""But ultimately, the flights are for personal use and not business, so we do have a modest request, Secretary Panetta: as you look for ways to cut military spending, consider your flight bill. If not for taxpayers, then just for the sake of good optics as you push more significant spending cuts elsewhere." You admit that Panetta is required to fly on a government aircraft and agree that it is important for the Secretary to be able to see his family. I am wondering how you expect him to cut his flight bill without cutting his trips home. The only thing I can think of would be to ask that he reimburse the government more than the legally-required coach fare." - Kevin Bondelli