Biden opts for shorter stairs on Air Force One to prevent falls.

President Biden Adapts Air Force One Stairs for Safety

President ​Joe Biden⁣ has been using a shorter set of stairs when deplaning ⁣and boarding Air Force One after a series ​of‌ stumbles by the 80-year-old​ commander in chief,‍ Politico reported.

Concerns about‍ Health Prompt Change

While presidents have⁣ traditionally ​used a taller set of 26-step ‌stairs to get ‍on and off the aircraft, concerns about Biden’s health appear⁢ to have pushed the president to‍ use ⁢a shorter, 14-step‌ staircase that unfolds from⁤ the belly of the plane. Although the shorter steps are usually reserved for inclement weather and other rare ⁤cases, Biden used the steps in fair ⁤weather at every stop on his recent European tour and many domestic trips ⁤when‍ boarding Air Force One, according to​ Politico.

Biden’s hard fall at ‍the Air Force Academy graduation last month and ‍his stumbles on stairs have‌ raised ​concerns about his⁣ age and physical health‌ as ⁣he pursues a second term in‍ office.

Biden stumbled slightly while boarding the ‍plane in Helsinki last week,‌ just a few‍ days‍ after a “watch your step sign” was ⁢ spotted ‌ on ⁤the steps.

The president has also frequently been spotted wearing sneakers rather than dress shoes, a style change ⁤ Politico called “another ⁣concession ​to comfort necessitated by age.”

Voters Express Concerns

An ⁤NBC‍ News poll from last month⁣ found ‍68 percent ⁣of voters are concerned about Biden having the “necessary mental and physical‌ health to be president.” Fifty-five percent said they have major⁢ concerns.

Biden launched his reelection bid in April, as voters gave him a‍ record-low 37 percent approval rating.⁤ The president would be 86 at‍ the end of ⁢a potential second⁣ term.