1. If it's off track, you use the same standards as you would for marathon qualifying. It ain't all that complicated.
2. We're talking about generating fan interest, not in "fairness". I'm just suggesting we try separating the "field" from track meets to see if it has any effect one way or the other on fan interest. Someone also made a suggestion that some field events could be done head to head, which would certainly make things more interesting.
3. Constructing another steeplechase pit isn't any more expensive than constructing the original steeplechase pit. If we're talking about generating enough fan interest to the point of meets making money from ticket sales, you should make facility investments within reason to optimize ticket revenues. A second steeple pit is both reasonable and workable.
4. If it's so stupid to change distances from metric to imperial, then it was just as stupid to change from imperial to metric distances in the first place. Again, you miss the point of "relatability" of the casual fan - a mile is relatable, a 1500 is just some random number picked out of a hat. A mile is four laps, a 1500 3 and pocket change. 4 laps makes more sense than 3 3/4 laps. And this delusion of metrics one day taking over the US is just Statist fantasy. Our highway signs will always be in miles. Deal with it.
5. The decathlon is a relic. It can do for some serious upgrade.