Riding Air Force One Was a BlastAIR FORCE ONE — As journalists, we love to project the image that we are stoic, unmoved by many things, and nothing but impartial observers of history. Yeah, right. We are all human, whether we want to admit it or not, and as someone who always has been fascinated with Air Force One, the official plane of the president of the United States, I must say it was an absolute blast to be able to be a passenger on one of its flights. I found out about a week ago that the White House was coordinating a Black Press round table for a select group of journalists to travel with President Barack Obama Thursday from Washington to New York, where he was to address the NAACP. Now, whenever you get such an invitation, you pretty much change your plans immediately. I was scheduled to host a CNN "Black in America 2" screening in Atlanta, but when my bosses learned of the invite, my participation was scuttled. We all met in the press area of the White House by noon and were greeted by African-American media liaison Corey Ealons. The group included representatives from Essence, Ebony/Jet and Black Enterprise magazines, American Urban Radio Networks, BET.com and the Amsterdam News. All of us then piled into vans and were driven to Andrews Air Force Base. Also in the vans with us were Michael Strautmanis — chief of staff to Valerie Jarrett, one of President Obama's top aides and closest confidants — and the deputy director of the White House Situation Room. (He joked with me that he helps run "the other Situation Room," not the one helmed by Wolf Blitzer.) We didn't have the luxury of the presidential motorcade, so stopping for lights and traffic signs was par for the course. The president rode on Marine One to the military base. Normally, the press boards Air Force One through the staircase at the back of the plane. But because we were designated as guests of the president, we were allowed to walk up the red-carpeted stairwell reserved for the president, his family and his aides. Once on board, we were led past the flying Oval Office, space for senior aides, U.S. Secret Service agents, other staff and the front kitchen to an eight-seat area. Right behind us was the section of the White House press pool. Chief flight attendant Reginald Dickson and his wonderful staff greeted our group. Reggie was a polite brother, and we definitely got along, because he is a huge fan of mine on CNN. Reggie then took us on a tour of the plane, and man, was the place laid.
The staff was absolutely courteous, tending to our every need and providing us with drinks, food (Asian steak with pineapples was awesome) and a goody bag featuring the famous M&M's with the presidential seal on them (although I still am looking for a pair of those sweet presidential cuff links!). I joked with them that we weren't berated to turn off our cell phones, raise our tray tables and buckle our seat belts, which is customary on commercial flights. Once we were airborne, we were served, but we had to wolf down our food because about 20 minutes into the short flight, we were summoned to meet the president in the conference room. He greeted each of us as we sat down, and I reminded the president that after I complimented him on a fuchsia tie he wore one night he won a primary, he said he would give it to me if he won the election. He said, "I need to see that e-mail," and I told him, "I'm going to find it!" We met with President Obama for about 21 minutes, ending our interview after we already had landed at JFK Airport. At one point, as we descended, all of his aides quickly sat down on the couch behind us so they wouldn't fall down, and when we touched down, he just kept talking, unmoved at all by the landing. Once it was over, we shook hands. He and I joked a bit, and then he went back to his office, while we were instructed to pack our stuff. Our status as VIPs was now over, as we were led to the back of the plane to go down the back stairs. When you are flying on Air Force One, the transportation to it is provided, but once you land, that's it. But our luck was good; the No. 2 official at the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, which runs the airport, is also a fan of mine, and he had a van come pick all of us up and take us back to the terminal. Before we took off, in the air, and when we landed, all of us took photos and videos. Other than April Ryan of American Urban Radio Networks, this was the first time on Air Force One for all of us, so it was definitely a moment to savor. I've flown on private planes on a couple of occasions, but it suffices to say that nothing matches being on Air Force One. It is truly a privilege and honor to be able to ride on the most recognizable (and envied) plane in the world, and I'm just glad to have gotten the invitation to do so. And you know I can't wait to do it again. Let's just hope it's a longer flight! Roland S. Martin is an award-winning CNN contributor and the author of "Listening to the Spirit Within: 50 Perspectives on Faith." Please visit his Web site at www.RolandSMartin.com. To find out more about Roland S. Martin and read his past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com. COPYRIGHT 2009 CREATORS.COM
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