Politics aside, I struggle to see the issue here…
In this post:
Bernie Sanders criticized for flying Delta first class
In the past 24 hours, a picture is being widely circulated online showing Bernie Sanders flying Delta first class, seemingly on an Airbus A220 from Washington National (DCA) to Minneapolis St. Paul (MSP), where he’s attending the “No Kings” rally this weekend.
Some are blasting the Democratic Socialist for flying first class, calling him a hypocrite, and claiming he’s “living large” and “jetting out of DC like royalty.”
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a more left-leaning Democrat criticized for this kind of stuff. For example, in the past, we’ve seen the same criticism of Alexandria Ocasia-Cortez flying first class.
I fail to see what’s wrong with a socialist flying first class?
I always find it puzzling when the topic of flying domestic first class is somehow portrayed as something that’s for the super rich, or when there are claims that it’s incompatible with someone who wants billionaires to pay more in taxes.
Domestic first class means you get “treated like royalty?” I must have missed the memo! I just find this to be such strange labeling, because let’s be honest, domestic first class is hardly luxurious:
- As a member of the Senate, Sanders travels a lot and presumably has elite status, so he likely ends up in first class quite a bit through complimentary upgrades
- Sanders is a very high profile person attending a big event, so it’s possible his travel was paid for by a third party, in which case them paying for first class for him isn’t unreasonable
- Sanders presumably earns lots of miles, so is he not allowed to use his miles to upgrade tickets, like everyone else?
- Even if Sanders was paying for the ticket out of pocket, this isn’t like dropping $20K+ on an Air France La Premiere ticket
Assuming you’re even paying for first class, the premium is often quite reasonable nowadays. I don’t follow Sanders more closely than most other politicians, but my understanding is that he fights for higher taxes for billionaires, and things along those lines, rather than demanding that everything always be equal for everyone, and that no one can have a nicer experience.
Should Sanders only fly basic economy? Is it reasonable if he’s in extra legroom economy, or is that not “equal” enough? What about paying for a seat assignment toward the front of the plane?
For that matter, the reality is that I think first class can be justified purely in terms of the ability to be productive. Most people can’t reasonably work in a tight economy seat. You can’t even open your laptop screen in many cases if the person in front of you reclines. Paying a reasonable premium to sit in a seat where you can have the space to work is in many cases just being smart.
I understand the frustration many have when high profile people show up at climate change conferences in private jets, but this simply isn’t that. If there’s something I missed, though, please do let me know. Glamorizing domestic first class to this extent, while claiming that flying that way is being “treated like royalty,” either comes out of a lack of knowledge, or willful ignorance, in my opinion.
Bottom line
Bernie Sanders is being criticized by some for flying Delta first class, though this strikes me as a completely baseless attack. I don’t think being a Democratic Socialist and flying first class domestically are incompatible. There are decent odds that Sanders was just upgraded on account of his elite status.
But even if his ticket was paid for by another party, or if he redeemed miles or paid cash, I don’t think that contradicts any stance he has espoused.
Is there something I’m missing?
The real audacity is calling that "first class".
Did not hear the right so angered when the head of DHS bought herself two jets, one with a bed, for her bucket list, the same planes that could have funded TSA. Not sure why we complicate what is simple by displaying short term memory, Democrats bended when healthcare(ACA) was tied to TSA funding in November, that was an atrocious move for americans, my insurance rates doubled....
The real audacity is calling that "first class".
Did not hear the right so angered when the head of DHS bought herself two jets, one with a bed, for her bucket list, the same planes that could have funded TSA. Not sure why we complicate what is simple by displaying short term memory, Democrats bended when healthcare(ACA) was tied to TSA funding in November, that was an atrocious move for americans, my insurance rates doubled. Now they want them to bend again tying TSA to the "save republicans from loosing congress in november Act" also known as "save america act" also known as "a 3 year congress sabbatical act". Passing everything must be tied to something else totally irrelevant, like a dangling fruit. News flash, TSA funding vote already passed the senate, Johnson+Trump say they will veto it if not tied to SAA. How is that Democrat related? Who has the majority?
Any one promising free stuff that someone else will pay for—and don't worry your pretty little head about it—is delusional at best. He got upgraded. Big deal.
Typical Zionist lobby trying to “catch” someone who is against the genocidal maniac Netanyahu. But say nothing about their orange Epstein protecting cuck for AIPAC
With a history like his, Bernie can do about anything and get my support.
Your left leaning bias is showing when you fail to see the hypocrisy making you a hypocrite for living in Miami where I also live and is finally turning red hoping you all leave to these blue states and cities. He cries foul when the rich fly first class, and foul for carbon emitted by airplanes.
After so many comments on this article, the main takeaway is the obvious absence of champagne socialists comments. It is becoming increasingly difficult to defend the indefensible …. :-)
They ALL fly first class. Remember Ted Cruz holiday during Covid. It doesn't matter which side of the aisle they are on, they all fly first class, they all stay in expensive hotel suites.
