1st time General Admission tips

2

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  • pdalowskypdalowsky Doncaster,UK Posts: 15,117
    ah well each to his own.
  • SuziemaySuziemay Posts: 11,168
    edited September 2014
    OP isn't asking about getting to the rail, so I don't know why so many people are posting negative things about waiting in line for the rail! As someone who has done it many times, I'm with Paul. It's magical, and I will try every time if I have the ability to. Sure, it comes with a price, but it's been worth it single time. Not saying everyone has to do it, but don't knock it if it's not your thing. Edited to add: I've made many good friends waiting in the GA line, so it was absolutely not a waste of time!

    @Coop66‌, GA pit in the US is not very rough from my experience. If you are worried, go Stone's side. US pits are small and not the full floor. For Buffalo last year, I got in line after doors opened and I was probably 7th row Mike's side. I think others who went Stone's side were probably closer.

    Also, GA tends to shift so if you don't have a good view, try to maneuver so that you guys can see. Or if all it takes is for someone to take one or two steps in a certain direction you can always ask. I once asked two big dudes if they could promise not to lean over to chat or anything during songs because that immediately cut off my line of sight, they were very accommodating.

    You probably want to have some sort of strategy in place about getting in and out of the pit and still holding your spot, like if you or your son have to go pee or something. I can't remember being 12, is that old enough to get in and out of GA on his own, or would you have to go with him? If you both have to leave together, make sure you bond with people around you early on so that they will let you back in.

    Above anything, HAVE A BLAST!
    Post edited by Suziemay on
  • i really posted that link as a joke. i'd have zero problem standing in line. i just thought it was comical to see the different directions the US GA has taken. OP, your boy is gonna have a blast!
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  • nycratsnycrats Posts: 1,351
    just found these pics.. hartford looked IDEAL.. and i think this should tell you a lot about what time to get into GA.. imo its either line up at 9 am and get rail, or stroll in at 7:30 and be 10th row.. look at the pockets and how much space there is in the 2nd pic. first 3 or 4 rows are kinda smushed, then you have a ton of space. and if you did want to post up on one of the side rails, i think youre better a little farther back for the perspective..

    this first pic was taken at 8:16 pm- 5 mins before lights down
    imageimage" />

    next pic during the lights up encore 11:22 pm
    imageimage" />
    '98: Camden 1 '00: JB2 '03: MSG1 '04: Boston 1 '05: AC1
    '06: Irving Plaza, East Rutherford 1 & 2 '07: Lolla '08: Camden 2, MSG2, Beacon
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  • nycrats said:

    you should really get in line now, theres already 11 of us here..

    hillarious
  • i love all the different points of view on this. I had no idea I would get this many responses. Let me try it this way, if we wanted to get on the rail on Mike's side what time should I be prepared to get in line. I haven't ruled out the idea of getting in line myself then having my wife drop him off at a decent time so I don't have to put him through that. would the line go nuts seeing a 12 y/o walk up in line ahead of people to be with his dad? Is that poor line etiquette?
  • derbydavederbydave Columbus, OH Posts: 11,254
    This wouldn't upset me...
    just mention your plans to the folks around you in the line,
    and I would hope they would be understanding!!
    I hope you guys have a GREAT time...
    you'll be making memories that will last you both a LIFETIME!
    '96: Seattle: Key Arena
    '98: Seattle: Memorial Stadium 1 & 2
    '00: Columbus: Polaris
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  • nycratsnycrats Posts: 1,351
    i mean youre talking 8 or 9 am probably. i personally don't think its worth all that for what will already be an amzing time. if he has to go to the bathroom, can he go by himself? can you send a 12 year old alone in an arena full of drunk people to the bathroom solo? maybe yes, but maybe not, and then you lose your spot as soon as you both leave. why waste all that time when he definitely will be able to see from a lot of spots in the ga section. i mean your average 12 year old boy is probably as tall as your average female pj adult fan and they make it work and have a great time.

