Joe, I saw one of the shuttle carriers flying around Plant 42 in Palmdale earlier this year some time, so they won't be a problem. NASA does keep them airworthy--there are two of them, not just one.

Ralph, have you ever seen a shuttle landing before? Even during a "public" landing, you don't get to see much. Of all the landings I saw when I was out there (4,5, 6 landings or so) I don't think I ever got a tally ho any higher than about 1500' AGL. Of course you do get to hear people ask some really weird questions. My favorite one was: "Is it going to take off the same direction it landed?" John's probably right on this one.

David