If anyone thinks their side is better, they need to wake up from that dream.
It is the same in the UK, both sides do the same, but people like to choose a side.
California legislators were filmed for simple meetings, but going to Hawaii for it. Hmmm?
Fact: North American carriers and their 'premium' classes are nothing to get excited or jealous about.
Fact: Sanders is a hypocrite for flying anything other than cattle class. So much for his 'man of the people' bullshit.
Haters are gonna hate. Than means you.
Without getting political, I’ll point out that, based on the sidewalls and seat model, the photo shows him in a Boeing 717 (which I don’t believe is currently flying to DCA), not an A220. Of course, correct me if I’m wrong.
So typical for you to try to justify this or left wing politician. Ben, you know more about flying anyone I know and you also know that congressman cannot accept frequent flyer miles when flying on taxpayer money. So most of the time that Bernie is up in the air, he is not earning frequent flyer miles. He is billing taxpayers for his flights there's no way he's an elite.
Whether this was his purchase...
So typical for you to try to justify this or left wing politician. Ben, you know more about flying anyone I know and you also know that congressman cannot accept frequent flyer miles when flying on taxpayer money. So most of the time that Bernie is up in the air, he is not earning frequent flyer miles. He is billing taxpayers for his flights there's no way he's an elite.
Whether this was his purchase or taxpayer purchase, it was paid for with money. He's a millionaire many times over, has much more money than you and me combined. Just say what it is. He wants to fly first class!
And how about the billions the current/temporary occupant of the WH is earning with grift and cronyism...no big f'n deal...?
What does a socialist politician flying first class have anything to do with Trump?
I could give a rat's ass whether Bernie Sanders fires first class or not. My point was that Ben is defending him with paper tiger defenses that don't hold any water.
We all know that Bernie and everyone else in Washington walks one walk and talks a different talk.
This is one of Ben's monthly posts to make...
What does a socialist politician flying first class have anything to do with Trump?
I could give a rat's ass whether Bernie Sanders fires first class or not. My point was that Ben is defending him with paper tiger defenses that don't hold any water.
We all know that Bernie and everyone else in Washington walks one walk and talks a different talk.
This is one of Ben's monthly posts to make him feel better about his political views but this one doesn't have any credibility.
You miss the point. Socialism is incompatible with separate classes of service such as first class. Everyone should receive the same service. It’s hypocritical for someone who purports socialism to fly first class.
Correct. And Socialist rely on the money of others. Now, if Bernie just shut his trap about the rich paying their fair share ( as defined by him, of course) then I would not care. BTW, the rich already pay the overwhelming majority of all taxes. But this windbag poser but himself in the seat to be watched. Funny how he used to complain about millionaires and now he's graduating to complaining about millionaires. I...
Correct. And Socialist rely on the money of others. Now, if Bernie just shut his trap about the rich paying their fair share ( as defined by him, of course) then I would not care. BTW, the rich already pay the overwhelming majority of all taxes. But this windbag poser but himself in the seat to be watched. Funny how he used to complain about millionaires and now he's graduating to complaining about millionaires. I wonder what changed... oh, he himself became a millionaire.
A know-nothing.
I’m quite sure he’s paid for the upgrade himself - he would have accumulated many miles and also could be a top tier frequent flyer
It's stories like this that show how broken and absurd our media is. Sanders, who is for democratic socialism, take a first class domestic flight and the media talks about it more than Trump's son-in-law taking billions from Saudi Arabia, then asking for more money from them WHILE consulting with them about the next steps for the war in Iran.
Conservatives want to talk about this and not how many thousands of times Trump's...
It's stories like this that show how broken and absurd our media is. Sanders, who is for democratic socialism, take a first class domestic flight and the media talks about it more than Trump's son-in-law taking billions from Saudi Arabia, then asking for more money from them WHILE consulting with them about the next steps for the war in Iran.
Conservatives want to talk about this and not how many thousands of times Trump's name is in the Epstein files, or destroying part of the White House to build himself a ballroom, or the corrupt parsons he issued to people that buy his Trump coin.
I agree. Not a big deal. Funny thing, though: He used to rail against “millionays and billionays” back in the day. After his bestselling books, he only brings up “billionays” these days. ☺️
Apologies for not getting the accent quite right in text.
Kristi Noem flew around in private and government jets. The head of the FBI uses their jet to fly to the Olympics and to attend concerts that feature his girlfriend. Clarence Thomas consistently flys in corporate jets owned by companies that often have cases before the courts and you’re going to complain about a senator flying in first class on a domestic flight? Give me a break.
Sorry FlyerDon, you seem to be missing the point entirely! He is anti-capitalism and conducts rallies against the oligarchy and is for reducing economic inequality. Flying First Class flies directly in the face of that, not to mention flying private which he often does. I guess climate change doesn’t apply to ole Bernie, another cause he supports. Breathtaking hypocrisy! The others you referenced don’t preach what he does, so they are free to do what they want.
