Udvar-haze Visit, downward trend?

Just back from a weeklong visit to VA and its environs, and spent a
fantastic day at the Udvar-Haze (America's Hanger as they are calling
it). The place is great. If you have kids there is enough space so
everybody can spread out, and adults can meander and study all they
like with little bother. This tourist had very little feeling of being
removed or being kept at bay by fences around the exhibits . Don't
think I've ever been in such a large Museum, and so it seems there is
quite a bit of unused display space left. Caught somewhat suprised
when up in the Observation tower parking lot showed itself to be about
1/3 full (this on a Sunday warm and mild). I understand that buses are
run from the mall to the Udvar Haze (we drove), but a conversation
later with a employee revealed (according to the employee) that the
museum expects between 10 and 12 K a day (not sure if he meant everyday
or just high weekend days) but in any case a number he says is not
sustainable, especially he stated, if the shuttle buses are
discontinued as they are now considering as funding is drying up.
Apparently the funds for the buses are approved periodcially thru the
year and current attendance records are not in the black. Anybody
heard about this depressing possibility? On a final note anybody that
has been there was sure to see the "sneeze guard" on the rampway for
viewing the close-in cockpit view for the Enola Gay. Was this
protection mandated due to possible risk of political response to the
exhibit or was it to protect the craft from Joe Gumwad tourist and his
cheek-chaw.,,,a must see in any case............Doc