Washington DC: The new Barack Obama International Airport finally opened right downtown, a stone's throw from the White House, 12 years after construction started.
Progressive Democrats (loony left liberal members of Congress) commencing in 2010 had the Lincoln, Jefferson and several other memorials paved over; filled in the tidal basin and the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall; and tore down the Washington Monument. It had been hoped the Washington Monument could be retained as a control tower, but it was considered too old.
The ruling Democrats nationalized all the US air lines into "Federal Airlines" now the only US air carrier. The CBO had predicted $12 trillion would be added to the national debt (it was only $10 trillion). But who listens to the CBO anyway!
The environmentalist lobby dictated to the federal government that great fuel efficiency and CO2 reduction must be achieved. Refurbished Douglas DC-3s and surplus C-47s (great propeller driven airplanes in their time) were purchased. All the US jet liners were sold to Burundi and North Korea (Iran was excluded from the bidding). The winning countries hired all the laid-off (screwed) pilots and management from the nationalized US private airlines.
The Food Police Catering Service (owned by Al Gore) got the sole source contract for Tofu snacks served in recyclable green banana skins at $100 each! Each piece of luggage has a $500 charge, as does the restroom facility. All liquid refreshments are free, except alcoholic beverages. Passengers are encouraged by the Health and Human Services Secretary to drink a lot, as there is no air conditioning on board and the windows cannot be opened.
The ticket prices are based on the number of passengers traveling on each flight to cover overhead and fuel costs. Ticket and food pricing is dictated by the PAYGO legislation which is designed to pay down the national debt. FAA and TSA personnel will run the public corporation consisting of management, flight crews and security personnel, which is similar to the Health Care Reform public option.
Foreign carriers such as Burundi and North Korean Air have set up special flights to Canada and Mexico and then back to the various states (just like was once done during US private airline strikes) to still qualify as international carriers using only jet aircraft.
Car sales and gasoline consumption have gone up. Ultralight and private jet aircraft, limousine, bicycle, scooter and camper (RVs) sales are up. AMTRAK train, subway and bus travel are also up. Wall Street executive Robert Gibbs said "the US Transportation Sector is finally improving, under this new stimulus plan!" Environmentalist groups are having a cow.
Three paying passengers are on the manifest, excluding the crew of 10 government employees, which make up the maiden run flight to Chicago. This initial flight will also pick up a cargo of deep dish pizzas, bottles of scotch and cartons of cigarettes for an unknown buyer.
New Congress members have refused to fly Federal Airlines.
