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My experience was pretty good in regards to security. The car check went smooth, they checked the glovebox, center console, door pockets, etc. They also opened my clothes bag and my linen bag. My coolers (one with ice/dry ice, one with food beer) was under my EZ-Up but easy to access. I told them I would take the EZ-up out for them but they said don't worry about it and I was in. A car full of kids was not so lucky as I was in the line. They had Tennessee's finest go through every single nook and cranny of their car, gear, clothes, food, everything. Access to Centeroo: I crotched my corn and opened my backpack and every time greeted the yellow shirt with a big 'Hello!', look in the eye, and a smile. Never had an issue at all. Half full bottle of water? not a problem. Everywhere else: I saw lots of walkie-talkies on shoulders on 'normal' looking folks. My camp was so hard to access, even on Sunday, there was nothing to worry about. Plus I always keep my expensive stuff out of sight/ locked-up anyway. The vibe: Friday night tweeked me out a little. The crowds for Tiesto et. al. were a bit more hard-core than I am accustomed to at Roo. It seemed like the vibe was a bit more about the harder stuff if you know what I mean. Saturday everyone was more relaxed and were having a great time. Sunday everyone seemed spent and the debauchery had subsided considerably. my $.02
Last Edit: Jun 17, 2008 6:27:20 GMT -5 by pisgah - Back to Top
Yeah, that's pretty accurate, I think. I wasn't at Tiesto, but a couple of my friends said the people were really aggressive there...another guy had no problems, so I dunno. Everyone definitely seemed to get out all their pent-up energy on Friday, as the next two days were much more chill.
As far as security, if not for my one bad experience on Sunday, I'd be saying I had no problems. They just caught me napping, basically, I wasn't expecting the guy to get all CIA on me. My fault...I'd say the security really wasn't any different from any other year. Except when they took food...I saw them refuse to let girls in with oranges and stuff, that's ridiculous...and I was allowed to bring in a bag of jerky. The taking of people's food offended me more than the guy taking my stuff.
when you buy the ticket you're in theory agreeing to play by the rules they write up, the not allowed list, etc... people get by despite those, but i don't think you can find fault with them for the few times they fully live up to the rules. and they own the land and run the show, so it seems reasonable that they'd make and enforce (or not enforce) whatever rules they saw fit...
What seems reasonable is that they not completely tear through peoples cars because all the guards are getting there heads up there asses, punch drunk with power. Furthermore, aside from the [glow=green,2,300]undercover plainclothes cop[/glow] busting the corndealer right next to my tent was waaay outta line. Also i found several security to be complete D!cks. You're directing trafic, you're not the warden from coolhand luke.
because all the guards are getting there heads up there asses, punch drunk with power.
This is my main problem. That's not really Bonnaroo's fault, though...just the individuals who powertrip. Look up the Stanford Prison Experiment if you want some insight into that.
I can't believe they were busting people for corn inside the camping area, at starscape I was burning corn right in the cops faces and all they did was give me a bottle of water.
