The decision by First Lady Michelle Obama to leave on schedule for her two-week Hawaii vacation and not wait a few days for her delayed husband will probably cost taxpayers more than $63,000 – and possibly well in excess of $100,000 – in additional expenses, according to a White House Dossier analysis.
President Obama was supposed to depart for Hawaii Saturday, but decided to stay in Washington until Congress finishes its work for the year. He departs this evening. But Mrs. Obama chose to leave without him Saturday, taking their two children and the dog along with her.
Mrs. Obama’s decision to go without the president forced her to take a separate plane, meaning two flights instead of one were needed to ferry the First Family to their vacation destination. Unless for some reason her plane was headed to Hawaii anyway, her trip involves substantial additional costs.
Mrs. Obama jetted out to Hawaii on an Air Force C-40B Special Mission Aircraft. The Defense Department bills other agencies $6,330 per flight hour for use the plane.
Assuming a flight time from Washington DC to Hawaii of about ten hours, the cost to taxpayers for the flight alone would be about $63,000.
But Mrs. Obama’s determination to get her full two weeks of Hawaiian rest and relaxation probably cost a good deal more. By leaving early, she forced a large logistical support operation – including a retinue of Secret Service agents – to get itself up and running.
This is in addition to the support that will be needed to bring President Obama to Hawaii via Air Force One. Since the cost of moving the entire family together on Air Force One would not likely have been much different than that of taking just the president, the first lady’s trip is an add-on.
Also, as several readers have pointed out, the aircraft will likely have to be returned empty to Washington, potentially doubling the cost to about $126,000 for the plane use alone.
What’s more, Mrs. Obama has decided to make a size 14 carbon footprint by commandeering her own jet to take her to Hawaii.
The first lady has previously garnered criticism for her vacation travel, particularly a four-night luxury excursion to Spain last August.
Mrs. Obama’s Hawaii transportation is a modestly sized plane based on the commercial Boeing 737 and seating up to 32 passengers. Here is the Air Force description of it:
The cabin area is equipped with a crew rest area, distinguished visitor compartment with sleep accommodations, two galleys and business class seating with worktables.
The C-40B is designed to be an “office in the sky” for senior military and  government leaders. Communications are paramount aboard the C-40B which provides broadband data/video transmit and receive capability as well as clear and secure voice and data communication. It gives combatant commanders the ability to conduct business anywhere around the world using on-board Internet and local area network connections, improved telephones, satellites, television monitors, and facsimile and copy machines.
Despite the president’s delayed departure, the most recent information is that the entire Obama clan will return to Washington as scheduled January 1.
The first lady’s press office did not respond to requests for comment.
511 thoughts on “Mrs. Obama’s Separate Hawaii Travel Likely Costs at Least $63,000”
That plane must return back to where it came from for another $63,000. Were there fighter escorts? Another huge amount including tanker support. Did the secret service need more aircraft for vehicles and personnel? Per diem for all the staff members and security? Secret Service protection for the family AND the president – double the staff. $300,000 would be a low figure.
Me Me MeChelle must not be denied – redistribute the wealth – to her and her spoiled brats. Thanks a lot for the $300,000 (low figure) this arrogant move cost our country you arrogant elitist nasty entitled fools!
Ugly monster.
To Parik,
CEO’s at big companies may make $60 million a year….but they produce in a private environment. If they don’t produce they get fired.
He can’t produce a job other than government (overpaid) ones on ridiculous union contracts.
He should at least EARN that 60 million and the jet rides….hypocrit that he is he can’t even try to look green.
The (reminds with itch) could wait an extra day or two…Queen Bee just doesn’t give a damn about money (as long it is not hers!) while the rest us who are paying the bills pull in our belts to exist.
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So it only cost $63,000.00. I assume that means we are leaving the plane there? Oh that’s right, make it $126,000.00. These people really have no clue…..
That’s what we lowly prolitariats are for = to work for the elite.
