Obama Might Follow Bears to Super Bowl XLV

ARLINGTON, Texas - What kind of security and traffic nightmare would it create if President Barack Obama decided to follow the Chicago Bears to the Super Bowl?

On Wednesday, Obama made an off the cuff remark about attending the big game if the Bears make it. It would be the first time a leader of the free world would attend the Super Bowl.

NFL officials said they have not been in contact with the White House about a possible presidential visit. But they said security at the stadium is first rate, with elaborate and extensive measures already in place.

The biggest question would be about his arrival.

Ken Pyatt is a helicopter pilot. He said if Obama arrives in North Texas a little before kickoff it would be no big deal. Airspace would already be restricted around the stadium.

But if he arrives earlier, then an additional temporary flight restriction would be put in place. And it gets complicated.

“Let’s say there are jets coming in from New York or Chicago or Seattle and they’re en route; and the president comes in unexpectedly. They may not make it here in time. They’ll have to divert to an alternate airport,” Pyatt said.

That’s because the Federal Aviation Administration requires a 10 mile no fly zone around the president plus a 30 mile radius beyond that where hundreds of private planes would have to navigate.

Pyatt said planes would have to skip Arlington and other local airports in favor of ones further away in Denton and McKinney.

“It will not impact scheduled air carriers like American or Southwest, but it would impact everyone else,” he said.

Obama could land at the stadium’s helipad, which might work. Or he might travel by motorcade, further complicating traffic. Either way, it’s a game changer.

“It’s a big deal. A lot of people are coming to town,” Pyatt said.

The key to success in the air is if pilots know about it in advance. They can make adjustments without too much trouble.

The earliest anyone will find out, even the president, will be Sunday evening after the Bears take on the Packers.