Bernie is a democratic socialist not a socialist. There is a difference. Also he has never said people can't have nice things. There's just a point where (and the U.S. has far exceeded that point) the people who have, have vastly more than the people who don't have. That gap needs to be closed. The main principles of Bernie's platform are providing Healthcare for all Americans, raising the minimum wage to a liveable wage, and...
Bernie is a democratic socialist not a socialist. There is a difference. Also he has never said people can't have nice things. There's just a point where (and the U.S. has far exceeded that point) the people who have, have vastly more than the people who don't have. That gap needs to be closed. The main principles of Bernie's platform are providing Healthcare for all Americans, raising the minimum wage to a liveable wage, and increasing the marginal tax rate of extremely high income earners. These are simple concepts that still allow for very wealthy people. The truth is we used to have corporations contribute a higher portion to the government revenue and that has dwindled away to where individuals now pay the vast majority of taxes. Wages have not increased at the rate of inflation which has left so many of our fellow Americans behind. Its also amusing how fiscal conservatives can never come up with money to fund education, Healthcare or school lunches but when it comes to war its here's the check...
The bottom 50% of Americans have 50% of financial net worth on average than the bottom 50% of Chinese (in PRC) — and that’s even as China’s GDP per capita is way less than half of the US’s.
Nah. I fly domestic first, I'm not royalty or even upper middle class. it's a comfort decision if you have the means. And Sanders is old, it would be a health call for him.
My middle-aged bones need a nice seat, but a toddler can sit on the tile floor. As you get a older, your physical needs change. But if somebody needed that explained, they didn't belong in the discussion in the first place.
I retired from the State Department in 2014. At that time all official travel was economy class only and my understanding is the same applies today. When I first started in 1988 we were permitted business class only on flights longer than a certain number of hours. So yes the optics of Bernie flying business class are not good.
If someone else is paying the optics are even worse. As a federal employee I...
I retired from the State Department in 2014. At that time all official travel was economy class only and my understanding is the same applies today. When I first started in 1988 we were permitted business class only on flights longer than a certain number of hours. So yes the optics of Bernie flying business class are not good.
If someone else is paying the optics are even worse. As a federal employee I was never permitted to accept gifts.
Why should Bernie be treated any differently?
As a State Dept employee you were also Global Services and could upgrade very easily and presumably had lots of miles. My son is with the State Dept and it only took 20k miles to upgrade to Polaris on a Tokyo to DC flight. As Ben pointed out, Bernie flies a lot, so presumably could use miles or pay for it himself.
When I was with the Department we could not collect miles for our personal use. Of course many did but it was against the rules.
As for Global Services, very few of us posted overseas flew very often at govt expense since our jobs required us to be on site.
My problem with Bernie is he portrays himself as a man fighting for the poor yet lives a very different lifestyle. All I...
When I was with the Department we could not collect miles for our personal use. Of course many did but it was against the rules.
As for Global Services, very few of us posted overseas flew very often at govt expense since our jobs required us to be on site.
My problem with Bernie is he portrays himself as a man fighting for the poor yet lives a very different lifestyle. All I ask is that he set an example. The last president of Mexico even sold the presidential plane and only flew commercial, often in economy class. That did set a good example.
No government employee automatically gets global services, even State. I'm sure some have it, but it would be earned by flying.
Clearly some people have too much time on their hands. Nothing wrong with anyone flying first class, whether they are a fascist or democratic socialist. Politics has nothing to do with it. It’s what you are willing to pay. That’s democracy.
Hello Janet! It's not democracy, It's capitalism, lol!!
The question remains”did he stand in line for hours to get thru tsa or was he “privileged” and found a way to skip the wait time”
Yes, the guy living a privileged lifestyle while advocating for a system that has caused hunger and poverty everywhere it's ever been tried is "controversial." Very very basic logic. Would've said Logic 101, but no, that's more like 2nd grade logic. Fixed it for you Ben.
He’s not advocating communism, but a system like we have in the Scandinavian countries, which have caused the happiest people in the world, with free healthcare, free education, 6 weeks of vacation, a year of maternity leave and a far bigger and more heathy middle class than in most other countries in the world definitely including the US, which is close to defaulting of trillions in debt because of billionaire tax cuts. Please stop your ridiculous nonsense.
Yours is the ridiculous nonsense the taxes in all of Europe are onerous worse in Scandinavia which is why everyone cheats on their taxes
Have you ever bothered to calculate your true “tax rate” - income tax + depreciation of your car + fuel cost + health insurance premiums + out of pocket?
Car only for your commute to your office.
The high taxes in Scandinavia pay for lot if things that you still pay after tax.
There are some dual-citizens of the US and Sweden who are annoyed that they inherited US citizenship because their families’ US tax burden turned out to be much worse than their Swedish tax burden. Sweden has no gift and inheritance taxes (but it also has no tax benefitted step-up basis for inherited appreciated assets). And for business owners who take out most income as dividends, the tax burden is often more punitive in the US than Sweden.