    if it is anything like hartford as you see above you will be psyched walking in around 7 or so. you dont even have to get there that early, but im just saying if you did, youd know the people around you and theyd all then be pretty cool with making sure your boy has a great experience whether helping with sight lines, or not being a total ahole around him etc..

    but if you have your heart set on it, then youre looking around 8 am? maybe someone else who does that can help me out?
    '98: Camden 1 '00: JB2 '03: MSG1 '04: Boston 1 '05: AC1
    '06: Irving Plaza, East Rutherford 1 & 2 '07: Lolla '08: Camden 2, MSG2, Beacon
    '09 :Philly 1 & 2 '10: Buffalo, Newark, MSG1, MSG2
    '11: PJ20 1 & 2 '12: Missoula '13: Wrigley, BK2, Philly 1 & 2, Hartford
    '14: Ams 1 & 2, Cincy, St Louis, Detroit, Moline '15: Central Park
    '16 Philly 1 & 2, MSG 1 & 2, Toronto 1 & 2, Fenway 1, Wrigley 1
    '17 Brooklyn hall of fame ‘18 Fenway 1 '21 Jersey Shore '22 MSG  '24: MSG1, MSG2
  • mattcozmattcoz Chicago Posts: 2,221
    I think everyone going to the St Louis show should just stroll in at around 8, you'll be fine, yeah...
    *goes in at 7*
    1998: East Troy 2000: East Troy, Rosemont 2003: Champaign 2006: Chicago (UC), Milwaukee 2007: Chicago (Lolla) 2009: Chicago (UC), Chicago (UC) 2010: Noblesville 2011: East Troy (PJ20), East Troy (PJ20) 2013: Chicago (WF), Seattle 2014: St. Louis 2016: Chicago (WF), Chicago (WF) 2018: Chicago (WF), Chicago (WF) 2022: St. Louis 2023: Chicago (UC), Chicago (UC) 2024: Chicago (WF), Chicago (WF)
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  • No way I can take the whole day off and get in line at 8 or 9. I could probably knock off early and get there early afternoon somewhere between 3 - 5. The bathroom thing is a consideration. Don't see myself letting him just go at an event like this.
  • derbydavederbydave Columbus, OH Posts: 11,254
    My St. Louis ticket buddy won GA for her only show of the tour...
    and is more than willing to put in some "line time" to get a good place in the pit!!
    Our plan is to get in the GA line after we get thru the merch line,
    take our stuff back to the hotel & pick up our 10 Club tickets!!
    Not gonna rush & this plan worked pretty good for her in Phoenix last year!!
    We should be in line by 4pm & we're thinking that will get us close enough!!
    :-bd
    '96: Seattle: Key Arena
    '98: Seattle: Memorial Stadium 1 & 2
    '00: Columbus: Polaris
    '03: Columbus: Germain
    '10: Columbus: Nationwide Arena
    '11: East Troy: Alpine Valley - PJ20 1 & 2 + EV Detroit
    '12: Missoula + EV Jacksonville 1 & 2
    '13: Chicago / Pittsburgh / Buffalo / Seattle
    '14: Cincinnati / St. Louis / Tulsa / Lincoln / Memphis / Detroit / Moline
    '15: New York City - Global Citizen Festival
    '16: Greenville / Hampton / Raleigh / Columbia / Lexington / Ottawa / Toronto 1 & 2 / Wrigley 1 & 2
    '17: Brooklyn - Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
    '18: London 1 & 2 / Seattle 1 & 2 / Missoula / Wrigley 1
    '22: Nashville / St. Louis


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  • shetellsherselfshetellsherself New Jersey Posts: 8,835
    I'm landing in Tulsa at 11:30 on day of show and am hoping to go directly to the "line". I may be nuts but I haven't had this opportunity in a loooong time and plan to make the most of it! I'm really hoping I have no flight delays and that getting there around noon will still get me close. (Please!!)
    5/3/92 Omaha, NE
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  • derbydave said:

