Why the Blue Angels aren’t worth the traffic headaches
Aug 1, 2014, 10:20 PM | Updated: Aug 3, 2014, 10:48 pm
It’s hard to argue the Blue Angels screaming across Lake Washington in perfect formation isn’t breathtaking, but not everyone loves the Seafair performances.
Critics complain of the loud noise, government waste, and certainly of closing down I-90 for the practices and show.
KIRO Hosts side with frustrated drivers.
Dori Monson:
“I’ve been pretty enthusiastic about the Blue Angels, (but) I think I’m done with the Blue Angels. Yesterday, I was coming down I-5 and it was gridlock.”
“So I punched up my nav system and it took me on a route to work that I’ve never taken in 20 years because I had to weave all around the city. It was gridlock.”
“If I’m upset with the Washington State Department of Transportation for shutting down I-90 for repairs, wouldn’t I be a gigantic hypocrite to celebrate shutting down I-90 so that we fly around the city and make a big rumble?”
“There’s nothing more valuable than people’s time.”
Luke Burbank:
“I friggin’ love the Blue Angels. There’s something visceral about the Blue Angels flying overhead. I feel a physical response in my chest of happiness. It really regresses me to being like a 4-year-old.”
However, that all changed for Luke on Thursday when he was stuck on the 520 bridge during the I-90 closure.
“I have always loved the Blue Angels, but when I was stuck in what very much felt like a parking lot and they were just up there doing their little dipsy-dos for practice, I just thought there’s gotta be a better system.”
Luke highly doubts Microsoft will ever ask him to its campus after he was so late for his gig.
Jason Rantz:
“I don’t care that people are really excited about it. Good for them. I feel a little bit of jealousy that I can’t share the same excitement for small things like planes flying really fast over our heads.”
“I can’t understand why they have to close the I-90 bridge for this. You can’t practice anywhere else? There’s all this land in Washington that’s comparable to the area. It’s just air you’re going through.”
