GA/ PIT advice

JN131914

I'm stoked I got GA tix for Oakland, and want to be prepared to enjoy the PIT! Anyone know how many GA tickets were sold in Oakland?  I haven't been in the pit for a PJ show in decades... any advice? Does GA get in earlier than the seated tickets? How long in advance do people typically line up for GA? Thanks!

Gern Blansten

People on the rail will likely line up the night before.  Lining up at noon will likely still get you at least 3-5 people deep so it just depends how close you want to get.

I will show up at 730 and hang in the back.

Eddieredder

Don't overthink it. If you want to get up closer. Get there early. From a distance it looks way more packed and chaotic than it is. Pretty easy to move around and find a spot before the music starts. Its not a mosh pit anymore. Have fun. Nothing like the GA experience. 

WMAmorican

Jesus, I could start another whole thread of acrimony and hatred with this suggestion, and this would never happen (not least because of the added complexity), but I personally wish each GA ticket came with a number. Then you line up in that order, say, 20 minutes before they open the venue. Don't want to get there that early, don't care about the opener, would rather hang in the back? Then just show up whenever you want, the line will figure it out accordingly, i.e. the numbers may go 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, whatever, people know how to count.

What would this solve? People who wanted to be close wouldn't have to waste hours and hours of their time (though they clearly choose to, so it's obviously worth it to them). And for all the screaming around here about "fairness," this would give people with actual lives and jobs and kids or whatever an actual chance to be at the front.

Just my opinion, don't bother roasting me about it...I know it will never happen, but it would be nice for a change.

pledgeagrievance

If you want rail I would get in line tomorrow to be safe 

mdgsolo

pledgeagrievance said:

If you want rail I would get in line tomorrow to be safe 

That's pushing it.  I think yesterday would have been a bit better for positioning

Zod

The good news is these are Arena sized pits and non the stadium pits.   I only had Arena GA once (Vancouver '13) but it was way less chaotic and crowded.  We showed up at doors (6:30pm) and ended up about 5 or 6 people deep centre stage.  It was pretty damn good.  That's like 3rd row if there were seats.   The pits on the '13 tour varied in size and Vancouver was on the smaller one.   Still I think that gives an idea of what it was like.

For the stadiums we'd show at 4pm and get about 12 to 15 people deep from centre.     

I think we're thinking 4:00pm for Oak N2.   You don't get rail but you still get pretty close.  i'm willing to put in a few hours, but not a day.  I'm happy it's not near the shear mass of people they squeezed into the stadium pits

herogroundzero

The Aussies will be front row again. The Boss knows how to run a GA pit. PJ does not.

arcticgrin

At Wrigley 1 2018 we lined up at 7AM and was rail on Stone’s side. But Chicago had a no camping out over night rule. Some of the regular railbirds were able to circumvent the rule, including the Aussies and the Redhead(Becky?). Wrigley 2 was a mess with people “cutting” the unofficial line. There was no list but there was certainly a hierarchy of railbirds that seem to try regulate and keep tabs of people waiting before the official line started. And that was all for nothing when Mother Nature intervened and had the thunderstorm and everyone had to clear the pit. There is a video somewhere with everyone racing back after the rain delay.

mace1229

I’ve heard some of the rail stories. I don’t get it, if I wanted rail and was willing to wait all day, why would I care about what some random dude says who is first, just because they wrote up a list and hung out at a bar down the street? I don’t get why anyone listens to that and Doesn’t just lines up ahead of them anyway. I would if I wanted to fight for the rail.

Zod

herogroundzero said:

The Aussies will be front row again. The Boss knows how to run a GA pit. PJ does not.

Sort of.  The main difference between Springsteen and PJ, is with Springsteen the whole floor is GA, and they isolate a front section and keep it seperate.  The lineup/draw is generally to determine who gets in the front section.  The order is kind of a nice side benefit.  PJ doesn't have the whole floor GA so there's no need to determine who goes in the pit.

