Front Gate

[MissBubu]

First - an apology to everyone for all the conflicting and changing rules this year. We don't find out what the changes are until our morning meetings.

Now for the bad news. Apparently someone decided to smuggle in vodka during the Labor Day weekend and got caught. This means that NO liquids of any sort are allowed in unless they are specifically for a small child (preferably in a stroller). We now have to check flasks and either make people empty them at the gate or take them back to their vehicles. Water bottles are only allowed in empty. Most patrons were understanding about the new ruling, but there were a few that were irate. I pointed out the mailing address of MAF on the back of the brochure for them.

Thanks to all of you who make our jobs easier. I have more respect for TSA workers now.

[TheFerret]

Now it makes sense. A friend of mine stopped by the booth and had a water bottle for his very pregnant girl friend. He related that when he said it was water for her that he was told that it might be vodka for him. I'd wondered why such a comment was made.

[Muffin]

Dumping out flasks for sure sucks... I know a few of you had to do that... 

As far as I know that has always been the rule, even if they really were not enforcing it... but just remember... they are not going to "search" you at the gate.... 

[MissBubu]

We haven't been checking any bags, backpacks, etc. We're much too busy trying to catch the obvious stuff - like unsheathed blades, guns (including replicas), and bare feet.

Speaking of weapons, they've told us to peace-tie bodice daggers. We've been told to peace-tie weapons to the body. This could be interesting.

[Sitara]

Once when I was I patron, my staff ended up being peace tied to my wrist.  I think that was just Adam being a smart weed puller though.

[MissBubu]

Adam - a smart weed puller?   

My favorite peace-tie was a potato peeler in a sheath. I look at it as having a good excuse to grope men. 

[Celtic Lush]

So, what's the mood at the front gate this weekend? Any flasks emptied at the gate? Bodice daggers confiscated? Waaas up?

[Kiss-me-Kate]

Goody and I walked out and back in thru the front gate, towards the end of the day with no problems.  However, that said, we were behaving ourselves and didn't call attention to our bags/flasks or behavior either.

Not that we had anything to confiscate.   

[Lady Figaro]

On Saturday morning, they were asking if you had any flasks on you.  They will not open your pouches/bags, but if they see a flask in your pouch, they will ask you to dump it or bring it to your car.  Just ask Mad Jack.....

[MissBubu]

Sunday was great - people were really nice and either had things well hidden or didn't have contraband with them.

Saturday was horrible! I've never dealt with so many nasty drunks! Andre (supervisor) got doused with the contents of someone's water bottle when they were told they couldn't bring the water in. I had so many people try to "sneak" booze in during my shifts. They weren't even trying to hide it! The guy on the scooter was the pinnacle (or nadir) of them all. He had a guy riding on the front of the scooter and his mug full of beer in the basket. Later on he ran into the exit gate at a good clip.

A favor to front gate, please pop the cork on your mugs and tip them upside down when you come through. It will save both of us lots of time.

[Ethel]

Andre got doused?  Oh, no!

I wish I had seen the scooter guy in person.  The description sounded delightfully messed up.

[Kiss-me-Kate]

I heard other wild things went on as well.  Not necessarily in the front gate either.


It must have been pain in the arse drunk day on saturday.

We had to yell at a group of drunks at the chess  board for banging the pieces together or against the stone board. I thought the guy I work with was going to lose it.

Teak and stone do NOT mix well when you add drunks into the mix. 

[Muffin]

Ah yes the Wine weekend... Notorious for drunk peoples..... 

yet another reason for me to keep shouting BEER at the wino's!!! 

[MissBubu]

It's one thing for people to get drunk while enjoying their day at fest, I've done it myself. It's another thing to come to the front gate already stumbling drunk and toting enough booze to get half the place sloshed. I personally have never been bothered by flasks, there's not enough there to do much damage, but insulated mugs are a whole 'nother story.

[Nikita]

I sell flasks and even then warned people "Hide them or else, ok?" - and I was very pleased that MY friends asked to take them to their cars did so....and then sucked down my booze all day dangnubbit!