[badger74]

Anyone go. How was it and were the conditions as bad or worse/better than reported? Personally I would have parked nearby and watched the show in comfort. You can see these shows from a good distance.

[LUconn]

I went on saturday. And it was pretty good. It was real hot, no outside drinks allowed, and rake-you-over-the-coals pricing on drinks in the gates. That's a recipe for old and/or fat people going to the hospital. As for the show itself, it was pretty good. A little too much focus on pre-WWII style aviation for my taste. I mean that stuff is cool but it was 90% of the show. I'd have liked to have seen some helicopters and some other newer stuff thrown in. And of course the blue angels were freaking awesome. And there were quite a lot of freeloaders in the surrounding parking lots trying to catch a glimpse. But there's no way the could see very much of the show except of course for the Blue Angels who are all over the place. I thought the transportation was pretty smooth for the number of cars they had to deal with. I'm gonna miss watching those F-18s buzzing around town every day.

As great as LU was with the parking/busing, I was fairly surprised at how scroogey they acted with all of the spots around campus with a decent view. They had barriers/police set up at every driveway up the mountain.

[blwall1416]

Went on Sunday. It was nice to meet some of the Blue Angel crew. But, for the next show, I won't buy tickets. I'll just park somewhere around town. If you have kids, I can see taking them in, but for me, I'll pass on that.

Sunday was friggin' hot. I helped pass out water to people standing in line for 2 hours to get on the bus to leave. Also, the Blue Angels pulled a stunt too close to the ground & were ordered to "stand down". So, we only got to see about 75% of their show.

Looking forward to seeing the Thunderbirds next year, possibly.

[fan00]

Went on Saturday. Enjoyed the show. The Blue Angels were great. But, we had 4 kids with us and after waiting in line for almost 2 hrs. for a shuttle, watching several people pass out and a few having IV's inserted, being screamed at by law enforcement (which was necessary since people in the front of the mob were being smashed agains the buses by the crowd in the back) we decided to walk. So, we walked from the airport to Greenview Drive and had a friend pick us up. It wasn't that far for us adults and the older kids, but we carried the five year old the last bit of the way...We got there after the show had started and they checked my bag, but allowed me to bring in my water bottles. That helped.

Next time I will be one of the "freeloaders" watching from a parking lot. That was the closest thing to a mob riot I have ever witnessed in Lynchburg.

[ALUmnus]

The amount of freeloaders around town was like a mini industry in itself. And to be honest, they all looked pretty pathetic. Just my take.

[flamesfan30]

2 hours to get on a bus? that is ridiculous.

[LUconn]

You sure you're not exaggerating? When we got to LU, we waited about 20 min in line to get on a bus. It was a looong line but it moved fast. Then to get home, we hopped on a bus back by LU's aviation hanger and we waited about 10 minutes. And we didn't leave early either. We waited until after the show was over. They made an announcement about NOT going to the front to get on a bus because that's where everybody went and it was too crowded. I'm assuming that's where you went.

[Purple Haize]

not sure you could say I "freeloaded" on Saturday but my flight landed at Lynchburg Regional after 2 and I stuck around with the Mrs to watch from that parking lot. They were Awesome!! Of course, anyone who knows me knows I also thought it was great that all the car alarms in the parking lot went off several times as the flew over!!
We did go on Sunday and had a blast. I actually liked the pre WW II stuff, and plan on hitting Bealeton for a ride one Sunday. I noticed as well that they did not complete their whole show on Sunday before the ruckus started. We bought a print and had the pilots sign it. THey seemed like great PR folks.
As for the crowds, my neighbor was one of those who passed out and had to go to the hospital. From the reports I had on Saturday was it was more the fault of the people trying to get out then those trying to get them out. Lots of pushing, shoving etc. Here is an idea: It is hot, drop a couple of bucks on a bottle of water. Despite what one poster said the prices were not that outrageous at all. In fact I thought things were a little less expensive then I would have thought. (Except for the price gouging by the Fresh Lemonade people!)) On Sunday, we walked across the street and sat in the shade on our folding chairs till we saw the line get shorter then walked down and hopped a bus. We got on the second to last one at 6:30, so not too bad.
I hope we have another next year, and I hear that they are angling for the "Angels" again in 2013. Now if they could only get Sammy Hagar for the band.....

