Ann Arbor man says planes towing advertisements above Michigan Stadium are getting to be too much
A plane tows a banner advertising Taylor Ford before Saturday's Michigan football game against Michigan State University.
Daniel Brenner | AnnArbor.com
They take to the skies in the mornings before University of Michigan football games and continually run up until an hour before kickoff, carrying advertisements over the crowds.
He considers it a nuisance.
"They're very low and very loud. It gets so bad and drives me so crazy that I just want to leave the house," said Scheltema, who suspects it's getting worse because games are starting later in the afternoon, allowing more time for the planes to fly in the hours before.
Flights around Michigan Stadium must follow Federal Aviation Administration regulations and the local FAA control tower at the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport is in charge of monitoring that.
Ann Arbor News file photo
Scheltema said he tried reaching out to city officials, but it took more than two weeks to get a response and so far it seems nothing has been done about the situation.
"The last time I checked that's not how you respond to your constituents," he said.
Matt Kulhanek, the city's airport manager, said all flights around Michigan Stadium must follow Federal Aviation Administration regulations and the local FAA control tower at the Ann Arbor Municipal Airport is in charge of monitoring that.
"They're allowed up to a certain time before game time to fly in the proximity of the stadium and then of course afterward," he said. "And then during the game, you usually need special approval."
There was a scheduled Coast Guard flyover during Saturday's game against Michigan State University, and Kulhanek said even the military needs to get special approval for that.
Kulhanek said sometimes waivers are granted to allow certain planes to fly lower than the normal FAA restrictions. He said the city doesn't have any jurisdiction over air traffic, though.
"Most of these banner towers, they know what the FAA rules and regulations are, and I don't think they're going to be stupid enough to violate them," he said.
Charles Smith, the FAA's air traffic manager at the Ann Arbor airport, declined to comment for this story, referring questions to a Chicago-based public affairs office.
Tony Molinaro, FAA spokesman for the Great Lakes Region, said for major sporting events like a Michigan football game planes can fly up until an hour before and then an hour after the event, and they must fly at least 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle.
The FAA didn't immediately have information available on whether any low-flying plane violations have been reported or how many waivers have been granted.
Scheltema said he can't be sure but it seems the planes are flying lower than allowed as they pass over his neighborhood on their way back to the airport.
"It's right over the house," he said. "It's a fairly heavily trafficked area anyway for the Ann Arbor airport, but I think these planes need to refuel a lot because of the drag of these banners."
Scheltema said he's seen ads for a number of different companies, but the one he recalls most vividly was for the Deja Vu Showgirls strip club in Ypsilanti.
He has no complaints about the normal security helicopters and military jet flyovers that go on during Michigan football games, but he considers the banner-towing planes an unwanted intrusion.
"The ads really — they're just ridiculous," he said. "I wouldn't even mind if they fly around for two hours before game time, but it's much more than that. They're just out of control."
Advertisers who pay to have ads towed through the skies above Michigan Stadium rely on large crowds below seeing them.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
"They drop off and pick up banners here, so they actually have a ground crew that stretches out the banners," he said. "They fly, they switch banners, and they fly."
Jim Miller of Air America Aerial Ads said he's been towing banners around Michigan Stadium for the past 28 years. He said he's clocked more than 18,000 hours of air time.
"Local bar and grills, roofing companies, insurance companies — you name it, it's up there," Miller said, adding he's assisted with happy birthday messages and proposals as well.
He said the going rate is $425 for a banner, which includes eight laps or about 20-25 minutes of air time. Before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001, Miller said, there were three bigger companies and some smaller ones that together probably towed 200 banners from 18 different planes.
With tighter restrictions these days, Miller said, there's significantly less advertisement in the sky above the Big House on football Saturdays.
"Unfortunately after 9/11, the small companies fell out," he said. "It's less than what it was pre-9/11, so I wouldn't say there's been any uptick."
He said he's now towing maybe 10 to 30 banners per game using as many as six planes. He pointed out there are six home games this year versus eight last year, so people should see less ads.
