The president and first lady travel in an 'imperial bubble', where the US government books entire floors of hotels, closes down airports, and shuts down highways. Here's what it's like.
For the president, first lady, and secretary of state, travel is a big part of the job. But it's no small task to ensure their time away from Washington, DC is safe and seamless.
Secret Service agents take the lead on travel logistics, often arriving months beforehand to clear the airspace, map out a motorcade route, identify hospitals, and other secure locations in case of an attack.
Source: The Oregonian
Once the trip begins, security agents are with the subject every step of the way.
A select number of reporters and photographers known as the "protective press pool" travel close to, but separate from, the official posse of security and top aides to capture the statements and stops made by the official during the trip.
Source: The New York Times
To ensure a stress-free flight, national agencies announce temporary flight restrictions days before the scheduled trip to restrict movement in a given area when the president, vice president, or other security official travels.
During presidential travel, the restriction's "inner ring" is approximately 10 miles, in which other aircraft cannot fly below 18,000 feet or land at any airports. Aircraft can fly through, but not loiter in the "outer rings," which span approximately 30 miles.
For a traveling Vice President or similar lower official, restrictions spark a temporary "no fly" zone for when the subject is arriving, departing, or at the airport.
Sometimes Air Force One lands to a public audience; other times it lands for a reception with the hosting leader.
Whichever is the case, the traveling security team springs into action right away.
The subject is then led to a motorcade that usually includes around 20 vehicles, which freely cruise down closed highways to save time and safety concerns.
Source: Wired
Local law enforcement provides another layer for the motorcade on the way to the official's first destination, and any locations after that.
The Secret Service's counter-assault team is the most heavily equipped layer of the motorcade, and ride alongside other forces behind the car carrying the administration member.
A former agent told The Washington Post that the counter-assault team not only scans the perimeter for potential threats, but is also poised with combat vests and massive rifles to "lay down an unbelievable amount of suppressive fire" in the event of an attack on the motorcade.
Official visits are announced ahead of time and usually attract onlookers across the destination city. Though protesters could pose a security concern, the Secret Service identifies credible threats ahead of time and can warn them to stay away.
Source: The Oregonian
Hotels get anywhere from weeks to months of notice for VIP visits, like those by an administration member, and assign all amenities in accordance with their team's specifications.
Franck Arnold, general manager of the Ritz-Carlton Toronto, told Business Insider that VIP guests such as administration members choose details including which rooms or suites work best based on the staff they have in tow.
Despite the necessity to accommodate security, these large demands are often a lightning rod for reports on massive hotel bills, like when first lady Melania Trump racked up $174,000 in hotel bills on a 12-hour trip to Toronto.
The first lady also sparked reports that gawked at a $95,000 bill from a Cairo hotel where she didn't even spend the night.
Source: INSIDER
Exorbitant travel bills are common. Former President Barack and first lady Michelle Obama sparked criticism when their separate trips to Palm Springs and Aspen on the same weekend with security in tow cost a combined $272,192.
Source: Newsweek
A former security agent told the Oregonian that in addition to the entire floor on which the official stays, the floors above and below will be cleared out, meaning three whole floors are rented for the duration of the visit, ramping up costs.
Source: The Oregonian
Security measures can impact the public's experience in the sky, a hotel, or even traffic during an official's visit. The flight and motorcade Trump has been known to take to his New Jersey golf club often causes gridlock for aircraft and motorists.
Source: North Jersey, NJ1015
VIP guests and their teams also dictate the level of access the public has during their trip, including entering and the exiting hotels, Arnold said.
Secret Service and Presidential Protective Division agents keep a perimeter around the president at all times, sometimes with local police providing an extra layer during public appearances.
Agents are ready to step in if anyone — or animal — gets too close.
Though Air Force One is the president's most iconic mode of travel, there's a backup plane just like it that comes on the trips to ensure the president or first lady has a sure exit strategy.
Source: The White House
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