Itinerant Crews at Ease Wherever the Blimps Lead; Firms Rely on Dedicated Roadies to Keep Ships Afloat

From: The Washington Post | Date: August 13, 2002| Author: | Copyright information

Preparing a blimp for takeoff at Manassas Regional Airport was a frantic exercise for the 15-member crew of the Lightship Group. After 30 minutes of pulling stakes, running ropes, moving 25-pound ballast bags of lead shot and tearing down a metal mast -- and one minor injury -- the blimp was ready for takeoff.

A crew chief yelled "Clear one!" A crew member responded, "One's clear!" Then the crew ran alongside, holding ropes, as the bloated airship, with propellers whizzing, puttered into the sky.

Supporting every one of the blimps seen at sporting events is a team of 15 or so roadies who ...

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