Sheldon Silver Loves Flying to Albany... Via D.C.

State Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver has a funny way of traveling between his Manhattan district and Albany: through D.C.! Instead of taking Amtrak or driving like other representatives, Silver prefers commuting by plane with a stopover 200 miles in the wrong direction. Depending on the length of the layover, the trip can end up taking four hours—not including the time it takes to get to the airport and pass through security. (A drive to Albany averages two and a half hours, and the train takes roughly the same amount of time.) The Sun speculates that for Silver it's all about US Airways' frequent flier miles, which Silver gets to keep while taxpayers pay for the tickets (usually costing $500-$760 for round-trip).

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on September 29, 2008 2:43 PM

Comments [rss]

ides_of_march

Silver needs to be tarred and feathered and pushed off the Tappan Zee bridge.

pierrevonbaron

wasting taxpayer money for your own personal benefit = corruption. lucy, you got some explainin to do

Karen

The only time I ever took Amtrak, the train was 1.5 hours late getting to my station. When I came home (i had a round trip ticket) the train was 45 minutes late, and somehow lost another 30 minutes on the return trip. I had a sleeper, and the toilet didn't work. In fact, a lot of passengers, with or without sleepers, were complaining that hardly any of the toilets on the train worked. That was the first and last time I'll ever take Amtrak.

I'd fly too. At least the airlines don't lie about the time you'll spend on layovers. ANd, the toilets on the planes work.

JavySan

Two and a half hours driving? Really? Is that safe?

IceCreamNewYork

How long were those layovers, exactly? Are we sure he isn't pulling a Fossella?

Buck Owens

Vote this codger out before he aspires to higher office.

thefacts

He's our Assemblyman and we will continue to vote him in, year after year.

So, STFU, losers.

mrguy

you know, Amtrak has a guest rewards system too. I've done about 30 roudntrips to albany from NYC in the last year and i've earned enough for 4 movie tickets!

Seriously though, Amtrak is either the most criminally or incompetently run company in america (except for all the banks) and either way they make me sick. the prices they charge on the northeast corridor (apparently the only route on which they make any money) are extortionate. $110 roundtrip to albany from NYC? Obscene.

I've actually found FLIGHTS that are cheaper to and from boston, leaving friday and returning sunday, than an amtrak coach ticket for a similar schedule.

Toby von Meistersinger

More proof that those who want to be elected probably shouldn't be elected.

memoson

Force him to only ride in 2nd rate Chinatown buses!

Bubba

EastRiver, you may be on to something...

mrmagoo

this is exactly why the country is turning to financial shit. get it together people!

brxbmrzfan

us airways got rid of the 500 mile minimum per segment, i thought. so, those flights are now very few miles per segment (i.e., actual mileage flown).

drewo

Another reason this city will miss The Sun.

And another reason not to trust government to spend your money wisely.

zstone

I've wanted to support this asshole, but killing congestion pricing and screwing us for frequent flyer miles, man that is dirty. Part of me wants to accept that power corrupts, but that is a copout and I know I wouldn't feel or say that for a Republican. Throw the bum out!

camera_club

that guy loves spewing exhaust into the air whether it be by fighting congestion pricing or unnecessarily flying in and out of JFK. asshole.

EastRiver

Throw the bums out.

I'm seriously thinking about just voting against every incumbent regardless of party. If there is no incumbent I'll vote against the current office holder's party.

Felix Hoenikker

Throw the bums out.

Bubba

One way to get rid of this bum is for the democrats in Albany to vote him out of the leadership. Won't happen, of course...

EastRiver

get rid of this bum, too

He had challengers in the primary and his district gave it to him anyway. It's not like his district is now going to vote in a Republican in November.