"Do Not Take Items from the Presidential Aircraft," White House Press Corps Warns

Loss of Items with Dedicated Plane Logos Such as Pillowcases and Plates
White House Press Corps Issues Warning via Email

White House reporters boarding the U.S. president's official plane, 'Air Force One,' have been warned not to take items from the aircraft without permission. This measure followed an inspection that revealed some items bearing the Air Force One logo, such as pillowcases, glass cups, and gold-rimmed plates, were missing.

Air Force One, the official aircraft of the President of the United States
Photo by Yonhap News

On the 31st of last month (local time), the British broadcaster BBC reported that the White House Correspondents' Association (WHCA) sent an email to reporters last month prohibiting them from taking items from Air Force One. The WHCA stated, "Such behavior negatively affects the perception of the press corps accompanying the president," and demanded that it stop.

This warning from the WHCA reportedly came after an inspection conducted by authorities following President Biden's visit to the U.S. West Coast aboard Air Force One in February, during which some items were found to be missing. The missing items reportedly included pillowcases, glass cups, and gold-rimmed plates bearing the Air Force One logo.

BBC reported, "Reporters boarding Air Force One sometimes receive chocolate packages embossed with the presidential seal as souvenirs," but added, "It is common for reporters to take utensils such as forks and knives or towels bearing the Air Force One logo as keepsakes."

Regarding this, Misha Komadovsky, a White House correspondent for Voice of America (VOA), told BBC, "I have taken paper cups with the Air Force One logo before," adding, "No one was inconvenienced or wronged in collecting these items. I simply forgot to throw them away." He also mentioned, "I have a box of chocolates from a famous brand signed by President Biden."

The U.S. president's official plane, Air Force One, is known as the "White House in the sky." It is equipped with encrypted communications and video conferencing systems that allow the president to conduct official duties just as on the ground. The three-story interior, covering 370 square meters, includes a conference room, office, bedroom, dining room, and a medical facility with an operating table, as well as designated areas for the press, VIPs, and staff. The president usually sits at the front of the plane, while the press corps is seated toward the rear.