"It just draws attention because it's football Saturday," he said.
Miller said he strictly follows the FAA regulations and none of his planes go below 1,000 feet except during takeoff and landing.
Asked what the standards are for accepting advertisements, he said: "As long as it's not foul language, it's freedom of speech up there, and they can advertise whatever they want."
Kulhanek said he empathizes with anyone who is bothered by the banner-towing planes, but considering everything else that comes with football Saturdays — including traffic congestion, noise, tailgating parties and crime — he's not sure the planes are a significant problem.
"It's not like these planes are flying late at night," he said. "And if they are following the regulations, they have a right to be out there just like a guy driving his truck down the street."
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Comments
hail2thevict0r
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 5:34 p.m.
Step 1: Buy a house by a local airport and the largest stadium in the country Step 2: Complain about planes flying overhead and noise I'm sorry, I do feel bad if you don't like football, you want peace and quite and the planes disturb your peace, however, this kind of thing has existed for probably as long as anyone in ann arbor has owned a home. If you bought a house by, or around, where this happens it should be no shock that this kind of advertisement continues. If you don't like it you simply just have to move. The stadium isn't moving nor is the airport. Don't buy a house by train tracks and then complain about the train noise.
Homegrown
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 4:16 p.m.
I don't live within a mile of the stadium, I live within a stone's throw-- literally. I did notice a lot more planes this year than last year-- but compared to all the other nuisances this is minor. Honestly this article seems to have had a high depth of detail... but there's no substance. There's just no issue here. This guy sounds like a serious complainer.
Andrea Zastrow
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 3:57 p.m.
Pre 9/11, they used to have 10 or more airplanes circling Michigan Stadium for hours before and after the games. It was not possible to have a normal conversation if you were outside; there was never a point where there was NOT a plane overhead or trying to get overhead. My neighborhood looked forward to the games where one of the blimps was there. (The banner planes weren't allowed to fly while a blimp was overhead.) That said, I'm not absolutely opposed to the planes. I'd like to see them restricted to no more than 3 at a time though. And I could also do without the adult oriented ads. However you feel about them, turning them off is not an option if you are nowhere near their demographic. At an earlier game this season, I watched a dad struggling to explain the strip club banner ad (featuring a giant clothed crotch and a runway) to a couple of elementary school age spawn as it circled overhead again and again.
Jello Biafra
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 3:22 p.m.
Can A2.com write a story about me and my petty complaints some time? Thanks.
YpsiGirl4Ever
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 : 7:11 a.m.
Do you live near U of M Football Big House? If so, you might get a story. Just call them us (A2.com that is). If you live in Ypsilanti, you'll get a story quickly in A2.com if you're a suspect in a crime and a bit to the victim. Otherwise, nearly nothing....
Matt
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 2:51 p.m.
Ryan, I normally like your stories, but I don't get why this is news. I think everyone who lives within 3 miles of the stadium has some gripe about something on game days.
BOBBY
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 1:38 p.m.
Did he have to pay for this article or are we going to start publishing everyone's petty game day complaints?
Kyle Mattson
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 1:52 p.m.
Bobby- As one who does not reside in the immediate downtown area the different perspectives on game day is interesting. Here is a recent article featuring some residents who moved to the area just for the game day experience: http://bit.ly/aadc-bhlive We also welcome all of our readers to submit any thoughts on what is going on in their community by emailing news@annarbor.com please feel free to do the same.
Major
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 1:33 p.m.
Annoying sound, a bit dangerous sure, but very much part of the football Saturday experience. I never really read them, yet it wouldn't be the same without them. I feel an energy, an ever increasing excitement building with every overhead pass. What's really neat (if you don't have a ticket to the game) is to go to AA airport and watch them do the banner pickup.
PittsfieldTwp
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 1:33 p.m.