I get this feeling that these people are going to bilk us for everything they can get while the gravy train lasts. Smacks of a sort of classlessness. Like that janitor in Florida who stole a bag of Christmas gifts from the school where she works. Probably doesn’t need them, what with her excellent pension and all, but for whatever reason she felt entitled. Sort of a self propelled reparations movement.
Maybe Michelle went early in order to find Barry’s birth certificate, before Wikileaks gets a hold of it. After all, Michelle needs a vacation too, with all the important things that she has been working on, to destroy the United States as we know it. It’s very exhausting work, for her and Barry to do the kind of damage to the USA that they have done already……..
No it’s not costing the American taxpayers an extra $63,000. It’s cost an extra $126,000 since I’m assuming the aircraft will return to Washington D.C. and I thought that we were in the process of tightening our collective belts.
The Obama’s just keep pissing our money away on their vacations. They waste more money than I’ll ever see in my lifetime.
The First Lady is not one of the little people, so leave her alone. She deserves 30 weeks of vacation time each year, becasue of her overloaded work schedule. You know it takes a lot of effort for her to promote her food police program. What do you expect anyway. You don’t think she should fly to some remote spot in Texas and chop wood or something trashy like that do you. She needs her space and her vacations are the prize for putting up with you common folks who have to count your change after ordering your cheesburgers. I bet you even expect her to stay home this Valentines Day, Spring Break, and all the other fun holidays. Some folks just don’t get it.
Someday one of the Obama’s, maybe both, will get their thumbs stuck in their nose(s) from letting the American people know exactly what they think of them.
Public servants or privileged tyrants? Fill in the blank ___________________.
I guess that’s not one of those ‘sacrifices’ that President Obama has been spewing all this time.
It’s a big sacrifice for Barry. Who’s going to tie his shoes and cut up his coby beef for him while she’s away?
Another shining example of how the Nobama administration is helping the Ameican people by putting more money in their pocket! What a joke – 2012 will be here soon enough.
Ah come on already….leave the family alone. I’m glad the President stayed behind, something finally got done in D.C. for pete’s sake.
THIS WOMAN HAS NO RESPECT FOR TAX PAYER MONEY AND HOW MANY FOOD BASKETS WOULD THIS HAS BOUGHT FOR THE PEOPLE ON FOOD BASKETS
Dont do as I do, do as I say.
Are the Obama’s the privilege class the progressives are referring?
She’s nicknamed Moochelle for a reason… she loves to mooch off the American public! Knowing her she probably will delay her stay just so she can spend some more taxpayer dollars.
No threat of Islamic terroists here… they won’t touch pork!
42 MILLION ON FOOD STAMPS AND SHW SPENDS AND WASTES TAX PAYER MONEY THIS WAY NO COMPANSION JUST THE MICHELE WAY REMEMBER THE TRIP TO SPAIN 63,000 THOUSAND DOLLAR WOULD BUY LOTS OF FOOD BASKETS FOR THOSE ON FOOD STAMPS
Horse hips
Thunder thighs
Keg legs
And beady eyes
Geez…you guys with all your critical articles about OBummer…
So what the First Lady wants to go on ahead to Hawaii? She’s the FIRST LADY. for Godssakes…you want her to have to fend off 30 morons in first class maybe? Whatever else she may be, she is who she is and should have the respectful red carpet treatment the position deserves.
Just because she has a behind as big as a yard sale, is strangeley simian in appearance and morphology, has no regard whatsoever for the Citizens who are paying for their family’s existence, and is about as intelligent as a bag of hammers…is no reason to chide about the “cost” of the trip out. I’d rather see her on a clean, properly crewed Air Force jet than one of the cattlecars which pass for air travel nowadays…
There are more than enough flaws in this whole lashup upon which to pound…from the incompetence and irrelevance of the President, to the moronic Larry Summerses of the world, choosing the most obnoxious ratbag in Dodge to be his Chief if Staff, not to mention the utter unpreparedness of this President and his entire crew of “Czars…” Czars???