Sorry Sergei, you mis-represent everything.
You're confusing democratic socialism with Marxist-Leninism. Big difference.
Thought: what would my company say (which doesn't allow J even for VPs on long haul 12hr+ flights say if I was suddenly like..."well I can't work in economy so I'm booking J so I can use my laptop"?
Just an fing thought. Anyone else in that boat?
I would consider your company idiots for making their workers less productive and more unhappy, tbh…
The real issue here is why he's still clinging to his seat in the Senate at 84. The US is ruled by a gerontocracy. There's only reason they remain in public office in their 80s or 90s is vainglory. Dianne Feinstein needed assistance raising her arm to vote at the end of her tenure. She should have been put out to pasture at 75. They all should.
I'll take 100 senators with Bernie's mental acuity (at 84) to the many incompetent, ill-informed, amoral nitwits we have in the senate who don't know how to act their age.
You are correct about Dianne Feinstein. Great lady in her time. Stayed past her prime. Bad choice for her legacy.
Candidate selection is also a very serious problem in the US. Obviously.
Sanders is sharper of mind than Markwayne Mullins, Tuberville, Kennedy, Grassley, Graham, Johnson, Cruz, Lee, etc.
Mullins is so dumb that Trump choose him to be DHS head.
About 15 years ago, I was driving to JFK airport, and saw a police cavalcade driving in the opposite direction. Few moments later, I saw a German government plane parked next to the hangar. I realized right away that it was Reich Kanzlerein Angela Merkel coming for UN General Assembly. Now we're talking about styling Grace with a private plane.
I have the same, socialist laptop bag as Bernie.
Meanwhile trump kids continue to fleece the American public with domestic and international business deals to enrich him and his family. Not to mention the inside stock manipulation with wild swings so his buds can make billions. Bernie flying 1st class isn't bankrupting america. Trump flying to mar a lago and and costing taxpayers 100 million to do so is the problem. Stay focused and don't get distracted. Bernie is not the felon or rpst with pedophile friends.
Democratic Socialist Don’t have a hard line policy position that you can’t “upgrade “ products. Also, I suspect many don’t disagree with having a class based society, rather the argument is redistribution of wealth for equity/fairness/justice etc.
Way to tell em! Now reward yourself with a big serving of balut pino!
A few years back, Bernie was sitting directly behind me in First Class on an AA E175 (single seat) from Burlington to DCA. He wasn't working. He proceeded to talk to the family across the aisle (did not know them) making Gugu comments to the young child on their laps.
Creepy. Have we checked the files for this guy?
You know what hypocritical? Claiming to be a Christian and taking medicine and healthcare away from the poor like Trump, Vance and Johnson plus all the others in the GOP.
Trump did not take medical care away.
He DID return Obamacare to the original system where, you pay normal fees unless you REALLY qualify for help. Medicaid remains an option if you qualify.
The only thing Trump did do is stop taxpayers paying for people that should be paying their own way and stop paying health care for those not in the USA legally.
RNC can [REDACTED], best to pay them no mind
I was on a flight with Bernie a month ago out of Burlington and he and his whole entourage took up the first class cabin which Im sure was paid for by our taxes.
In any event Ben, you should stick to what go you here and stay out of politics. We come here to read about travel not Bernie Sanders or Donald Trump. There are plenty of other places to read about political nonsense.
It’s Ben’s blog and he can write about whatever he wants because we have the First Amendment.
If you don’t like reading what Ben posts, then don’t read it.
"...he and his whole entourage took up the first class cabin which Im sure was paid for by our taxes."
Based on.....? Please share your "well recearched" data that supports that conclusion. Waiting.
If it was on a premium airline, I would object.
Do I care if any politician flys first class? No. I do care when said politician is a millionaire and builds his entire image on fighting those horrible millionaires. He's a fake and always has been. Like AOC he finds stupid people to exploit.
No one finds so many stupid people to exploit to such extreme as your worshipped MAGA Lord Trump. Trump even recently told people he prefers to surround himself with stupid people.
Yeah, birds of a feather flock together.
You are maling a false comparison, and you know it.
Let's see. The man has dedicated his professional life to competent and conscientious public service, has written nearly a dozen books on helping the average American get a fair shake, and has tirelessly promoted helping others in need. And you want to label him a hypocrite for actually making a living while doing so? You're saying that because he has a net worth in the "millions" (estimated at $2M), that he can't call out the...
Let's see. The man has dedicated his professional life to competent and conscientious public service, has written nearly a dozen books on helping the average American get a fair shake, and has tirelessly promoted helping others in need. And you want to label him a hypocrite for actually making a living while doing so? You're saying that because he has a net worth in the "millions" (estimated at $2M), that he can't call out the greed of other "millionaires?" That's like saying that Mark Cuban can't attack other billionaires for their lack of philanthropy because he's also a billionaire.
You sir are the phony. Your argument is obviously not well thought out.