My first experience with Bonnaroo? "You! Pull over here, NOW!" Random car search. It started with the psych out. 1st they asked me if I had anything (listed every drug i could ever think of). I lied and said no. Then he went to my friend/passenger seat. "What about you buddy? You look... nervous... You know if I find you lie I can take you all to jail. I don't care what it is. If I find one SEED in this car I will take you all to jail. No music. No fun. Your whole drive from... Massachusetts ruined. Or, you can admit you have weed (I know you do), and get off with a little ticket, and have fun all weekend. This isn't my 1st rodeo partner, I know you have something. The last guy, we had to tear off his fender, found a couple bags. He's on his way to jail right now. You wanna go to jail partner? Why do you look so nervous? Nothing? Ok, well, out of the car, I want ID from all of you." We all give our IDs, at which point he tells us that if he finds any alcohol we will go to jail unless we fess up. Again, we claim to have none (it was clear and in water bottles). Then the search began. The glove box contained cigars, my registration, and... my friend's EPIPEN. "Hey, what's this. An epi- what? For what? Allergies? Hey Frank, you ever hear of an 'epipen'? No? Thought not." At which point he began trying to take it apart. We had to call other people over to help explain to him that this was a life saving drug that had to be with him at all times. He let it go. Reluctantly. Next the trunk. On the very top, our flag. "Don't Tread On Me", to go with our Ron Paul bumper sticker. "Whats with the flag kid? What's the snake, a joint? yea, you selling drugs here? I don't think so kid." At which point I gave a brief history lesson, and then even more brief, explained its connection to my Ron Paul bumper sticker and flyer collection. "Never heard of him". They then proceeded to go into our food. Opened our unopened pretzels, looked around in there, opened the box of Krispy Kremes (but, thankfully for us, never looked UNDER the donuts!). Looked in the crannies in the trunk. All this in about 5 minutes, but with 6 fully armed policemen. Finally, after seeing that our pretzels were all clear, he let us go. "Yea, most of that was just to psych you out". Absolutely freaking ridiculous. I can see a search, but trying to take an epipen and opening perishable foods without any reason to be suspicious? Over the freaking top.
Otherwise though, I had no trouble getting around. Just pick the fast line going in. I did see one guy in the comedy tent line who was drinking out of a can have a security guy walk up to him, take his can, and wordlessly walk off. The guy then chased him, and a fight almost broke out. Though, I was sitting near a guard while watching 2 guys do a line of coke during Lupe, and he didn't even move.
never heard of that before...we had no problems openly doing whatever we wanted
Me too. Been the last 3 years and never had a problem anywhere near that.
This year, however, stuff was crazy on Sunday, and the police had the space to efficiently search the camp grounds with so many people already gone. First (and hopefully last) case of that I've heard or been in.
can anyone tell me how the police are able to search the camp grounds now? does it have anything to do with the fact that superfly has bought most of the farm?
from what i understand in years past, they were not even allowed on the property b/c it was private.
My first experience with Bonnaroo? "You! Pull over here, NOW!" Random car search. It started with the psych out. 1st they asked me if I had anything (listed every NO NO WORD!!!! i could ever think of). I lied and said no. Then he went to my friend/passenger seat. "What about you buddy? You look... nervous... You know if I find you lie I can take you all to jail. I don't care what it is. If I find one SEED in this car I will take you all to jail. No music. No fun. Your whole drive from... Massachusetts ruined. Or, you can admit you have weed (I know you do), and get off with a little ticket, and have fun all weekend. This isn't my 1st rodeo partner, I know you have something. The last guy, we had to tear off his fender, found a couple bags. He's on his way to jail right now. You wanna go to jail partner? Why do you look so nervous? Nothing? Ok, well, out of the car, I want ID from all of you." We all give our IDs, at which point he tells us that if he finds any alcohol we will go to jail unless we fess up. Again, we claim to have none (it was clear and in water bottles). Then the search began. The glove box contained cigars, my registration, and... my friend's EPIPEN. "Hey, what's this. An epi- what? For what? Allergies? Hey Frank, you ever hear of an 'epipen'? No? Thought not." At which point he began trying to take it apart. We had to call other people over to help explain to him that this was a life saving NO NO WORD!!!! that had to be with him at all times. He let it go. Reluctantly. Next the trunk. On the very top, our flag. "Don't Tread On Me", to go with our Ron Paul bumper sticker. "Whats with the flag kid? What's the snake, a joint? yea, you selling NO NO WORD!!!! here? I don't think so kid." At which point I gave a brief history lesson, and then even more brief, explained its connection to my Ron Paul bumper sticker and flyer collection. "Never heard of him". They then proceeded to go into our food. Opened our unopened pretzels, looked around in there, opened the box of Krispy Kremes (but, thankfully for us, never looked UNDER the donuts!). Looked in the crannies in the trunk. All this in about 5 minutes, but with 6 fully armed policemen. Finally, after seeing that our pretzels were all clear, he let us go. "Yea, most of that was just to psych you out". Absolutely freaking ridiculous. I can see a search, but trying to take an epipen and opening perishable foods without any reason to be suspicious? Over the freaking top.
