Predecesors Have Used Air Force Jets Since September 11, 2001

John Boehner, who will likely become Speaker of the U.S. House of Representative in January, says he would continue to fly on commercial airliners as Speaker.

John Boehner (R-OH)

That would be a departure from two of the previous Speakers. Republican Dennis Hastert held that office on September 11, 2001, and was advised to fly on Air Force aircraft between his Illinois district and Washington, D.C. for security reasons. Current Speaker Nancy Pelosi has come under fire from conservatives for flying back and forth to her San Francisco district on an Air Force VIP transport plane which can make the trip without refueling.

Politico reports that Boehner, who has served as the Republican leader and is presumed to be the front runner for Speaker under the new GOP majority, said he had been flying commercial to his district for his entire 20-year congressional career, and does not see any real need to change. Kerri Hanley, the Deputy House Sergeant of Arms, said that the security threat has decreased to the point that the sergeant at arms is "comfortable with him travelling commercially" both to his district and to other locations around the country.

FMI: http://clerk.house.gov/art_history/house_history/sergeants_at_arms.html