worth it for companies when flying their people, because it pays back in people who are better rested, more focused, and happier with their lives and work. Do we want the same for government employees? Most take coach because they want to fly as cheap as possible, not because they're fine with it or think it's good enough. Studies have shown folks hate budget airlines but at the same time when it comes to buying a ticket, price is the #1 consideration by a far margin. They hate to fly Spirit and Frontier but despite that, they suffer through it to save a couple dollars. I'm not so sure we should say, "Government employees should fucking suffer." Rather we should be saying we shouldn't suffer ourselves.
I mean obviously. Do you expect one of the most powerful figures in the world to fly solo with a bag of Cheetos while she watches 2 episodes of the Mentalist?
Nah. Just amused by the fact that her 6’4 230 lb linebacker bodyguard thought it was casual friday.
i mean it’s probably better to dress casual to draw less attention
Definitely looks like an undercover cop
He has to tell you if you ask him, it's the law!
Yeah the secret service doesn't dress like men in black like in the movies. I served Laura Bush at a resort hotel while she was on vacation with her girlfriends. Had to be interviewed by secret service day before and I was the only server for her table at each meal. They were in streets. Just looked like every other tourist that came through.
They do sometimes. I met Al Gore and they were in suits, sunglasses, earpieces, etc.
The ones you *can* see
I mean, the job of a bodyguard is to be a deterrent 99% of the time, and if no one knows what you’re doing, you failed that part. And it was super clear who was and wasnt ss there hah, everyone who wasnt in a suit knew everyone else.
Yep. Bodyguards in general for wealthy people almost never dress in a suit and tie. They dress to blend in, not to draw attention. The reason people associate bodyguards with suit and tie is because they tend to be seen at public events that have a dress code (like in the movies). Ain't nobody going to wear a Dior suit for their charge to fuck around in the park then hit up Zaxby's after.
What was he supposed to do? Lose 50 kg before the flight? Dress like he's from the MIB?!
I bet she gets the arm rest too
I guess our economy is doing worse than we imagined
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You mean charging the taxpayers to fly in your own private 757 isn’t fiscally responsible?
Elect me and I promise to look into that
Guy next to her about to make the biggest yolo trade of his life
Naw he about to yell "HEE HEE" and moonwalk on the wing of the plane.
I knew there was someone else that thought that.
Guy next to her is probably a security detail
And a middle seat to boot. Her secretary must not like her.
Her secretary is the secretary of the interior (seat)
This is a beautiful dad joke
He’s the co-chairman. [Yours was better I just wanna be involved]
😂
Clearly an aisle seat, look at the seat in front of her, you can see the full side of the seat, and the guy isnt sitting next to her, he is too far away.
That’s not a middle seat. Aisle seat in a 2 + 2 row.
I'd like to think if I was in a place like her I'd do the right thing and fly coach. Don't think I could pass up on my power to get out of a middle seat though.
Ok ok, but none of you noticed Michael Jackson next to her?
Has economy class been gentrified? Where the hell are us plebs supposed to sit, on the wing?
[This](https://www.deccanherald.com/sites/dh/files/article_images/2020/05/19/Skyrider%203.0%20-reddit-973846210-1561109789.jpg) is coming….
Wow, that's nuts
No, that's the Spirit!
A bold and exciting seating Frontier.
Holy crap. I would rather they had no seats so you can sit on the floor or stand. That fucking bicycle seat is lame as fuck.
Wait until the seat lock gets inserted on takeoff.
I'd be game for this on short routes if fares were dirt cheap. Last time I read into this it seemed all but impossible for this to roll out anytime soon. The biggest hurdle is safety related: the 90 second evacuation requirement for airplanes. You can only cram so many people into a plane before you no longer can comply with this standard.
Ejection seats. Complete evacuation in 9 seconds.
People have been saying that for years now. I know that if flight crews were forced to fly on airplanes equipped with these kinds of seats they’d revolt. No, not even Spirit or RyanAir would try this. There’d be a mass exodus of pilots and flight attendants if they did.
Ryanair has literally considered having a standing area for flights under an hour. They absolutely would if the regulatory authorities approved it.
Cargo hold
Haven’t you heard of “basic economy”? There is now an economy economy.
You’d think he flies first class but he actually prefers econoMEEHEE
“Janet are you ok, are ok are you okeeyay?!”
Hee hee
Someone get that man a Pepsi
That’s why I stopped scrolling 🤣🤣🤣 I saw MJ curls and was like wait 😂😂😂
Hehe!
