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.

FMI: www.dot.state.wi.us/dsp/bss/empcover2.htm