VP Biden

Glad y'all so exited about his vacation that he's been doing for years, now.

After 8 yrs in the military and 20 yrs in fire/rescue that's the closest I've ever been to the Prez or the VP. At least he waved at us standing there outside the airport.

He got in Sunday morning. His chopper flew LOW over our house about 9 am. Quite a wake up call :-X

http://virginislandsdailynews.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/iphone/homepage.aspx#_article76e0b551-c717-4ae6-a23e-eec2bd641545/waarticle76e0b551-c717-4ae6-a23e-eec2bd641545/76e0b551-c717-4ae6-a23e-eec2bd641545//true

I find it unnerving that everyone seems to know about the visit. To me, noone should know until he's been here and gone.

mike

I just think it's funny in a funny peculiar way. Power players and celebrities have for decades enjoyed coming to the USVI to vacation and relax because, for the most part, locals don't go ga-ga over their presence with the same furor common to their time-outs in other places. My St Thomas pub saw many "stars" enjoying dinner over the years and the same is true for many other establishments where these public figures feel comfortable to enjoy an evening out away from the incessant limelight and paparazzi routine. They're just people.

He got in Sunday morning. His chopper flew LOW over our house about 9 am. Quite a wake up call :-X

That was a USCG chopper. They do a pre arrival fly over so the crew can become familiar with the route the motorcade takes from the airport and the villa location. The second time the chopper flew by, around 3:50 PM, was the actual arrival. If all goes well the chopper won't be back until Jan 2 when VP heads home.

I think it's great when celebrities or politicians visit STX because it brings much needed publicity. It was so cool to get a glimpse of Jimmy Carter in 2009!

I just think it's funny in a funny peculiar way. Power players and celebrities have for decades enjoyed coming to the USVI to vacation and relax because, for the most part, locals don't go ga-ga over their presence with the same furor common to their time-outs in other places. My St Thomas pub saw many "stars" enjoying dinner over the years and the same is true for many other establishments where these public figures feel comfortable to enjoy an evening out away from the incessant limelight and paparazzi routine. They're just people.

I think the main difference is the minor disruption we experience while he's here due to security- waiting in held-up traffic for his often late motorcade, not being able to go to certain places when he's dining out, touring, or playing golf, etc. And there's the fact that, for the people who do meet him, almost all claim he's a very gregarious and down-to-earth guy.

Far fewer bigwigs make their way to STX than they do to STT. I don't think too many people here go gaga over such visits. But many of us are glad for the attention to the island, and don't mind a little break in the routine.

(My dog is not happy with his visits though. The choppers go right over the house, and sometimes circle it - low! 🙂 )

Far fewer bigwigs make their way to STX than they do to STT.

Yep. Crucians rarely get such opportunities

 

Wondered about that. We heard/saw that one too. Definitely below the 500 ft minimums for most aircraft.

I think it's great when celebrities or politicians visit STX because it brings much needed publicity.

And maybe some dollars too.

Wondered about that. We heard/saw that one too. Definitely below the 500 ft minimums for most aircraft.

Helicopters do not have a 500 ft minimum.

If the helicopter is conducting commercial operations over a metro area then it has a 300 ft minimum. Otherwise it is up to the pilot to determine whether the operation can be conducted safely.

If the helicopter is conducting commercial operations over a metro area then it has a 300 ft minimum. Otherwise it is up to the pilot to determine whether the operation can be conducted safely.

Now who woulda guessed rotorhead would have known that?:-)

Brief but good STX press:

http://caribjournal.com/2015/12/29/joe-bidens-caribbean-vacation/

Anyone have any good experiences with the Biden visit? Just wondering how secluded and private they are during their visit to stx.

Anyone have any good experiences with the Biden visit? Just wondering how secluded and private they are during their visit to stx.

They attend church every Sunday when they visit.

He visits Crammer park, walks at Poiny Udall, gets coffee and muffins at TLC Bakery and is very approachable. 3 of my friends have had photos taken with him and another had a conversation about their both loosing a son. Of course his 7 vehicle, 10 person security detail is closely guarding him but a very nice couple who love the STX vibe and the people. He was asked if he will retire on STX and answered that "We would love to"

Heard he visited The Bistro at Gallows Bay with his wife at breakfast time!

Nothing for us this time around but a circling chopper last night.

Of course his 7 vehicle, 10 person security detail is closely guarding him ...

Reminds me of years ago when the Clintons visited STT and a bunch of his security detail came into the pub one night. It was quite a hoot watching them trying to blend in and look like "regular" visitors. Sorry, guys, but the neatly pressed shorts, cropped hair, pristine docksiders and the wrap-around sunglasses were all such dead giveaways ... 😀

Of course his 7 vehicle, 10 person security detail is closely guarding him ...

Reminds me of years ago when the Clintons visited STT and a bunch of his security detail came into the pub one night. It was quite a hoot watching them trying to blend in and look like "regular" visitors. Sorry, guys, but the neatly pressed shorts, cropped hair, pristine docksiders and the wrap-around sunglasses were all such dead giveaways ... 😀

That was the decoy security detail.

Nothing for us this time around but a circling chopper last night.

I was up on Seven Flags when the VP departed yesterday. We watched the Coast Guard helicopter clear the area before the departure from the VP's compound.

FYI. The Coast Guard and other federal agencies operate under a Memorandum of Understanding between themselves and the FAA. This MOU allows them to deviate from FAA regulations when necessary. For example, even though CG airplanes have a 500 ft separation requirement, they are allowed to deviate from this for purposes of identification of surface targets, i.e. identifying a vessel during a SAR mission. They are allowed to ignore the prohibition against dropping objects from aircraft if they are dropping life saving equipment to victims in the water, etc. The agency which enforces the regulations is allowed to waive the regulations.

I am sure that there was a mission critical requirement for the CG helicopter to fly at low level and they never appeared to be endangering anyone.

Nothing for us this time around but a circling chopper last night.

I was up on Seven Flags when the VP departed yesterday. We watched the Coast Guard helicopter clear the area before the departure from the VP's compound.

FYI. The Coast Guard and other federal agencies operate under a Memorandum of Understanding between themselves and the FAA. This MOU allows them to deviate from FAA regulations when necessary. For example, even though CG airplanes have a 500 ft separation requirement, they are allowed to deviate from this for purposes of identification of surface targets, i.e. identifying a vessel during a SAR mission. They are allowed to ignore the prohibition against dropping objects from aircraft if they are dropping life saving equipment to victims in the water, etc. The agency which enforces the regulations is allowed to waive the regulations.

I am sure that there was a mission critical requirement for the CG helicopter to fly at low level and they never appeared to be endangering anyone.

I'm sure there was a point to your lengthy response. But not sure what, as interesting as it was. rmb asked if there were any good experiences. I replied that all I saw was a helicopter this time around. .Nothing more. I didn't even think they were particularly low last night from my vantage point. Didn't even freak the dog out.

Sorry, I was not responding to rmb. I was responding to the fact that your last couple of comments seemed to indicate that you have a problem with the coast guard helicopter. I simply wanted to point out that the coast guard helicopter as well as the DEA helicopters which occasionally fly low over the VI are not operating illegally.

No offense intended.