UPDATE: About the aircraft noise = Mariners’ home-opener flyover

1:32 PM: We’re getting a flurry of questions about loud jets. Checked the flight tracker – they’re all commercial jets, to/from Sea-Tac Airport. So we’ll be checking with the airport next to see if anything unusual’s happening – might just be an abrupt weather change – we’ll update if we find out more.

1:36 PM: A caller points out there are military jets in the area too. Still checking.

1:40 PM: Sorry we hadn’t heard about this in advance: Military flyover for the Mariners‘ home opener (which has the odd start time of 2:10 pm, as we noted in today’s morning traffic report). That would tend to divert commercial traffic for a while, as when the Blue Angels are flying, for example.

2:27 PM: Mariners spokesperson Rebecca Hale replies, “We did inform media this morning of the possibility of the fly-over. As it was weather dependent, we weren’t sure it was going to happen until the last minute.” Of the many media lists WSB is on, somehow we weren’t on the M’s list, but we’re fixing that.

43 Replies to "UPDATE: About the aircraft noise = Mariners' home-opener flyover"

  • WestseattleMom April 10, 2017 (1:33 pm)

    Super loud near the Ferry. Dogs freaking !!! 

  • AD April 10, 2017 (1:34 pm)

    I see 2 military jets circling around to the SW

  • Aaron Briggs April 10, 2017 (1:34 pm)

    They aren’t commercial.  It’s two fighter jets in front on Lincoln park circling over and over 

  • Mark April 10, 2017 (1:35 pm)

    two military jets making multiple passes over Vashon area

  • Darcey April 10, 2017 (1:35 pm)

    I am looking at twin fighter jets flying by, and they have circled about 5 times now. 

  • OP April 10, 2017 (1:35 pm)

    Funny, I was just beginning to notice that, too. Must be the way the atmosphere is set up with the wind coming from the south. Sound comes in waves, just like a series of planes taking off. At first I thought it was jet fighters, but engine noise isn’t as high-pitched.

  • Under_Achiever April 10, 2017 (1:35 pm)

    Those aren’t commercial — they’re military circling west of Vashon.

  • Bruce H. April 10, 2017 (1:36 pm)

    Looks like 2 F22’s circling around at low altitude over Southport. Also saw a transport helicopter flying across the Sound at low altitude towards them. VIP onboard ???

  • Marcia J Lyons April 10, 2017 (1:36 pm)

    Definitely not commercial. I’m watching the 2 jets fly in formation over N end of Vashon & Blake Island, repeated circles. I don’t really know my military aircraft but they look to be something like F/A 18s.

    • WSB April 10, 2017 (1:38 pm)

      Yes, a caller just pointed that out and now we see them. BUT the commercial jets – which are visible on flight tracker, unlike military – definitely are in a different pattern, likely related. Still trying to find out what’s up.

      We suddenly recall … it’s Mariners’ home opener day. Unusual game time of 2:10 pm.

      • Fauntleroy April 10, 2017 (1:41 pm)

        Two fighter jets have been circling over Sound and Southworth area now for about 8 passes…can see them clearly.

  • Ahna April 10, 2017 (1:37 pm)

  • kristin April 10, 2017 (1:38 pm)

    fighter jets! right out our front window! just circling. 

  • Jeff Dana April 10, 2017 (1:38 pm)

    I actually can see two fighter jets circling out over the sound above the Fauntleroy ferry run to Vashon.

  • Mark April 10, 2017 (1:38 pm)

    I also saw the same fighter jets over Vashon Island

  • Vinny April 10, 2017 (1:38 pm)

    Appears to be two fighter jets flying in formation south of Blake Island.

  • Desiree April 10, 2017 (1:43 pm)

    Thank you!  In these unpredictable times it’s great to have this resource!  I almost started freaking out!

    • WSB April 10, 2017 (1:45 pm)

      I’m really embarrassed not to have somehow known in advance – but I just checked the Mariners’ website and Twitter feed and am not seeing anything about a flyover – for years now, we’ve looked up “Armed Forces Salute” type dates for the local sports teams so we can include them in our daily previews, as West Seattle is usually on the approach. Now working to find out exactly where the planes are from, just as a datapoint — TR

  • Cathy April 10, 2017 (1:45 pm)

    Definitely military jets! 2 F/A 18s are circling over the sound. 

  • Bonnie Joy April 10, 2017 (1:47 pm)

    Two fighter planes keep circling Vashon I live near the ferry dock. they have gone by at least 10 times. one coast guard helipcopter went between blake island and vashon. they are still circling?

    • WSB April 10, 2017 (1:48 pm)

      Hi, explained above. Mariners’ home opener flyover(s). Still researching further.

  • Jeff April 10, 2017 (1:49 pm)

    Ah, that must be what it is.  The SeattlePI had a record of two jets flying over Safeco for last year’s season opener.  They sure are noticeable.   

    http://www.seattlepi.com/sports/baseball/slideshow/Seattle-Mariners-Opening-Day-127596/photo-9750558.php

  • AD April 10, 2017 (1:50 pm)

    The jets just headed north… and now they’re back

  • West Seattle since 1979 April 10, 2017 (1:54 pm)

    Much as I love baseball, I wish the M’s wouldn’t do stuff like that in these times. Scary!