    My St. Louis ticket buddy won GA for her only show of the tour...
    and is more than willing to put in some "line time" to get a good place in the pit!!
    Our plan is to get in the GA line after we get thru the merch line,
    take our stuff back to the hotel & pick up our 10 Club tickets!!
    Not gonna rush & this plan worked pretty good for her in Phoenix last year!!
    We should be in line by 4pm & we're thinking that will get us close enough!!
    :-bd


    I want to see pics from the rail!
    Presidential Advice from President-Elect Mike McCready: "Are you getting something out of this all encompassing trip?"
  • Coop66Coop66 Posts: 24
    derbydave said:

    My St. Louis ticket buddy won GA for her only show of the tour...
    and is more than willing to put in some "line time" to get a good place in the pit!!
    Our plan is to get in the GA line after we get thru the merch line,
    take our stuff back to the hotel & pick up our 10 Club tickets!!
    Not gonna rush & this plan worked pretty good for her in Phoenix last year!!
    We should be in line by 4pm & we're thinking that will get us close enough!!
    :-bd

    See you there. I'm shooting for 4ish.
  • Peyton18Peyton18 Posts: 216
    What time does GA doors open usually? I think the doors open at 6:30 for most people but didn't know how much earlier
  • Coop66Coop66 Posts: 24
    per my confirmation email from the 10c last week:
    Ten Club Box Office Opens: 3:00pm
    Door Time: 6:30pm
    PJ Set Time: 7:30pm
    Box Office Close: 8:30pm
  • Coop66 said:

    My son is 5'4". The rail would be fantastic but I'm not going to wait all day or make him spend all day in line for the chance. I just want him to be able see well and not get trampled.

    Honestly, if you don't care about the rail and since your son is young/short, I would find someone with wing seats to trade with. You can probably find someone on here or around the 10C windows who has a low number and will prefer GA to seats.


    Exactly! Probably the best route for the little guy. He can see the show and you don't have to worry about him getting trampled.
    I agree with this. I'd rather have reserved seats for the young one. I'm sure he will need to use the restroom at some point. Its just so much easier from reserved seats..

    I went to Spokane with GA seats. We didn't arrive in town until about 4:30. Didn't like up at all. We walked into the venue via the main entry and made our way down to the floor. It was fine and we were plenty close. I was surprised at how roomy the floor was. The back of the floor was kinda empty...they could have sold a lot more tickets it seemed like, but it was really nice not being so jammed up. We were 10-12 people back and it was great, but I'm 6' tall.
    Gorge
  • Coop66Coop66 Posts: 24
    Thanks everyone for the input. Still trying to decide what we will do. My son is up for anything. Less than 24 hours to go. I better make up my mind.
  • Coop66 said:

    Thanks everyone for the input. Still trying to decide what we will do. My son is up for anything. Less than 24 hours to go. I better make up my mind.


    I think my brother and I ended up in line near you and in the pit just to your right. You talked about this thread and asked what we thought about how it would go. We also joked about your son having to write a report on the show for his schooling.

    If you are who I'm thinking of, it appeared to work out pretty awesome for you guys. It makes for a long day and a lot of standing, but everyone was fairly respectful and the couple next to us from Bloomington, IN were cool enough to give your son the pick they grabbed from McCready.

    Great show and I hope your boy had a blast!

  • Coop66Coop66 Posts: 24
    That's us! Great time. Jack was rocking out to Baba at the end (he said he was afraid they weren't going to play it, he loves it) and He caught Mike's eye. Mike smiled and pointed at him. Perfect end to a great day. My son was diagnosed with Crohns just a few weeks ago so I've been telling him how Mike has it etc. He said at one point "Mike really has Crohn's?! He's my favorite". He's been talking about it all day and wearing his shirt.

    It was a long time for a kid to stand and wait. I know my back feet and legs were all hurting by the end. Thanks talking with him. All of the people around us were incredibly nice to him. Kinda eased his mind. He was a little nervous and overwhelmed. The guy from IN basically dove down to get him that pick. He didn't even think about it. Just got it and immediately turned and handed it to him. PJ has great fans.
  • Coop66 said:

    That's us! Great time. Jack was rocking out to Baba at the end (he said he was afraid they weren't going to play it, he loves it) and He caught Mike's eye. Mike smiled and pointed at him. Perfect end to a great day. My son was diagnosed with Crohns just a few weeks ago so I've been telling him how Mike has it etc. He said at one point "Mike really has Crohn's?! He's my favorite". He's been talking about it all day and wearing his shirt.

