We’ve all heard some scarcely-believable rumors about some sly, clever ways in which our head of state is allegedly kept safe: a system of escape tunnels running below the white house; super bunkers that can withstand one of the almighty Satan’s full tilt, gale force 13 belches while housing the president and select staff in relative, sustainable comfort for 100 years; etc. etc.
But perhaps most surprising is that these rumors are, remarkably, not so unbelievable after all. Or at least, more believable than just how easy it is to get a job driving a massive, loaded Chevrolet in the President’s motorcade.
Citing a story published in the New York Times, Road & Track reports that the official presidential motorcade makes use of volunteers to pilot the majority of its 15-passenger vans. Untrained volunteers, mind you, who are no more than a clean record and a valid driver’s license away from chauffeuring some pretty darn high-profile people.
So why the lack of discretion? Road & Track cites both that volunteers are (obviously) cheaper, and that the Secret Service “has no obligation to protect either White House staff or reporters that tail the president.” Those volunteers typically fall in-line behind the Secret Service vehicles, and before the Presidential ambulance.
But before we go and condemn Mr. Obama for a lack of caution, it’s worth noting that the Presidential motorcade has made use of such volunteers since the 1980s, or earlier. So far, it seems to have worked out pretty well.
So if you’re not doing anything and the President comes into town, why not volunteer to drive a massive Chevrolet/Cadillac in the official motorcade, and squeeze in a test drive while you’re at it?
Comments
We know a new Presidential Limousine is in the works, almost conveniently coinciding with the launch of the CT6. I’m fairly certain the new limo will look vaguely like the CT6, or at least something vaguely like a Cadillac; it’ll never be 100%.
I hope it would look impressive and more like a car. The present Kodiak-based limousine’s, while they do the job, are looking a bit stale and probably don’t hold up to current ballistics and explosives standards.
Still, it looks better than the its DTS-inspired predecessor with its giant forehead. Bush visited my city years ago to thank us for our help during 9/11 and his motorcade rolled past me while I was stopped at an intersection. I was fortunate that I had front row seats watching a major head of state whiz by less than 50 feet from me. I was less fortunate that I had to look at a pair of bloated DTS’s.
Why would you even mention the NRA being with terrorists organizations?
I too wonder why, it is very unprofessional.
Anyways this story here is a little misleading. The limo and all the black Suburban’s are very highly trained Secret Service drivers. Most of these vehicles including the Suburban’s are very highly modified. I have dealt with the people who do the Burbans and the engines are far from stock along with the many other things they carry.
The divers here they speak of are the simple white vans behind al the presidential stuff up front. The ones this photo leaves out,
Lets put it this way it matters little who drives these vans as one they are loaded mostly with VIP or press people who are not targets. The odds these vans could very get past the first Suburban are slim to none. Third generally there is also a chopper over head too. Fourth the vans are inspected for explosives etc.
The chances of these vehicles or drivers being a threat are slim to none.
Now if you want to look for protection trouble start checking out the way the Secret Service has gotten a high turn over of skilled agents and how the woman who Obama chose to head the service has let things get pretty lax. She herself the supervisor has had to have the car parked on a hill to help her open the door and she could not pass the required training they are made to do every 6 months. In fact few do the training anymore as no one makes them.
Add this into the drinking and hooker issues the Service is not in good shape right now and is a greater threat than these vans will ever pose.
There is a good Ronald Kessler book out called In the Presidents Secret service and a follow up The First Family Detail and both books are very well done and show the many things they are faced with dealing with the family and presidents back to Kennedy.
Judging by all the comments, you are not alone…
I suggest everyone who did not like the Aaron Birch’s unprofessional and somewhat bigoted comments to write a complaint email to the editor. That way they actually know.
We get enough political propaganda masked as entertainment or “journalism” on the big networks and newspapers in thus country everyday. We dont need more, especially on a site like this that has so far stayed away from that. A quick way to destroy a site like GMInsidenews is to turn it political.
THE NRA is NOT a terrorist organization and should not even be used in the same sentence as terrorism! What do you think that the NRA represents? It is an organization that insures one of the freedoms that were given to us by our founding fathers.
VERY UNPROFESSIONAL TO SLANDER THE NRA ON A CAR SITE. Please save your political bias (we see your New York Times name dropping too)…
Do you realize the NRA is only supporting a Constitutional right and for one that is legal? Just because you personally don’t like something doesn’t mean you use your position in here to push your political agenda.
I have generally liked this site and frequent it often, but I might reconsider. There is no place here for childish politics here; people get along on here over their love of cars no matter their political leanings. The world would be a better place with less politics.
Mr. Aaron Birch,
You seem to be too thick-headed to realize that the NRA is NOT a terrorist organization.
The NRA is a group of individuals aimed at protecting our rights as citizens of The United States of America.
You sir, have caused me to lose respect, not only for you, but for this website as they are allowing you to publicize garbage. For a second I thought you meant ISIS instead of NRA, but I guess you’re just too Pro-Obama.
I think you owe all the rest of us an apology for your poor judgment and choices.
This is a car website, not your personal facebook page. Keep your terrible opinions to yourself.
Sincerely,
a corrections officer
Very unprofessional article. First the obvious political bias in reference to the NRA. A great many law enforcement professionals belong to it are they being accused of terrorism? Next do your research. The Secret Service drives the vehicles assigned to government officials. The volunteers drive press, TV and local officials. The lack of research and the groundless terror accusation is reason enough for me to find another website for my car news.