Former US President Joe Biden travelled Friday on a commercial flight from Reagan National Airport in Washington, finding himself facing the same delays as other passengers due to heavy fog that caused takeoffs to be suspended for about an hour.
On his way to Columbia, South Carolina, where he was scheduled to participate in a local Democratic Party event, the former president waited in Terminal D of American Airlines, surrounded by his Secret Service security detail and uniformed local police officers. His presence quickly drew the attention of travelers, who were surprised to see the former president waiting for his flight like any other passenger.
Seated in the third row of a small first-class cabin on a regional jet, Joe Biden greeted several passengers during boarding. Some thanked him for his service, while others took selfies upon his arrival in South Carolina. One passenger sitting next to him shared her emotion after realizing she was traveling next to the 46th President of the United States.
Known for his frequent use of trains during his time as a senator (earning him the nickname "Amtrak Joe"), Joe Biden has been seen in recent months traveling by train and chatting with other passengers. His decision to take a commercial flight is consistent with this trend towards more conventional travel since leaving the White House.
While former presidents receive lifetime protection from the Secret Service, the law does not guarantee them automatic access to the exclusive transportation that accompanied their presidency. On Friday, Joe Biden, like all other travelers, experienced the vagaries of air travel.