    It was a long time for a kid to stand and wait. I know my back feet and legs were all hurting by the end. Thanks talking with him. All of the people around us were incredibly nice to him. Kinda eased his mind. He was a little nervous and overwhelmed. The guy from IN basically dove down to get him that pick. He didn't even think about it. Just got it and immediately turned and handed it to him. PJ has great fans.

    During Baba, every time Mike would look over my brother and I were pointing down at Jack.

    Finally the 3-4th time he looked over is when Mike pointed at him. Glad he had a blast.
  • Coop66Coop66 Posts: 24
    That's so cool. Thanks again, I wish I knew how to get a copy of the video from the show. Best concert I've ever seen!
  • Coop66 said:

    That's so cool. Thanks again, I wish I knew how to get a copy of the video from the show. Best concert I've ever seen!

    No problem dude. Half the fun of going to a PJ show and being around 10Club members is seeing people take care of each other and treat each other decently. Always good to see a kid having fun, especially with his dad. Stuff like the guy from IN giving him the pick, or McCready noticing him in the crowd, will make a bigger impression on a kid his age.

    .


    I have a couple of clips I'll try to get up on YouTube in the next few days and post. My stupid phone quit recording halfway through Imagine, otherwise I would've had a great recording of that.
  • Coop66Coop66 Posts: 24
    cool. How can I find you on YouTube? There is a clip up now of Alive. It's from the side of the stage. At some points you can see you and me.
  • Coop66 said:

    cool. How can I find you on YouTube? There is a clip up now of Alive. It's from the side of the stage. At some points you can see you and me.

    Sent you a PM, I'll try to let you know when I get some video up.

    Now off to find that Alive clip.
  • tater926tater926 Posts: 263
    edited October 2014
    I'm currently undecided on when to get in line for Moline. So Coop66, when did you get in line and how close did you get? Sounds like whatever you decided worked out pretty well. I'm concerned because I'm not what most people would consider overly tall. Or even above average. I'm short.
    Post edited by tater926 on
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  • deadendpdeadendp Northeast Ohio Posts: 10,434
    tater926 said:

    I'm currently undecided on when to get in line for Moline. So Coop66, when did you get in line and how close did you get? Sounds like whatever you decided worked out pretty well. I'm concerned because I'm not what most people would consider overly tall. Or even above average. I'm short.

    If it helps, I'm just a little under 5'1", got in line in Cincinnati at noon and was on the rail, Stone's side. I was about 10' off the end of the rail, but was thrilled because I COULD ACTUALLY SEE! I promise! (Some folks would have probably thought of the area I was in as not terribly desirable.) The guys behind us? I kid you not when I tell you that they had to be 6'9". I was very glad to be in front of them.

    Have fun!
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    2016: Lexington and Wrigley 1
  • nycratsnycrats Posts: 1,351
    edited October 2014
    after doing two ga's so far..
    if you need to be rail, know that at least one or two people will be there at or before midnight the prior day, and most railers are in line by 9am. rail is great, especially if you're super short, but otherwise, what's the point in waiting all day to be 4th row? you can show up a little before showtime and be 10th row for pj in a ga floor with room to actually jump around a bit if you desire. these rail people furiously protect their territory, so if you don't want to wait for 10 hours, just come at a reasonable time. there are HUGE pockets of space in the way back too, like if you're short you can literally be 3 feet behind the person in front of you to then see over.

