Originally Posted by
Grumble
Would anyone of you crash/punch out of a perfectly good airplane because of a field closure or VIP movement?
Do you think the thuds would?
Generally, no. One possible exception comes to mind...
Operating a tactical jet in unauthorized proximity to POTUS might actually be more dangerous to your health (and career) than ejection.
I could maybe see a situation where they were told "five mikes", and decided not to bug out since there was a perfectly good airport right there and they didn't want to jack up the whole program for the day...and then the clown show dragged on too long. Leadership, normally spring loaded to hold people accountable, might have given them a pass since the alternative would have been publicly embarrassing and highly visible firings, with the white house partially responsible for the circumstances. See what I mean?