Same folks up front

Fighting Hellfish

Was kinda surprised to see a member of the Rail Mafia in my hotel around 4 PM yesterday. Thought wow, I guess he’s not in GA
today. Seems like dude is on the rail at literally every show. Well, that was silly of me cause of course there he was, riding that rail like every other night, featured quite prominently in the Fan Cam on the big screen……

dwjmu84

Fighting Hellfish said:

Was kinda surprised to see a member of the Rail Mafia in my hotel around 4 PM yesterday. Thought wow, I guess he’s not in GA
today. Seems like dude is on the rail at literally every show. Well, that was silly of me cause of course there he was, riding that rail like every other night, featured quite prominently in the Fan Cam on the big screen……

Don’t know the exact circumstances here but, to be fair, doesn’t mean he wasn’t in line early am or even the night before. While I’ve been on the rail my last few shows (lucky enough to score GA), I am no member of the “rail gang” - only seen a meager 26 shows - and I have zero connections w this crew. That said, I was also back in my hotel around 4 pm for Raleigh 2, taking a business call, before I heading BACK to the GA line, where I had been faithfully camped since 630am that morning. My friend held the spot while I attended to some work. I spent all but about 90 mins in line that day, and to me, that maintains the “spirit of the law” w regard to the GA line. Now, flip it : if you spend 90 mins in line, and the rest of the day goofing off….horse of a different color. That’s a breach of the good faith I think we all place in one another to self police. I’m sure this does happen, but a sighting at 4pm doesn’t necessarily mean the guy was absent from the ga line all day. 

on2legs

dwjmu84 said:

Fighting Hellfish said:

Was kinda surprised to see a member of the Rail Mafia in my hotel around 4 PM yesterday. Thought wow, I guess he’s not in GA
today. Seems like dude is on the rail at literally every show. Well, that was silly of me cause of course there he was, riding that rail like every other night, featured quite prominently in the Fan Cam on the big screen……

Don’t know the exact circumstances here but, to be fair, doesn’t mean he wasn’t in line early am or even the night before. While I’ve been on the rail my last few shows (lucky enough to score GA), I am no member of the “rail gang” - only seen a meager 26 shows - and I have zero connections w this crew. That said, I was also back in my hotel around 4 pm for Raleigh 2, taking a business call, before I heading BACK to the GA line, where I had been faithfully camped since 630am that morning. My friend held the spot while I attended to some work. I spent all but about 90 mins in line that day, and to me, that maintains the “spirit of the law” w regard to the GA line. Now, flip it : if you spend 90 mins in line, and the rest of the day goofing off….horse of a different color. That’s a breach of the good faith I think we all place in one another to self police. I’m sure this does happen, but a sighting at 4pm doesn’t necessarily mean the guy was absent from the ga line all day. 

Just curious… what is an acceptable amount of time for someone to be out of the GA line? 

DE4173

I have never have camped out, but maybe:

A few bathroom breaks at 5-10 min each.

Two/three food runs (pick up and eat back in line) at 10-15 min each.

*Everyone has their own needs so it may fluctuate based on circumstances.

50 min - 60 min total for early morning to doors?🤷‍♂️

julieooliern

Can we please ride the high of the tour, be grateful for the band, and stop the squabbling. 

DE4173

A-men!

josevolution

I’m going camping on the beach 

Loujoe

josevolution said:

I’m going camping on the beach 

What concert

pjl44

julieooliern said:

Can we please ride the high of the tour, be grateful for the band, and the squabbling. 

There are plenty of threads that cover a multitude of topics. Try one of those!

dwjmu84

on2legs said:

dwjmu84 said:

Fighting Hellfish said:

Was kinda surprised to see a member of the Rail Mafia in my hotel around 4 PM yesterday. Thought wow, I guess he’s not in GA
today. Seems like dude is on the rail at literally every show. Well, that was silly of me cause of course there he was, riding that rail like every other night, featured quite prominently in the Fan Cam on the big screen……

Don’t know the exact circumstances here but, to be fair, doesn’t mean he wasn’t in line early am or even the night before. While I’ve been on the rail my last few shows (lucky enough to score GA), I am no member of the “rail gang” - only seen a meager 26 shows - and I have zero connections w this crew. That said, I was also back in my hotel around 4 pm for Raleigh 2, taking a business call, before I heading BACK to the GA line, where I had been faithfully camped since 630am that morning. My friend held the spot while I attended to some work. I spent all but about 90 mins in line that day, and to me, that maintains the “spirit of the law” w regard to the GA line. Now, flip it : if you spend 90 mins in line, and the rest of the day goofing off….horse of a different color. That’s a breach of the good faith I think we all place in one another to self police. I’m sure this does happen, but a sighting at 4pm doesn’t necessarily mean the guy was absent from the ga line all day. 

