Simple Solution to Bridge Day problem: Should all spectators be banned from Bridge Day and only jumpers and organisers be allowed anywhere near it?

[Craig]

[Craig]

So let me recap, the problem here is that the x00,000 spectators are not going to be allowed to carry anything like rucksacks onto the bridge for fear they may have something naughty about them and hurt a lot of people? The only people allowed to carry things onto the Bridge are the jumpers themselves with their gear and for this reason they must provide some form of ID to prove they aren't the bad guys and bringing some weapon of mass distruction to the crowds?

Well then, why not just say that Bridge Day is not open to spectators this year. After all, who is Bridge Day for; the jumpers, the spectators, the bridge or the local area? If there are no huge crowds to target there is no problem. . But I guess this would have a financial impact on the area. What's in it for "them" to let people jump off the Bridge?

[guest]

The reasonable solution is to let them have it all to themselves that one day and let us have it every other day of the year, legally, but what are the chances of that happening. Also curious as to if we weren't there how many spectators wouldn't show up. I mean watching the rappelers and rafters isn't that exciting to watch relatively speaking, in my opinion.
Later

[imported_Tom Aiello]

>Well then, why not just say that Bridge Day is
>not open to spectators this year.

Without spectators, the NPS would be able to shut down Bridge Day with impunity. The only reason we have it now is that the local chamber of commerce was adamant about maintaining it when the NPS wanted to shut it down. They were adamant because of the fact that BDay was such a huge portion of the local tourist income (the majority of the years income--all generated in one weekend).

So, I'd guess that with no spectators, we'll end up with no Bridge Day in a real hurry.



--Tom Aiello
tbaiello@ucdavis.edu