The plane for Vice Presidential candidate J.D. Vance hit a snag on Thursday en route to Milwaukee to begin its campaign. Eastern Air Express, the charter operator for the aircraft, failed to secure the proper Secret Service clearances for the plane to fly directly from Kansas City to Milwaukee. After about 20 minutes of uncertainty the aircraft ultimately diverted to Madison where the USSS performed the required checks.
A temporary flight restriction (“TFR”) is in place at Milwaukee related to the Republican National Convention, with additional rules around which aircraft are allowed in to the airport. As Vance’s campaign plane – registered as N917XA – descended to the airport ATC informed the pilots, “You’re not allowed to come inbound with the current TFR access. Descend and maintain 7000 and advise what your intentions are.”
The pilots replied that they had a password to be permitted access, but that proved insufficient.
ATC remained in contact with the aircraft over the next 20+ minutes, noting that the Secret Service was working to determine if the plane would be allowed to land in Milwaukee. To their credit, it took more than 15 minutes for the pilots to note they were flying the VP candidate’s plane.
That was still not enough, however, and the Secret Service ultimately required an inspection on the ground. The pilots diverted to Madison for that inspection. It was on the ground for an hour before completing the trip to Milwaukee.
Not a particularly auspicious start for the campaign’s flight operations.
Pertinent bits of the ATC transcript, pulled from LiveATC (18JUL 2000z & 2030z), are included below. Note that the recordings include multiple frequencies and are not necessarily 100% complete, and I may have missed some bits in the transcription.
16:01
ATC: Eastern Express 100 be advised, you’re not allowed to come inbound with the current TFR access. Descend and maintain 7000 and advise what your intentions are.
BBQ100: Descend and maintaing 7000, and we have a password to get in.17:21
ATC: Eastern Express 100 we’re still working on whatever’s going on with your approval, just continue inbound for now.18:40
ATC: We’re told you need to go to either Grand Rapids or Madison for screening. I can’t let you come inbound. So let me know which one of those you want to go to
BBQ100: Do you want to give us a heading?
ATC: Eastern Express 100, Are you trying to figure out where you want to go or what are you thinking?19:04
ATC: Eastern Express, just turn right heading 1-6-0 for now.
BBQ100: Alright, 1-6-0, Eastern Express 10019:26
ATC: Eastern Express 100, if you’re not familiar with the area Madison is quite a bit closer22:20
BBQ100: Do you know what they mean by ‘screening?’
ATC: Eastern express 100 I don’t know. It is just screening for approval to go into the area. That’s all I know about it, and they said you don’t have it.
BBQ100: Stand by22:50
BBQ100: Could you just have us on some vectors for now? We need to call company.
ATC: Will one of you be able to monitor me if I can vector you around.
BBQ100: Affirmative.
ATC: Climb and maintain 6000.<some vectoring>
29:35
ATC: What’s your tail number?
BBQ100: 9-1-7 X-ray Alpha. And this is the vice presidential candidate’s airplane.
ATC: I heard that; they’re still working on it.31:41/1:40 in new MP3
BBQ100: Do you need a <??> code from us?
ATC: Not at this time. We’re in coordination with the Secret Service to figure it out. It is all being done behind me. Maintain your present course.8:10
ATC: I think they did all they could for you, but I guess you still have to go for screening. So when you know where you want to go let me know; it is either Madison or Grand Rapids.
BBQ100: Alright, stand by8:37
ATC: Be advised, when you get a chance, the Secret Service does want you to call the SOC
BBQ100: Call who?
ATC: SOC. The S-O-C. The number is in the TFR information.9:40
ATC: I’m guessing you’re going to want to go to Madison. Do you know yet?
BBQ100: Very likely.10:25
ATC: I’m also being advised now that you know you can’t come in we’ve gotta take you somewhere right now. No holding in the TFR
BBQ100: We’re going to Madison.
ATC: Roger. You’re cleared to Madison via current heading 330. Maintain 6000.
BBQ100: Clear to Madison 330 at 6000.
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