Real price of Cardin's mock-raid proposal? Try $1,200
Maryland Del. Jon Cardin has repaid the City of Baltimore $300 for use of a city helicopter, a patrol boat and an unspecified number of on-duty officers to stage an elaborate mock raid in the Inner Harbor to surprise his girlfriend with a very sentimental piece of contraband: an engagement ring.
Now, $300 may seem like a shockingly low amount, but that's the price tag the city assigned for 15 minutes' worth of boat and helicopter fuel, as well as the officers' time. To be fair, Cardin also donated an undisclosed amount to the police department's campaign to keep its mounted horse unit as well.
But Community Coordinator Phill McGowan and I wondered how much it would cost for a humble citizen to re-create a similarly hair-raising spectacle to pop the question --- minus the invoice for the rock itself, of course.
After all, as columnist Laura Vozzella discovered, some future grooms spend hundreds if not thousands hiring professional proposal consultants to ensure the question of whether to get hitched goes off without a hitch.
And let's not forget the thousands of wanna-be husbands who go the D.I.Y approach by taking on the coordination tasks themselves, orchestrating romantic details and surprises as well as herding family members together to witness the happy occasion themselves.
... Cardin saved a ton by using city resources rather than hiring private companies --- if only because they did not require him to rent the services for a minimum amount of time.
For example, a helicopter rental starts at $850 for a "special occasion", Phill discovered.
I found a "captained cruise" rental for harbor trips that starts at a minimum of $295.
And while we don't know how many officers were on the boat that boarded the boat nor where they fall on the pay scale, but a Baltimore police trainee earns about $42,290, or about $20 per hour.
Even though there are a lot of factors at play here, I'm guessing it would cost close to $1,200 to recreate this experience --- four times as much as the city valued it.
The thing is, being on the receiving end of a proposal is something that doesn't happen often and is already an unforgettable experience. Therefore, in my book an engagement surprise is a bad investment of financial (and political) resources.
Anyone have any suggestions to ensure that your betrothal target has an experience that's worth repeating --- or better price estimates? And how much --- if anything --- is an appropriate amount to spend?
UPDATE: On second thought, I take it back. Some people should have used an engagement consultant. This guy, for example.
UPDATE AGAIN: So, Cardin has announced that he donated $1,000 to the Mounted Police Unit. Thus, his total payment just squeaks past our rough estimate of the $1,200 it would take for an ordinary citizen to stage the engagement/raid for the object of his own affection. Even that estimate is likely to be pretty low, given that, as commenter Jim pointed out, Baltimore special event permits require paying police officers a minimum of four hours' overtime, regardless of how long their services are actually needed.
Comments
I would have said no if I had been presented with such a lavish proposal, but no one believes me.
I think I would have swam to shore if I thought we were really being raided ... not that I have anything to hide ... --- lfk.
Posted by: Liz | August 28, 2009 3:24 PM
I would have said no because that's the scariest, most unromantic marriage proposal I've ever heard of.
Kathy, I'm inclined to agree with you.
It's always nice when a proposal connects with some aspect that's unique to your relationship ... let's hope this one didn't. --- lfk.
Posted by: Kathy | August 28, 2009 3:53 PM
It the city really believes this number, then perhaps to make if "Profitable" they can add $100 to the tab, and offer it as a service to anyone else who wants to try it. How many hours have been spent in damage control mode as a result of this stunt? And why don't those incarcerated just get the opportunity to pay for "inappropriate use" (larceny, B&E, etc) of others property? Can everybody just get a "Do over"? You might empty the prisons overnight...
Definitely! City leaders should vet this service as a potential revenue source. --- lfk.
Posted by: AlanH | August 28, 2009 3:55 PM
The money is not the issue with me, the fact that he ripped off an "Everbody Loves Raymond" episode is the horrific thing.
So he wasn't even being creative or original ... but what if girlfriend (now fiancee) is a fan? Maybe it was a special inside joke, between the two of them.
Not that I'm defending it. --- lfk.
Posted by: Jeff | August 28, 2009 4:36 PM
I love that people think that the proposal, bachelor/bachelorette parties, rehearsal dinner, wedding are so important...Guess what???They're NOT!!! The only thing that matter is a great reception!!!! Then you get a year or two of wedding bliss until the first child arrives and then the spouse is an afterthought. Not downgrading marriage, just putting it in perspective.
Jeff, I'm with you ... See my rant against the Wedding Industrial Complex, posted about a year ago. --- lfk.
Posted by: Jeff | August 28, 2009 4:53 PM
Too bad it wasn't an Air Guard Apache gunship -- now THAT would have made an unforgettable impression.
Or...maybe for the wedding night?
Posted by: Ex-marylander | August 29, 2009 1:05 AM
Nothing says I-love-you like a sudden realization that your `beloved` has connections in the police department and you can't get away from him. Ever.
Posted by: Dino | August 29, 2009 3:04 AM
When I applied for a special event permit, I was told that the cost is four hours per officer at that officer's overtime pay rate per the union. It doesn't matter if they are only needed for thirty minutes, it's four hours of billable time.
Posted by: Jim | August 29, 2009 2:04 PM
How is he going to payback his carbon footprint from this stunt. Chopper and boat fuel. Afterall isn't he and his ilk people like Ben Cardin wanting cap and tax?
Posted by: Jason | August 30, 2009 1:39 PM
Does the Baltimore Sun Have anything else to cover besides the Jon Cardin story.
Enough is enough
I am very disappointed that you feel your readers are only interested in something that was a mistake and has been aplogoized for
Jon Cardin has done a lot for his constituents and the community.
It is a sad day for the newspaper if this is what you think everyone wants to read on a daily basis.
Posted by: ann katz | August 31, 2009 8:20 AM
Jon Cardin should resign from his position. His behavior was arrogant and ridiculous. I'm a little surprised at the lack of outrage by most. I hope his constituents pay him back during the next election.
Posted by: jb | August 31, 2009 11:48 AM