For the first time since 2007, Torontonians can turn their eyes to the skyline and catch a glimpse of the famed Goodyear Blimp. Or rather, one of them — Goodyear has three crafts in operation at once, according to Eddie Ogden, the tire company’s blimp PR specialist and historian. “The Goodyear blimps got a tradition of covering really the biggest sports and entertainment events here in North America and around the world,” said Paul Fitzhenry, senior vice-president of global communications for Goodyear. “So the visit to Toronto is really in recognition that Toronto is on the world sports calendar this week.”A fully staffed Goodyear blimp employs 22 people: 16 ground crew, five pilots (two on board and three on the ground), and one PR person. This will ensure there aren’t any repeats of Oct. 28, 2015, when a U.S. military blimp went rogue in Maryland and briefly captivated social media.

Source: thestar September 23, 2016 17:37 UTC