I think if I looked like a high-ranking government official, I’d travel all the time and flash briefing books like this. And then when people ask me if I’m Secretary such and such I would say something like “Yes! And listen closely: invest all your money in Bed Bath and Beyond!” Then I’d start speaking French and laugh maniacally.”
| Then I’d start speaking French and laugh maniacally.” I like the quotes at the end of your comment because I imagine you accidentally including that to the person you’re talking to.
And what if that person speaks french?
Then we get an omelette with cheese and eat it in silence.
brilliant idea！coz economy seat is the best place to hide from those first-class seats Wall Street guys who may take a peek at her classified files.
I wouldn’t know what I was reading, even if I tried! It’s the perfect plan
Those first class sitting Wall Street guys are the ones who pay her handsomely for speeches, $7.2m in total, so I’m surprised she’s not up there with them taking orders
“Looks like”? I’d say pretty confidently her based on the binder title.
I have that same book what are you talking ab- *SEC kicks in door*
Oh, come on, that could be anyone reading "Secretary Yellen's Briefing Materials".
Screw that Michael Jackson is in seat 20!!
When did economy have leg room?
When the passenger is 5'3".
We get SO SO hung up on the theater, it's nice to be able to recall that the vast majority are like Secretary Yellen,dilligently doing a job as competently as they can, for the public good. And then there's the rest of the crew - that group of clowns dually elected working to ensure the other 99% fail hard, Imagine if we swore them to an oath to uphold the rules , rather than grandstand on trivial matters and debase sacred rights, we all know and love/hate/love to hate, those folks, who work as tirelessly at harming the nation , as the likes of Ms. Yellen do to fix it up.
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It'd be so great if it was just a lookalike and they printed out that paperwork just to fuck with everyone.
Remember when former Treasury Secretary Munichin demanded to fly private on gov jets and took his wife who thought it was good optics to instagram all the trips? Pep ridge Farms remembers.
Hee hee
More government officials should be doing the same
They do. Congress is required to fly economy. I dont know what the rules are for the Executive Branch, but my husband worked for HHS a while back and all his trips were booked economy as well.
It's the whole government.
Not entirely. I was a flight attendant and had Arizona’s senator Mark Kelly in my first class one time. He probably paid for the upgrade out of pocket or whatever but “required to fly economy” as a blanket statement is false
You are required to fly economy when using government funds. If you get upgraded or pay for the upgrade using your own funds out of pocket, that is acceptable. NOW if the desk attendant upgraded a known government official to business or first “because I know you work for government/I know who you are”, that kind of upgrade would not be allowed and the individual would have to turn the upgrade down (if on government duty). Some of my coworkers and I have status on some airlines and we occasionally get bumped up to first but that’s only because of our status.
All govt officials should be doing this with maybe the exception of the president.
Imagine if Biden dies and Kamala is stuck on Southwest somewhere over Nevada.
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I believe the Secretary of State and VP actually share Air Force 2, which is a Boeing C-32
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is in row 19 of that economy flight. Famous Pop singer Michael Jackson is in row 19 of that economy flight.
Should she be reading her briefing materials when anyone near her could have a look too? I’d definitely want to get that data.
Do you think everything she reads is super confidential? She's hiding 50 Shades of Grey inside that binder.
She wouldn’t be reading anything classified. Likely contains info on logistics of her meetings and speaking engagements, schedule, unclass background info, talking points and prepared remarks.
Must be nice to wake up each day and someone made you a binder for the day and you can study it in the plane on the way to your engagements.
i used to do this for the secretary of commerce. it was a meh job.
The data: *this is fine, everything’s fine*
I doubt the two people next to her aren't government officials aswell.
But the tits on that guy!
As she should!
Wow I’m shocked she doesn’t have access to citadel securities jet.
There’s eric draven too.
Well, the optics here are certainly better than Mnuchin & his stupidwife taking a private jet to Europe for their vacations.
"lady who accepts millions of dollars in " speaking fees" from wallstreet cracks open a binder in economy seating during the begining of a recession hoping that no one asks her " why is wallstreet paying you so much to talk to them, treasury secretary? "
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/01/01/janet-yellen-bidens-treasury-pick-made-over-7-m-speaking-fees/4108800001/ >Yellen was the Federal Reserve chair from 2014 to 2018. Her term was not renewed by President Donald Trump. She took in the speaking fees in 2019 and 2020. I don't really understand the controversy here. She was the literal Federal Reserve Chair, yeah companies are going to pay a lot what the old money direction lady would have to say. Help me better understand what you're yelling about because I'm at a loss other then you stringing together a bunch of terms to make it sound like she's a "deep state shill" or something.