Obama ditched the Beltway grind for the beaches of Martha's Vineyard - by way of two helicopter flights and a trip aboard Air Force One.
MICHELE GETS FOUR HOURS EXTRA AS TAXPAYERS FOOT THE BILLS Another government jet was used by Michelle Obama as she arrived separately to her husband, with daughters Sasha and Malia, just a few hours before he landed.
Mr Obama joined the First Lady and their daughters who had landed at about 2pm, four hours before his helicopter touched down. The extra transport cost taxpayers thousands in additional expenses to get her a few hours of extra vacation time.
The costs related to Mrs Obama’s solo trip mainly include the flight on the specially designed military aircraft she took instead of Air Force One, as well as any extra staff and Secret Service that had to be enlisted to go with her. She would also have had her own motorcade from the airport to her vacation residence.....
The President left the White House aboard Marine One on his way to Andrews Air Force base to hitch a lift aboard Air Force One. After landing at an unknown air base, he then took a final helicopter to Martha's Vineyard to complete the remarkable 500-mile journey. The President arrived on this wealthy Massachusetts island retreat as the stock market plunged and fears of global recession hung in the air.(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...