I think all the activity is exciting, but I wonder about air traffic issues. I went to the airport on Saturday with my two young boys to watch the planes drop and catch the banners. We also noticed a few helicopters take off and land during that time. One helicopter took a really low flight path over the town towards the stadium and seemed to thread-the-needle right through 4 planes towing banners and one coming back in.
Dexterdriver
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 1:15 p.m.
Maybe this guy should plan on out-of-town visits if these airplanes are such a bother to him. Turn the disdain into something fun, and leave the business advertisements alone. They have the right to fly over his house. Life is different near Michigan Stadium, big surprise, eh?
Ron Granger
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 1:08 p.m.
Banner ads on the internet are easily blocked. But we don't need the droning noise of aircraft towing banner ads over our town. They are not part of any game "tradition".
MRunner73
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 4:19 p.m.
Planes towing banners in the air has been going on for longer than I can remember (50 years). It does not have to a "tradition" but part of things that occur on a home game day. You need to only put up with this for two more home game, weather permitting. Hang in there.
BOBBY
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 1:39 p.m.
Times are changing Ronnie!
MRunner73
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 12:42 p.m.
Much to do about nothing. As long as the planes adhere to FAA rules, there is no problem.
Max Maximus
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 2:49 a.m.
You must be kidding me- YOU REPORTED THIS?!! There's a neighbor near me whose dog barks too much, also. Why don't you call me and we can do a story on it. If my opinion counts, I wish those banner towers were F-18's in full after-burner. I knid of like that sound and it gets me excited knowing there's a home football game happening. And I also live alot closer to the Stadium than this clown. What a joke of a story, and what an embarassement that you'd report something like this.
YpsiGirl4Ever
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 : 7:07 a.m.
"What an embarrassment that you'd report something like this."...... ^^^^^ PERFECT^^^^^
Unusual Suspect
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 11:48 p.m.
The funny thing is, this guy doesn't even live near the stadium. He lives south of Pioneer High School.
treetowncartel
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 11:19 p.m.
I have a solution. Get out of. Town and go up north, some great fall weekends to be had up there. Or, are you going to,lose out on the unreported income you get parking cars on your lawn for the games?
Samuel Ferraro
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 11:04 p.m.
I don't mind the aircraft as much as the leaf blowers. Now those are a NUISANCE.
Tru2Blu76
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 10:48 p.m.
This man's main complaint centers on the noise the aircraft produce while towing banners for a few hours - six Saturday's per year. This reminds me of the complaints raised by other people with homes close to Michigan Stadium: like the stadium lights during night games and during testing or like the cars parked on lawns and other "residential properties." Are these things a nuisance? Obviously, many respondents have little trouble with any of these things, including banner-towing small airplanes. If any of these things needed more attention, then there'd be more than just this one fellow calling on city government to "do something" but that's not what's happening. Hence "the lack of response" from city hall. [Parenthetically, I'd love to have been there when Mr.David Scheltema signed the mortgage on his home - close to the largest football stadium in North America!! This is a classic case, prompting the popular question: "What was he thinking!!" LOL]
Brad
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 11 p.m.
Yawn.
Rick Stevens
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 10:43 p.m.
Anyone notice that no one in authority seemed to be able or willing to answer the altitude question? When you see that kind of buck passing, hiding,etc. it usually means there's some substance to the question. Asking the airport or the city is a waste since they own / run the airport and aren't going to criticize themselves or threaten a revenue stream.
Adam Dickson
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 9:30 p.m.
this is plane ridiculous. complaining about this flies in the face of good taste.
1bit
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 1:06 a.m.
Up-vote for you. Sky high observation.
Ricardo Queso
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 10:31 p.m.
Props to you!
nickcarraweigh
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 8:54 p.m.
Just a matter of time before some homeless vagrant with a surface to air missile and a grudge shoots one down.
Kai Petainen
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 8:51 p.m.
It's not the plane that bugs me, it's the mess that is left behind. Ann Arbor is a mess today. Walk around and you'll see stuff all over the place. Broken windows in a parking garage from vandalism. Broken glass on the street. Garbage all over the South U area. Games are good, but clean up when you're done -- and it's no excuse for vandalism.
justcurious
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 1:02 p.m.