[badger74]

Thanks--good reports. We have them every year here in Seattle for free as part of Seafair which is the big city celebration event. They stay in a hotel across the strert from my office and I would see them every morning at Starbucks. They would always buzz downtown during practice which is still a thrill after 20 years.
I hope Lynchburg can build an event around having them in town every year or every other year. Just a great fun show for the whole family.

[fan00]

You sure you're not exaggerating? When we got to LU, we waited about 20 min in line to get on a bus. It was a looong line but it moved fast. Then to get home, we hopped on a bus back by LU's aviation hanger and we waited about 10 minutes. And we didn't leave early either. We waited until after the show was over. They made an announcement about NOT going to the front to get on a bus because that's where everybody went and it was too crowded. I'm assuming that's where you went.

Not sure if you were talking to me, but in answer to your question, no I am not exaggerating. It was nearly 2 hrs. on Saturday before we just decided to walk. They made no announcement on Saturday and only had 2 exits for the entire crowd to funnel through. (Well, I take that back, they may have made an announcement but you couldn't hear anything....) The option to go to LU's aviation hanger wasn't even an option that we knew about (and I have heard they only opened that up on Sunday due to the problems on Saturday). We did go to the front for a bus, but like I said, the only two exits on Saturday were both "to the front." Sounds like they may have made some good changes for Sunday....

[Rooster Cogburn]

The amount of freeloaders around town was like a mini industry in itself. And to be honest, they all looked pretty pathetic. Just my take.

My family would have equaled 4 adult tix = $60 and 2 kids tix = $20. Not to mention $2 per bottle of water = at least another $20 or @30. So, if sitting at the intermural fields instead is wrong, I'm sorry.

[Purple Haize]

I don't think those who were "freeloaders" to be a bad thing. (I don't include myself in that cateory on Sat b/c I paid for the plane ticket AND parking at Lynchburg International!) Regardless, local businesses and individuals profited from the air show. Having been on both sides of the fence, I can say I enjoyed the Blue Angels on Saturday, but REALLY appreciated them on Sunday. I did ask a police officer if they were going to be ticketed for speeding, tailgating and wreckless driving though!
I will be interested to see if they post final attendance numbers (paid) and any economic impact that the show had. Not sure I would have been one of those on the roof of the Spring Hill Suites, but I liked the ingenuity of those places near the airport who were selling parking spaces! No mater where you watched the show, the fact that you watched it and most spent money somewhere (would like to see what Sheetz did in non gas sales) it was a BOOM for Lynchburg IMO.

[Sly Fox]

We used to take our kids to the big air show here in Houston (at NASA's Ellington Field) every year where the Blue Angels are a regular. After a number of years of being in the ticketed crowd, we started arriving early for the prime locations along major thoroughfares. Frankly ticket prices weren't an issue since we received free ducats anyway. We just appreciated the quick exits after the show.

[LUconn]

You sure you're not exaggerating? When we got to LU, we waited about 20 min in line to get on a bus. It was a looong line but it moved fast. Then to get home, we hopped on a bus back by LU's aviation hanger and we waited about 10 minutes. And we didn't leave early either. We waited until after the show was over. They made an announcement about NOT going to the front to get on a bus because that's where everybody went and it was too crowded. I'm assuming that's where you went.

Not sure if you were talking to me, but in answer to your question, no I am not exaggerating. It was nearly 2 hrs. on Saturday before we just decided to walk. They made no announcement on Saturday and only had 2 exits for the entire crowd to funnel through. (Well, I take that back, they may have made an announcement but you couldn't hear anything....) The option to go to LU's aviation hanger wasn't even an option that we knew about (and I have heard they only opened that up on Sunday due to the problems on Saturday). We did go to the front for a bus, but like I said, the only two exits on Saturday were both "to the front." Sounds like they may have made some good changes for Sunday....

No, Saturday was when I was there. They made several announcements throughout the event about how nobody was using the vendors at the South end (by LU aviation) and the North end was jammed. And then at the end they made another announcement about how the North exit was packed and stressed that there were also buses leaving from the south gate. I think if you left early, and were in a line outside of the gates, you might not have heard that.

