From The Land Down Under: Australian Government Questions 'Survivor' Flight

Everyone remembers the opening scenes of the first episodes of 'Survivor: The Australian Outback,' with all of the contestants uncomfortably strapped into an Australian military transport as the approached their hasty landing in the Bush. Apparently that ride was provided free of charge by the Australian Air Force and top officials within the Australian government now would like to know why. After two decades of military cost-cutting, the Australian air force chief is under attack for approving the taxpayer-funded use of a Caribou aircraft to ferry the contestants to their Outback camps.

Australian Air Marshal Errol McCormack has defended the cost of the flight, which has been estimated at approximately $290,000 Australian dollars. McCormack has suggested that the price was well worth it due to the publicity and positive exposure that was generated for the Australian military. In addition, he feels that the military-style landing procedure was a legitimate training exercise substitute that actually saved the military money in the long run. That point is still being hotly debated.

Regardless, one would have to wonder why CBS' ratings juggernaut was in need of a free ride when the show is one of the most commercially popular in television history. But, keeping overhead to a minimum is always the best way to maximize profits.