I went to one Blue Angels airshow in my life. The idea of pilots risking their lives to entertain a gawking public with near misses and risky maneuvers just didn't click for me. And if one ever came down on the crowd itself, it wouldn't be pretty.
I never went to another one.
It’s not as risky as you make it out to be.
That said, it’s not for everyone. If you don’t like loud noises, for example.
I made the mistake of bringing my son’s college girlfriend to an airshow. She had a front row, Flight line, seats, in a chalet at Oceana. A nice tent, providing shade. Catered, with assortment of food and beverage.
It simply doesn’t get any nicer than that. In the shade, seated in a chair, nobody in front of her, with drinks and food, we thought we were offering her a unique opportunity.
But, she had quite delicate sensibilities. She was raised an only child in extraordinary wealth in the Bay Area of San Francisco. She didn’t like cars, or motorcycles, had never held a tool in her life or even actually seen one used. Those things were all for simple workmen, not members of her family.
She didn’t have a driver’s license, and loud noises scared her, but then so did animals. Like small dogs.
For her, it was a wasted effort on my part. The chalet tickets are uncommon and difficult to obtain. She had no idea.
