Travel Rules For The President And Vice President

The President and Vice President of the United States are typically allowed to fly together, even when one of them is the President. However, according to the Johnson rule, named after the 44th President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson, they cannot fly in the same aircraft unless specifically authorized to do so by the President. This authorization is granted on the condition that the travel is non-political in nature, meaning it must not be for official business and cannot benefit the person traveling. When the President and Vice President do fly together, they usually do so on a private company aircraft, with the Vice President not listed as a passenger on the official flight of Air Force One.

The Johnson Rule

In practice, when the President and Vice President travel together, they typically use two different aircraft, such as Air Force One and Air Force Two. This follows the long-standing security measure that the Vice President does not fly on Air Force One. However, if the President and Vice President are aboard an aircraft used by a private company, they are allowed to travel together as they are considered to be on the same aircraft even if they are in different seats.

While the President and Vice President may not always travel together, they often appear in public together, both in person and on television. They may attend official events, fundraisers, or social gatherings, and can also be seen on social media sites, helping to gain name recognition among voters.

Air Force One and Air Force Two

Air Force One is the air traffic control designated callsign for any US Air Force aircraft carrying the President of the United States. The VC-25A is the aircraft most commonly used as Air Force One.

Air Force Two is the callsign held by any US Air Force aircraft carrying the vice president, but not the president. The Boeing C-32 is the aircraft most commonly used as Air Force Two, although the VC-25A has also been used by the vice president. The vice president also has access to a fleet of US Marine Corps helicopters for short-distance travel.

The use of Air Force One and Air Force Two is governed by flight restrictions in accordance with 14 CFR Section 91.141, which addresses air security with respect to the airspace over the President and other parties.

Homecoming trips

The tradition of homecoming often centres around a central event, such as a banquet, dance, or game of American football. When celebrated by schools, the activities can vary widely but often include a football game, activities for students and alumni, a parade featuring the school's choir, marching band, and sports teams, and the coronation of a homecoming king and queen. A dance commonly follows the game or takes place the day after.

Homecoming celebrations can also include rallies, skits, spirit days, parade floats, and powder puff football. At the collegiate level, fraternities and sororities compete in events such as parade floats, house decorations, skits, talent competitions, and service events. Homecoming is a time for alumni to return to their alma mater, reconnect with one another, and take part in the festivities.

In smaller towns and schools without athletic programs, the centerpiece event may be a banquet or other celebration where alumni are recognized. In some parts of the United States, high school basketball has also gained a homecoming celebration, often referred to as "winter homecoming", "hoopcoming", or "court warming".

Canadian homecoming weekends are less common but do take place in some areas, particularly in high schools in the eastern part of the country.

Security measures

Advance Coordination and Planning:

• Days before the trip, an advance survey group, including representatives from the military, Secret Service, and White House, visits the airport to assess security and plan necessary measures.
• They meet with airport operators, air traffic managers, and other stakeholders to determine security provisions, such as guarding the tower and maintaining constant communication between the tower and ground agents.
• An air traffic supervisor is appointed to coordinate with all relevant parties, including air traffic control centers and affected airports, to ensure smooth presidential movements and implement any necessary traffic delays or restrictions.
• All coordination is thoroughly documented, with attention to details like routes, radio frequencies, and transponder codes.

Air Traffic Control and Monitoring:

• Air traffic managers (ATMs) at each facility along the route ensure that a supervisory specialist or controller-in-charge aurally and visually monitors the president's aircraft while in their airspace.
• For the vice president and EXEC1F aircraft, ATMs ensure monitoring when sufficient staffing is available.
• Supervisory specialists are responsible for ensuring separation, control, and coordination of the aircraft in their sector/position.
• Air traffic control techniques may be employed to adjust or suspend regular traffic movements temporarily to accommodate the arrival and departure of the presidential aircraft.
• All aircraft in the presidential fleet are assigned discrete transponder codes for identification and auto-acquire in case of formation breakup.

Security of Information:

• FAA personnel are instructed to maintain strict confidentiality regarding presidential and vice-presidential flights.
• Any inquiries from the press or external parties must be directed to the White House, Secret Service, Air Force, or their representatives.
• These security measures also apply to information regarding the movement of the presidential and vice-presidential family aircraft.

Movement Information and Rescue Support:

• Requests from pilots, the Secret Service, White House Staff, or the Office of the Vice President regarding the movement of their aircraft are honored and relayed via FAA communications circuits or the Defense Switching Network.
• Rescue support aircraft are used as a contingency and are identified in flight plans, maintaining proximity to the protected aircraft.

These security measures are designed to ensure the safe travel of the president and vice president, with a strong emphasis on coordination between various agencies and strict information control.

The Vice President's importance

The Vice President of the United States, also known as VPOTUS or Veep, is the second-highest office in the executive branch of the federal government. The Vice President is probably best known for being "a heartbeat away from the presidency", meaning that if a sitting President dies or is impeached, the Vice President takes over. The Vice President is also an officer in the legislative branch, as the President of the Senate. In this capacity, the Vice President is empowered to preside over the Senate but may not vote except to cast a tie-breaking vote.

The modern vice presidency is a position of significant power and is widely seen as an integral part of a president's administration. The vice president's role has changed dramatically since the office was created during the 1787 Constitutional Convention. Originally something of an afterthought, the vice presidency has since grown in importance and is now often considered a stepping stone to the presidency.

In recent years, vice presidents have played an increasingly important role in government. They have served as confidants, envoys, and top advisers and taken on a broad range of vital responsibilities. Walter F. Mondale, who served as vice president from 1977 to 1981, transformed this office and paved the way for the powerful vice presidents who followed. He was heavily engaged in domestic and foreign policy and was the first vice president to have an office in the West Wing of the White House, giving him frequent access to the president.

The current Vice President of the United States is Kamala Harris, who assumed office on January 20, 2021. She is the first African American, first Asian American, and first female occupant of the office. Harris is the highest-ranking female official in United States history.

Frequently asked questions