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

I'm unable to travel to shows that are not within a reasonable driving distance, which is fine as I'm lucky to live well within the NYC/Philly/DC/Baltimore area and get to at least a handful of shows per tour. I'm also unable to show up at the GA line pretty much any earlier than 7 a.m. since I have three kids who need babysitting and am unable to secure more than 24 hours babysitting for them for any given day. So, with that being said, I'll stick with showing up somewhere between 7 and 9 a.m. on the day of the show and being content being in the second row.... It really doesn't make THAT much of a difference, unless you're just going for bragging rights.
With that being said, however, I am curious as to whether truly, honestly each of the people put on the list has been in that particular city at the particular time he/she is added onto the list. I believe that is the original poster's gripe: There really is no true accounting that *all* of the people on the list are legitimately in that city and "doing their time" to secure their spot, no matter what system has been put in place by U2Dave, the first person in line, or the venue. If I had developed close friendships with die-hard U2ers and we were on message boards and communicating via text/email all of the time, c'mon, it would be REALLY easy to be like--particularly at the end of the tour when everyone's tired of flying from city to city and plunking down a couple hundred bucks for hotel rooms and the novelty of spending a couple of days on the sidewalk has worn off--"Hey, I think I'd like to get a flight in at 2 p.m on the day of the show. You're showing up three days earlier. Will you put me on the list next to you?" That HAS to happen, and that what I think the OP is griping about. Without everyone being physically present, there is no absolute way to ensure that it isn't happening, and that someone "out of the know" showing up at 4 a.m. really, truly, isn't 34 in line if you count being physically present at the venue, or 340th in line according to the list which may only have 5% of the people on the list actually on the sidewalk with the other 95% being in hotel rooms or not actually even in the city. I realize that "check ins" are done, but considering that the first 75 people are pretty much the same people from city to city, it's evident that a lot of tight friendships have formed (which is awesome--I'm not bashing that aspect of it) and my guess is that if half of the people don't show up for check ins, no one is really, truly bumping their friends off of the list.
Jenny

To: u2tour@yahoogroups.com
From: ampbains@hotmail.com
Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2011 13:03:35 +0000
Subject: RE: [u2tour] Re: GA procedure, my experience in Pittsburgh

So because I've been towards the front of multiple lines and I've seen multiple shows, despite the fact that I have only ever started one line, I'm somehow a bully now? Fantastic logic there.

Generalize much?

When people show up that early, they've shown up in a group and someone from the group has STAYED at the venue 24 hours a day until Dave showed up. Dave is an official member of U2's security team, so you better care who he is. The alternative has been the entire line being thrown off property until 7am. Would you prefer that, and having mass chaos because 200 people all showed up at once? THAT is what they were about to do in New York until it was straightened out thanks to Dave (but hey, who cares?).

But what do I know, I'm just a bully.

--- In u2tour@yahoogroups.com, U2Girl <u2girl@...> wrote:

>

> As I read these stories, I must admit I have gotten pretty angry. �First off, who the heck is U2 Dave, Secondly..who cares?? �The entire point of a ga line is to show up as early as you can..and hang out in the line until the gates open. �That is your spot. Period. You show up and get your number. Period. You make friends, talk, sleep..whatever. You get in line. �Who are these people who make these 3 day lists?? �It is impossible for people to get to a place 3 days in advance and follow these�independent�rules. �And yes..I am a huge fan. �Have been since day one..close to 30 years ago. �I see about 2-4 concerts per tour. �What ever happened to "old school" lines. �Lines where people showed up..spend the day (or the night before) in the rain..the heat..�etc..to EARN THEIR SPOT?? �That is half the fun. �If I ran into someone who "nominated"�them self�to be a line manager 3 days in advance..make "check in rules" and so forth..I would laugh

> in their face. These people are nothing but bullies who have seen upwards to 20 shows and think them self to be the ultimate fan. Guess what?? You aren't. �I spent the night on cement during Elevation and Vertigo tours. Yes i signed a sheet and got a number from some yahoo fan. Difference was...we STAYED IN LINE. �I would be FURIOUS if I were in line all night to only have 200 people come the next day and "check in" in front of me. �WTH?? �I usually don't post..but I had to. Enough is enough. Not at all what the band is about. Not what the fans are supposed to be about. Peace!�

>

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