I agree though.. it's nice being able to get your number for Springsteen.. take off.. come back round 5 and get into the pit.

ddeschler

Like I always say: “If you want Ed’s wine, you gotta do the time (in line).”   I’m sorry, just being an idiot for laughs.  I’ll be hanging back in GA in StL.  We’re really all too old for pushing and shoving.  I shun human contact from strangers. Need the freedom to go get another beer at the start of evenflow/betterman/jeremy/daughter/alive.  Still get back for that tag/solo!

madhat181

Should Pearl Jam handling their GA line like Springsteen?
—————————————-——————————————————-

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND GENERAL ADMISSION PIT LINE

1. On the day of the show, sequentially numbered wristbands will be distributed beginning at 2:00 PM at the gate. Wristbands will be distributed until 5:00 PM.

2. A starting number will be randomly picked at 5:15 PM; this will be announced and displayed on a placard at the gate. No more wristbands will be distributed after 5:00 PM.

3. 5:30 PM - All fans with GA tickets and a wristband should begin lining-up in numerical order, beginning with the announced number. The line will be escorted into the GA Pit Area in front of the stage approximately 10 minutes before the rest of the patrons are allowed to enter the venue.

4. One wristband per patron and the patron must also be in possession of a GA ticket.

5. A wristband and a GA ticket are required to enter the GA Pit Area in front of the stage.

6. The starting number will be drawn randomly at 5:15 PM by a fan. The fan holding the wristband that matches the starting number drawn will be first in line (i.e. if #'s 1 - 100 were issued and number 10 was drawn, the line would start with 10, then 11, 12, 13 through 100 then 1-9). When the starting number is announced, the line will shift accordingly.

7. The purpose of the random number distribution is to insure that all fans have the same chance of being first in line, eliminating the need to camp out. This policy also helps to insure customer safety and provides for an effective means of crowd control.

9. Anyone who receives a numbered wristband between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM has a chance to be first in line to enter the Pit Area, but a wristband does not guarantee a place in the Pit Area.

10. Wristbands will be issued and affixed to the patron’s wrist only after the patron's ticket has been verified a GA ticket.

mace1229

madhat181 said:

Should Pearl Jam handling their GA line like Springsteen?
—————————————-——————————————————-

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND GENERAL ADMISSION PIT LINE

1. On the day of the show, sequentially numbered wristbands will be distributed beginning at 2:00 PM at the gate. Wristbands will be distributed until 5:00 PM.

2. A starting number will be randomly picked at 5:15 PM; this will be announced and displayed on a placard at the gate. No more wristbands will be distributed after 5:00 PM.

3. 5:30 PM - All fans with GA tickets and a wristband should begin lining-up in numerical order, beginning with the announced number. The line will be escorted into the GA Pit Area in front of the stage approximately 10 minutes before the rest of the patrons are allowed to enter the venue.

4. One wristband per patron and the patron must also be in possession of a GA ticket.

5. A wristband and a GA ticket are required to enter the GA Pit Area in front of the stage.

6. The starting number will be drawn randomly at 5:15 PM by a fan. The fan holding the wristband that matches the starting number drawn will be first in line (i.e. if #'s 1 - 100 were issued and number 10 was drawn, the line would start with 10, then 11, 12, 13 through 100 then 1-9). When the starting number is announced, the line will shift accordingly.

7. The purpose of the random number distribution is to insure that all fans have the same chance of being first in line, eliminating the need to camp out. This policy also helps to insure customer safety and provides for an effective means of crowd control.

9. Anyone who receives a numbered wristband between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM has a chance to be first in line to enter the Pit Area, but a wristband does not guarantee a place in the Pit Area.

10. Wristbands will be issued and affixed to the patron’s wrist only after the patron's ticket has been verified a GA ticket.

I’ve wondered why PJ hasn’t done this, especially places like Wrigley where you can’t camp. That’s exactly how they used to do ticket sales before the internet. But there’d still be idiots camping out since midnight and pissed they wound up in the back of the line.

