Security at concerts these days....

eddiec · September 2011

Have I gotten old and become more paranoid or has security at shows these days become Stalinistic. 10 years ago I wouldn't even think twice before lighting up a J at a concert but after being nailed for it at PJ in Newark last year I almost feel like it's too much of a risk. It's like security these days look for that lighter flare and go rushing for it like moths. Do these so called security people sit around after the show laughing at how many people they threw out like it's some sort of a contest? I know it wasn't the healthiest thing but I miss the days at concerts when the lights came on for intermission or between acts and there was a smoke cloud the length of the stadium hanging in the air.

Again, have I got old and paranoid or has security become out of control?

xavier mcdaniel · September 2011

I never have a problem, but then again I never do anything such as lighting up as concerts. So me being the most straight edge concert goer, makes me the wrong person to ask.

conman · September 2011

i've been caught smoking at concerts a few times and was never thrown out but i haven't smoked in about 5 years so i'm not sure how it is lately. although i've been surrounded by people smoking at shows since then and never witnessed anyone being thrown out....... maybe it's just you :P

CAVSTARR313 · September 2011

I think you are just becoming old and paranoid.. Like me.. but this should make us wiser on how we approach having our "good time" at a concert.. I have had enormous amounts of bad luck with security guards, cops, and really anyone in uniform in my life.. I pick my spots to say the least anymore..

But I will tell you this,

I was on such an emotional and wonderful ride during night 2 of PJ20, that I lit up a joint right next to a security guard (he was on the other side of the railing, on the path that bisected the hill) He looked at me, gave a nod, and looked away.. too cool!! but I will never press my luck

BinauralJam · September 2011

Outdoor venues, not so much, indoor, spot on.

dcfaithful · September 2011

Cavstarr313 wrote:

He looked at me, gave a nod, and looked away.. too cool!! but I will never press my luck

The most ideal security guard to be placed by.

eddiec, may I ask, what happened to you at Newark? Were you just escorted out, or charged?

eddiec · September 2011

dcfaithful wrote:

Cavstarr313 wrote:

He looked at me, gave a nod, and looked away.. too cool!! but I will never press my luck

The most ideal security guard to be placed by.

eddiec, may I ask, what happened to you at Newark? Were you just escorted out, or charged?

They took me out to the concourse and patted me down at least 10 times and kept asking me where the rest of my stuff was. I actually had nothing on me as my friend had brought in just one smoke. I was surrounded by about 8 security guards and 2 NJ officers. I was kinda screwed cause I saw the guy coming and didn't drop in time, not that it would have mattered cause I'm sure they would have searched the area, but they had it in their possession and kept passing it around and smelling it. At one point I turned to the NJPD officer who didn't seem interested in the whole thing and asked him if I was going to be arrested. He just said it's up to these guys- pointing to the overzealous Newark security staff. He actually was the coolest guy of the bunch and I got the impression he could care less there was a joint being smoked at a rock concert. Eventually the head of security escorted me out of the stadium and told me if I tried to get back in I would be arrested. He also gave me a life lecture on the evils of drugs as he was walking me out. I guess it could have been worse as I didn't want to spend the night in a Newark cell especially with MSG 2 days away.

CJMST3K · September 2011

Each venue's security is different. Consider where you were, Newark, a new venue, in a bad part of town. I remember working a Whitney Houston concert in Newark and she didn't show up because she decided to get high that night before the show and didn't show up, so... that area has a reputation and probably a zero tolerance policy because of it . Plus since there is no cigarette smoking anymore, it makes it easier to find the pot smokers.

catefrances · September 2011

eddiec wrote:

dcfaithful wrote:

Cavstarr313 wrote:

He looked at me, gave a nod, and looked away.. too cool!! but I will never press my luck

The most ideal security guard to be placed by.

eddiec, may I ask, what happened to you at Newark? Were you just escorted out, or charged?

They took me out to the concourse and patted me down at least 10 times and kept asking me where the rest of my stuff was. I actually had nothing on me as my friend had brought in just one smoke. I was surrounded by about 8 security guards and 2 NJ officers. I was kinda screwed cause I saw the guy coming and didn't drop in time, not that it would have mattered cause I'm sure they would have searched the area, but they had it in their possession and kept passing it around and smelling it. At one point I turned to the NJPD officer who didn't seem interested in the whole thing and asked him if I was going to be arrested. He just said it's up to these guys- pointing to the overzealous Newark security staff. He actually was the coolest guy of the bunch and I got the impression he could care less there was a joint being smoked at a rock concert. Eventually the head of security escorted me out of the stadium and told me if I tried to get back in I would be arrested. He also gave me a life lecture on the evils of drugs as he was walking me out. I guess it could have been worse as I didn't want to spend the night in a Newark cell especially with MSG 2 days away.

security guards have delusions of grandeur. they cant make it as cops so this is their time to shine. theyre in attendance for the safety of the patrons and to make sure no one breaks the no smoking rule... oh.. thats what you did.

still they coulda just told you to put it out. 8 guards is overkill.. whos safety was put at risk cause these jokers felt the need to escort you out?

blackredyellow · September 2011

Security guards are so varied... They can be the wannabe Johhny Law type, or someone just looking to get through the night without an conflict.

No so much smoking (as that is usually a venue decision as to how strict they are), but as far as how lenient or how strict they are with other stuff usually comes somewhat from the band's security people.

catefrances · September 2011

blackredyellow wrote:

Security guards are so varied... They can be the wannabe Johhny Law type, or someone just looking to get through the night without an conflict.

