Maastricht 07/05/05 – Air Force 1!!!

Had a great day at Maastricht airport. The reason for the visit was the visit of president Bush. He came with both VC-25s (747s). First came Air Force two carrying…. euh… well, who cares. Second came Air Force one with the big cheese himself. Later that day a United 747 should have come in, but I did not catch it because it was delayed till after-dark.

The police was out in force. As was the KMar (koninklijke marechaussee – military police). This was not a problem though for most spotters. In advance spotters could register. They would then receive a background check and be allowed to enter. Well, that was the theory anyway.

In real life the theory did not work out that well. Originally letters where to be send out to the spotters allowed in. A last minute decision was taken to give the letters out at the security check point. Oh dear. Now the process was slowed down cause every person would have to be identified first. If the letters had been sent out this would not have been necessary. Just show the letter and a matching ID and you are done.

As well as ID’ing, every spotter was to have his luggage X-rayed. For that purpose a X-ray machine was installed at a industrial estate near to the airport. There spotters would be checked and bussed to the spot.

There was only one machine. However, it was announced in the media that 400 spotters where expected (roughly 250/300 showed up). The first was passed through security at 16:00. At 19:00 AF1 was expected. The process was very slow. At 18:30 I was still in line, with AF1 already on the long distance beacons.

The KMar had to leave though at 19:00 so everyone there was given a very quick inspection. Those early in line where padded and had their bags search. Those last in line only had a quick look in their bags (me too). At

As we where let in the bus, AF1 was already at final approach. The light could be seen as we where in the bus. Halfway down the ride people where screaming to get of the bus so as to catch AF1 (turned out to be AF2). No deal we drove on. We turned into the spot (with yet more officers) and ran to the stage that had been installed. Only JUST on time did we make it to catch the first 747 gliding in.

All in all a day with great planes. And while the organisation of KMar was not great, it is nice to know that they do arrange for a spot for us to make photos from. There are many airports that can learn a lesson or two from that!

Air Force 1

Air Force 2

bit unsharp, but interesting

various