Las Vegas Sun NewsObama visit to Las Vegas means no showgirls for Dutch airline
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Las Vegas Sun
Virgin Atlantic Airlines’ Richard Branson, dressed as Elvis Presley, poses with showgirls Pamela Boulden, left, and Kristy Brotherson at McCarran International Airport after Branson arrived on the first Virgin Atlantic nonstop flight from London to Las Vegas on June 8, 2000.
Tuesday
5 June 2012
9:33 a.m.
It’s a McCarran International Airport tradition when a new airline arrives: Showgirls and Elvis impersonators meet the first flight when it lands. Airport firefighters shower the arriving aircraft with a water arch. A press conference is held with airline executives, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and McCarran’s top bosses.
But there won’t be any fanfare for Thursday’s first-flight arrival of ArkeFly, a Dutch air carrier that is beginning twice-weekly seasonal service to McCarran.
Lay the blame on President Barack Obama, who arrives on Air Force One less than two hours after ArkeFly’s scheduled touch down.
A McCarran spokesman said ArkeFly representatives aren’t perturbed about not getting a hyped-filled welcome. In fact, the airline wasn’t planning to send an executive on the first flight anyway.
Airport officials said a formal welcome would occur later, presumably when a high-level visitor that requires additional security isn’t in the area.
Local air tour operators have complained in the past about Obama's visits because they have to alter their flight schedules whenever Air Force One enters Southern Nevada’s airspace. Obama also has been criticized for making controversial remarks about Las Vegas.
ArkeFly will fly Sundays and Thursdays through Oct. 18 to and from Amsterdam’s Schiphol International Airport.
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One more reason for Obama to stay away. Like we needed to give the Amatuer in Chief a reason. Mr. Obama, don't go away mad, just go away!
Just waiting for wingnuts to start whining about how Obama ruins everything.
Just get the hookers ready for his staff.
REALLY...............again this president is traveling to the place he tried to sink........inconveniencing TENS of Thousands of people...this president has inconvenienced MORE people that ANY OTHER PRESIDENT IN HISTORY..........and now we have to give up a long standing tradition because of his visit.......GO HOME AND STAY THERE MR. PRESIDENT......you have screwed up this state and this economy............and I for one do not want you here......!!!!!!
Obama screws this up too, he just needs to pack his bags and stay out of here. He costs us money and we're sick of paying for his dumb choices. I can't wait for this nightmare to end.
How much does this cost Clark County, Las Vegas and Henderson taxpayers? Why does the news media not cover these costs? If it were a republican pres, the media would be all over it, but because it's Obama, they're silent. How much for police overtime. How much for fire/public safety overtime. How much for the road crews? How come local taxpayers have to shell out for this guy's fund raising trips to Las Vegas? So, he gives a talk at UNLV and that makes it official? Give me a break. If it's official, then the White House pays. If it's a campaign stop and a fund raising pitch, then the Democratic party should pay. Who shouldn't pay? The hard pressed county, city and other agencies of this valley, and the taxpayers already being sucked dry by a government vampire.
WINGNUT Shannon?????
I am sure that the Obama based social services are one of the reasons why you are so adamantly on his side.
I would like someone to ask the president if he has even one solution for Americas problems that doesn't involve spending more money. Just one.
Thank GOD our great President (who just killed another terrorist) is coming to visit us. I'm glad he is again putting the spotlight on Las Vegas.
The Republican Party in Nevada has melted down. They were even going to hire a carpetbagger from Utah as political director.
I hope the Secret Service take the appropriate action against the hateful people in the area.
I wish I was on that first flight from my hometown, Amsterdam, to greet President Obama. He has done so well since he took office by NOT starting another war, I do hope he will get his second term.
With love from Holland