RatherStarved

The Springsteen system as discussed above sounds good to me.  

lastexitlondon

Gradually over the last 10 years fans have ruined  it for eachother  with all the queuing over night  and days before.  Its a complete  mess now.  
I tried  it a few times and its ridiculous. 
Great times at times but in the main it just gets worse  each tour and people get a sence  of power out if it now in some odd way like they are special. They are not. 
Each to their  own but fans made this problem  for eachother with the lines. And for merch  those  lines are just ridiculous and creates greed.

unforgiven

I've always lined up the morning of the show and really enjoyed it, sitting around chatting to people who have a similar interests and taste in music as always been fun to me!

Willis1872

I've only been in GA once and never really felt desperate to get rail. But I'm curious as to how it works. I get people wait in line for hours, but what happens when you get inside? Say for instance I camp out and end up at the rail on Mike's side, what happens if I need a piss or want to go for water or something? Is it a free for all, or if I say to the person next to me I'm going to the bathroom or for a drink will they hold my place or would I be stuck in the same spot for the next 5 hours till the show ends?

lastexitlondon

Once in people hold your  spot ive found

tschav

unforgiven said:

I've always lined up the morning of the show and really enjoyed it, sitting around chatting to people who have a similar interests and taste in music as always been fun to me!

The wait can be fun for sure like when I lined up early morning for a Wrigley show. Also managed to get 6-7 people deep at MSG showing up after the GA line was already let in (2016). If you’re taller and have no need for rail, show up a few hours early and you’re set - and if you are concerned about line depth, swing by the venue earlier in the day and make the call whether to queue up. 

GA still gets you a great spot regardless, enjoy the experience!

Zod

lastexitlondon said:

Gradually over the last 10 years fans have ruined  it for eachother  with all the queuing over night  and days before.  Its a complete  mess now.  
I tried  it a few times and its ridiculous. 
Great times at times but in the main it just gets worse  each tour and people get a sence  of power out if it now in some odd way like they are special. They are not. 
Each to their  own but fans made this problem  for eachother with the lines. And for merch  those  lines are just ridiculous and creates greed.

I think it's really only ruined if your going for rail... if you just want to be close, you only have to lineup few hours before doors.   Then you don't deal with any of it.  It's really only diehard's fighting amongst each other for the first 50 spots.

As for merch.  I have no idea on that one.   I've always bought a tshirt and a poster, but something there's more people doing that now than 22 years ago.   PJ doesn't staff the merch boots enough to deal with everyone wanting to buy something.  Hopefully it's better with the arena shows.  I noticed at other stadium shows I went to it's pretty bad too.   I think a lot of it has to do with time per transaction.  I grew up where you did your best you guess you shirt size.  I want the shirt in an xl with that poster.. heres your 70 bucks kind of thing.  Now people want to check shit out, try shit on, and the debit/credit machine takes longer.    Need to go old school

PJattheGorge

Show up when you feel like you need to.  If you want the rail, show up 48 hours early.  If you want close, show up during the Opener.  If you don't care, show up when you want.  If you really want to, you will never be farther back than about 10 people, and usually closer.   The people in GA are nice, and will let you move around fairly freely, unless you get too pushy.  Just don't plan on going in, and then getting back, unless you have a group of people looking out for you.  And don't be a dick.  The people are nice, but aren't stupid.  If you act like a douche, you will get treated like a douche.  Be courteous and friendly, and most of the pit is courteous and friendly.

lastexitlondon

By ruined i meant  that  if someone different other than those 50 wants a shot  at rail they now  have to do 48 where before the morning of the show was enough. They have pushed eachothers boundaries  more and more. Now just a load of smelly tired people at the rail  who have slept out 2 days straight.  Thats all.

nycrats

It didn’t help matters showing the wrigley camper in the movie...

jtr101

My favorite was 2018 Wrigley N2  after the Rain Storm when everyone rushed back in and some guy was pushing his way to the front screaming at the security guard to prove with pictures on his phone that he was on the rail before the rain started  

It made for great conversation with the 20 people around him ...haha....

ponytd

jtr101 said:

My favorite was 2018 Wrigley N2  after the Rain Storm when everyone rushed back in and some guy was pushing his way to the front screaming at the security guard to prove with pictures on his phone that he was on the rail before the rain started  

It made for great conversation with the 20 people around him ...haha....