He flies a lot more than the average American as a result of his political roles and has airline frequent flyer status to get complimentary upgrades. Even otherwise, it’s not unusual for speakers to be contracted for events where travel agreements require premium travel arrangements.
Being a democratic socialist is not a vow of poverty, not a vow to seek general control of private company assets or eliminate market pricing mechanisms where pay more gets more.
Last time I checked, Delta complimentary upgrades are like unicorns.
As a Delta Gold, I get them pretty often - 3 out of my last 4 flights I was upgraded. Not to first, but still. For someone with real status it is probably not that unusual, especially for short-haul domestic flights.
Of course it's grossly hypocritical. Unfortunately, Bernie Bros are in a cult almost as all-consuming as Donald Trump's; they could never admit that their slacker bro uncle wasn't perfect and righteous.
How? Vietnam is an explicitly “SOCIALIST” country, and yet, their airline has Business Class… it’s a lazy trope to suggest that just because someone like Bernie advocates for the working class that he therefore must walk everywhere barefoot.
Grossly hypocritical? If that is your concern, then go focus on your MAGA Lord and his “Christian” enablers and the big donor-hooked Democrats who keep licking Netanyahu’s boots and typically find a way to get Trump and the rest of the Republicans just enough support to let Trump & Co get most everything Trump/Miller/Musk/Netanyahu/Vance/Thiel want.
I find it interesting to see negative comments about anyone flying first class on a blog devoted to doing exactly that. I to not care if it is Mother Theresa when she was alive or Bernie who is in the seat. The entire purpose of this blog is to revel in the joy of finding oneself in a first class seat on each and every flight for the least amount of money possible. I want to know how Bernie scored the seat, not why he is sitting in it.
Exactly. Mama T deserved some lie-flat, Krug, and caviar!
Ben, why are you even commenting on this? We all know that social media is a maelstrom of toxic commentary. This reader, for one, would greatly appreciate your keeping posts limited to what, at least ostensibly, relates to the airline industry. Randomly commenting on Bernie Sanders flying preferences is so far out in left field that it is laughable. Just because the internet says it is news doesn’t mean you have to.
Because this blog has become a gossip rag and Lucky has run out of things to comment on. He basically just reposts what VFTW does now.
While there is a bunch of mutual engagement harvesting and monkey see monkey do stuff, there is also a substantial difference between the two blogs.
OMAAT covers more loyalty program point sales, more hotel and flight reviews and isn’t a part-time parrot for Club of Growth type Republicans.
I was on a flight from Charlotte to Harrisburg last year. Scott Perry (R) was sitting in coach not sure why socialist and lib Sanders feels taxpayers money should provide him with luxury that he is always bashing. Do as I say not as I do.
@ hokieexplorer -- There's no indication that taxpayers paid for first class, unless I'm missing something? And I suspect they almost certainly didn't, since that's not within government policy.
Wrong, Ben. There is no “government policy” restricting class of travel for Senators. Unless Bernie was upgraded, it’s clear taxpayers are paying for it out of the budget for his office. The limited rules that exist apply to gifted travel. There is also a ban instituted by Nancy Pelosi on House members flying business class on flights of less than 14 hours.
So you think he got the ticket paid for as part of his official duties and right of oversight over federal sites in Minnesota?
A DCA-MSP ticket costs very little compared to the cost of Trump’s wasteful trips to Florida that are definitely at US taxpayer expense.
The US Government didn’t pay for this DCA-MSP trip of Sanders.
He almost always flies private. It is shocking to see him flying commercial. Definitely a downgrade for him to be in FC. I am guessing the checks from his donors didn’t clear on time.
Of course the leftie blogger backs his favorite leftie politician.
Of course the nazi commenter needs to talk shit again on the leftie's blog
MAGA Jim N only comes here for the political commentary. What a cuck.
Americans know absolutely nothing about the horrors of socialism and communism, have never lived in such countries, never had to have their civic rights stripped away, yet advocate for „democratic“ socialism. There is NO democratic socialism! White, privileged American leftists are so delusional and lost.
Right, total oxymoron.
We know nothing about authoritarianism/fascism either but we sure are finding out first hand now!
Yes, he is a hypocrite, but most left wing nut jobs are. In his utopian world, on commercial aircraft there would only be economy with 29 inch pitch. No recline.
The party elite however, fly on special planes. The line between socialism and communism is very narrow. Bernie is on that line.
When I was on active duty in the US military, if in uniform, we could not fly in first or business...
Yes, he is a hypocrite, but most left wing nut jobs are. In his utopian world, on commercial aircraft there would only be economy with 29 inch pitch. No recline.
The party elite however, fly on special planes. The line between socialism and communism is very narrow. Bernie is on that line.
When I was on active duty in the US military, if in uniform, we could not fly in first or business class as it would give the appearance the government was buying first class tickets, even if it was an upgrade or we were paying for flight from personal funds such as on leave. Once I kind gentlemen offered me his first class seat as a way of saying thank you. I thanked him and explained why I had to say no. He did however by my drinks and had the flight attendant bring them back.
