Taking On The Troopers? Don't Even Think About It
By ANN Contributor John M. Dorcey
While motoring down the
road, the typical American driver, upon spotting a state trooper or
other law enforcement type, will almost always slow down and then
look at the speedometer. Some may glance at their speed and then
slow down while true road warriors ignore all that and just keep on
trucking. While many people attending AirVenture Oshkosh 2004 will
fly in to Wittman Regional Airport or one of the satellite
airports, the majority continues to drive in.
Be warned. The Wisconsin State Patrol and their nearly 350 law
enforcement officers (troopers and inspectors) play an integral
part of the AirVenture experience. Their primary focus is to get
you to the event safely and efficiently and back home again. A note
to the road warriors - the law enforcement thing is important
too!
Law enforcement planning for AirVenture is, for the most part,
on autopilot these days. Been there. Done that. Safety and
enforcement coordination is the responsibility of a guy named John
Fay. He's the EAA Security chief who works the Oshkosh Police
Department, the Winnebago Sheriff's Office and the Wisconsin State
Patrol. The Patrol's primary mission for AirVenture is traffic
control and emergency response to accidents.
Sergeant Mark Abrahamson heads up that effort for the Wisconsin
State Patrol during AirVenture. With more than nine years
experience working the air show (five of them as overall
supervisor), he is well equipped to handle any of the challenges
the event may present.
The patrol works the event with 23 daily assignments, rotating
staff in and out of the various positions. The troopers and
inspectors are fond of working the event even through long hours in
all kinds of weather. Why? It provides a major departure from their
normal workday.
Trooper Eric Dante, a four-year veteran of the patrol, is
working his third AirVenture. While looking at the aircraft parked
at the approach end of runway 9, Dante said, "Imagine the traffic
if all of these planes were cars." His words to the wise for road
warriors on their way to Oshkosh sounded much like those of a
flight instructor. "Plan ahead, plan your route, watch the signs
and be patient," he said. Oh, yeah, and watch out for the many
pedestrians and bicycles that share the road.
If you ask, Sergeant Abrahamson has more than his share of
horror stories from over the years -- from folks who simply stop on
Highway 41 to "watch the show" to multiple car accidents caused by
distracted drivers, to aircraft accidents. Abrahamson suggests
every vehicle have a "designated driver" -- someone who will
concentrate on the road regardless of what is flying close
overhead.
Want to arrive at AirVenture safe and in a timely manner?
Sergeant Abrahamson has four suggestions:
- Plan your arrival to miss the rush before 8:00 AM or after
10:00 AM
- Allow a little extra time in case of traffic delays and to
reduce stress
- Stay after the air show (visit the Fly Market or see a forum)
allowing the rush to clear
- Obey the speed limit, use your seat belts and drive safe and
sober.