We went to see them at Boeing field on Thursday, but it was disappointing. The weather turned wet and cold and the schedule was off, so we went down to a bakery in South Park that has good Salvadorean bread and pastries. What happened? Two planes started to practice. So we went back, this time to the end of the runway in Georgetown, where there was a huge, smelly homeless encampment, just in time to see the two planes land. We hung around there for an hour, then had to leave to pick up some food. What happened then? The four of them of practiced. Plus, I was stricken by allergies while shopping in the Museum of Flight's store after it started raining and felt ill the rest of the day.
Well, I guess not every jet-watching experience can be a good, but compared to the previous three times at the Museum of Flight, it was a disappointment.
Am I the only one who remembers the glory days of the Blue Angel experience? The jets were always parked close to the museum, there were Navy recruitment stands and places selling balloons, memorabilia, t-shirts, and toys, and, if you a Boeing employee, your employee pass got you a close-up look and you could even sit in the pilot's seat for a photo opportunity. Navy personnel were present and walking around to answer questions and direct traffic. This time, there was NOTHING. The jets were parked far across the runway where the small planes (like Cesnas) refueled, you couldn't even see them or the other planes of the team. Perhaps I can blame 9/11 for being less access, and COVID for the team staff to avoid the general crowd. OTOH maybe these are present during the weekend, where the event is only open to those who paid the museum's entrance price. Which I would, but I always work those days.
