[Chapter 660: One More Jet, Please]
William White's claims about Texas were a bit exaggerated. The cowboys here could handle their own cattle, and those city folks had no clue.
"You lied to me again. What does Texas have to do with this? Besides, with all this land, it's all ours. It's definitely none of anyone else's business. By the way, honey, how long are you planning to stay this time?"
"I'll be around for a while. I have a few meetings with oil companies. Although, to be honest, my absence won't make much of a difference. Ahem, I was just thinking about you guys."
...
Now, the truth was, William White did have a reason to be in Houston. His new Air Force One had just been delivered, and he needed to inspect it personally.
"Fulton, this jet seems a bit smaller than my current one. Have I been cheated by Boeing?" Someone who arrived early at Boeing nearly fell over from the sales manager's shock when he heard that.
Let's not joke around. Your plane caused delays in delivery for the President's aircraft. Ahem, who told you to pay in cash? But what did you mean by that? Was he looking to stir trouble?
"Ahem, sir, they are of the same model, but this one is slightly larger. The price difference is due to safety considerations."
"Alright, let's take a look inside."
The sales manager wiped his brow; while the President's plane had more bells and whistles, the practical differences weren't huge. The President needed a hundred communication channels, which William White didn't require.
The gold interior truly dazzled the eyes. Although it wasn't pure gold foil, it was nonetheless attractive. It wasn't that William was stingy -- he simply believed that unnecessary weight might compromise flight safety.
Gold isn't meant for such extravagance; only a certain type of nouveau riche would consider moving gold onto a plane. Not to mention those fuzzy Persian carpets. Goodness, if anyone lit up a cigarette, the thought was downright terrifying.
"Mr. White, this is a dining area that accommodates fifty. As per your request, we used a Baroque style."
"Looks good, but I'd prefer if the ceiling were just a bit higher. So, what do you think, is Hercules a better choice?"
"Ahem, Mr. White, Hercules might not be suitable; its comfort level is somewhat lower."
"Alright, let's check the bedroom then. If the dining room is smaller, the bedroom should be spacious. You know, we spend at least a quarter of our lives in bed."
"Yes, a comfortable bed is indeed vital. You'll see, this presidential suite is excellent. The room has great privacy, and we've installed special soundproofing."
Well, the space was about what you'd expect. But this was a plane -- were they really expecting a swimming pool? William had even cut the bathtub. He thought there was no reason to go surfing at thirty-thousand feet.
As for emphasizing soundproofing -- well, when you're gaming, excessive noise could definitely distract the pilot.
"Not bad. I'd like to know if there's a discount for ordering an additional jet. You know, you guys are quite seasoned at this now."
"Mr. White, I need to consult the company. Rest assured, I'll strive to negotiate that discount for you."
"Great, thanks. Now, let's take a quick flight around."
Ordering an extra jet wasn't just a whim for William White. You see, the presidential jet has always been ordered in pairs. So, it was common little detail that nobody knew which plane was on duty.
Of course, this was all just smoke and mirrors. Anyone taking the time could find the President at the right moment.
...
After circling above Houston for fifteen minutes, the Boeing 747 jet returned home. To put it plainly, the comfort level was pretty much on par. His current jet wasn't frequently used. Owning two similar planes for twenty years was definitely plausible.
"Is this the new jet? No wonder mine won't be ready until June. Ahem, that's a bit inconsiderate to the President."
"Dad, you don't know. This guy has a severe fear of flying. You might not know this, but he even asked for an escape capsule to be installed."
"Ahem, what the heck? When did Boeing start offering that?"
"Ha! The Boeing safety consultant looked visibly stressed. What he wanted was something akin to the Apollo lander. This isn't a secret among the elite. Ironically, many think it's a great idea."
Bush Sr. was at a loss for words. Goodness, how terrified of dying do these wealthy folks have to be? Well, having all those resources means that if you go, that's it -- no second chances.
As for the few-month wait for a new jet, Bush Sr. didn't mind. For him, it was just another safe mode of transportation and no special significance behind it.
Besides, most of the time, the Vice President flew the jet to various destinations.
...
The billionaire switched to a new ride; the latest jet was touted as the safest flying machine on the planet. The billionaire was quite pleased and decided to order a second one.
Boeing was willing to offer him a 5% discount, though they had their calculations in mind. The President's ride simply didn't attract the same allure as that of a billionaire.
It's no joke -- the President's toys were only temporarily yours. The best part? You didn't even have to spend your own money. Who knows, it might even be a ploy for advertising and getting orders.
Whether anyone else would buy was uncertain, but those desert tycoons were bound to purchase. Just look at those Bentleys -- directly making Rolls-Royce feel uneasy about their existence.
What was that saying? The power of example is tremendous. Of course, if you want to sell a lot, that's another story. Private jets' main appeal lies in speed and convenience.
Owning the means to buy a jet is one thing, but having suitable airports is another matter. Due to their size, many private airports simply can't accommodate them.
Of course, that didn't apply to William White's airport. In fact, with his company and personal fleet combined, he was closing in on twenty jets. He not only had his own airport but also the crew to operate them.
Maintaining planes on your own is costly. Outsourcing can save you at least half the cost. William White wasn't short on cash, but that wasn't his reason for seeking complications.
At the end of the day, controlling these assets had its own advantages. You could be just another face in the crowd, and no one would second guess you. William White was clearly not that person, so spending a bit more money was entirely reasonable.
"Young master, it seems like you brought fewer people this time. How long do you plan to stay in Texas? If it's for a while, should we send a few more folks over?"
"No need, Fulton. There's some trouble with Tanner. Recently, Max is also bringing a team back. As for here, we have a batch of freshly trained folks arriving in a few days."
"Young master, are we anticipating trouble?"
"Just in case. It's complicated, and honestly, I can't quite figure it all out right now. Best to steer clear of murky waters."
"Understood. This arrangement is wise. If there's nothing pressing, it might be best to stay in Texas."
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