[Hold My Own]

I don't think those who were "freeloaders" to be a bad thing. (I don't include myself in that cateory on Sat b/c I paid for the plane ticket AND parking at Lynchburg International!) Regardless, local businesses and individuals profited from the air show. Having been on both sides of the fence, I can say I enjoyed the Blue Angels on Saturday, but REALLY appreciated them on Sunday. I did ask a police officer if they were going to be ticketed for speeding, tailgating and wreckless driving though!
I will be interested to see if they post final attendance numbers (paid) and any economic impact that the show had. Not sure I would have been one of those on the roof of the Spring Hill Suites, but I liked the ingenuity of those places near the airport who were selling parking spaces! No mater where you watched the show, the fact that you watched it and most spent money somewhere (would like to see what Sheetz did in non gas sales) it was a BOOM for Lynchburg IMO.

Haha freeloaders....I think this every night I leave the Hillcats before the fireworks only to see everyone is in their yards with friends chairs and a grill to enjoy the show. I LOVE that people can do that....but DONT YOU DARE BE THE PEOPLE WHO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE NOISE. We had 1 show....JUST 1 in a matter of 25 years of doing them that took place after 11:30pm....that's all it took for us to have to start the games at 6pm and pray it's dark enough when the games over. Oh well. It's cool to just be a part of something that brings so much joy to people and their kids.

[phoenix]

If you ever find yourself in Pensacola, you can watch them practice for free. It's pretty awesome.

My Mom lives right next to the base, and gets free airshows pretty much every week that they are in town. One of the pilots USED to live on her street -- they would buzz the subdivision every time, low and fast. It was awesome.

The Blues have been grounded because of the Lynchburg show. Seems like one of the maneuvers was too low, and the team has been grounded for safety issues.

[Purple Haize]

We used to take our kids to the big air show here in Houston (at NASA's Ellington Field) every year where the Blue Angels are a regular. After a number of years of being in the ticketed crowd, we started arriving early for the prime locations along major thoroughfares. Frankly ticket prices weren't an issue since we received free ducats anyway. We just appreciated the quick exits after the show.

But I bet you will be first in line to view the retired Space Shuttle that will be on display...

[thepostman]

they charge for air shows??? The one they have at MacDill every year is free and open to the public...of course I got the great honor of directing traffic during the show and it was far from enjoyable..

[LUconn]

courtesy of flamerbob

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/05 ... test=faces

Leader of Blue Angels Quits After Jets Flew Too Low at Recent Air Show

The commander of the famed flight squadron the Blue Angels stepped down Friday after part of the team of six jets flew below a minimum altitude at a recent air show.

Cmdr. Dave Koss, who has led the team since November, will be replaced by Capt. Greg McWherter, who was the previous commander of the team. The Blue Angels has canceled its scheduled performances next month and had to cancel its scheduled flyover Friday at the Naval Academy graduation, where Defense Secretary Robert Gates delivered the commencement address.

Hope this doesn't scare off the Thunderbirds

[HenryGale]

I just talked to a friend of mine with a direct link to the ordeal, and the commander truly stepped down. He was not forced in any way. He was so distraught over the situation, he felt it was the right thing to do.
He was also the one that called for the stand down at the air show.
Sounds like a first class individual!

[Sly Fox]

We used to take our kids to the big air show here in Houston (at NASA's Ellington Field) every year where the Blue Angels are a regular. After a number of years of being in the ticketed crowd, we started arriving early for the prime locations along major thoroughfares. Frankly ticket prices weren't an issue since we received free ducats anyway. We just appreciated the quick exits after the show.

But I bet you will be first in line to view the retired Space Shuttle that will be on display...

Ouch ... it is obvious that NYC is much more deserving for a retired shuttle than some city where the astronaut program and mission control is located. Just ask our Commander in Chief.

[01LUGrad]

FYI, if you are interested in watching an air show for free this fall, take the 3ish hour drive to Oceana in VA Beach on the weekend of September 23-25 (away football game). http://www.oceanaairshow.com/
I'm not sure about the quality of the show in Lynchburg, but I have a hard time imagining it being better than the one put on down here.