Sean "Puffy" Combs grounding private jet -- to save bucks
Filed under: Entrepreneurship, Transportation, Wealth, Travel
I'd call it a Sign O' the Times, but that's the title of a song from another singer with an ever-changing name (Prince).
According to this item on Perez Hilton's celebrity gossip website, it costs about $250K for two round trips between New York and L.A. Combs, who juggles a Hollywood career with a thriving clothing business and other ventures in New York, thinks that's just too much. This from a multi-millionaire, (number 33 this year on the Forbes Celebrity 100 list) who's famous for, among many other things, his annual White Ball, in which the (very) rich, (very) famous and (very) beautiful show up to an elite location for a night of glamor and partying, clad only in white.
Sean Combs in the News
** FILE ** In this Feb. 24, 2008 file photo, Sean "Diddy" Combs poses on the press line at the Elton John Oscar Party in West Hollywood, Calif. (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg, file)
AP
Sean "Diddy" Combs shows off his clothes during a fashion presentation of his clothing lineup in New York Monday, Aug. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Ed Ou)
AP
Sean "Diddy" Combs makes a toast to his guests during a fashion presentation of his clothing lineup in New York Monday, Aug. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Ed Ou)
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Sean "Diddy" Combs takes a photo with one of his party guests during a fashion presentation of his clothing lineup in New York Monday, Aug. 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Ed Ou)
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Sean "Diddy" Combs makes a toast to his guests during a fashion presentation of his clothing lineup in New York Monday, August 11, 2008. (AP Photo/Ed Ou)
AP
In this Sunday, June 15, 2008 photo, Sean "Diddy" Combs watches a basketball game in Los Angeles. Combs' latest series, "I Want to Work for Diddy," premieres 9 p.m. EDT Monday, Aug 4, 2008 on VH1. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
AP
Actor/Rapper Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs arrives at the 2008 MTV Movie Awards on June 1, 2008 at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California..2008 MTV Movie Awards - Arrivals.Gibson Amphitheatre.Universal City, CA United States.June 1, 2008.Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com..To license this image (15893460), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Actor/Rapper Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs arrives at the 2008 MTV Movie Awards on June 1, 2008 at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California..2008 MTV Movie Awards - Arrivals.Gibson Amphitheatre.Universal City, CA United States.June 1, 2008.Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com..To license this image (15893462), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Actor/Rapper Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs arrives at the 2008 MTV Movie Awards on June 1, 2008 at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California..2008 MTV Movie Awards - Arrivals.Gibson Amphitheatre.Universal City, CA United States.June 1, 2008.Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage.com..To license this image (15893461), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Actor Will Smith, actor Jaden Smith, Sean "Diddy" Combs and his son arrive at the World Premiere of Columbia Pictures "Hancock" at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on July 30, 2008 in Hollywood, California..The World Premiere of Columbia Pictures' "Hancock" - Red Carpet.Grauman's Chinese Theatre.Hollywood, CA United States.June 30, 2008.Photo by Lester Cohen/WireImage.com..To license this image (55237472), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
In a statement he makes on his video blog (warning: There's some salty language here), the mogul says "Gas is too M***F***ing high." And until it goes down, he claims he'll be flying commercial. And coach class! (clearly he speaks out of total ignorance of what coach class has become in the last decade). That ain't gonna happen. He'll be in First Class before the plane takes off.
There's a larger message here. Combs likes to think of himself as one of the people -- he grew up in a Harlem housing project -- but he can certainly afford to fly in style. It can't be to simply save costs (he probably easily spends $250K a month on suits). My fellow WalletPopper Josh Smith wonders why Combs, arguably a master of marketing, didn't announce he was grounding his jet in the name of going green, or leaving less of a carbon footprint, or any number of good politically-correct reasons that would keep his name prominent and the money rolling in.
Maybe he just wants to make a statement -- the cost of fuel is affecting everyone, even the rich and famous. If that's what it takes to get our leaders to at the very least pass a sensible energy policy, then I applaud him. Otherwise, call me a cynic: it won't be too long before he's back in the air spreading his wealth.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
8-26-2008 @ 9:02PM
John said...
This comment is from someone who at one time despised this man...I have come to respect him. He has demonstrated that he can make himself not only look good in suits but he is a smart business man, doing just that. My hat is off to this guy!
Reply
8-27-2008 @ 1:45AM
jen said...
See we all need to use the new light bulbs, recycle, cut back on gas, buy tiny little cars, don't use your air conditioner all for the enviornment, while the rich run around in their private jets. He's doing it to save money, not to stop pollution. How many celebs and politicos who are screaming global warming have private jets? Lots! And don't even get me started on their mansions and yachts.
