No-warning Air Force One Low Photo Op over NYC
The administration’s use of this particular PR deflection maneuver began innocently enough in 2009 on a day when Air Force One had been directed to do low-altitude flyovers above New York City for a photo op.
Although a fairly routine process, the problems sprouted from the fact that there had been a systematic failure to inform the general public this would be happening.
The 9-1-1 emergency lines filled up with mortified callers recalling September 11, 2001—unaware New Yorkers panicked, and who could blame them. As one who was sitting in LaGuardia Airport that very afternoon, watching out a terminal window an airline-sized jet flew unusually low over the city while flights were being unexpectedly delayed for an indefinite period of time, the tension was palpable. Afterwards, the President claimed to have no idea—which was believable enough as it was a simple, albeit unfortunate, communication failure.
In fact, is was so believable and successful, it’s become the President’s excuse of choice for every embarrassing situation.
