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Nobody is safe from the flight delay monster - even billionaires!
Formula One racing is not very popular in the United States, so I'll forgive you if you don't have a clue who the gentleman on the right is. Bernie Ecclestone is the current president and CEO of the companies behind Formula One racing. Mr.Ecclestone has amassed a net worth of almost $4 Billion thanks to a combination of his slick management skills and some very lucrative TV deals. On average, over 55 million people watch each F1 race, making it the most popular sport in the world.
So, with that much cash and power, I was surprised to read that he flies regular airlines, just like the rest of us. And just like us, he too gets delayed when things go bad. After the final race of the season this Sunday (Go Lewis!), Bernie was stranded on the tarmac of Sao Paulo airport for 7 hours.
Once the plane finally made its way back to the UK, the flight crew went "illegal" (a term meaning they had reached their maximum shift duration) and the plane had to divert to Madrid to load a new crew.
The ground delay and diversion meant the BA flight didn't land at Heathrow till 9:20PM, almost 9 hours later than scheduled. I've been in much worse delays, and my experiences never made the news - I guess it pays to be super rich!
Of course, the smart people took their private jet to Brazil, including the team boss of the world champion, Ron Dennis.
(Via: F1Complete)
Who else has been causing trouble in the skies?
Filed under: News
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
jim burns Nov 7th 2008 5:58PM
Andy Warhol has risen from the dead!
SUSAN Nov 7th 2008 6:43PM
We are not millionaires yet, but better off than most people. We have to fly often, sometimes twice a week for our business, and we can not afford the delays. And then there are all the hassles. I am researching what is the best way to go, charter, lease, ownership, etc. Time is money.
Bobby P Nov 7th 2008 6:46PM
I could use a decent paying job, I wonder if he's hiring.
kieron Nov 7th 2008 6:58PM
Well sh*t happens.
The world stops spinning for no man.
Alan Nov 7th 2008 7:03PM
If I had the money, I'd like to open an "Inconvience store" in every airport. I'd sell blankets and pillows, toothbrushes, cell phone batteries and bus tickets. LOL
danay Nov 8th 2008 9:57AM
this is the most stupied story i have ever heard, i would say this why brother read it, for god sake he must be such a lonely man that he needed to get on a commercail filght or maybe feel what is like the average person goes throught in a airplane full with so many people and children too.... pluse he looks scary he couls really make a baby cry, and the plane would have to land again.... dont forget the rich also cry , and have pain inside their smart head.... peace america!!!!!
tim Nov 7th 2008 7:34PM
He is to big to fail. He should contact the U.S. goverment for a billion dollars for travel expenses. Everyone else is.
ajm33771 Nov 8th 2008 6:36AM
He should've borrowed Al "Pay for YOUR Carbon Foot Print" Gore's jet plane. LOL That would've avoided this mess. LOL He Is In Tra-Booo LOL
Earthquake Nov 7th 2008 7:59PM
If you have time to spare , go by air.
JudyGee Nov 7th 2008 9:52PM
he made all that money being very smart. he knows the bigger the airplane the less likely it is to fall down, and the more likely it is to have experienced pilot and copilot. you'd have to have a sizeable plane and crew to be even half as safe in the air. plus, like all super rich he's stingy.
TOM MCDANIEL Nov 7th 2008 10:06PM
very interesting! SAM WALTON,OF WALLY-WORLD FAME,DROVE A BEAT-UP OLD PICK-UP TRUCK BACK & FORTH TO COMPANY HEADQUARTERS DAILY. SAM WAS A VERY WISE GENTLEMAN,AND SO IS THIS BILLIONAIRE,OF NOTE! SIGN ME:TOM MCSOMETHING
arcy Nov 7th 2008 11:42PM
Like the one that will fit between your forefinger and thumb and plays "My heart bleeds for you"
joe Nov 8th 2008 12:15AM
whats the matter little rich boy---cant take the heat in the kitchen get out and cry at the curb asshole!
orionsbow Nov 8th 2008 1:17AM
I'm an American and I love F1 and CART races. I also love the prototype and CanAm races but I love NASCAR too. F1 would be a lot more popular if there were more American drivers involved and if the races were more available on regular cable TV. In most areas, you need a special motorsports cable package to get more than a dozen or so races a season. Americans generally don't consider F1 as exciting as NASCAR because, for whatever reason, we like 200 MPH flat out, long straightaway endurance contests. F1 involves much more driver finesse and tremendous road course skills, something superspeedway drivers don't necessarily require. Take note though, if you think all left turners are dullards you're way wrong. I've driven semi-modified and LMS and it's the most physically challenging thing I've ever done. It's like sitting in a convection oven wrapped in a steel cage for an hour, trying your best to not to break your arm shoving that steering wheel around. It's like pushing against a rhino. As for Bernie, it REALLY puzzles me that he doesn't have a bizjet and crew of his own. He can certainly afford it. Bernie, consider it...
lCynthia Nov 8th 2008 1:23AM
I am thinking if they all were going to the same place, the smart thing would have been to split the fuel cost of the private plane and pilots. Just like when you all go out to dinner and split the check evenly. Of course flying regular does save more money but not time. I would imagine in this age of tech he spent the time wisely with his laptop or maybe got a long overdue rest. I applaude his spending habits or lack there of spending wastefully. My kinda man
vienna Nov 8th 2008 4:11AM
I think he should be on dancing with the stars...time they get an ol fogie man instead of always picking the ol fogie women....oh wait.... :)
jk...nothing wrong with being frugal and flying with the regular poor folk...some people are accustomed to their ways, and besides, its always the small planes that kill celebrities...and besides again, look at Warren Buffet, he still lives in the same house since 1950s and is happy, you don't need to be wasteful and foolish just because you can be.
ChuckL Nov 8th 2008 2:53AM
BERNIE DESERVES MORE NIGHTMARES! THAT NASTY LITTLE TROLL HAS DONE HIS BEST TO RUIN FORMULA ONE! NO BRITISH GRAND PRIX !? NO SPA FRANCORCHAMPS !? AND NOW SPEC ENGINES!?!
THAT LITTLE RAT BASTID SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOSSED OUT OF THAT PLANE SOMEWHERE OVER THE ATLANTIC.
Grizz Nov 8th 2008 3:20AM
A lot of people seem to forget that Bernie was not complaining about the delay. A reporter decided that this was a story and hyped it up to make him look bad. As far as ruining F1, he has brought it to a lot more countries in the world than it ever was before, and if a worn out track in the back of beyond is no longer safe at the speeds these cars travel at now. I say congrats to the man for putting his foot down and sticking to his principles, but, for god's sake Bernie, get a haircut and a private jet, you can't take your billions with you, and you do appear to be stingy.
Louis Nov 8th 2008 3:58AM
What a cheapskate!
Louis Nov 8th 2008 4:02AM
This guy has to be the world's biggest cheapskate.
Once you fly private you would never go back to commercial again, ever.
I routinely fly a Gulstream 500 and that takes me all over the world with 100% fresh cabin air at all times.
I fly when I want with the pilot and crew of my choosing.
I get all the food and beverages I want, when I want them.
I pick up the phone, and give my time share ten hours notice and they have the plane and crew ready for me.
I drive out to the air port, park in a private parking lot, unload my luggage and show my driver's license and that's it.
No fuss, no muss and no bull$$$it.
The flight is always smooth, quiet and refreshing with no disruptions. If there were to be a delay, I would deplane right away, go back to the parking lot and drive home within one hours time or less!
This guy has to be a nut job to put up with 7 hours of delays. What a cheapskate!