Please take to mind the remarks of Dick Cheney to the idiot Leahy (sp?) in ther well of the Senate…Go F yourself, to the entire White House…leadership and Staff as well.
If this bum, gets reelected, then we deserve him…
Happy Trails….
And how many trips did the Bushs take separately without anyone making a stink about it???
Come on! This news coverage is why Wiki Leaks is so popular with the young generations. No digs, just raw unmanipulated facts. Duh!
I don’t know how many trips the Bush’s took, why don’t you tell us? Your making it sound as if the Bush’s did it, it makes it ok to continue. Why is it everytime something is said about this administration there is always someone out there to dodge the issue by referring to the Bush administration. Pretty lame and not a very good defense.
Are you kidding? You have to be, because no one could be that ignorant.
People like you and the MSM make a stink about EVERYTHING Bush did. People like YOU made a frickin movie about him being assassinated while he was still in office. Bush is gone, it’s all Obamas game now and he’s dropping the ball a lot. He’s a reactionist and not a leader and it shows.
This woman is such a scumbag and a disgrace.
what would it have cost to fly her to Kenya??
I don’t know about you but I would be willing to chip in on a one way ticket for her and her husband. I am sure they would love living back in the homeland.
Is this surprising anymore? Entitlement at the highest level, ’nuff said.
She is not the president. She should be buying her own damn ticket and flying commercial…..
What is so surprising about this. It would be surprising if it did not happen. Didn’t she wear a very expensive sneakers during a time when she was “helping the homeless”? That is a rumor I heard and am inclined to believe it.
HOW ABOUT ALL THOSE BILLIONAIRES AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING WITH THEIR UNTAXED MONEY. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS A BIT MUCH TO CRITICIZE EVERYTHING THE OBAMAS’ DO, WHEN HE IS TRYING TO DO HIS BEST. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE PRESIDENT AND DEAL WITH SO MANY IMPORTANT DECISIONS FOR OUR COUNTRY. CAN’T YOU THROW A LITTLE SLACK THEIR WAY. THINK OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN OUR GOVERNMENT WHOM YOU COULD CRITICIZE! HEY, IT’S CHRISTMAS–TIME TO BE A LITTLE CHARITABLE!!!
Billionaires have nothing to do with these people abusing the taxpayers money. You are avoiding the subject. We are talking about Ms.O going making an unnecessary trip ahead of her husband. She could of waited for him. There was no reason to leave early. We have this O in the WH demanding that fellow Americans shell out more of THEIR money to the goverment. Why? To support crap like this. Do not forget this is not the first trip that she has wasted taxpayers money. There is the trip to Spain that cost thousands of TAXPAYERS dollars. Least not forget the “date” they took to NY CIty at TAXPAYERS expense when he first came into office. We are in harder times. We have 10% of our fellow citizens out of work. The LEFTIST demanding that we fork out billions more for unemployment checks. The list goes on and on. At some point there has to be a stop to this kind of crap. If not then stop asking fellow Americans make sacrifices while they enjoy luxury and nice vacations.
vacations should always be paid out of
pocket for President and family—-she
should have flown with the President and
we would not have this problem….she
must pay for all since she made decision
to take a private plane —all this
woman does is eat and vacation—stop
talling us to watch what we eat have
you ever looked in the mirror at your
rear end woman you need to lose 30 lbs.
so shut up about kids eating correctly
we will take care of our families
thank you and you can go on a diet
and stop submitting laws what our
children eat is none of your business..
get it ????? take care of your children
we did not elect your husband for you
to decide how we are going to eat get
out of our lives…
Livin’ large on the taxpayer dollah, are the probable-Kenyan-born Marxist hack and his mean-looking wife.
Don’t forget those quotes saying he was BORN IN HAWAII.. yeah right
That plane has to fly back too and it will sit in Hawaii until AF1 gets there with BO (the POTUS not the dog). It has to stay there in case FLOTUS has to make a hasty get away. $63,000.00 is 2 years salary for a lot of Americans but for FLOTUS it’s just another way of saying “let them eat cake”.