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8-28-2008 @ 12:20AM
Joey T said...
Sean Combs doesn't know what he's talking about. First of all he doesn't OWN a jet he only charters. And I can tell you from past experience that it doesn't cost $250K for 2 round trips, I recently rented a Gulfstream 4sp from Globaljet in Scottsdale and paid only $45K for the 1 way from Van Nuys, CA to Teterboro, NJ. Someone in his organization is skimming a big chunk off the top.
Joey T
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8-30-2008 @ 12:41AM
Mizz Prizz said...
Maybe Puffy has a 747....?
8-29-2008 @ 7:01AM
puffy poo! said...
WHO CARES!
Reply
8-29-2008 @ 7:10AM
Frank said...
sean combs an actor? laurence olivier was an actor. item last, who the hell cares what sean combs does, this isnt even new worthy and why am i even commenting on this nonsense.
Reply
8-31-2008 @ 1:19AM
Everett said...
Yeah Frank........why? (LOL)
8-29-2008 @ 7:47AM
j said...
He's an Ass!!!!!!
Reply
8-29-2008 @ 8:09AM
DCF said...
Give me a break - what a numbus...
Reply
8-29-2008 @ 8:20AM
Marc said...
Joey...You're math is a little off. LA to Teterboro or Newark is slightly longer than from Scottsdale. He also may have a G5 (burn more fuel). Thus, the trip might be something like $60K one way or $240K for 2 round trips. Pretty close to me. Non-aviation people have no idea what it takes to put some planes in the air. Even small private prop planes are getting unreasonable. Used to be that you could fly a Cessna or Piper for an hour for less than $50 bucks cost...its more than double that now.
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8-29-2008 @ 8:26AM
Alfred Schrader said...
Just because you have & spend a lot of money doesn't mean you have the good life. If Diddy was anybody he would have the American Express Black Card which gives you free access to the Lear- at anytime, to anywhere, for free.
Or, like me he would have the AG Edwards Platinum which gives you free concierge. Randy, my concierge, can get me a flight anywhere right now, no delay, no hassles.
Lots of people with millions make major mistakes.
Shaque boufght that $25 million home in Miami.
I wouldn't live there for free- (in Miami) - big city, noise, dirt, smoggy air, too many people.
Chef Alfred
Reply
8-29-2008 @ 10:12AM
Lorena said...
Diddy does have an Amex Black Card. He was filmed on MTV giving it to his stepson to go shopping. . . . And contrary to what most people think, not all celebs are given the Amex Black Card. It really is reserved for celebs like Diddy who are extremely flashy and spend ridiculous amounts of money and those celebs who have the $150K dollar annual membership fee to blow.
8-29-2008 @ 8:34AM
WBY said...
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity. Yeats.
The DNC is full full of passionate intensity.
Reply
8-29-2008 @ 11:58AM
Jesus said...
liar and jerk
8-29-2008 @ 11:57AM
Sue said...
Rubublicans say they love America, but they hate half of the people in it. Totally unchristian.
8-29-2008 @ 8:44AM
dakota said...
ooooooh poor Ditty, I could barely buy school supplies for my kids this year. I know he was trying to make a point, but did he have to do it on such a grand scale? We are all struggling right now but some of us are just trying to put food on the table, not get our wastefull private jet into the air! Jack ass
Reply
8-29-2008 @ 9:06AM
Heather said...
Ok, he wants to ground his plane because the cost of fuel is up. Well, what about the people he employ's to fly his plane and service it and service him while it's in the air??? All he's doing is being selfish by taking food out of other people's mouths. He's just another "celebrity" who has too much money for doing basically nothing, but wants everyone to think he's just a "regular guy". PU-LEASE!!!!!!
Reply
8-29-2008 @ 9:29AM
T said...
It's a good thing. Like Obama said, everyone needs to make some personal sacrifices for the sake of all.
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8-29-2008 @ 9:35AM
JR said...
Like the reader mentioned above, Sean Combs does not own his own aircarft...he charters. He can't "ground" the aircraft, only aircraft mechanics or the FAA can "ground" the aircraft. NON AVIATION people have NO CLUE what they are talking about. By the way...aircraft emit a very small part of the carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Try going after the large plants which produce more of the harmful particules into the air and remove the smear campaign from aviation!!!!
Reply
8-29-2008 @ 9:41AM
DFRANKPRODUCTION said...
There must be something wrong...more to the story. Puffy must be flying around in some monster, jumbo jet! There is this outfit in NYC, Halcyon Jets, which seems to fly all of the big-name stars. The prices I hear range from $40,000-$100,000 It sounds like Puffy is spending too much and getting ripped off.
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