Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!asuvax!ncar!umigw!mthvax!bsherman From: bsherman@mthvax.cs.miami.edu (Bob Sherman) Newsgroups: sci.space.shuttle Subject: Re: Getting into the press area for shuttle launches? Message-ID: <1990Sep10.050419.11878@mthvax.cs.miami.edu> Date: 10 Sep 90 05:04:19 GMT References: <3876@sactoh0.SAC.CA.US> <1990Sep4.001018.4034@zoo.toronto.edu> Organization: Not much! Lines: 42 >In article <1990Sep4.001018.4034@zoo.toronto.edu> henry@zoo.toronto.edu (Henry Spencer) writes: >>Recent reports say that there will be no, repeat no, passes for this >>launch [STS-41], because there is a strong possibility that NASA will be badly >>short of funds around then, and supervision of visitors has been classed >>as a luxury. As a member of the WORKING PRESS, I certainly hope that NASA is not planning to change their policy regarding the press mound area. We have enough media people running around there, without having to worry about the general public with "passes" in the area too. The are also thousands of dollars of equipment in place hours before a launch, and we do not need to worry who is playing with it, knocking it over or whatever.. In addition, the press mound is considered a danger area under some wind and other conditions, and there is just not enough place for everyone to hide if the wind blows the wrong way. On major launches we even have problems with fellow media people bringing spouces and family if old enough.. Sorry to dampen your spirits, but we are there to WORK, and we do not need sightseers to trip over.. In days gone by, there was a seperate VIP area near the press site, but those folks were not allowed into the press area. Since the explosion however, they realized that it was too close for the public, and moved it way back. I might also warn you that this area is a wildlife preserve, and it is abound with snakes of the un nice type as well as gators etc.. I still have not forgotten the time I was trapped on top of a fire tower because of two hissing snakes at the bottom of the ladder.. They do offer passes for a viewing area on the Kennedy Causeway, and while it is not the press area, it does offer a good view of a launch. Accept them if you can get them, and stop trying to be where you should not be, and at best, will be getting in the way of those who have a job to do. Of course if you want to be the one to chase the snakes and gators away from my path both at the press site and near the pad in waist deep water when I am placing out remote cameras, please send me your resume, and perhaps I will hire you :-) -- bsherman@mthvax.cs.miami.edu | bsherman@pro-exchange | MCI MAIL:BSHERMAN