Ann Arbor is always a mess now, not just on game days or because of them. Haven't you noticed? It's like the city doesn't take care of itself anymore. Tax revenue goes elsewhere, like for German art.
MRunner73
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 12:45 p.m.
Give 'em an extra day to clean it up. How many broken windows: 1000s? I think not.
justcary
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 8:45 p.m.
I'm sorry, but it's not like this guy is in the midst of an ordeal, legal battles, health problems, or anything. Since when does one man's bellyache about a longstanding part of Ann Arbor life rate a headline?
YpsiGirl4Ever
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 : 7:04 a.m.
Since The Ann Arbor News became AnnArbor.com. It's new journalism you know :).
LRF
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 8:41 p.m.
How desperate can anyone be for something to yap about? It's like people who complain about something they disagree with on TV .... TURN THE CHANNEL! The same is true in this case DON"T STAND IN YOUR YARD AND LOOK UP!
djacks24
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 8:37 p.m.
"He has no complaints about the normal security helicopters and military jet flyovers that go on during Michigan football games, but he considers the banner-towing planes an unwanted intrusion." ""The ads really — they're just ridiculous," he said. "I wouldn't even mind if they fly around for two hours before game time, but it's much more than that. They're just out of control."" So it's not all aircraft? Doesn't seem the noise is an issue? Obviously choppers and military jets are much louder. He's just crotchety and nit-picky and likes to pick and chose which air traffic he wants in "his" airspace? If the ads bother him there is an even easier solution than other noise or earplugs. Stay inside, or if you go outside, don't stare into the air looking for things to complain about.
A2James
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 8:09 p.m.
Now this is the hard-hitting journalism that we have come to expect from Annarbor.com! It even appears to be free from typographical errors, congratulations!
Brendan Rutledge
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 6:02 p.m.
Is there anything an Ann Arbor resident can't complain about?
genericreg
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 5:09 p.m.
strict moderation not as much here. many personal attacking. ugly comments, mean environment.
djacks24
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 8:40 p.m.
Try ridiculous complaint to warrant attention much less an article?
SalineSid
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 5:08 p.m.
I don't like all the traffic on US 12 after a game - can I have an article too, please :^) This is one light-weight article.
YpsiGirl4Ever
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 : 7:03 a.m.
I don't like trying to get to work at the Mall on I-94 when a U of M Football Game is taking place at Home and darn it, I should get an article from AnnArbor.com to talk about this tooo....
mady
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 4:52 p.m.
Hey, I liked seeing the big gecko trailing through the sky.....
Richard C
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 4:37 p.m.
I lived near enough to Michigan Stadium to be annoyed by the droning of the airplanes on football saturdays for 17 years. I was also annoyed by the noise M14/I94/US23 ring-road around Ann Arbor. Well, I still live in Ann Arbor. Some things just come with the territory.
Krystal Lafferty
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 4:22 p.m.
I actually look forward to it - it's part of game day.
annarboral
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 4:18 p.m.
The pilots must donate a huge sum to the mayor's re-election. How else can you explain how a small number of airplane owners get to do whatever they want. You should see them struggle into the wind trying to pull those banners right after take off. It's a major accident just waiting to happen. The Ann Arbor airport should be closed. Turn it into a green belt park that eveyone can enjoy safely. The pilots and planes can go to Willow Run where they belong.
MARK
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 2:59 a.m.
Can't close the AA airport because AA took a lot of money in the past to build and expand the airport as did many other communities. That money came with a covenant that the airports remain open to facilitate general aviation. AA would have to repay the money to break the covenant. After paying for the "art" in the city probably not enough left over to pay back the Federal Government and close the airport
Harm
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 7 p.m.
If it was "a major accident just waiting to happen", the pilots wouldn't be doing it. Personally, I'd like to see the runway lengthened, but that might not be in the cards. Failing that , I'm happy to see that Ann Arbor has a nice airport that is an important piece of the country's aviation infrastructure.
mady
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 4:50 p.m.
this from someone who wants to do away with low-income housing. what a surprise.....
