Advice for 4'8" fan who wants to be up front in the pit!!!

Squirrel Jam

Hello PJ friends.
I never win anything, yet my biggest dream (since I was a 21 year old new PJ fan in 1991) has come true: I won a lottery drawing and I will be in the pit for one of the Seattle shows!!!! I literally moved here in 2011 with no job, no local friends/family, and no purpose other than deciding that life is too short (and so am I--HA!) not to try to make this happen somehow. And I finally got lucky. YAY! So now I"m hoping with more determination, luck and tips from fellow fans, I will be able to get my friend and myself right up in front of the stage. This is especially important for me because I am shorter than average short. Yes, I am a bit scared of being crushed but...it's a risk I'm willing to take. Now for the logistics: how extreme do I have to be in terms of showing up early enough to ensure I am right up there--do I really need to plan on living on the sidewalk outside Safeco field for a few days before the show, or are there other strategies I can use? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 
Thanks everyone,
Rita

Lost In Ohio

Live there for a few days.

I'd guess maybe 2.5-3 days to be absolutely sure.

Squirrel Jam

Yikes--are you serious or just teasing?

F Me In The Brain

Crawl underneath everyone.




Seriously, good luck I hope you get there.

Laurelhurst

Once you're in the PIT, just pretend you're about to THROW UP...... It's amazing how much space people give to someone who's about to PUKE!! Works every time... 

Princess Bulldozer

Lost In Ohio said:

Live there for a few days.

I'd guess maybe 2.5-3 days to be absolutely sure.

Europe was 36-48 hours for most shows to be earlier enough in the line to get rail. The US shows will have a longer rail, but also much more people will be interested in sleeping out multiple days. So I would agree that the time input will be greater.

pledgeagrievance

You said so yourself. Life is too short to be sitting in a line for a concert for 3 days. Enjoy yourself and be content with a few rows back. 

Sunshinejar

I had 10c standing tickets for London and we showed up an hour before doors opened and were 5 people from the front to begin then were about 15 back about half way through once the surge for the pit had finished. 

CantKeepmedown

pledgeagrievance said:

You said so yourself. Life is too short to be sitting in a line for a concert for 3 days. Enjoy yourself and be content with a few rows back. 

At 4'8, she will see nothing a few rows back.  Unless you're willing to get in line at least a day early, maybe trade your ticket with someone who has a really good ticket in a seated location?  

If you can take days off from work, just drive by the venue from time to time a few days before and see if people are lining up. Once you see it, then do it yourself.  But yeah, I'd plan on at least lining up by Friday morning, if not Thursday afternoon sometime.  

Sunshinejar

CantKeepmedown said:

pledgeagrievance said:

You said so yourself. Life is too short to be sitting in a line for a concert for 3 days. Enjoy yourself and be content with a few rows back. 

At 4'8, she will see nothing a few rows back.  Unless you're willing to get in line at least a day early, maybe trade your ticket with someone who has a really good ticket in a seated location?  

If you can take days off from work, just drive by the venue from time to time a few days before and see if people are lining up. Once you see it, then do it yourself.  But yeah, I'd plan on at least lining up by Friday morning, if not Thursday afternoon sometime.  

Actually I agree with this one, I’m 5ft 9 and struggled to see at some points even though I was so close. Lots of tall men!

thevachon

Go with someone else also 4'8" and sit on their shoulders. Also if you plan to crowd surf hand all of the contents of your pockets to said trustworthy 4'8" friend. But in all seriousness, I'm 5'10 and I sometimes had poor visibility, but if you get there early enough you can kinda pick a good spot and just hope that people around are aware and courteous. You should be able to maneuver around though and find somewhere satisfactory.

buck502000

Don’t stand behind tall guys

tempo_n_groove

buck502000 said:

Don’t stand behind tall guys

I love your "Buckisms" Justin, lol!

PJ Mom from LI

Squirrel Jam said:

Hello PJ friends.
I never win anything, yet my biggest dream (since I was a 21 year old new PJ fan in 1991) has come true: I won a lottery drawing and I will be in the pit for one of the Seattle shows!!!! I literally moved here in 2011 with no job, no local friends/family, and no purpose other than deciding that life is too short (and so am I--HA!) not to try to make this happen somehow. And I finally got lucky. YAY! So now I"m hoping with more determination, luck and tips from fellow fans, I will be able to get my friend and myself right up in front of the stage. This is especially important for me because I am shorter than average short. Yes, I am a bit scared of being crushed but...it's a risk I'm willing to take. Now for the logistics: how extreme do I have to be in terms of showing up early enough to ensure I am right up there--do I really need to plan on living on the sidewalk outside Safeco field for a few days before the show, or are there other strategies I can use? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 
Thanks everyone,
Rita

Hi Rita, was in a similar situation a few times - I am 5'1".  Just go in with an open mind, worse case, you move towards the back if it gets to much.  The few times we have been lucky to get GA in has worked out, but did not get rail.  At Barclay's a few years ago, we showed up later than I wanted to (it was a really bad day) the day of the show, ended up three people deep center stage - it was awesome. First time in the pit, made friends with those around us and had an amazing time. Except for a guy who decided to force his way through half way into the set and was hitting people with his arms trying to scare people to move.  Our new friends & my hubby made sure that we stayed in our spots.  Because we were so close, Ed spotted what was going on - it had gotten nasty, the guy was just being a jerk, they got security to get the guy out.  We learned after that to make a circle of trust, and the show will be amazing!  Tina

eeriepadave

wear very high heels or platform shoes

Mike D88

buck502000 said:

Don’t stand behind tall guys

From experience I'll tell you whatever sequoia managed to drunkenly stumble into the pit will almost certainly find his way in front of you so the band can hear them the most when those liberal pussies finally play jeremy

no I'm not bitter

F Me In The Brain

Mike D88 said:

buck502000 said:

Don’t stand behind tall guys

From experience I'll tell you whatever sequoia managed to drunkenly stumble into the pit will almost certainly find his way in front of you so the band can hear them the most when those liberal pussies finally play jeremy

no I'm not bitter

2-feign-reluctance

Camp 3 days/nights and you may get up front. Being serious. 

cp3iverson

It used to feel daunting to stand in the 10c line at 10am for a 7pm show.  You guys have some interesting things you do for fun.  

2-feign-reluctance

cp3iverson said:

It used to feel daunting to stand in the 10c line at 10am for a 7pm show.  You guys have some interesting things you do for fun.  

I have only queued early for a PJ show once. Kansas City 2003. Arrived at 6am and there were already like 20 people in line. That was the whole ‘best of your block’ days. Ended up front row anyway by virtue of a low membership number. I’ve never camped and never will. Just pure speculation at this point given the absolute fanaticism that has increased over the years. 

cp3iverson

Yeah the most camping i did was standing in the rain from 4am until the ticketmaster window opened.