Journalists told to stop stealing from Air Force One
Journalists have been told to stop stealing items from Air Force One in response to a tradition of sneaking away with gold-rimmed plates, glasses and pillowcases.
For years, reporters have disembarked the US presidential plane with a memento of their time with the head of state on his travels.
Officially, the 13 White House journalists who accompany the president on his plane are entitled to a packet of M&M’s chocolates bearing the presidential seal and the US leader’s signature.
Not included in the gesture of thanks are embroidered pillowcases or whisky tumblers.
“For years, scores of journalists - and others - have quietly stuffed everything from engraved whisky tumblers to wine glasses to pretty much anything with the Air Force One insignia on it into their bag before stepping off the plane,” Politico reported following an investigation into the matter.
What seemed like the final straw for the White House Correspondents’ Association came after Joe Biden flew to the west coast and a check revealed several items were missing.
NBC’s Kelly O’Donnell, the president of the association, said taking items from the plane was not allowed and that such acts reflect badly on the press corps as a whole.
The reprimand resonated with at least one journalist who discreetly returned an embroidered pillowcase after a meeting was arranged between the reporter and a press official in a park across from the White House, Politico said.
However, others might prove less willing to repent.
“I didn’t embarrass anyone or commit any wrongdoing to put this collection together,” Misha Komadovsky, White House correspondent from the Voice of America, told BBC News.
Holding up a paper cup with the Air Force One logo he said he “simply forgot to throw away”.
Air Force One has been described as an office in the sky, complete with a medical station, operating table and conference room.
Media outlets pay for the journalists to fly on the government plane, along with the meals and drinks served in-flight.
