104 replies to this topic

[john]

I can't believe how many of you are whining about the parking/traffic. What the heck did you think was going to happen!? You were going to be the only one there?

Maybe instead of chastizing the organizers you complainers should have planned better.

Ten bucks says you weren't there, Chad.

If you were there you would have seen the lack of control on the crowds. You would have seen drunk people trying to get out of there and getting ticked off when others were cutting in front of them. You would have seen how chaotic it was to simply go to the bathroom. You would have seen a lot of issues with crowd control.

My family and I were prepared, and our kids were troopers for toughing it out. However this had the recipe for a disaster - hot sun, flowing beer, long lines, and no volunteers or organizers to be found for security. They got lucky there wasn't any issues.

[MSgt]

It would be great if next year they could park people on both sides of the flight line and shuttle back and forth across the end of the runway. Or better yet, have viewing stations on both sides of the runway. They could support massive crowds then. It will be fun to see how this event changes from year to year. There is a lot they can do out there. I am taking my grandsons next year.

[Chad Vander Veen]

Ten bucks says you weren't there, Chad.

If you were there you would have seen the lack of control on the crowds. You would have seen drunk people trying to get out of there and getting ticked off when others were cutting in front of them. You would have seen how chaotic it was to simply go to the bathroom. You would have seen a lot of issues with crowd control.

My family and I were prepared, and our kids were troopers for toughing it out. However this had the recipe for a disaster - hot sun, flowing beer, long lines, and no volunteers or organizers to be found for security. They got lucky there wasn't any issues.

Yeah, I wasn't there. I wish I had been though. I still thinks it's silly to whine about the traffic for an event that has been 10+ years in the making. It's no differnet than going to a King's playoff game...you have to accept it's going to be somewhat chaotic with crowds and traffic and drunks.

I'm not saying you all are wrong about what happened, I'm just pointing out that complaining about it seems naive. Plus, people complain on this forum too much as it is.

Edited by c_vanderveen, 20 March 2006 - 09:54 AM.

[OceanGirl]

Yeah- we, too, got stuck in the traffic nightmare on the 50 and then Bradshaw for 2 1/2 hours. We've been to airshows before so we were prepared for some kind of wait, but not prepared for that much of a wait with two small children. After realizing it would most likely be another hour and we were moving slower than a snail in traffic, we opted to turn out and go to the Sacramento Zoo instead where we enjoyed a nice day. We were disappointed though cuz we really wanted to see the show and had gotten our son excited about it. Maybe next year we can find a better way in.

Thanks for the photos guys- nice to see for those of us who weren't able to make it in.

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

Plus, people complain on this forum too much as it is.

Including you, who complains about issues brought up that you don't agree with nor want to hear.

[Chad Vander Veen]

Including you, who complains about issues brought up that you don't agree with nor want to hear.

I never said I didn't.

[MSgt]

Yeah, I wasn't there. I wish I had been though. I still thinks it's silly to whine about the traffic for an event that has been 10+ years in the making. It's no differnet than going to a King's playoff game...you have to accept it's going to be somewhat chaotic with crowds and traffic and drunks.

I'm not saying you all are wrong about what happened, I'm just pointing out that complaining about it seems naive. Plus, people complain on this forum too much as it is.

Complaining about people complaining is a sure cure to stop the complainig. I'm not complaining here am I?

[Chad Vander Veen]

Complaining about people complaining is a sure cure to stop the complainig. I'm not complaining here am I?

[Dave Burrell]

Dave & John,
You should submit some of your photos to the sac bee. They have a page for Air Show Photo Submission

Thanks Mike, I submitted a few.

Yeah, I wasn't there. I wish I had been though. I still thinks it's silly to whine about the traffic for an event that has been 10+ years in the making. It's no differnet than going to a King's playoff game...you have to accept it's going to be somewhat chaotic with crowds and traffic and drunks.

Good point, it was defiantely like going to a big sporting event or big concert (like U2 or the Stones) but it was still completely worth dealing with all the hassles

Getting in there was a pain but it was well worth it and I'd do it again, even if it took twice as long next year.

But we all live and learn (sometimes the hard way), next year I'll leave for the show about 9am instead of 11am.

[Terry]

Yeah- we, too, got stuck in the traffic nightmare on the 50 and then Bradshaw for 2 1/2 hours. We've been to airshows before so we were prepared for some kind of wait, but not prepared for that much of a wait with two small children. After realizing it would most likely be another hour and we were moving slower than a snail in traffic, we opted to turn out and go to the Sacramento Zoo instead where we enjoyed a nice day. We were disappointed though cuz we really wanted to see the show and had gotten our son excited about it. Maybe next year we can find a better way in.

Thanks for the photos guys- nice to see for those of us who weren't able to make it in.

Light rail and the shuttle buses were the only way to go! We got light rail at Sutter Street, rode to Mather, then got on RT buses for a police-escorted (no stops) ride to the entrance to the air show. AND LIGHT RAIL AND BUSES WERE FREE! Can't beat that. And we saw quite a few families with small children on light rail, too.

[mylo]

Yeah, why didn't you all take Light Rail?

[tessieca]

We drove on Saturday, and after battling long lines of traffic heard on the radio that all parking lots were now full. We u-turned to leave and found a side street or two. Lo and behold, there were parking spaces very close to the field that had been abandoned by others who came earlier in the day. We parked, walked in, saw and greatly enjoyed the main part of the airshow. Then, we stayed late and got autographs (my daughter managed to snag all 8 blue angel pilots'), and then toured an aircraft or two.

The lines were still long for departing traffic, so we again took some little side streets and were home in 1/2 hour. Next year, though, I think we'll try light rail. The show was definitely worth the money and driving hassle. We loved it.

[Solartide]

we were afraid the busses would then drive in the crowded streets anyway

[john]

we were afraid the busses would then drive in the crowded streets anyway

That's why the police escorts were so helpful... we got to go the wrong way down the streets.