In those days official government travel could not be used to accrue personal use frequent flyer miles. Today it is permitted.
Bernie should avoid the appearance of being an elitist if he wants to be "for the people". Who paid for the flight? Better question.
I am Exec Plat and fly AA from Bangor Maine to DC often.
I’ve seen Senator Susan Collins on several BGR to DCA flights. She is on the upgrade list like any normal economy passenger. She appears to fly economy and only gets the comp upgrade when granted by availability.
Sanders upgrade was very likely complimentary due to status. Why did anyone ever turn anything away for free?
Good point. I have no respect for his leftist economic policies, but it is likely this was an upgrade. Who would begrudge an 84 yo f@rt taking a free upgrade that would most likely have gone to a person he wants to tax more? Also, there is zero environmental impact of his choice.
I was on a flight with Bernie a month ago out of Burlington and his whole entourage of 6 people were in first class with him too FYI.
Bernie Sanders should be punished for flying first class because he seeks to punish others with higher income taxes and new wealth taxes. Some rich have money because of frugality + investments + working hard. The explains the janitor and the secretary who had $10M. Others have a small family business where all family members put in long hours. Still others can earn more than that janitor but follow his frugality and end up with...
Bernie Sanders should be punished for flying first class because he seeks to punish others with higher income taxes and new wealth taxes. Some rich have money because of frugality + investments + working hard. The explains the janitor and the secretary who had $10M. Others have a small family business where all family members put in long hours. Still others can earn more than that janitor but follow his frugality and end up with $40M, yet they are punished with the highest tax rates because of people like Bernie.
Bernie should lead by example and fly basic economy. If he had $100M, then maybe Comfort Plus. Instead, Bernie drums up hate and Communism. That is not to imply Teump is good or not senile.
I wouldn't agree that Sanders was jetting out of DC like royalty, but Bernie Sanders is a hypocrite.
The problem with this country is not that socialists fly Delta first class BUT that we non-socialists have to endure Delta First Class
Good for the Senator. He deserves a moderately comfortable Delta recliner, mini-water bottle, maybe a pre-departure beverage (if they feel like it), a light meal, AVOD, couple electrical outlets, and some free WiFi (if he’s a SkyMiles ‘member’). So ‘premium.’
Thank goodness he did not “fly the friendly skies” (lest he risk the Dr. Dao ‘special’), because they often still charge for WiFi ($8/800 points, psh.)
When AI takes over and we have fully automated luxury communism, everyone will fly first class
They’re already doing it on La Compagnie. I wish all seats were lie-flat.
Without wishing to be rude, the fact that this somehow counts as “news” in the US is quite close linked to why your country is gradually destroying itself, FYI.
We’re doing fine, Tom. Sure, gas is a little more expensive and jobs are harder to come by, and our President is corrupt, crazy, and rude, but, like, for most of us, fairly normal life. Wish healthcare and housing were more affordable. Would also be nice if workers and consumers had better protections. But… have you seen our air craft carriers? And we do have a bunch of billionaires. Woo…
I have been on flights with Bernie 15+ years ago when I was living in Vermont, back then he was flying economy and once was across the isle from me. If he paid for the seat what's the big deal? I'm not saying this as some Bernie supporter either, if this was my least favorite politician I would say the same thing where if they paid for it then who cares? If they are receiving...
I have been on flights with Bernie 15+ years ago when I was living in Vermont, back then he was flying economy and once was across the isle from me. If he paid for the seat what's the big deal? I'm not saying this as some Bernie supporter either, if this was my least favorite politician I would say the same thing where if they paid for it then who cares? If they are receiving special treatment or free tickets then i have a problem with that. Don't give into political hysterics here please, this is one of my last refuges from politics.
The British royals are criticized if they are in anything above economy when flying commercial. It's all just news fodder. I'm not a Bernie fan by any stretch. And, I don't particularly care what he flies or what toilet paper he uses. Are there not bigger issues that command our attention?
Here's an idea Ben - keep out of anything that may be considered politcal. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but sharing them will invariably trigger emotions.
Nah. Let Ben and everyone say what they wanna say. Ignore or engage. The “no politics” trope is tired, lame, and weak. “We want the jobs the comet will bring…” (Don’t Look Up)
He needs to make money. There isn't much interesting content on here for years now. No one can use miles and hotels points for anything useful anymore. There's no big deals anymore at all.
So clickbait it's got to be. I don't judge him for that.
As always, anyone is free to start The Republican Travel Blog. I’m sure it will have ones of readers with dynamic content about Daytona, Joplin, and Galveston.
Nah you are wrong there… that’s Pravda’s way… aka Airliners.Net
This is actually ridiculous. An 84‑year‑old man working on a domestic Delta first‑class flight is not news. It just shows that people don’t know what democratic socialism is—it’s not communism. Delta domestic first class isn’t luxury; it offers more space, but that’s it. Senators are constantly traveling and working, so this should be treated as non‑news. The only people making this news are agitators and those looking to spin things.
