Todd and Brant head to New York
Sarah Grant and Angela Kamper
01jun06




SIX weeks ago they were poor miners risking their lives to support their families, but yesterday it was movie star treatment all the way.

Celebrity miners and new millionaires Todd Russell and Brant Webb jetted off for their first overseas trip to New York.
They were picked up in chauffeur-driven black BMWs, have first-class seats to New York, and enjoyed their meal of choice -- lunch at McDonald's.

While a five-star lifestyle may soon be the norm for working class blokes Mr Russell and Mr Webb, they shunned the luxury of Sydney's first-class lounge in favour of a quarter-pounder meal deal.

But with their wives, Caroline Russell and Rachel Webb, by their sides, the accidental heroes were already displaying signs of how their lives have changed since selling, for millions of dollars, the story of their amazing escape after 14 days trapped in Tasmania's Beaconsfield mine collapse.

Looking a little less than comfortable in a new black suit and highly polished leather shoes, Mr Webb strode through the airport with a pink suitcase in tow.

Mr Russell appeared more in character in jeans and trainers, but sported a Great Escape polo shirt.

Their new-found notoriety has already begun to follow them everywhere they go.

As they walked through the departure lounge, a woman wearing a black hijab recognised them, stood, and began clapping. The applause spread among other travellers.

Asked if they were used to all the media attention, Mr Brant answered: "We're getting there."

The ABC's Good Morning America TV program has secured the only US media interview with the pair.

As well as shelling out millions for the exclusive rights to their story, it will pay for the week-long trip for the two couples and their manager, Sean Anderson, taking in a Broadway show and Ground Zero.

After the interview by US TV queen Diane Sawyer wraps on Friday afternoon, the boys from Beaconsfield will have another four days to take a solid bite out of the Big Apple.

"We're hoping to see a few sights," said Mr Russell.

In addition to enjoying a "second honeymoon" with wife Caroline, the highlight of the trip for Mr Russell will be meeting his idol, country music sensation Alan Jackson.

"Todd loves this guy -- if Brant had known any of the words to Alan Jackson's songs, he would have been singing them the whole time he was trapped in the mine," Mr Anderson said.

Motorcycle enthusiast Mr Webb will visit the set of his favourite TV show, American Chopper, about a father and son who run a business creating custom motorcycles in their workshop.

Mr Anderson would not reveal where the group was staying.

He did say, though, that the accommodation was "definitely five-star". When down the mine, Mr Russell and Mr Webb jokingly gave their "hotel" a two-star rating.

Fresh from pocketing a reported $2.6m from the Nine Network, the miners have also signed a book deal with Australian publishing company Murdoch Books.

A share of royalties will go to the Russell Webb Foundation.