Unattended Chairs on the Flight Line This Year???

[ozzieandgracie]

What is the story this year about unattended chairs left along the flight line to "reserve" seating for those "chosen" people? We always see signs throughout the grounds stating that it is not acceptable to leave chairs unattended so that you may reserve your space and that unattended chairs will be removed. But, every year we see an army of empty chairs lining the flightline and many times there are event staff and volunteers right there that will do nothing about it. As an attendee I want to take the chairs and pile them somewhere off to the side so that we can sit there but realize that the last thing we want is confrontation. Is there going to be anything done this year to STRICTLY reinforce this rule or do we again have to take a back seat to an army of empty chairs?

Ron

[FlyingRon]

I don't know where you have been, but the Vintage flight line guys (everything from the green-roofed communications building southward) has always been removed. However, you are SORELY mistaken if you think it has anything to do with fairness for people who want to watch the airshow. The chairs are removed because they are a hazard to the showplanes (we use the term loosely, every HOMEBUILT or VINTAGE aircraft that makes it to Oshkosh no matter how doggy is a showplane).

[ozzieandgracie]

The problem that I was trying to state was that the empty chairs, at least in the viewing area that I have been in, were sitting there with no one sitting in them. It was very clear that they were being used to "reserve" a viewing space for the upcoming air show as they were folded up and laying on the ground in neat rows. I totally agree that unattended chairs are a great hazard to the aircraft, no matter what type of aircraft they are, AS WELL AS being very rude to other patrons that want to sit there and can't because of the row of empty chairs. I just want to know if someone will be enforcing this rule this year.

[FlyingRon]

To my knowledge there never has been an attempt to regulate the rudeness, just the safety issues: no loose chairs, no one across the "burn line", nobody blocking in the access lanes. Blocking out spaces with anything but chairs (beach blankets, bags, etc...) has never been enforced. If you want "rudeness" enforcement, you better talk to airventure management because there has never been any attempt at enforcing that in twenty years I've been attending.

[hydroguy2]

why don't you just sit in them? if some one comes along and claims they are theirs. Give them up, but not the spot. They might own the chair but not the spot.

[martymayes]

I just want to know if someone will be enforcing this rule this year.

Yes, but unfortunately it's the same guy that's enforcing this bicycle parking "rule"

[dbarnes]

Not that I entirely like it, I think what we're seeing is practical decision-making by flight line patrol volunteers. Today's camp chairs fold down into cylinders that are much less likely to be blown around than the flat-folding lawn chairs of the past. The risk of aircraft damage hasn't disappeared, but it's gone way down.

[Inspector Fenwick]

Ahhh, yes....I remember the days when I thought I needed to be right on the burn line in order to see the show.....(c'mon, think about it folks)....the only thing I miss now is the view of the pilots coming down the line after their performance. I am more than happy to see the show from under the big wing of my 195, hopefully at least two airplanes away from the burn line.

[FlyingRon]

Hey, all you have to do is volunteer for crowd control and you can watch the show from in front of the burn line.

[rickatic]

While I have only been to the last 5 OshKosh's, this year will make six, the chair removal patrols were there until last year. After seeing chairs, folded or in their bags and secure, I asked the line patrol volunteers about a possible rule change. I was informed by two of these volunteers that the rule was changed just last year to allow properly secured chairs etc to stay along the flight line...just what I was told and observed...

Regards