PWJT8D
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 4:29 p.m.
You should be closed and go to Willow Run where you belong.
Kafkaland
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 4:27 p.m.
No, the runway should be lengthened to make it even safer.
Useless
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 3:48 p.m.
I actually think there are fewer plans than ever. They used to be all over the place and now not so much. Don't know what he is talking about - just my opinion.
Andrea Zastrow
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 7:23 p.m.
That's very true. The most I ever saw up there was 11 or 12. (There were only 11 circling, but a 12th was trying to merge in and not having much luck.) We rarely see more than one or two these days. At a neighborhood meeting about proposed plans for game day security a couple years or so back, I think it was the FBI guy who said that they weren't that thrilled about a bunch of easily rented small aircraft over a very large stadium either.
billchase2
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 3:34 p.m.
I live 2 miles from the stadium and knew that upon deciding to move here. I have no problem with the sky writing, plane advertisements, blimps, fly-overs, and fan noise on game days. It's simply to be expected when you live that close to the nation's largest stadium.
LRF
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 8:46 p.m.
..... and if it bothers you ........ MOVE!
Stephen Landes
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 4:29 p.m.
You may be too well-balanced and analytical to comment here. Congratulations!
Nicole Streeter
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 3:09 p.m.
My Gosh, It's ONE DAY A WEEK ! (actually only total 6 days, spread out) Quit being a cranky pants and enjoy the fact we have such an awesome team! Buy some headphones, and listen to some good blues if you don't want to hear the planes. People got to make a living, and it's hurting no one. Geesh.
djacks24
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 10:34 p.m.
@A24Mee - Did it come as a surprise after you bought your house that you may live next to a Big 10 university football stadium?
A24Mee
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 7:25 p.m.
Some of us would like to be outside in our yards, raking or whatever, but it's so noisy that's impossible!
Fatkitty
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 3:07 p.m.
Good grief. If this guy lives less than a mile from the stadium, seems like the traffic and actual noise from the game would be far more bothersome than the planes flying over before the game.
Andy Price
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 3:05 p.m.
I too am a single person with a beef. I await your call, annarbor.com.
G-Man
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 2:58 p.m.
Yah, and about this tailgating....... that's getting way to carried away....
Alison Abbott
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 2:56 p.m.
I heard he also told some kids to get off his lawn.
LAEL
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 2:53 p.m.
I suspect it's not necessarily the number of planes, but constant drone of engines over a longer period of time that a 3:30pm game allows (morning until 2:30 instead of morning until 11am). If you're noise sensitive, a constant engine noise over prolonged time can be more distressing and headache-inducing than the rise and fall of cheering and band music coming from the stadium.
LAEL
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 2:51 a.m.
@djacks24 The guy states directly that noise is an issue: "They're very low and very loud. It gets so bad and drives me so crazy that I just want to leave the house," said Scheltema. His next statement is: ""Michigan used to play only 12:30 games," he said. "This year we've had a lot of 3:30 games and planes have started at 10 a.m. — way before the game." From this I inferred that he has an issue with the plane engine noise over a sustained period of time, which is longer (assuming the planes start around the same time in the morning) when it's a later game.
djacks24
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 10:29 p.m.
If you pay attention to the article, noise isn't the issue. He's just crotchety because he can't chose the the type of aircraft (or the ads the aircraft tow for that matter). He simply has it out for capitalism.
A24Mee
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 7:23 p.m.
It's like being in a war zone!
ElizabethXYZABC
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 2:46 p.m.
Oh, the callous disregard for the safety of my student! Oh, the callous disregard for the rest of us who live here! Yes, UM football rules! More important than common sense...
djacks24
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 8:27 p.m.
Go away, move, send your kid to another school, whatever....
mady
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 4:47 p.m.
Oh, the things people find to endlessly whine about!!