  • jollyroger April 10, 2017 (1:56 pm)

    I’m sure glad that we can afford to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars promoting our baseball team. Fortunately, our schools are flush with cash and resources.

  • AH April 10, 2017 (1:57 pm)

    Glad to hear there wasn’t some kind of international kerfuffle going on, thanks for the explanation, WSB! Odd that they need to circle fighter jets around and around in tight formation if they are here just for the Mariner opener??

    • WSB April 10, 2017 (2:07 pm)

      Still trying to find some kind of official information, for the record.
      Did find that THIS Saturday is the annual Armed Forces Salute … no flyover mentioned but once we find the M’s media contact, we’ll ask. – TR

    • Chris April 10, 2017 (7:55 pm)

      They circle so that they can time the flyover for the end of the National Anthem. It’s rare that flyover jets come from so close by. Usually, planes can time their approach a little farther out because they’re coming from Spokane or California or Montana or something. But, with NAS Whidbey, you’re practically on top of Safeco right after take off.

  • Jaz April 10, 2017 (1:58 pm)

    WTF? Obnoxious or what!  How is that some kind of celebration?

  • Kim April 10, 2017 (2:13 pm)

    Along with the construction on our street, it was so noisy.  And scary.

    We knew where to go for answers; thank you WSB.

  • Raye April 10, 2017 (2:15 pm)

    We appreciate our armed forces, but this is an odd way to show it! In these Days of trump, it’s no wonder we get a little nervous when we hear what definitely sounds like military aircraft. 

    Really a waste of money. There are other, quieter ways to show our appreciation.

  • Kathy April 10, 2017 (2:40 pm)

    Great weather for the start of the Mariner’s season opener. I hope they had the roof up. It was hailing hard here at 2:20 PM.

  • Colette April 10, 2017 (2:51 pm)

    It scared the heck out of me.  Why is this necessary or even allowed?

  • Gary April 10, 2017 (2:54 pm)

    Heard them near the sports stadiums 40 min ago. Could be for the M’s game. Or not?

  • Gary April 10, 2017 (3:01 pm)

    Jets flying over Pioneer Square currently.

  • Jaz April 10, 2017 (3:11 pm)

    yes,  thank you WSB, I would not have known the reason for the jets otherwise     :-)

  • When is football April 10, 2017 (6:03 pm)

    The Mariners can’t hold a lead. Another terrible season.

    • WSB April 10, 2017 (7:15 pm)

      What? Today was a shutout win.
      https://www.mlb.com/mariners

      Yeah, some ugliness preceding it, but what’s the cliché, “it’s only April” …

  • Marie April 12, 2017 (7:51 am)

    Wow, I am just seeing this  comment thread and am rolling my eyes at our over reaction.  I was working in the yard at the time, heard what was obviously airplanes similar to Blue Angels, scanned the skies and found the two in  formation.  I’m not saying everyone has to love the uniqueness of the Blue Angels or similar, but we do live in a city with noises, and we are in an area that  is economically supported by the military.  Those planes and pilots don’t just sit around Whidbey just waiting for activity.  They have to log flight time.  Your and my defense safety depends on it.  Why not spend it on a celebration of Opening Day.  If you have not experienced the coolness of a flyby, then you haven’t been out and about.

  • Maemae April 12, 2017 (9:40 pm)

    920 pm 4/12/17…jet fight over house..looked up saw light heading to Canada…

  • Tom April 16, 2017 (3:02 pm)

    Love our military… Brothers & Sisters who step up to the plate… Protect Our Democracy!!! In these trying times… it is even more important for Americans to remain vigilant. Freedom is never free… and we all must Stand Strong! Water Rights, Freedoms, Justice, Honesty… We must be vigilant! I have Samoyed Sled dogs… Hyper Sound Sensitive. The F-15’s came in hot and resembled the 9-11 scrambles. I tried contacting local media with no informative results. Nobody knew anything. Now that is scary! In this age of unstable government, foreign instability… it would behoove our local media to be on alert and keep the locals informed to prevent mass panic… for even one person who gets distracted and goes off road, possibly onto a busy sidewalk… Safety First… M’s Second! Go M’s! Prayers up for sanity! 

    • WSB April 16, 2017 (3:14 pm)

      We *are* local media and we had this up rather quickly, while the aircraft were still up. Also via Twitter and Facebook, where we have notable reach, though less than here. Can’t speak for the citywides, but as noted above, the M’s said they were informed, and the team has added us to their list (we’re already on most other regional media lists and get alerts from Tukwila to Skagit County!) … anyway, if you weren’t familiar with WSB before, we try to solve flyover mysteries, and as in this situation, readers help too, so if you have a question about something, our 24-hour hotline is 206-293-6302 … TR

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