I was watching the end of the Thunderbirds performance at Janesville today and noticed that upon deplaning the pilots didn't appear to be wearing g-suits. Did the Blue Angels shame them into ditching the suits?

They still wear the speed jeans.

Shame them? Don't think so.
The Blues seating position in the Hornet would be problematic with the G-suit inflating/deflating during a performance.
Not the case in the F-16 with the sidestick.
Apples and oranges.

I will add that I am sure the Blues would wear a G-suit if they could..

I do notice, for some curious reason, the Blues use boom mics while the T-birds and all the single ship demo teams use oxygen masks.

I think there were a couple reasons behind it.. I believe the primary reason is that the F16's EPU uses a very toxic chemical (hydrazine) for fuel.. I believe there was a discussion on this previously.. I believe someone mentioned that there is a FAA rule about it as well where the Blues may have a waiver..

Probably not, since everyone in the USAF wears mask. It's a safety issue that the USAF probably won't change, since there's no compelling reason to go to a boom mic.
Also, I would guess all ACC demo crews use the Combat Edge system for anti-G. Part of it is a bladder in the helmet, and you must have the mask on properly for it to work.

I don't know why the Blues use a boom mic, but will ask some former Blues that I know.

1. The Thunderbirds still wear G-Suits. They just remove them in the cockpit after prior to exiting.

2. The Thunderbirds wear the G-Suits for safety reasons. The last two fatalities for the Blue Angels were due to G-LOC. Just a matter of difference in the two demonstration team.

1. Correct on the hydrazine. Very toxic

2. Above 10,000 FT, supplemental oxygen has to be used.

3. Thunderbirds has used O2 masks during demos due to AF Regs whereas the Blue Angels have Navy Waiver to use the boom mics for their demos. The Navy Single Ship TAC Demos uses O2 masks.

Just different set of Service rules for each demo team.

Aaah, so that explains it. Thanks.

So, why don't the BlueAngels let their media/celeb rides wear G-suits?

A G suit supposedly gives you about a 1G advantage.
Where it really helps is in sustaining high G for a long time, or when flying 2-3 times a day,... i.e. you have more endurance. If you're out G-ing it up solid for 30 minutes, you'll get fatigued. A G suit will help.

The media profiles only pull high G a couple times.
I'm guessing the Blues figure that wearing one has no value added for those couple of times. Just a guess.

Besides, it's fun watching reporters black out in the ride videos.

The Thunderbirds ware the G-suits as they have a side stick on the F-16 so they don't have to rest their arms on their legs. The reason the Blues do not ware the G-suit is for saftey reasons. The F-18 has the traditional stick on the floor between the pilots legs and the pilots rest their arms on their thighs as they fly. With the G-suit either inflating or deflating it would also be moving the pilots hand that is on the stick so they could not keep as good as control for what they do flying so close together. At least that is what I have read and also have seen a Blue Angel pilot Thumper that was in the video the Blue Angels around the world state the reason. The Blues have to go to the centerfuge at Lemoore CA. For G tolerance traning and to make sure they can handle the g-forces without the G-suit. They have to get a waiver every year to fly without the G-suits

Good points all Galaxy, burner...thank you. If we have not done so before, welcome aboard ASB. The BEST site on the web to enhance your air show experiences!
Fran and Mike