Golden Gate bridge to spend $50m on nets to save jumpers.... - Page 4 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

EddyBeers · 08-07-2009, 12:04 PM

Brutal, they should give these guys a tax cut, that will solve the problem. Wasting money on nets, the only thing worse would be spending money on mental health.

Clever_Iggy · 08-07-2009, 12:12 PM

$50M. This better employ a ton of workers.

As for the net itself, I think it's fruitless. A determined suicidal person won't be deterred from finding a way to jump - if they just want to die, the Bay Bridge is only a few miles away; if they think there's something glorious about dying off the "Golden Gate" then they'll find a way anyways.

I used to be disgusted by the argument against a net because it would "detract from the look of the GGB." Now, I agree with it.

ken0042 · 08-07-2009, 12:30 PM

With all the comments about how this is a waste of money- it has me thinking.

What happens when there is a suicide? Do they close of part of the bridge to investigate? If so, what happens to all those tolls that would have been collected during that time? Looks like the toll is around $6- if 10,000 cars miss the toll due to a suicide, and there are 21 suicides per year (1500 since the bridge opened) that means they lose $1.26M per year in tolls. Adjust those numbers up and it goes up more. Then factor in the coast guard costs.

Oil Stain · 08-07-2009, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Is there any chance that this encourages thrill seekers to jump off of the bridge to test the nets?

The nets will be made from marine grade stainless steel wire rope. They'll have fun picking the wickers out of their asses.

Clever_Iggy · 08-07-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

With all the comments about how this is a waste of money- it has me thinking.

What happens when there is a suicide? Do they close of part of the bridge to investigate? If so, what happens to all those tolls that would have been collected during that time? Looks like the toll is around $6- if 10,000 cars miss the toll due to a suicide, and there are 21 suicides per year (1500 since the bridge opened) that means they lose $1.26M per year in tolls. Adjust those numbers up and it goes up more. Then factor in the coast guard costs.

To the best of my knowledge, the bridge isn't closed for an investigation. The biggest expense is fishing the body out of the water, but IIRC, a significant percentage of bodies are never found.

The State should be able to go after the estate of the deceased for the costs associated with the cleanup... but that's just me.

mikey_the_redneck · 08-07-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

To the best of my knowledge, the bridge isn't closed for an investigation. The biggest expense is fishing the body out of the water, but IIRC, a significant percentage of bodies are never found.

The State should be able to go after the estate of the deceased for the costs associated with the cleanup... but that's just me.

Isn't there sharks in that bay? Could explain the missing bodies.....

VladtheImpaler · 08-07-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacenta

Isn't the American government:
- In a recession
- in a huge defecit?
- Fighting a losing war?
When I am broke, it means i have f***ing 0$.
I love how when the government is broke, they still have money to spend on a 50 million dollar net.

Well, this is Nancy Pelosi's district. Enough said.

burn_baby_burn · 08-07-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

Isn't there sharks in that bay? Could explain the missing bodies.....

Touring Alcatraz, I was told the bay is too cold for sharks. The guards told the prisoners there were sharks as kind of a deterent.

burn_baby_burn · 08-07-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canada 02

I always thought a bungee cord and piano wire would be a great attention-whore way to commit suicide. Piano wire around the neck, jump off the bungee platform or bridge, then as you reach that critical distance in your dive, the piano wire cuts off your head, and you bounce up and down from the bungee, spraying like a ketchup bottle

Sounds like you have put a lot of thought into this.

Azure · 08-07-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Well, this is Nancy Pelosi's district. Enough said.

I was just going to say that.

There are a lot of stupid people in this district. Which probably explains all the suicides.

octothorp · 08-07-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

Isn't there sharks in that bay? Could explain the missing bodies.....

Moreso it's the tides there; there's an absolutely massive bay that empties into the sea under the bridge, which makes the currents there extremely powerful. Even from Alcatraz, which is about 1 km into the bay from the bridge, it's difficult to swim to shore without getting sucked out to sea. And yeah, eventually any body that gets sucked out there is going to get eaten by something.

Phanuthier · 08-07-2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

To the best of my knowledge, the bridge isn't closed for an investigation. The biggest expense is fishing the body out of the water, but IIRC, a significant percentage of bodies are never found.

The State should be able to go after the estate of the deceased for the costs associated with the cleanup... but that's just me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

Isn't there sharks in that bay? Could explain the missing bodies.....

That would help cut down the costs

jayswin · 08-07-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

To the best of my knowledge, the bridge isn't closed for an investigation. The biggest expense is fishing the body out of the water, but IIRC, a significant percentage of bodies are never found.

The State should be able to go after the estate of the deceased for the costs associated with the cleanup... but that's just me.

Yes, because there's no better way to show sympathy to a family grieving one of the worst deaths to deal with, then to go after them for the clean-ups costs of something they had no control over.

Jesus.

VladtheImpaler · 08-07-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flameswin

Yes, because there's no better way to show sympathy to a family grieving one of the worst deaths to deal with, then to go after them for the clean-ups costs of something they had no control over.

Jesus.

Not after the family. After the estate - i.e. the deceased himself. Only fair - after all, if you call an ambulance, you will get an ambulance bill - what's the difference?

FireFly · 08-07-2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Not after the family. After the estate - i.e. the deceased himself. Only fair - after all, if you call an ambulance, you will get an ambulance bill - what's the difference?

Well I have no assets and a lot of debt. So my 'estate' will be a bunch of bills my family will pay. Do you think the mentally disabled are rolling in the money? Pretty sure you're just tacking on bills.

Clever_Iggy · 08-07-2009, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flameswin

Yes, because there's no better way to show sympathy to a family grieving one of the worst deaths to deal with, then to go after them for the clean-ups costs of something they had no control over.

Jesus.

Read carefully. What Vlad said.

VladtheImpaler · 08-07-2009, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireFly

Well I have no assets and a lot of debt. So my 'estate' will be a bunch of bills my family will pay. Do you think the mentally disabled are rolling in the money? Pretty sure you're just tacking on bills.

Well, better than me paying for your selfishness through my taxes. Obviously, if the estate has nothing, then nothing will be collected. An estate does not equal family of the deceased - the estate is a separate legal entity. If there is nothing in the estate, there is nothing to collect.

Clever_Iggy · 08-07-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Obviously, if the estate has nothing, then nothing will be collected. An estate does not equal family of the deceased - the estate is a separate legal entity. If there is nothing in the estate, there is nothing to collect.

Stop it Vlad... you're taking all the wind out of their sails.

jammies · 08-07-2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by octothorp

I can't believe everyone's overlooking the obvious solution: build four strategically placed snipers nests, stocked with snipers with tranquilizer darts.

I had the same idea, except that your guys use darts instead of gatling lasers, and are humans as opposed to robots.

I was also thinking, though - wouldn't it be easier to cover over the pedestrian part of the bridge instead of putting nets under it? Make it so that once you get on the bridge, the only way out is an end of the bridge, like a latticework tunnel.

FireFly · 08-07-2009, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jammies

I had the same idea, except that your guys use darts instead of gatling lasers, and are humans as opposed to robots.

I was also thinking, though - wouldn't it be easier to cover over the pedestrian part of the bridge instead of putting nets under it? Make it so that once you get on the bridge, the only way out is an end of the bridge, like a latticework tunnel.

Way uglier.