Otherwise though, I had no trouble getting around. Just pick the fast line going in. I did see one guy in the comedy tent line who was drinking out of a can have a security guy walk up to him, take his can, and wordlessly walk off. The guy then chased him, and a fight almost broke out. Though, I was sitting near a guard while watching 2 guys do a line of coke during Lupe, and he didn't even move.
Go figure.
ok that is the most ridiculous thing i have ever heard. i was searched by the cops last year, and they were definitely trying to psych us out, but this is just WAY over the top.
and they didn't even have a reason to search us; we were totally clean.
Post by krunchykat on Jun 17, 2008 12:16:57 GMT -5
Were the camps that were searched north of brushy branch road? I think (not for sure) that superfly only rents/leases those campgrounds. I saw cops riding up and down brushy branch all weekend but only saw them once south of brushy branch in the camps and they looked like they were in a hurry. I got hasseled more this year with security from the gates till Sun. nite
Only problem I had with security was when I picked the fast moving line only to find a supervisor quick checking everyone til he got to me. And says" Whoa Pardner, where YOU goin." And proceeds to give me what seemed like a cavity search. Then proceeded to tell me to "Enjoy what you're gunna do in there tonight. How cool is that?" He actually said how cool is that. What a freaking tool. I dont exactly look kosher, Dreads, Patch Work, Tye Dye. So I know this guy profiled me because my frat boy(literally, no disrespect) friends got in with a quick pat and wave. Oh and I heard a supervisor say "come on guys lets find some good stuff" one night. and on sunday a redneck guy was heard mumbling "gimme some good stuff, weed, heroin I want it."
Other than all that the vibe was extremely chill. Ate corn right beside a guard during Israel Vibration. And indulged openly all weekend.
Yeah, the first two days were bad, but after that they didn't care. I was let in with 3 bottles of water, one was opened (OH NOES!!). I saw another guy with a water bottle filled with rum - he got let in with it. There was one guy in yellow who glanced in my bag and waved me through. He didn't search me, fortunately, because I had a lot of glowsticks in my pants.
This man came up to me just the other day, asked me I'd been born again. I told him, "I didn't think I had." That I had been rejected. But I think, Hell's got all the good bands anyway. And Bonnaroo.
Only problem I had with security was when I picked the fast moving line only to find a supervisor quick checking everyone til he got to me. And says" Whoa Pardner, where YOU goin." And proceeds to give me what seemed like a cavity search. Then proceeded to tell me to "Enjoy what you're gunna do in there tonight. How cool is that?" He actually said how cool is that. What a freaking tool. I dont exactly look kosher, Dreads, Patch Work, Tye Dye. So I know this guy profiled me because my frat boy(literally, no disrespect) friends got in with a quick pat and wave. Oh and I heard a supervisor say "come on guys lets find some good stuff" one night. and on sunday a redneck guy was heard mumbling "gimme some good stuff, weed, heroin I want it."
Other than all that the vibe was extremely chill. Ate corn right beside a guard during Israel Vibration. And indulged openly all weekend.
What color were their shirts? People seem to have felt like the yellowshirts were a lot more douche-y.
our car search was easy. you could tell that guy didnt wanna be there. he just stood there with his arms crossed and was like "got any drugs? ok i checked you..."
That is the one thing that bothers me, the inconsistency in security. Either you let it in or your dont. I dont understand taking Snacks away from people or beef jerky, either they all get on the same page or dont. I am not gonna lie i smuggled stuff and looked at all the lines then got in the one with the least searching, but it was like some people got searched harder than others, it was obnoxious.
Our RV was searched, and this jack ass goes through my bag, needless to say thats where i had most of my cash. He got even more curious when he saw that there was money in there and kept tearing into my bag trying to get an angle to palm some of my dough. He then got into my prescription meds!!!! and emptied them onto his grubby ass hands. Thats when I flipped but I calmly spoke to him (in the nicest possible tone). I was like dude thats my medicine that i have to ingest and you poured them out into your dirty ass hands! He was all like what ever dude, get in your car and get moving. When he said that I about flipped and my brother told me that it was not worth getting hassled even more.
