United States - Georgia - Wings Over Marietta 2008 - Dobbins ARB, Marietta - 10/18/08

[camaronut502]

getting close!

[BigRedDogATL]

Has anyone heard about Media passes to this show?  When and where do we pick them up?

The Thunderbirds PAO was supposed to arrange for a media pass for me and last week I spoke to the Dobbins ARB PAO about it. I haven't heard back from either yet, so any insight by others would be helpful.

[BillF]

I'm driving up on Wednesday. I had Tyndall Security call Dobbins Security to make advance arrangements for my interrogation upon arrival. 

Here I am outside the Dobbins GCA circa 1972. Other than loss of hair and a weight gain of about 50 pounds, I look exactly the same.

For the Dobbins history buffs, note the AF GCA tied to a yellow Creature Comfort Trailer. At one time ATC at Dobbins was a USAF Control Tower and a Navy GCA (yellow trailer). We didn't mix well and USAF took over everything in '72.

[dJames]

No Friday show now for me now due to work. Hopefully can get there in time for the Saturday show, and will be there for sure Sunday.  Looking forward to it!

[Smoke Eater]

Hello all.

I will be there on Saturday, looking forward to seeing you all. Please excuse me for not posting more, as my job has taken a significantly busy turn.
Any FC'ers near show center, if you will be roping-off a section (similar to the Vidalia show), please save me a spot if you are able and it's not an inconvenience. I will bring some yellow tape in case no one has any.

I noticed on the "map" link on the show site, the buses are charging a $3.00 round-trip fee this year. It is easily overlooked and the text is hard to read, so be prepared for that.

Can't wait to see y'all!

Let's hope the traffic works more smoothly this year!

[integra2316]

wow, 3 bucks to ride the bus. That is a new one.

[BillF]

Can also park at Whitewater north of the base. Says homecoming for David Schultz, but fails to mention me  . From the paper:

Gates open at 8:30 a.m. with the first demonstrations taking to the air shortly after 10 a.m. All times are the same for both days.

Parking is available in the Lockheed-Martin parking lot, on South Cobb Drive at Fairground Street, and at Six Flags White Water on Cobb Parkway. Shuttle buses will run continuously from both lots to Dobbins - a round trip is $3.

The air show is a homecoming for Marietta native David Shultz, the air show company president.

"The first air show I ever went to was with my dad in the 70s at Dobbins," he said.

With good weather, Shultz said the two shows could bring 200,000 people to Cobb.  (Bill's note: and in typical Atlanta fashion, they will all drive in separate vehicles)

[bigtnbob]

I hope to be there on Saturday!!
Cant say for sure yet.
Bob McPherson

[BillF]

From today's AJC:

The county started a shuttle service after a traffic melt-down at a Blue Angels show at Naval Air Station Atlanta in 2004. Quigley said buses helped at a Blue Angels show two years ago and he expects the shuttles to keep traffic flowing smoothly this weekend, though traffic will likely be heavy on sections of South Cobb Drive, Cobb Parkway and Atlanta Road.

Cobb County spokesman Robert Quigley said cars parked on right of ways will be towed and gawkers will need to get permission from business owners before pulling into commercial parking lots.

http://www.accessatlanta.com/events/content/events/stories/2008/10/14/airshow_atlanta_marietta.html?cxntlid=sldr_hm

[BigRedDogATL]

Just heard from the Dobbins Public Affairs office last night and my Photographer media pass has come through.      YEAH!!!   

I will be at the base on Friday to photograph the practice show. On Saturday and Sunday the people with media passes get to park on the base (must come through a side gate off Windy Hill), but we get to have our vehicles searched. Gotta remember to clean out the car tonight, in order to make the search go faster.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone again and to a good show with clear skys and safe flying.

[integra2316]

I also will be there friday. See you there.

[Galaxy5007]

Someone get pictures of the C-5s there for me (especially if they put a Super Galaxy on display).  due to financial reasons, we can't go (from Ft. Bragg).  Of course I'll take my tail shots as well.  Maybe they'll have a brand new 130J on display too!  Good luck and have fun everyone!

[Greg]

Hi all:
Does anyone know the times for practice on Friday?  Really looking forward to Saturday and Sunday!
Thanks,
Greg

[BigRedDogATL]

Hi all:
Does anyone know the times for practice on Friday?  Really looking forward to Saturday and Sunday!
Thanks,
Greg

The email from the Dobbins ARB PAO states the practice shows will run from noon till 4 p.m. on Friday. Normally the performers will hold their practice at the same time of day that they will do the actual public performance, so they get used to sun position, etc.

[Greg]

Hey, thanks BigRedDog, that's what I was hoping.  I went to the last two shows there by the Blue Angels, think I saw the Thunderbirds years and years ago. I live close enough to go check out practice to get a feel for the new layout facing north, as David Schultz was kind enough to advise .  By the way, hope you were able to secure credentials.    If it helps anyone with traffic/parking fears, I park down the hill across from the Lockheed entrance at the Marietta Daily Journal parking lot.  That way, for my drive anyway, I can go left out of the Journal parking lot and wind my way back  to South Cobb Drive towards Austell Road and avoid the wait in the Lockheed lot.  Nevertheless, no matter where you park the show and static displays, etc. are worth any waits.

Thanks again BigRedDog,
Greg