Just curious… what is an acceptable amount of time for someone to be out of the GA line? 

That question does not have a definitive answer until PJ starts policing the line (and I think that would be a mistake, frankly).  Having said that, I'll make an attempt to answer it based solely on my own opinion - you know if someone has put in the time and spent the majority of the day waiting. Simple as that.  Double dipping in the merch and GA lines is a problem, in my view.  Spending half the day out of line to see the city, attend a pre party, etc....also problematic. I've never had a problem distinguishing between the folks who were around most of the day and the brand new faces that show up around 5 (and yes, this happens every time).  So...like porn...you know it when you see it in my opinion.  Of course, I understand others may feel differently about this. At the end of the day, I just count myself lucky to be in that position to begin with.

CantKeepmedown

Yeah, if someone is showing up at 5pm and getting up front because the "rail crew" let's them in ("they are one of us!) then that's a problem. And they should be called out and ridiculed for it. 

MayDay10

I really would like the/a change.  The system has been kind of static for a long time and people have learned how to set the thing in their favor.  I know there is a side that says that they figured it out and they "deserve" it, but I don't know.  The way the GA and the lottery is set up.  Having multiple accounts where 10C doesn't matter if it is only for going for GA tickets and also buddying up with a large group is a huge finger on the scale.

Also, they know the general ground-rules and manipulation of the line as well.  The average person who just tries to show up is out-numbered.  I mentioned earlier that a woman ran past me on the way in, knew when/where to do it, then grabbed a better spot, shot her elbows out like wings into me, then during the opener, like a clown car, 4-5 friends I had never seen before had invaded any possibility of personal space I had and I was wedged in with about 5 inches of rail for an arm.  She knew exactly what to do, and I was helpless before it was too late.

And for people saying that it doesn't matter, who cares, and talk about something else.... people can and do care.  It is an inequity in the system and it is being taken advantage of.  There are 1 or 2 easy solutions that would fix much of the problem within arm's reach.  

Sure.  Many people are friendly and welcoming.  That is great, but not the entire point.

tylermoore

pjl44 said:

julieooliern said:

Can we please ride the high of the tour, be grateful for the band, and the squabbling. 

There are plenty of threads that cover a multitude of topics. Try one of those!

YEAH! We’re being negative and wasting energy on GA lines here! The guys just finished a fantastic tour with fantastic shows. So let us just keep getting wound up over lines! It’s important in the world right now!!!
But in all seriousness, with everything in the world going on, who actually gives a crap who’s in front row for a concert. I just truly don’t get it…. It changes the outcome of the concert that much for you? I’ve never camped out for rail, and idc who does or doesn’t or where they sit or stand. Just have a good time  

on2legs

DE4173 said:

I have never have camped out, but maybe:

A few bathroom breaks at 5-10 min each.

Two/three food runs (pick up and eat back in line) at 10-15 min each.

*Everyone has their own needs so it may fluctuate based on circumstances.

50 min - 60 min total for early morning to doors?🤷‍♂️

This sounds reasonable.  I think if more people realized you could leave the line for 90 minutes or more without an issue it would encourage more people to get there early. 

josevolution

Loujoe said:

josevolution said:

I’m going camping on the beach 

What concert

Flipper & the tortoises! There’s no rail at this show just open ocean 

DE4173

May be a stupid question, but right when the doors open, what do people do with all of their tents/chairs/trash, etc? Do people take turns taking back to cars/hotels a few hours before doors?

Bentleyspop

DE4173 said:

May be a stupid question, but right when the doors open, what do people do with all of their tents/chairs/trash, etc? Do people take turns taking back to cars/hotels a few hours before doors?

Yes 

DE4173

TY!

Ledbetterman10

I had never been up close but I got GA tix for the first Pittsburgh show. We showed up about midway through the opening band, went to Mike’s side of the stage, and were super close the entire show. If you have to camp out to get closer than this, I don’t think it’s worth it…

DE4173

Bentleyspop said:

DE4173 said:

May be a stupid question, but right when the doors open, what do people do with all of their tents/chairs/trash, etc? Do people take turns taking back to cars/hotels a few hours before doors?

Yes 

At the risk of having their chairs taken, I guess they could leave their chairs at doors and resume line duty after the first show for the second show of a two-night stand (coming and going of course).