That sounds like Bonaroo in 16. We stood in line pretty much all day for the rail in line, but that wasn't bad cause we still got to see almost all the bands(on the main stage anyways). We were about 10 people back and then they made everyone evacuate due to thunderstorms coming through during the Macklemore set right before PJ. The security guards did take our pictures and numbered our hands with a marker so we could get back up in line. When they did let everyone back in, it was utter chaos, but the security guards there did a fantastic job of sorting it all out. There were people yelling "I've been here all day in line" and then they'd reply "Nope, you sure haven't, but that guy/girl was, so move so they can get up here". They got about 30 of us or so back lined up, but when the opened the gates to go into the pit, those people started trying to push past everyone else, but almost all of us still got up there in the front and me and my buddy ended up on the rail in front of Stone.

For Memphis in 14, I lined up about an hour before doors opened and ended up about 5 people back in the middle. I wish I had GA for Nashville, but I ended up with pretty great seats on the floor. I've done GA about 6-7 times,  so I've had my fun in GA, it's time for others to enjoy it. If you want rail, good luck and get there the night before/really early morning. If you want to be close, like 5-6 people back, get there a couple hours before doors open, otherwise show up when doors open and you'll still have great seats. Remember, no matter when you get in there, you're still closer than like 98% of the people in the venue and just enjoy the show

CL286295

I'm not a rail rider, because it's just too much work and I really don't care that much about being that close.  The back of the pit is more my jam.  You are still really close, plenty of room to do your thing, you can get beers and hit the bathroom without hassle, and you don't have to waste your entire day sitting in a line.  I'm not knocking those folks who do that, but it's just not for me. Team back of the pit here.

Matts3221

lastexitlondon said:

By ruined i meant  that  if someone different other than those 50 wants a shot  at rail they now  have to do 48 where before the morning of the show was enough. They have pushed eachothers boundaries  more and more. Now just a load of smelly tired people at the rail  who have slept out 2 days straight.  Thats all.

Lol I agree with this , I mean do what you want. If I was in line for 48 hours unshowered , I feel by time I was at the rail , I would have lost 50% of my excitement by just wanting to go home at that point.

Again each their own if you want to show up 48 hours early go for it , I find it just a bit crazy.

Gern Blansten

herogroundzero said:

The Aussies will be front row again. The Boss knows how to run a GA pit. PJ does not.

lol....I forgot about those guys

Gern Blansten

ddeschler said:

Like I always say: “If you want Ed’s wine, you gotta do the time (in line).”   I’m sorry, just being an idiot for laughs.  I’ll be hanging back in GA in StL.  We’re really all too old for pushing and shoving.  I shun human contact from strangers. Need the freedom to go get another beer at the start of evenflow/betterman/jeremy/daughter/alive.  Still get back for that tag/solo!

that's what I do....still the best seat in the house for me.  I can move around as needed, get a beer, etc.  Love it.

Except at Wrigley...that was awful

Gern Blansten

Willis1872 said:

I've only been in GA once and never really felt desperate to get rail. But I'm curious as to how it works. I get people wait in line for hours, but what happens when you get inside? Say for instance I camp out and end up at the rail on Mike's side, what happens if I need a piss or want to go for water or something? Is it a free for all, or if I say to the person next to me I'm going to the bathroom or for a drink will they hold my place or would I be stuck in the same spot for the next 5 hours till the show ends?

I've never done rail but my thought would be don't go there if you plan on leaving the rail for any reason.  You will spend way too much time getting out and back in to be worth it.  You'll miss way too much of the concert fucking with it.  Just piss your pants is what I'm saying.