by Dennis Augustine
What an unexpected finale to our Tennessee adventure!
At about 11:10 this morning, Cecile and I were waiting at Gate 9 at McGhee Tyson Airport in Alcoa for our flight home when Air Force One came into view and touched down right before our eyes, bringing President Donald Trump to Knoxville for today’s Tennessee–Texas football game. We had purposetly decided to change our reservation with United Airlines to get home to get home a day early on Saturday, September 26 due to the expected massive crouds due to the game that caused hotel rooms prices to surge over $500 a night.
At that point we didn’t know Trump was coming—until we heard rumors and it began to show up on social media. We never imagined we’d have such a birdseye view from our gate along and over 50 people gathered around us. A few of them had had friends texting them that the president just flew over the stadium and that Air Force one was on his way to the airport.
Whether you liked the president or not, people got caught up in a memorable moment in history, one we least expected. As our plane slowly made its’ way on the tarmac, and prepare for takeoff, we passed Air Force one from a close vantage point. Our friends and traveling companions, Susie and Nelson Bye had a later flight on American Airline. Their flight was a little delayed. Susie had the opportunity to take a video of Air Force One taking off and heading back to Washington. If nothing else , it was a story to tell.
Note: Click on the title to this post to view the short video of Air Force One landing!