Are you sure that Bo didn’t also take his personal (government paid) jet to travel to this vacation? He likes doing that, you know!
Don’t forget the Royal Pet! too bad they furloughed the 30 day quarantine in Hawaii.. would have had to leave BO at home.
The five-day or less quarantine program is a new option. The 30-day and the 120-day quarantine programs remain in effect for those pets who do not satisfy the new requirements. Fees for the five-day or less program will be $224 for up to five days of quarantine, and $165 for direct release from the airport. The cost of the 30-day and the 120-day quarantine programs remains at $655 and $1,080, respectively.
We are supposed cut back on everything and stop being greedy surfs. All the while, this pompous elitist bitch spends our money without hesitation to live like royalty. Get it while you can because we are kicking your sorry ass out of our house in two years.
Impeach the abusers and it will end much sooner! Hint hint
The President of the working man… When will this insanity stop?
If we want to lower the national debt, we need to ground michelle for the next two years. This woman is totally out of touch with the real world. You better be racking up those tax payer vacations in the next two years, because they end in 2012.
Mrs. Obozo knows she will only enjoy living like God one time in her life and she is going to take all she can take. It is too bad it is from the hard working taxpayer’s.
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B.O. is the person in the position (unfortunately). Why are the taxpayers footing the bill for his wife’s vacation (again)? Why is this non-elected,non-paid, and completely non-accountable person not flying commercial-coach? Good thing they are tightening their belts. We are hosed.
When is this extreme abuse of our tax money going to stop with this self appointed Super Queen? Get a grip ghetto princess. This is not Camelot! Time to quit self pampering yourself and set a positive example somewhere along your reign.
When are we going to say a final Aloha to these abusers of the White House Travel Agency? Impeach this First Family = Savings to the entire USA.. Keep this up and we could have been able to settle the budget problem for the country.
Assume the plane will return to Washington so add another 10 hours for the return trip.
Congratulations, the Obama Foodorama said this is the worst attack on the First Lady evah. Now I know why someone is the subject of an attack by the Obamabots. You just have to do good work. Great job!
Thanks Janice.
Damn Keith..popped some nerves with this one….
I think in fact you should go there and provide us 24 hour coverage.Just like old man Blitzer in the DPRK…Have fun,hope you get laid!
Trips like these should be billed directly to the first family, Mr. and Mrs. Sortero.
I’m a conservative. I’m opposed to nearly all of the president’s policies. But this nit-picking criticism of first family expenses is ridiculous. Cover some real news, please.
I agree!!!
Might not be news worthy but don’t you think the American public have a right to know? Therefore it’s news worthy
Nit picking? So what! They are the ones that demand fellow Americans shell out more and more of their hard earned money. Demanding that the deceased members of a family shell out 55% of any inheritance. Why? So they can support the lifesyle of these people. This is not the first trip they have wasted taxpayers money. Lets see their is the trip to Spain that cost thousands and least not forget the “date” to NY city we had to pay for when he came into office. Why could she of not waited until he left town? No this is not nit picking this reality. People are hurting now. We have 10% and higher unemployment, prices are going up, wages going down. Do not forget we have this same crew demanding we pay for their health care plan or go to jail. No this is not nit picking. Those that write these blogs are fellow Americans. They have a RIGHT to FREE SPEECH rather you like it or not. At some point these people are going to have to get real. The American people are watching. We have twenty four seven coverage. We know what is going on. We are informed. The past is gone we are now in the present. All this means is they better watch their own actions.
The nuevo riche, in-your-face attitude of Michelle Obama is disgraceful. When are the American people going to call her on her unforgivable extravagance? What the Obama’s do with their personal money is up to them (a right they do not allow the taxpayers!) The lack of accounting of the overlap of personal and State trips has become a disgraceful missing figure in the National debate on the economy. I have lost all respect for the “hillbilly rich” tatics of these two “public servants (? perhaps freeloaders is a better term)
oh great. couldn’t wait one more day. they don’t have a clue
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