Presidential Candidate Opts For MD-81

Always on top of the latest happenings from the presidential campaign trail, CBS News reports the Hillary Clinton campaign recently upgraded its chartered plane from a Boeing 717, to a larger McDonnell-Douglas MD-81.

The longer -- albeit older -- aircraft offers seating for 143 passengers, versus a mere 88 seats on the smaller 717-200. The larger aircraft also provides Senator Clinton with her own entrance at the front of the plane, as well as a separate lavatory; on the 717, she had to stoop to using the same facilities as the press, at the back of the plane.

Members of the media also had to lug their gear through the forward entrance on the 717, whereas they have a rear entrance on the MD-81. The greater number of seats available is handy, as more reporters are covering the Clinton campaign as the hotly-contested Pennsylvania primary approaches. Clinton will vie for the Democratic nomination versus Illinois Senator Barack Obama on Tuesday.

Like the 717, the new/old aircraft was chartered from Midwest Airlines, which configured the MD-81 to charter NBA teams... so the seats also offer increased legroom over those on the 717.

While both planes are fundamentally similar, we're waiting for environmental groups to point out the MD-81 is also far less efficient than the newer-engined 717...

FMI: www.hillaryclinton.com, www.midwestairlines.com