Thursday, September 27, 2012

So, What Will President Obama's 3 Day Trip To Las Vegas Cost Us?

So, President Obama is having his big Tiger Woods moment on Sunday and will stay until Tuesday and the cost of the trip to the Valley will cost us plenty of money.
From Fox 5 News: President Barack Obama is coming to town on Sunday for a three-day trip, but it comes with a price to pay for people who need to fly or drive.
The Secret Service by way of the FAA issued a no-fly zone of 30 miles around Las Vegas. Major airlines won't be affected except for when the president is taking off or landing. Helicopter companies, however, aren't so lucky. They've been told to stay on the ground all three days.
"As a company alone we're talking $180,000 to $220,000 minimum," said Nigel Turner, president of Heli USA Airways, which operates out of McCarran International Airport.
That's how much Turner says he'll lose when the president comes to town this weekend. The restriction applies to everything from flight training to banner planes and most of all, sightseeing aircraft.
If the blades aren't spinning at Heli USA, Turner says it's bad news.
"A lot of these [customers] book months in advance, and every time the president comes here, it closes our whole industry," he said.
Heli USA is just one of several sightseeing companies that fly to places like the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon. This company flies 400 to 500 people every day.
"It's the height of the tourist season," Turner noted. "We have all these people booked. What are we going to do with them for three days?"
Another person who works for a helicopter tour company sent a "Rant" to FOX5, and said: "We are completely shut down while he's here. I get paid by the flight and not the hour.http://www.fox5vegas.com/story/19661967/flight-restrictions-to-ground-local-companies-for-days
The rally is going to be held on a Sunday afternoon at Desert Pines High School.  Because of this, the District will have to fork over a boatload of cash in overtime to pay for the cops, custodians and other workers who will have to work that day.  I don't know how much it will be exactly, but with a very tight budget, this will cost the district at least 1 or 2 teaching positions and the Obama campaign will not reimburse the District, other than rent for the school.
I am sure he same is true with Metro and the Highway patrol- they will have to call people in on a Sunday afternoon and pay them overtime.
Then, who is going to pick up the tab for 2 nights at Lake Las Vegas for the President and his staff, along with Secret Service and everyone else associated with Obama?  I am sure the Obama campaign will find a way to make sure the taxpayers pick up the tab.
What are the economic benefits of Obama being here?  Obviously, the shops at Lake Las Vegas will be flourishing.  However, Lake Las Vegas is not close to the Strip or any other part of the Valley, so no other part of the Strip or Valley will benefit financially from Obama's visit.
Yes, I am happy that Obama is visiting our school but the rest of the time, I wish another city would babysit him.  his visiting Las Vegas is no longer a novelty, it's becoming a pain in the butt.  Let another city pick up the costs of having Obama and his ilk by hosting his Tiger Woods moment. (Seems like he never comes to Vegas with Michelle-hmmmm)

1 comment:

  1. Mr. Turner,

    what a one sided comment. Certainly loosing business hurts, but you should never forget,
    YOUR helicopters are impacting our living out here at Lake Las Vegas. YOUR helicopters wake us up every early morning, YOUR helicopters ruin our weekends.
    This is certainly the case for all other tour operators as well, but especially your so called "Ferrari" helicopters are extremely noisy.
    Thank`s to Obama we are able to enjoy three days of wonderful quiet living, as it should be by the way!
    The one who creates his business on the disadvantage of others should not complain.

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