A2Onward
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 2:46 p.m.
So the planes are loud and annoying, how does he feel about 115,000 people in his neighborhood at the same time. Surely that's more loud and annoying, but he's putting up with that.
newsboy
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 2:33 p.m.
These planes are flying too high for a man of my age. If some secret admirer where to propose to me; I'd be S.O.L.!
ElizabethXYZABC
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 2:16 p.m.
Mr. Scheltema is correct. It is not the first time the University's football program has put $ before public safety, and surely will not be the last. When that first plane hits a structure, may we all be forgiven our greed and hubris.
Unusual Suspect
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 11:47 p.m.
Elizabeth, how do you figure the University is involved? It's not their air.
mady
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 4:46 p.m.
hubris rocks!!!
Kafkaland
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 3:28 p.m.
I don't think the University receives a cent for these banner flyovers. The airspace is public, and anyone can fly there, within the FAA rules. Just like the city can't charge you if you put advertising on your car and drive through the city.
Tom Todd
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 2 p.m.
waiting for some of these small planes to crash into someones house as low as they fly at all hours of the early mornings.
music to my ear
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 1:55 p.m.
I do not live by the stadium any thing can bug you ,if you let it .just go turn on pre-game a little loud you wont hear it (but yes you will if you are out looking and saying them#$%&* planes bug the#@$% out of me ) there is stuff to do to avoid the situation. go avoid.
daytona084
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 1:46 p.m.
The headline starts, "Ann Arbor man says ...." A lot of people say things. This is not news.
Brad
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 2:37 p.m.
The thing about something that starts "Ann Arbor man says" is that there is absolutely nothing, no matter how ridiculous, that could not appear after it.
Kai Petainen
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 1:54 p.m.
LOL...... next week they'll have a follow up article.... "Man in Hell Says...."
actionjackson
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 1:30 p.m.
"Hey,hey, you, get off of my cloud now" Rolling Stones 1964
Poorman
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 1:19 p.m.
Planes on Saturdays are nothing new and fairly quiet compared to the noise from these trains lately. It appears that ever since I moved into this home next to the tracks, the trains have become much louder. We should close the tracks.
Poorman
Tue, Oct 23, 2012 : 1:09 a.m.
Swing and a miss. Close the tracks, really? I can't believe you thought that was a real complaint. Like the planes for this guy, the tracks would have been there when I bought the house. It would be foolish to then complain about it. You see society doesn't owe me for my ... Oh forget it.
Unusual Suspect
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 1:41 p.m.
I admit that if Poorman's comment was sarcastic, I totally missed it.
KeepitClassy
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 12:42 p.m.
Usual, I will agree with you on your overall point. I just think you took Poormans coment out of context. But your "This is Ann Arbor, after all" SOOOO AGREE!!!
Unusual Suspect
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 12:13 p.m.
Actually, Klassy, it wasn't much of a miss on my part. There really have been people in this comment section (on other articles) who bought a house near the railroad tracks and then complain about the fact that locomotives sound their horns as grade crossings, and people who bought a house near the airport at the end of the runway and then complain about airplanes flying over their house. This is Ann Arbor, after all.
KeepitClassy
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 11:09 a.m.
^^^ Unusual Suspect, are you serious? Your comments amuse me greatly on a daily basis. You take everything so out of contrast. The reference was made to show the arrogance of the guy interviewed in the article. I mean hey, I am moving to a Big Ten college town, and it BETTER be quite. RIIIIGHHTTT. I mean who would guess they would advertise over 140,000+? That may be idiotic. Since you want to take away Poorman's street, I believe we should take away your keyboard.
Unusual Suspect
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 11:46 p.m.
"We should close the tracks." We should close the road your house is on, too. If you want to deny transportation to somebody else, you also get denied.
Joseph Welch's Ghost
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 1:08 p.m.
Hey kid, get off my sky!
Kai Petainen
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 1:04 p.m.
