As you may have heard, Prime Minister Harper decided to take a hands-on approach to the problem of getting Canadians out of Lebanon. He ditched the journalists and his aides that travelled with him to Europe and is en route as I write this to Cyprus. In Cyprus, he will fill up the military Airbus (right) with about 120 Canadian evacuees from Lebanon and fly them to Ottawa.
Harper wanted to free up as many seats on his plane as possible so not even one pool reporter was allowed on the plane. Why doesn’t Harper give up his seat? Security. Prime Ministers do not fly commercial flights for security reasons so the Harpers have to stick with their plane.
Harper is also taking along a “skeletal staff” including Communications Director Sandra Buckler, Press Secretary Carolyn Stewart-Olsen, Deputy Press Secretary Dimitri Soudas, Official PMO Photographer Jason Ransom, a Canadian Forces doctor and Harper’s normal RCMP bodyguards.
But there were only enough flight crew on board for the original purpose: To look after the in-flight needs of about 21 journalists and as many aides and staffers. With a full load on board for the flight from Cyprus to Ottawa, the plane will need more stewards. And so, we’re told, that Buckler, Stewart-Olsen, and Soudas will be handing out pillows, bringing drinks and food and making sure all seat belts are fastened.
And I’d bet my bottom dollar that you might just see Mr. and Mrs. Harper moving about the cabin, as well, making sure the needs of all the passengers are looked after.
An interesting bit from Thursday's Globe and Mail: