My story dealing with several horrible entitled “railbirds” in GA at Wrigley 2

PJNB

Still surprised that a handful of bad apples = take GA away completely. Besides the craziness with the camping and the elitism up at the front GA is a great opportunity for all fans to get a chance at being close to see their favourite band. The 1,2,9,10 lottery is great but not enough for most since the chance is very slim that they hit it. 

Saying that I would of liked to use Fenway 1 reserved seating as an argument against reserved since they were very tame and had very little energy when compared to past shows that I had seen up at the front. Then night 2 came and had one of the best crowd that I have been apart.

I have a high number so I am obviously bias against reserved up front but you can also say the same with all you old farts looking to get reserved back with your low numbers. I will be watching closely from the noisebleeds at both Fenway shows this year. You better bring it fuckers!

Brisk.

How the hell do you decide who is first in line if its an 8am start?!? The logistiscs of this make no sense. Do you just lurk as close as possible as to where you think the line is going to be? The huge problem is no one knows where the unofficial queues are meant to be or even when there is no line up times where the actual queue to the GA is. PJ could do with making some signs but how early they put up the signs before the show is another matter haha.

TBH even on the rail every show I see people with 0 energy so I'm not sure the GA thing brings more energy, just more ticket sales. This goes for America who in recent times now have GA and European shows who have always had it.

That Tarp thing is mental!!! not very efficient use of space. Are there like tarp turf wars that ensue? 

Good posts by 100 pacer, PJNB and dirtyfrankbeans.

I've known the Australian group for a few years having gone to a lot of the same shows and they have always been pleasant and nice people and also others in 'their crew' like the couple from the UK. I've never queued up with them so I don't know what 'in' systems they may have or whatever but from the outside seem like good people. We all know people's mentality changes when it comes to getting to rail, getting a tambourine etc but they don't strike me as twats. By the way they may have had the Canadian flag because they sometimes queue with a Canadian or two. Also it's hard to judge the tone they spoke to you in but Aussies like the Brits don't mind a swear word or two..

blackhawks

my2hands said:

some of you folks are nuts lol

meanwhile, my fat ass is relaxing side stage reserved with easy access to a concession stand and bathroom, que even flow!

it's a concert, not a survival event!

+1000000

2-feign-reluctance

it's a concert, not a survival event!

I think trying to understand it might be for others could be helpful. Doesn't excuse bad behavior, but might help answer question of why do people do this.

MayDay10

I witnessed a couple of conflicts far back in the GA area on Monday. First, the jockeying for positioning during the delay and mad rush on slick ground was a bit dangerous.  We had someone pass out or something and require medical help near us.  I saw a couple of conflicts over space and other shit.  At one point a large man was holding some sort of pass physically pushing through people.  He stopped at my wife and looked at her, almost an inspection, and moved on when I made it clear I was with her and alert. 
There was definitely a somewhat ugly vibe in the GA area that we didn't experience in "fan verified" seats in night 1 (section 202) where everyone around us was so cool.  We had large football player-build people offer to swap places with us so we can see better.  A large man kept bumping into me, and right when I was having thoughts my neighbor was a jerk, he apologized to me and said he would try to not do that.  After that I didn't mind the bumping.  Nobody had cell phones out (while in GA it was a video and selfie jizz-fest.)  

Vedder4Prez

Didn't read through all 14 pages to see if the situation was discussed but further to the right on Stone's side the same thing happened.  There was a complete jerk who was dressed like he was about to play in a cubs game (jersey "vedder", hat, wristbands) and probably even had on a VEDDER cup. 

He came up 3 minutes after we hit the rail and started verbally attacking the guy who had his spot before. Showing pictures of where he was, questioned what time he got there that AM, and then in a classy move asked the guy if he even knew how to spell "courtesy". It was a real turnoff to see what complete assholes some fans can be to others and it turns into a dick measuring contest. The guy on the rail couldn't have been nicer but didn't move and cant blame him. He got soaked during the delay like myself and sorry we were there in '13 and knew how it would work. We also were smart enough not to get in line 2 days ahead knowing a delay could happen or you could come in when the gates open and still get 4-5 deep. 

But, hey a grown man wearing a full EDDIE uniform will do a lot to get a wink from Eddie. It's really sad how some "diehards" really think they are better when it comes to PJ and spelling.

Allspread

blackhawks said:

This rail sickness occurs with every band.  And one reason why reserved is the way I go now.  Not worth the trouble.

  Section 137 on the first base side.  Everyone was so ... happy.

Go Beavers

Ever since Crazy Mary, the guy has made spelling a priority. 

blackhawks

I get the GA thing and liking to be close.  It is frustrating for the newer members as they are usually set back a ways in the seated method.    But perhaps 10c could do more of an alternation of every other row being senior and every other row being newer.  This way they get a mix of new and old and it honestly wouldn't change much for the older members seated back aways now.  

I am older and have seen them close many times when younger.  A busy life with a career that is demanding with travel and your time will change your priorities of sitting on concrete for days just to be close.  I never ever camped or sat in line more than 3 hours to get close either.  It was usually the venue taking care of that stuff and the shows were in college towns where kids had classes.  Never thought of it much.  I find the sound best back a ways as well as seeing the whole band/production more easily.  But seated I got getting a little put off being set back just because I wasn't a club member every year (they didn't come back to MSP for so long I just dropped out....and honestly forgot other years).  So alternating seems like a good idea or the Springsteen method if GA is to stay.  

Vedder4Prez

Go Beavers said:

Ever since Crazy Mary, the guy has made spelling a priority. 

ha! 

Couldn't believe it when a 50 year old man tried to cut another fan down asking if he even knew how to spell something. 

HesCalledDyer

I'm glad I don't and won't ever give a flying fuck about "the rail."

WindowPaine

I got on the floor 20min before the band came out at missoula. 3 deep on mikes side with room around me. waiting in line all day for anything is borderline psychotic. 

SpinTheLastExit

PJ_Soul said:

Saltzy23 said:

I was in the GA on Saturday night.  Found a good spot center stage like 50' back, which is where I usually go.

I am like 5'8".  Some guy that was easily 6'2" or 6'3" walks right....RIGHT....in front of me and just parks it there.

I tap him on the shoulder and ask him to please move a little to the side, or just swap positions with me, and all he does is look down and say "No."

I'm not a violent person and I am certainly not about to get kicked out of the pit before a PJ show, but I was very close to leaning back and punching him in the fucking face.

95% of the PJ community are amazing people, but man, that other 5% can seriously choke on [crude comment removed by Admin]

Couldn't you move a little to the side yourself? I'm not saying he was being reasonable, but you know... seems like an easy solution for you there.
As for swapping with shorter people... I get why tall people will say no to that. I am tall myself (for a woman), and I have let short people behind me go in front of me before quite happily, but where does it end? One person is no big deal... but then the next person can ask, and the next... and suddenly someone who lets shorter people go in front of them has moved way back in the pit, lol. I think I can understand if some people, especially guys who would be experiencing these kinds of requests a lot, would just stop doing it altogether. Sucks to be shorter in the pit I'm sure - I've had crazy tall guys standing right in front of me lots of times, and it blows - but I don't see why tall people should actually be expected to sacrifice anything if they don't want to. When someone really tall is in front of me I just move somewhere else.

It's hard to "move a little to the side yourself" when GA is already crowded. Besides, I'm 5' 6" and I'm not giving up the position I arrived at very comfortably because some giant is parking themselves right in front of me five minutes before the band come on stage or even half way through the gig. It happened so much in Europe and it happened to be a bunch of drunk ignorants.

In regards to Wrigley, I'd personally rather do reserved seating than GA, but this time I thought I'd do one standing show for Wrigley. I enjoyed it, the rain delay probably worked in my favour a bit more, had a great view and everyone around me was very considerate in relation to space. GA didn't look overly full during N2, it looked cramped from where I was sitting in N1.

jdopj said:

PJNB said:

Wow lots of hateful and nasty posts here today. Thought we were better than this to be honest. 

You are underestimating the shit show GA has become. What being a fan of PJ has become. It’s disappointing.

Also, this. I don't think anyone is necessarily being hateful or nasty, just expressing the truth about what GA has become.

HawkeyeJam

Self Awareness is key. I'm 6'1 215 lbs. Because of this I can see pretty clearly from my vantage point in the PIT. Don't understand those of my stature that can't be courteous. I watch out for those around me so they get a view. Don't try to bully my way for extra space. These pits aren't that big.

Honestly, stop with the tambourines and picks. Or maybe have a raffle system based off GA seat # of who gets them. The merch craze has so many people being up front for a chance. GA for the Wrigley's shows were.my first shot. The people that tried to push their way to the front were in the encores..

SpinTheLastExit

These "unofficial" queues are HILARIOUS. How sad.

bootlegger10

Brisk. said:

How the hell do you decide who is first in line if its an 8am start?!? The logistiscs of this make no sense. Do you just lurk as close as possible as to where you think the line is going to be? The huge problem is no one knows where the unofficial queues are meant to be or even when there is no line up times where the actual queue to the GA is. PJ could do with making some signs but how early they put up the signs before the show is another matter haha.

TBH even on the rail every show I see people with 0 energy so I'm not sure the GA thing brings more energy, just more ticket sales. This goes for America who in recent times now have GA and European shows who have always had it.

That Tarp thing is mental!!! not very efficient use of space. Are there like tarp turf wars that ensue? 

Good posts by 100 pacer, PJNB and dirtyfrankbeans.

I've known the Australian group for a few years having gone to a lot of the same shows and they have always been pleasant and nice people and also others in 'their crew' like the couple from the UK. I've never queued up with them so I don't know what 'in' systems they may have or whatever but from the outside seem like good people. We all know people's mentality changes when it comes to getting to rail, getting a tambourine etc but they don't strike me as twats. By the way they may have had the Canadian flag because they sometimes queue with a Canadian or two. Also it's hard to judge the tone they spoke to you in but Aussies like the Brits don't mind a swear word or two..

It is very simple.  Have a lottery at 8am.  Or better yet, 11:00am.  You don't have people sleeping on the streets.  You don't have security issues two days before the show.  Pearl Jam was ahead of the curve in a lot of ways but also stuck in their ways with a lot of things. 

Big Bank Hank

I know that Ed reads the boards (he has played 3 of my requests in the last 5 years & referred to specifics that were made during those requests), I wonder what he is thinking reading all these horror stories? When you are up on stage kicking ass & taking names & are fully committed to giving the best performance you can, you are going to miss 99% of what goes on, so I am sure to a certain extent the band has been insulated from a lot of the ugliness.

dimitrispearljam

I'm always go to GA and I'll always will, best way to see the band live. Along with Alot of friend at the spot u choose to spent the night. ... Plus most Rockin vibe and energy.. 

Im hanging around with Alot of friends  if I have to limited it, we are like a group of 40 people or so..,mostly north Americans, a couple Canadians, a few Europeans and South Americans. And some goes to all shows, some to many shows. Some to a couple so let's say every night we are around 20 of us . We always go to the back of GA. When there is a 10c box like in Wrigley we go in the back of box.. If it's an open GA for all with just early entrance for 10c members we go to the back if the floor in front of sound booth.. Except the fact we are all together and travelers so it's good to have your people with u we rock out having space for dance, move, go to toilet , go get a drink and come back easily.. We love it.. The sound is always the best at that spot and we have NO DRAMA.. We have the best time.. I got the rail a few times, got tambourine and wine and handshake with Eddie and all times at side rail.. At big venues and stadium Alot don't go to side rail and even if u go late u can get side rail as happen to me. And all this happens with no stress, not waiting in any line just walk in and side rail was empty... I have tons of people I know and friends they do the rail line up thing. They camp out of venue etc. I usually go the night before or before early entrance the day of the  show to say hi to them cos it's the way to see them in your cos they don't go to preparties. Or dinners or to bars or sightseeing.. It's their thing.. More if them are cool.. And respect each other. Assholes are everywhere..And cutters. Sorry op had bad experience  of course Wrigley was a unique situation cos of delay and all evacuation of the GA area and re enter.. 

I'm here for the music and enjoy life.  I feel this GA line up is too much extra pressure for me and I don't see the reason to do it. Same is merch line thing.. Welhen  I go on tour is my vacation. I want to enjoy.. I don't  need drama.. 

And all the time looks who is in front of me or behind me.. For me all has to do with how selfish society has become. We want all for us. And don't care for others. Rail sometimes show that part of the society. 

curmudgeoness

PJNB said:

Still surprised that a handful of bad apples = take GA away completely. Besides the craziness with the camping and the elitism up at the front GA is a great opportunity for all fans to get a chance at being close to see their favourite band. The 1,2,9,10 lottery is great but not enough for most since the chance is very slim that they hit it. 

Saying that I would of liked to use Fenway 1 reserved seating as an argument against reserved since they were very tame and had very little energy when compared to past shows that I had seen up at the front. Then night 2 came and had one of the best crowd that I have been apart.

I have a high number so I am obviously bias against reserved up front but you can also say the same with all you old farts looking to get reserved back with your low numbers. I will be watching closely from the noisebleeds at both Fenway shows this year. You better bring it fuckers!

I don't know. I don't have a good number. We tried GA as an experiment in Prague-Krakow-Berlin, and my husband and I agree that we are doing nothing but reserved henceforth.

We don't like waiting in lines for hours (or at all, really) We didn't enjoy sitting on the floor, waiting, in Prague. We had a decent spot in the pit in Prague, 8-10 "rows" back, and spent most of the show dealing with people trying to work their way up to the front.

In Krakow, by the time we arrived GA was full (I guess it was open to everyone?), so we ended up about 2/3 of the way back on the floor -- and, again, spent most of the show dealing with people trying to push in in front of us. The fact that I am not dry-humping the person in front of me is not an invitation to force yourself into those three inches of space.

In Berlin, after waiting in that absurd holding-pen area, we got decent seats (yay!). And then, just before the show began, latecomers decided to try to put three people into four inches of bench space, etc., shoving aside people who had been waiting for a few hours.

If there were only a handful of bad apples, I'd agree with you, but in our experience it looked like about forty percent of people in GA were being jerks. I enjoy the show more when I'm able to focus on the music instead of on not being knocked down or shoved aside by someone, so I'm sticking with reserved.

faithful2you

My wife and I were in the GA line with the Aussies (and couple Canadians) in 2014.  We were about 15 deep from the front of the line.  Had a great time with them, they were all nice as anyone.  Inside we ended up on the rail in front of Stone and again had a blast during the show.  If someone wants to spend days in line to be on the rail at every show more power to them.   I realized Monday night I can go in the GA entrance without waiting outside in line all day and still have great spots, great views and a great time in GA.   People around me we top notch cool as shit....you're always going to get the few assholes that try pushing through.....that's GA. 
1.  I think when 10C sets a rule about no lists, this includes early lines.  No matter what Wrigley security says.  It's still a unofficial list made up by a group of people to benefit themselves.   Those other people may have went to front of the line but they were following the rules of the email from the TEN CLUB.
2.  GA has no assigned spots, period.  If everyone is moved out it's first come first serve when we're let back in.   Just don't be a dick about it....either group.   Exactly why I didn't get in line Monday knowing there was weather issues.  People waiting line rolled the dice and lost and then got pissed about it.   Life isn't fair....GA is GA.  Go back in and have a good time instead of ruining it for everyone else.  People yelling at everyone to go back to their original spots was hilarious.  And the douche canoe center stage a few rows back threatening to kick people asses was a joke.....I expect that attitude in the pit at a Metallica concert in 1994, but even then people gave each other space to move in and out.
3.  I saw people on both sides of the issue being jack wagons about it.   
4.  GA Forever!  Perfect example of a very few people that have a hard time dealing with not getting their way ruining it for everyone else.  If you don't like unassigned spots, request reserved.