The planes just fly on game day. It's part of the experience each game day. As long as they follow the rules (which it sounds like they are) and there are no security concerns, then let them fly. A few times I get concerned when I see really low flying planes on non-game days, but I assume they're just taking photos for the university.
Kai Petainen
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 1:52 p.m.
makes sense to me. i hope someday someone will take me up to take some photos. =)
Ryan J. Stanton
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 1:23 p.m.
It's my understanding that waivers of the height restrictions are granted to allow aerial photography, so that's a good assumption on your part.
Billy
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 1:03 p.m.
"With tighter restrictions these days, Miller said, there's significantly less advertisement in the sky above the Big House of football Saturdays." That is a blatant LIE.... Does he think none of us have lived here for more than a decade or something? There are DEFINITLY more planes flying now than pre 9/11. EVERY other "fact" this man has now stated is suspect.
TinyArtist
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 10:40 p.m.
Alas, Billy. Shot down again.
Ricardo Queso
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 10:26 p.m.
And watch out for those black helicopters!
NCTerry
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 3:45 p.m.
If you're so sure of yourself that there are more then prove it. Until then I'm going to believe the guy that puts them in the air. I thought his interview was great and seemed very honest and accurate. Find some facts to back up your assertions. My guess is you'll find out you're not correct and that you owe that gentleman an apology. Now - I'm sure you have some kids to yell at on the front lawn.
markguy
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 1:13 p.m.
No. You are wrong, there are fewer. It was much worse when they circled the entire game. There may have been fewer pre-game, but overall there were more.
Brad
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 12:55 p.m.
Yep, nothing says "Michigan Football" like strip club ads. Wouldn't want to stand in the way of that "tradition".
johnnya2
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 12:16 p.m.
Yeah, it is horrible that a woman should be able to use her body to make money. We all know that the football is not the commercial use of male bodies
djacks24
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 8:20 p.m.
"commercialized abuse of women is one ad subject that might be rejected by the ad companies....." If they banded together and chose not to exploit themselves, then there wouldn't be any girls to HIRE for this.
Harm
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 6:46 p.m.
If there IS something to complain about concerning airborne ads on Saturdays, this would be it. "Nothing says "Michigan Football" like strip club ads." True, commercialized abuse of women is one ad subject that might be rejected by the ad companies.....
DarnKids
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 12:50 p.m.
Darn kids! Get outta my airspace! Non-story.
15crown00
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 12:50 p.m.
u chose where to live didn't u?the [planes and banners bug you but they're following the rules.SO MOVE.
Ron
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 12:44 p.m.
Didn't someone in the article say that 2 of the regulations are they are allowed to fly over the game up to 1 or 2 hours before the game and an hour after the game? If that is true, then why complain about it takes away from watching the game? We all have a way to make money legally and if this company is following all the rules, then why take his freedom of making that money away?
a2cents
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 12:40 p.m.
The planes appear to be elderly & high-powered & especially LOUD. That's just not necessary. Its a shame that football is so uninteresting that military assaults are required to enliven the event. ... and then the choppers roaring back and forth for two hours afterward.
Youwhine
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 6:50 p.m.
You are basing this on your expert knowledge of airplanes? 100,000+ drunken idiots in town and you think the PLANES are loud?
WalkingJoe
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 12:36 p.m.
And just how exactly did annarbor.com find this guy? Did he contact them or them him? Does everyone in his neighborhood feel the same way or is he someone who just is trying to get attention? I have lived in Ann Arbor all my life (59 years) and airplanes flying banners over the stadium have been a staple all that time. Like some others have commented, if you don't like it go somewhere else during game time or move.
djacks24
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 8:17 p.m.
Or don't chose to live a mile away from a Big 10 college football stadium. Did he think buying property meant buying the airspace over his home.
A2Dave
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 12:27 p.m.
This is a story? A guy complained about the planes--which have been flying for decades and, as the operator points out, are much reduced since before 9/11. I can easily recall seeing 4-5 planes circling at one time before games in the '90's. As for ruining the game, Barzoom, they don't fly for an hour before the game or an hour after. How do they affect the game?
wcchamp4
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 1:46 p.m.
i can recall 1 time in 90's, i counted at least 8-10 planes at 1 time DURING the game....