"people don’t know what democratic socialism is—it’s not communism."
Precisely. Democratic socialism still leaves plenty of room for capitalism in luxury markets (in the economic sense; basically anything that's not reasonably defined as a necessity). Since air travel's not a necessity, there's no hypocrisy in him flying up front.
(When he talks about "the 1%," he probably isn't going after middle-class folks who get the occasional free upgrade!)
That's social democracy—big difference. There is no such thing as "demakwatik soshawizm," boo.
The man is old af, let him live. Let him enjoy a little space and comfort.
Why should he be allowed to enjoy the luxuries he insists that none of us deserve?
I don't believe he's ever insisted that no one deserves the luxury of flying first class??
As I replied on another comment, when he goes after "the 1%," he's talking about billionaires, not normal middle-class-ish folks who score the occasional upgrade (or even pay for first or business class outright for that matter).
You do select your click-bait articles exceedingly well Ben. You post and the racists, antisemites, the ignorant and politically motivated bigots, all come out to vent their spleen. Reading the comments is highly indicative of the state of the Union, most educational, thank you Ben.
A good chinovnik finds his comfort by manipulating the low information masses. A red mission accomplished success story.
Or an intentional desire to spread misinformation.
I've flown JL on their domestic F on an A350. Now THAT is truly 1st class. US domestic F should really be called premium economy and even that's a stretch!
Ben, every sentence - and there’s a lot of them - you write with the word “nowadays” would mean exactly the same without it.
And that’s about as important as where Bernie sits on a plane.
LOL I feel the same about how almost every article on here has the words “For context,” in it at some point. We know it’s for context. That’s why it’s in the article.
Yes! A core reason why Doctor of Credit is so incredibly readable and rapidly consumable... I wish there were a way to effectively point this out to this blog. It strikes me that he's not interested in constructive criticism though. Very often there's a lot of solid content and analysis, but I always save it for last (meaning I then often don't get to it) because it's so much more time consuming to read and...
Yes! A core reason why Doctor of Credit is so incredibly readable and rapidly consumable... I wish there were a way to effectively point this out to this blog. It strikes me that he's not interested in constructive criticism though. Very often there's a lot of solid content and analysis, but I always save it for last (meaning I then often don't get to it) because it's so much more time consuming to read and unnecessarily dense. (Two friends don't like it because they don't like a few of the words thrown around which you need to be an expert to understand, and the blog fails to ever define them in parenthesis, so reading it comes with friction.)
For me it’s the “a bit” and “quite” that seem the most abused
@ NSS @ BRC -- Fair feedback, let me try to remove it from my vocabulary as much as possible, and if I keep using it, feel free to call me out.
@ Jarrett -- I'm absolutely open to constructive feedback, and will keep that in mind, and will try to be less wordy.
All good Ben! Just more of a funny thing I’ve noticed and hey, at least we know it’s not AI writing for you :)
He can do what he wants. Flying Delta Business Class is getto on 767 and 330s, so it's perfect for a socialist.
Agree, non-news. Hardly the lap of luxury here.
He also flew private around the country to rant about oligarchy
Yeah, you also didn't think AOC flying first class was a problem either.
https://onemileatatime.com/news/aoc-flies-first-class/
I remember many Dems getting all hot and bothered when a gop cabinet member, Scott Pruitt , flew domestic first. Omg, the horror! Where was your defense then? Crickets. Of course Obama cabinet members flew private government jets, no problem there. Remember the tarmac meeting with Hillary?
I get it, you want to advocate for collectivist politics, but still want to...
Yeah, you also didn't think AOC flying first class was a problem either.
https://onemileatatime.com/news/aoc-flies-first-class/
I remember many Dems getting all hot and bothered when a gop cabinet member, Scott Pruitt , flew domestic first. Omg, the horror! Where was your defense then? Crickets. Of course Obama cabinet members flew private government jets, no problem there. Remember the tarmac meeting with Hillary?
I get it, you want to advocate for collectivist politics, but still want to enjoy the good life guilt free. How brave of you.
Sorry didn't mean that as a reply. Don't care enough to repost.
@ Mantis -- "I remember many Dems getting all hot and bothered when a gop cabinet member, Scott Pruitt , flew domestic first. Omg, the horror! Where was your defense then?"
So I wasn't actually familiar with that story (it was from over eight years ago), but see it now. It seems the issue there, as it was perceived, is that he was flying first class on the government's dime, when the recommended policy was...
@ Mantis -- "I remember many Dems getting all hot and bothered when a gop cabinet member, Scott Pruitt , flew domestic first. Omg, the horror! Where was your defense then?"
So I wasn't actually familiar with that story (it was from over eight years ago), but see it now. It seems the issue there, as it was perceived, is that he was flying first class on the government's dime, when the recommended policy was economy.
Frankly I don't see that as a massive issue, necessarily, but also not worth defending. In this case, though, there's no indication that the government paid for Sanders' first class flight.