    one other tip- just go with it and be prepared for anything to happen. in st louis there was a system in place for 12 plus hours of reasonable order. 1 hour before doors the venue switched it up and had everyone come inside and line up in 15 people wide cattle pens all at once, totally disrupting what was an order. people who were in line at 4 or 5pm saw an opportunity to get to a spot that was in front of a person there at 9 am. and they did. at that point, it was out of control. sucks but not worth getting into a panic attack over. in other threads people mentioned last fall in certain venues that they just walked right in another entrance right at 6:30 and had a little farther walk to the floor but made it there by the time say person #15 in the dedicated floor line got scanned. sucks but not every person that works security in that venue is in constant talk with pj staff nor do they care enough to hear a bunch of people start crying of what was said on an online internet forum. in 3 hours these people at the venue will never see you again and start preparing for miley cyrus or cher or one direction the following night. like in st louis the guy REALLY didnt want to hear it and excercized his power trip to full extent, complete with threats to kick people out or turn them over to police if they didnt stop arguing his almighty and all knowing decision.

    it usually works out that the guy there at 6 am gets his rail spot, but not always as things are very inconsistent venue to venue, so just keep that in mind if you're debating spending all those hours in a line. something out of your control may prevent you from where you would like to be in a GENERAL ADMISSION section and people tend to get too worked up over this rather than relax and enjoy 3 hours of pj that is about to take place... good luck and enjoy the shows, obviously they will be amazing!
    Post edited by nycrats on
    '98: Camden 1 '00: JB2 '03: MSG1 '04: Boston 1 '05: AC1
    '06: Irving Plaza, East Rutherford 1 & 2 '07: Lolla '08: Camden 2, MSG2, Beacon
    '09 :Philly 1 & 2 '10: Buffalo, Newark, MSG1, MSG2
    '11: PJ20 1 & 2 '12: Missoula '13: Wrigley, BK2, Philly 1 & 2, Hartford
    '14: Ams 1 & 2, Cincy, St Louis, Detroit, Moline '15: Central Park
    '16 Philly 1 & 2, MSG 1 & 2, Toronto 1 & 2, Fenway 1, Wrigley 1
    '17 Brooklyn hall of fame ‘18 Fenway 1 '21 Jersey Shore '22 MSG  '24: MSG1, MSG2
  • nycratsnycrats Posts: 1,351
    edited October 2014
    curse of the dbl post
    Post edited by nycrats on
    '98: Camden 1 '00: JB2 '03: MSG1 '04: Boston 1 '05: AC1
    '06: Irving Plaza, East Rutherford 1 & 2 '07: Lolla '08: Camden 2, MSG2, Beacon
    '09 :Philly 1 & 2 '10: Buffalo, Newark, MSG1, MSG2
    '11: PJ20 1 & 2 '12: Missoula '13: Wrigley, BK2, Philly 1 & 2, Hartford
    '14: Ams 1 & 2, Cincy, St Louis, Detroit, Moline '15: Central Park
    '16 Philly 1 & 2, MSG 1 & 2, Toronto 1 & 2, Fenway 1, Wrigley 1
    '17 Brooklyn hall of fame ‘18 Fenway 1 '21 Jersey Shore '22 MSG  '24: MSG1, MSG2
  • nycratsnycrats Posts: 1,351
    also if you are going to do the all day thing, bring a LOT of gum. your neighbors most likely will have pretty bad breath and you may want to offer them a piece or two
    '98: Camden 1 '00: JB2 '03: MSG1 '04: Boston 1 '05: AC1
    '06: Irving Plaza, East Rutherford 1 & 2 '07: Lolla '08: Camden 2, MSG2, Beacon
    '09 :Philly 1 & 2 '10: Buffalo, Newark, MSG1, MSG2
    '11: PJ20 1 & 2 '12: Missoula '13: Wrigley, BK2, Philly 1 & 2, Hartford
    '14: Ams 1 & 2, Cincy, St Louis, Detroit, Moline '15: Central Park
    '16 Philly 1 & 2, MSG 1 & 2, Toronto 1 & 2, Fenway 1, Wrigley 1
    '17 Brooklyn hall of fame ‘18 Fenway 1 '21 Jersey Shore '22 MSG  '24: MSG1, MSG2
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