PWJT8D
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 12:23 p.m.
I have a new title for this article. Cranky Old Ann Arbor Resident Stands on Porch and Shakes Cane at Airplanes.
Lisa
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 2:20 p.m.
"Get out of my sky!"
SonnyDog09
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 12:28 p.m.
He was also heard to mutter "Get off my lawn!"
smokeblwr
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 12:01 p.m.
Does anybody even look up at these flying banners anymore? Our phones are so entertaining and informative there is no need to remove our gaze from them.....ALL POWER AND GLORY TO THE HYPNO-PHONE!
DJBudSonic
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 12:19 p.m.
Only $4/day for the privilege of seeing your world on a tiny screen... I'm holding out for the implant. But seriously for $425 I think it is time I investigated the artistic uses of air banners. Lets see if it is really a free speech zone up there.
Barzoom
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 11:43 a.m.
It's easy....The University and Alumni Association should encourage fans not to patronize the companies that advertise with planes buzzing around the stadium. The distance restrictions on aircraft should also be strictly enforced. In my opinion, they seriously detract form enjoyment of the game and should be banned altogether.
dom
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 9:27 p.m.
yeah i guess he must be a republican... Facts, Who Cares??? just quit complaining its people like you that ruin the world. Now there will be some stupid movement started on facebook for this guy, to get a new home where he won't be bothered by people. Move to Detroit... nobody lives there.. and you might find something legit to complain about!
johnnya2
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 12:13 p.m.
Interesting that is detracts from the game, sine they are NOT allowed to fly during the game. But don't let facts ruin your complaint.
Harm
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 6:37 p.m.
I always thought the buzzing of small planes was a nice sound, kind of like cickets or cicaidas, even on football Saturdays. Even as an adult, I think that at worst, the sound of planes is one of the least intrusive sounds of a football Saturday.....
mady
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 4:38 p.m.
so....they detract FORM enjoyment of the game.......?yak yak!!!
WalkingJoe
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 1:03 p.m.
I don't think that will work. Seems I remember a couple of time the University used these banners to advertise UM events.
4 Fingers
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 11:37 a.m.
Yawn.
Robert Jenkins
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 11:20 a.m.
Wow, if this is this guys biggest concern he is living a pretty good life. Why doesn't he go to Mott's Children's Hospital during these loud times and visit some sick kids. They would like the visitors and he might get some perspective on life.
McGiver
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 11 a.m.
Get over it.
tdw
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 12:26 p.m.
You beat me to it.
walker101
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 11 a.m.
Well I guess it works, I wonder if he went to Deja Vu Showgirls?
motorcycleminer
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 10:53 a.m.
Move......
1bit
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 10:39 a.m.
There are only six home games this year. It's a couple of hours of increased noise. When you live close to the stadium, game day and evening will be loud. One option is to complain. Another is to partake in the festivities. And another is to find somewhere else to be for a few hours.
1bit
Mon, Oct 22, 2012 : 10:52 a.m.
MG: I think the same is true for everything in life. We always have the option to complain and we do so when we're unhappy (not necessarily even over the thing we are complaining about). Sometimes I avoid Art Fair and sometimes I go and enjoy the crowds and overpriced art, but I choose not to complain because that's part of Ann Arbor. With that said, I still complain about City council and other things I may foolishly believe could change.
MorningGlory
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 10:57 p.m.
Same is true of art fair, then?
justcurious
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 2 p.m.
1bit, I would have to agree with your comments. It is hard to imagine that anyone could come to Ann Arbor and live near Michigan Stadium and not realize that there will be issues with that at times. As they old saying goes "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."
a2cents
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 12:34 p.m.
apologist for real sports-related issue
Bob Heinold
Sun, Oct 21, 2012 : 10:16 a.m.
Good luck--with all the $ flowing in on home game days!