You see the difference between the two situations, no? It's about who is footing the bill...
Ha, I mean, I really don’t care what any of them do…$40T national debt…spend it all, who cares? I was just saying…it wasn’t much of a surprise since he flies private too
I'm not a Democrat, but I really don't see the problem here.
People must learn to choose their battles, sometimes.
TMZ needs to make money.
Ben needs his clicks.
Politicians, both left and right, and their disciples needs something to fight over.
The real overlords need to maintain the propaganda distractions.
You don't get it because you're just another brainwashed hypocrite.
It isn't about how bad first class is or he should fly basic economy.
It's the idea of separating people into 2 different class where one is superior to another.
It the old days the separation is clear.
The slaves
The whites
The men
The rich
The infidels
etc.
People preach and demand equality, yet nothing is equal...
You don't get it because you're just another brainwashed hypocrite.
It isn't about how bad first class is or he should fly basic economy.
It's the idea of separating people into 2 different class where one is superior to another.
It the old days the separation is clear.
The slaves
The whites
The men
The rich
The infidels
etc.
People preach and demand equality, yet nothing is equal but you're all hypocrites who successfully force a square peg into a round hole and say it's equality because both went through the hole.
Then you get the snowflakes to gaslight people into being brainwashed.
Once a few people start to catch on, you distract them with other issues like sports, entertainment, politics, wars, UFOs, Epstein files, Tim Dunn's Delta, etc.
Big chips on little shoulders come to mind.
Inferiority complex overrides common sense.
Race awareness causes anxiety amongst the weak minded proletariat.
Poverty prolongs the self-destructive thinkers abilities to make improvements.
Doubts about one’s belief in the supernatural only promotes more unsettling thoughts.
Self doubt overrides ambition.
Jealousy eats at one’s forbearance.
It’s time to stop the self inflicted pain and suffering.
I'm surprised TSA let him board the flight given that he's been blocking their salaries for so long.
Because he is not a threat to the flying public.
His biggest threat is to bankrupt the economy, national debt, and innovation, aka the source of money that actually pays TSA.
TSA can do themselves a favor and lock him up in the airport forever, where he can do minimal damage to their long term paycheck.
Thank you Eskimo.
Sanders, along with Senate Republicans, voted to fund the TSA. IT was Trump that blocked it.
How is this post “politics aside”? And if you “struggle to see any issue” then why write about it? You are also using this (non) issue to get clicks, just like others might be using it to gain political mileage. Don’t you think?
@ Frog -- Well, sometimes I think it's important to balance the narrative out there. When others make a big deal of something, I think it's valuable to be a voice of reason, and downplay things, when appropriate.
Regarding getting clicks, it's true that anything that I write gets some number of clicks, so you're right, there's some upside to me. But I also write about what interests me, so that argument seems a bit...
@ Frog -- Well, sometimes I think it's important to balance the narrative out there. When others make a big deal of something, I think it's valuable to be a voice of reason, and downplay things, when appropriate.
Regarding getting clicks, it's true that anything that I write gets some number of clicks, so you're right, there's some upside to me. But I also write about what interests me, so that argument seems a bit circular, since any time people don't agree with what I write, they could argue I wrote it "to get clicks."
For Bernie, it’s the Golden Rule… The one with the Gold Makes the rules.
As for your comment, Ben - “Domestic first class means you get “treated like royalty?” I must have missed the memo! I just find this to be such strange labeling, because let’s be honest, domestic first class is hardly luxurious.” Seriously Ben?! I enjoy most of your articles, but don’t be such a hypocrite… I can’t wait to read your...
For Bernie, it’s the Golden Rule… The one with the Gold Makes the rules.
As for your comment, Ben - “Domestic first class means you get “treated like royalty?” I must have missed the memo! I just find this to be such strange labeling, because let’s be honest, domestic first class is hardly luxurious.” Seriously Ben?! I enjoy most of your articles, but don’t be such a hypocrite… I can’t wait to read your review of your next transcontinental positioning flight in Economy Class. Just own it, we fly what we can afford, using the means we each have available… Just like you, me and Bernie the millionaire all do.
It's not controversial, but it is hilarious. They should just do what Aerolíneas Argentinas and LATAM are doing and sell that cabin as premium economy instead of pretending it's anything more than that.
Flew Avianca J for seven hours just two nights ago. Comparing it to premium economy would be generous.
This guy is the world’s most dangerous Zionist, notice how he works overtime to frame Netanyahu as a the problem and not the whole settler colony.
He’s a hypocrite of the highest order, no surprises here.
Funny, my main issue with ol' Bern is that he only seems to be "Jewish" when it suits him. He's terrible on Israel (coming from a proud Zionist) and only brings up that part of his identity when he's losing a Democratic primary.
This is the dumbest nonsense.
Bernie at the airport: getting an upgrade he likely earned the conventional way.
Ted Cruz: fleeing the scene while his constituents face week-long power outages.