3 Famous Celebrities Happily Flying Private Charter Jets.
There’s no avoiding it — private jets took a big hit recently, what with the economic crash, the questionable PR move by the executives of Ford, GM, and Chrysler to come to their bailout meeting in their jets, and the general populist anger that’s (unjustifiably) settled upon the personal plane as the ultimate in excessive decadence.
But private charters are still valuable and important to many, and there are several international celebrities who continue to use their own planes. We’ve selected three of the most notable and interesting below — and there’s not a movie star in sight!
#1. Bill Clinton.
The former president has never stopped using his private jet, as his breakneck schedule, endless speeches, and dozens of fund raising efforts pretty much require him to be in as many places, as quickly as possible.
He also was one of the few people to actually meet with the North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il, and pushed for that country’s release of the journalists who were being threatened with long imprisonment. How did he get over to the crucial meeting? By private plane, of course.
#2. Roger Federer.
Federer doesn’t make any excuses for using a private jet — he often takes one to the range of tournaments which he (usually) wins, although in the last few months his use of a private charter has actually become more relevant towards his family life.
Although he sometimes flies commercial, Federer is now the father of two identical twins, and has decided to fly everyone — his wife and new children — along with him to the various matches. Without the convenience of a private jet, this would be a far larger interruption to their childhood than could be feasible, but the jet lets them do it.
#3. Famous Oilman T. Boone Pickens.
Like everyone else, Pickens wasn’t immune from the global downturn in the financial markets, but as he recently mentioned in a newspaper profile, his cherished Oklahoma State Cowboys football team are what maintains his sunny outlook.
Not only has he funneled great sums of money into his alma mater’s sports program, he also asked the head coach of the football team what else he might do to support the players. Asked to make it personally to every game, Pickens responded in the positive and now flies to every one in his private charter.
Sure, the flashier and excessive travelers who rode on private charters only to make a demonstration of their wealth are now dealing with the fallout, but the people — including major celebrities — who actually have to use them for legitimate reasons are still happily doing so.