Trump Arrives In Japan After What Staff Traveling With Him Often Refer To As A 'Grueling Endeavor'

President Trump arrived in Tokyo on Saturday after a 14-hour trip aboard Air Force One that many staff may have dreaded from the moment the jetliner took flight, CNN reported.

Trump is in Japan on a mostly ceremonial visit to meet Japan’s new Emperor Naruhito, discuss a $65 billion trade deficit with the island country and get something of a respite from talk of impeachment and other issues roiling at home.

Historically, both a privilege and desired tour of duty to fly overseas on the presidential jetliner, some Trump staff have expressed the long hours in the air with the president can be a “grueling endeavor.”

Sources say instead of preparing for meetings with foreign dignitaries, by reviewing intended remarks, or paging through briefings, the president usually stays in the front cabin and typically does four things: eat, watch Fox News, hold court with staff, with discussion wavering from official business to sports or other current events, and talk with friends or others on the telephone, CNN reported.

Air Force One is equipped with spacious sleeping quarters for the president but officials say Trump rarely joins the first lady in the cabin while traveling abroad. Apparently, the president is an impatient traveler, sources say.

After a couple of marathon overseas trips at the beginning of his presidency, Trump has scaled back on the time he spends traveling abroad, eager to stay abreast of evolving news on the home front. He also likes to attend events where he is the guest of honor and especially feted, rather than large enclaves like the G20 or G7 gatherings.

Such trips can be particularly uncomfortable for staff accompanying the president. Unlike fold-down chairs that convert to makeshift beds in business class on commercial jetliners, Air Force One is not equipped with accommodations for staff. On long flights, staff camp out on sofas or lean back in office chairs with their feet propped on a desk. More experienced staffers often bring yoga mats, to cushion the floor while they stretch out for rest.

One official said, “it’s like being held captive,” while traveling with the president on long flights.

The presidential physician told reporters last year the president occasionally takes a sleeping pill while traveling but Trump doesn’t sleep much anyway – four to five hours – even when he’s in his own bed.

Other presidents have preferred to travel at night not to waste precious daylight while on long international junkets. Trump, however, prefers to travel during the day, arriving at night, and starting meetings the following day. Given his long history in the hotel industry, Trump also is often critical of his accommodations once arrived and staff also need to get out ahead of dinner and other menus to ensure the presentation of food the president doesn’t like, such as fish with the head still attached, is not served.

While in Japan, Trump will sit ringside for a sumo wrestling tournament, after which he will present what is called “The President’s Cup” to the winner, an events sources say the president has eagerly anticipated.