No so much smoking (as that is usually a venue decision as to how strict they are), but as far as how lenient or how strict they are with other stuff usually comes somewhat from the band's security people.

well i saw that eddie vedder bloke at the state theatre in sydney earlier this year and this security guy/usher came around with a sign and told us no photography of any kind is allowed. i thought whoa surely that didnt come down from edved. anyhoo no one listened to him anyways.

SatansFuton · September 2011

I haven't smoked pot in probably 11-12 years so I don't know, but I know I never had problems with it back then. My buddy and I smoked pot with a security guard at a Stones concert once. I haven't noticed any smokers getting busted. But I never really see it either, I always smell it, so I know people are still doing it. I've never seen any security step out of line at any concert I've been too. They mostly seem to be fighting the urge to turn around and watch the show.

DewieCox · September 2011

At any seated area of an indoor arena or a nicer theater(think The Fox or Rosemont) it's almost impossible. I've never been hassled at an outdoor gig. The easiest place to smoke is the Pageant in St Louis, a 1500 capacity bar/club. At a few shows you could practically walk around the place with a j lit.

BLACK35 · September 2011

Well there was no issues with smoking at the Toronto show, people beside us, in front and behind us all lit up some joints, no security ever came by. I remember night 2 was much the same except there was one guy that continually lit up cigarettes and no one ever came over to talk with him. But from what I have rread in other threads, the security seemed more worried about people standing in the aisles. One guy said he was tossed out at the start of YL because he apparently was warned about standing in the aisle.
So I find it so funny that a guy gets tossed for standing in the aisle, but people can smoke joints and cigarettes and its ok.

neilybabes86 · September 2011

i don't do it anymore....(weed) ...not worth getting thrown out...i may smoke a cig during a break

although i did get yoked up at MSG 2 in 08 for throwing something on stage

they surronded me like i was bin laden ...even watched me piss b4 throwing me out

luckily it was at the end of the show

Mamasan23 · September 2011

Maybe since cigarettes have been banned in most indoor places these days it's easier for the security to spot it out? I remember the days where you could smoke indoors...could you imagine how tough it might be with all those people smoking to find the people smoking joints? Maybe they just figured it wasn't worth it, but now it's much easier to spot. :?:

TS96221 · September 2011

10 years ago at a Fuel concert, I saw the state troopers go to the top of the bleachers and take away a pot smoker. It was at a college too. I'm sure he was in alot of trouble. They looked mad. I mean if smoking is not allowed, it is easier for them to be busted.

RKCNDY · September 2011

I must have the face of an angel or something...

At Alpine, they glanced in my backpack, didn't get patted down.
At all 3 Canadian shows, I did not get patted down, they only glanced in my purse.
I smoked by myself in Vancouver, was surprised I didn't see more people doing so, didn't get hassled, though the guy next to me moved away from me.

Never had any issues with security....only when the friends that I'm with start mouthing off and they get kicked out, I go with them.

I will say that the TSA does not like me...I got the full on pat down after the x-ray....but that was in Wisconsin.

faceintheclouds · September 2011

It is a fucking joke nowadays. And it is like a sport for them on how many people they throw out. The last Canadian tour was insane. People getting booted left and right. I almost got in a fight with the asshole who threw me out of Kitchener. And ms Wes c Addle got the boot for lifting her lighter at the fox in Detroit at Eds show.
If you do something stupid like jump off the balcony at st Andrews in Detroit, then sure you should get the boot. ( was stupid idea

. )
But otherwise they take they're job too seriously.

he.who.forgets · September 2011

I think you're generalizing here somewhat...while I do know the egomaniac security guard types, most are just doing their job. And from my experience, it's just part-time for some extra money and b/c they enjoy the working environment. I'd guess that 95% of these security guards at concerts have full time jobs elsewhere and they're just trying to earn a little extra coin. And like I said, they're just following the direction of both the venue mgt and the artists tour security. Pot is illegal and at an indoor concert, I just feel it's stupid and ignorant to think that you're not going to be challenged if caught. Unless of course it's a Slightly Stoopid, Widespread, Phish or other concert where it's just so rampant that they couldnt control it if they wanted to. My philiosphy is that if you respect security, they will usually respect you back.

Cree Nations · September 2011

eddiec wrote:

dcfaithful wrote:

Cavstarr313 wrote:

He looked at me, gave a nod, and looked away.. too cool!! but I will never press my luck

The most ideal security guard to be placed by.

eddiec, may I ask, what happened to you at Newark? Were you just escorted out, or charged?

They took me out to the concourse and patted me down at least 10 times and kept asking me where the rest of my stuff was. I actually had nothing on me as my friend had brought in just one smoke. I was surrounded by about 8 security guards and 2 NJ officers. I was kinda screwed cause I saw the guy coming and didn't drop in time, not that it would have mattered cause I'm sure they would have searched the area, but they had it in their possession and kept passing it around and smelling it. At one point I turned to the NJPD officer who didn't seem interested in the whole thing and asked him if I was going to be arrested. He just said it's up to these guys- pointing to the overzealous Newark security staff. He actually was the coolest guy of the bunch and I got the impression he could care less there was a joint being smoked at a rock concert. Eventually the head of security escorted me out of the stadium and told me if I tried to get back in I would be arrested. He also gave me a life lecture on the evils of drugs as he was walking me out. I guess it could have been worse as I didn't want to spend the night in a Newark cell especially with MSG 2 days away.

all that for a pathetic little doob.....did they do the same to people caught drinking the liquor they snuck in.....

Security at concerts these days....

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