Music: RE: [u2tour] GA procedure, my experience in Pittsburgh

Maggie,

I think you were in front of us. We played a few rounds of truth or dare. You guys were great, and so much fun to be around. Dave was awesome too, and I am glad we got to hang with you! It was a great show, and I really wish it was Tuesday night again. The depression is setting in, and I just can't believe it is all over for now. At least we have the memories! Hope to see you guys in the future. If they ever play Philadelphia again, get in touch with me! Take care!

Erin

To: u2tour@yahoogroups.com
From: maggie3661@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 29 Jul 2011 10:01:16 -0700
Subject: Re: [u2tour] GA procedure, my experience in Pittsburgh

Throwing in my two cents....

I guess the people who start the list set the "system." Me and all of my friends flew in from various states TOTALLY prepared to camp out from the time we got our numbers until the moment the doors opened (I packed all kinds of supplies we never used). We had a "backup" hotel room nearby for showers, potty breaks, etc. since none of us were familiar with the amenities in the area. We all actually LIKE the line, love the camaraderie and feel that it's part of the experience. Our "dues," so to speak, for earning a good spot. It's grueling, but it's part of the way things work and a great way to meet people (can I say that two of my friends in Pitts were people I met in Anaheim and totally clicked with?? So, the line is a fun thing!)

I was the first to arrive in Pitts and reach the line (another story....it was hidden under a bridge - totally not visible AT ALL - and I finally had to ask a security guard where it was. But I guess it was "hidden" bc we couldn't be on Heinz property AND for protection from the rain.)

Anyway, I got #78 at 9 a.m. Monday morning. I was prepared to beg and plead to be able to leave the line to go back to the airport and pick up my friends when their flights came in. Imagine my surprise when I was told that the only required "check in" was Tuesday at 7 a,.m. First, 7 am is WAY too late and second, we didn't have to wait in line??? What????

Hey, I'm not gonna lie. The prospect of sleeping in a bed and peeing in a clean toilet was appealing. And someone else set the "rules" so I wasn't going to be an idiot and wear myself out before the show if I didn't HAVE to.

Several of my friends were understandably nervous and we checked back with the list masters in line a number of times throughout the day and night. We even spoke with U2 Dave to get details. A few of my friends wanted to say "screw it" and just stay in line. But there were only ever at MOST 10 people standing around talking (not even camping). There was no fun, no camaraderie, no normal line experience, so we did our own thing. The line wasn't really a line until Tues morning. Again, that was the list starters' choice. I dunno if that's "elite" or just "practical."

The biggest problem, as always, was communication. Originally, everyone with a number was supposed to be back in line at 7 a.m, (too late). Sometime Monday afternoon, that changed to 5 a.m. because U2 Dave was coming to move the line at 6 a.m. Of course, not everyone got the word. THAT'S why some people weren't crossed off the list at 7 a.m. because that's when they were first told to return. I went from #78 on the list, to #80 on my hand, but it was probably really more like 85. That's ok....all bets are off once the doors open.

I luckily picked a short pat-down line (with a female - male/male f/f patdows slowed everyone down), a short ticket scanning line and ran like hell. I was one of the first 15 people in the pit. Secured a rail spot just right of Bono with my friend, #27 , beside me. Lots of people in the #200s were 2nd and 3rd row behind me. Hell, I saw #585 in the 4th row.

The only irritating thing I saw is that a guy who got kicked out of line by fans and U2 Dave for cutting (and actually using someone else's #!) ended up dead center, second row. Whatever. Can't worry about that. It was all good and an amazing show.

Before you think I'm "elite".... I "only" went to 6 shows on this tour, and the primary reason I went to Pitts was to be with my friends. We were all together and felt the love. That's the important thing.

Carry each other.

Maggie

--- On Thu, 7/28/11, Steve Beckberger <threechords@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

From: Steve Beckberger <threechords@sbcglobal.net>

Subject: Re: [u2tour] GA procedure, my experience in Pittsburgh

To: u2tour@yahoogroups.com

Date: Thursday, July 28, 2011, 6:02 PM

Kate,

Yeah while I agree the show was great and Bad/40 was awesome, there was more "gaming by the elite" of the system as time went on this years leg.

It happened in Elevation where you never saw 1-50, there were there "early" and were now resting in the hotel you would be told. Enough of the group would be there so you really could not argue.

Vertigo set it back with the random scan, its intended affect. we showed up at 6am in Boston and were 10-11. The venue did the numbering. Then they let you leave and said be back at 5pm. When the venue does the line, man that was nice, you get the whole day off. I often wondered why others indoor venues didn't take that approach that tour. I know we would have gone to more shows if that was the case.

Anyway, this night before approach came back with a flurry in this last leg, 2011. I didn't think it was as pronounced in '09 here but I agree with the OP about the concept. I thought the Euro's in line at about 50-70 were great and where there all afternoon at Pitt.

That said, yeah it became an elite institution. My question on it is, or was, "is the show time early the next morning ever enforced?" I hear it is like 6am the next morning. Does anyone ever loose their place? I heard that about Toronto.

I met a lot of folks from this tour and the previous that would say oh we follow them around and then be tired during the show and bring the area I am in down a bit. I have seen it numerous times, we all have.

This time though I guess I am not as bothered by it for Pittsburgh since the GA was so alive. By FAR the best GA of my 44 shows I have seen. I do get more bummed when the GA is not as good and all the same "I showed up the night before and got on the list" and then were there and not into it as much.

I guess it is all about "see and be seen".

Anyway, I share your thoughts Kate. Nice post, you put it well.

Yes the campers are already camping in Moncton, at least that is what several folks told me in the line at Pittsburgh. No matter, enjoy the show! I wish I could make it to Moncton, but Pitt will do.

Bad/40 to close. That is rich. :)

sb

----- Original Message -----

From: Erin Basile

To: u2tour@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2011 7:40 PM

Subject: RE: [u2tour] GA procedure, my experience in Pittsburgh

Kate,

I totally agree with you! We had the same problem with the keepers of the list. They added names of people that weren't even there! I think karma is gonna get them in the end. If you are a dishonest liar, it's bound to catch up with you. I could say some really mean things now, but want to end on a positive note. Glad you had a good show otherwise. I thought it was incredible!!

EFarrell

To: u2tour@yahoogroups.com

From: contramundo@bellsouth.net

Date: Fri, 29 Jul 2011 00:02:53 +0000

Subject: [u2tour] GA procedure, my experience in Pittsburgh

OK, the Pittsburgh show was AWESOME. But the GA line "system" was a major downer. We got there at 4am, ready to stay until the show. There were about 20 people there, so we thought we were in good shape. The list holder gets our names down and it turns out I'm number 250-something! So where are the other 230 people ahead of me?! In bed, at breakfast, anywhere but waiting in line! What happened to coming to the GA line and staying to hold your place? Where do you get the secret information to "check in" on the list and then take off? Of course, there's nothing to do about it. No offense to anyone who actually waited in person, and I would have been happy to be in the 200s if 200 people were actually there, but I'm pretty tired of the elite U2 society using unfair tactics to crowd the front of the pit and exclude those of us who are out of the social loop but putting in the effort fairly to get close to our favorite band. When Bono said "I see so many

familiar faces" I just sort of cringed--from the back of the circle.

I won't even bother waiting in line in Moncton. Now I know there's probably already a list up to the hundreds consisting of people who aren't even in New Brunswick yet. Maybe I'll start using the tactics of the drunks who come in late and push their way to the front. Is that really any different than putting your name on a list the night before the show and going back to bed?

Kate in NC

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