Later that same quack head was the security guy letting people into the pit at the main stage and I would just look at him while I would walk in and make him feel bad.
GRR that angered me.
Last Edit: Jun 17, 2008 13:37:39 GMT -5 by malo - Back to Top
As my Inebriated buddy walks out of the Porto, he yells out, "Dude...I love this place...bonnaroo thinks about everything...they even put beer holders next to the toilet!"
Had to break it to him that that was the urnal. Good times good times!
i forgot i had my meds in my backpack on thursday and volunteered to show him my id to match thebottle and he was cool with it. Our car search was easy, the guy was real chill got us out chatted to us asked us who we were excited to see nosed around lightly and told to to have a hell of a time. And the guys were yellow shirts who hassled me.
When we pulled up around 6AM friday morning, we had about 6 guys in their low 20s (looked like volunteers) just browse through our car. We were just standing and talking to a couple of em and they were like "yeah, we just hope we find some pot in here so we can smoke it." lol. unfortunately for them, we didnt come in with anything.
Going into Centeroo was a mixed experience. Sometimes, mostly right after is got dark, they took a good 5 minutes to check me out. Others, I just walked through, carrying open water bottles, open gatorades, etc.
One note that i made though: I had one of those coin things that you would take to the pool or laundromat or something, which i kept my shit in. And they never once even questioned it, let alone opened it.
i don't know how tight security really was. i met a couple who "snuck in" to bonnaroo at Phil & Friends on saturday night. They apparently got some purple ribbon and stapled it together and got Right into Centeroo.
the bracelets looked terrible, but... i mean, you guys are right security was EXTRA tight this year!
We were in VIP and I had no problem with any of security, when coming in on Thursday morning all they asked if we had any glass and we said no, this was my 5th Roo and I told them I knew the routine and they said get back in your car and go....As for getting into CenterRoo daily from VIP....no problems at all they never touched me or hasseled me or anyone in our group....On Thursday night though the line from VIP on the side entrance, was really backed up and I just got through and one of the Supervisors came up and said hey, dont search the VIP's so hard keep them moving and get them in....That made me feel good....all in all security for VIP was awesome...as for the shady scenes some people are talking about I think is just bunk, the scene really was no different from any of the last 5 that I have been too....people say this every year too....Oh well I will be back in VIP again next year
Fascinating how everyone has a different experience. This is my 3rd Roo in VIP and each year the security has gotten more difficult. There were many new flaws in the way they ran VIP this year, but essentially we got searched every time we went in to either Centeroo or the Main stage. First time for me that it's happened like that.
Were the camps that were searched north of brushy branch road? I think (not for sure) that superfly only rents/leases those campgrounds. I saw cops riding up and down brushy branch all weekend but only saw them once south of brushy branch in the camps and they looked like they were in a hurry. I got hasseled more this year with security from the gates till Sun. nite
I was at Camp Jeff Spicolli, so yeah it was. That could have something to do with it, but I'm not sure.
They sort of ravaged the car a bit more than normal. They checked our glove box too. The centeroo security was more lax than last year I felt. There were a few people who didn't check at all,and others who searched your cig pack, every zippered pocket and all your baggies. you just had to be aware of how fast the line was moving.
On Friday my friends and I entered Centeroo at the new entrance near VIP. My two friends go in, but the security guy stops me because I have a bottled water in my hand with a few sips missing. He tells me I have to chug it or get rid of it. So, I try to argue with the guy about the lousy tasting water in Centeroo when I hear one of my friends yell out "tell them your a lawyer, Mac." The security guy says, "you a lawyer? what kind of law?" I tell him and he responds that he is a lawyer too. With that said, he lets me in with the water. Go figure!
Post by cajunmike420 on Jun 18, 2008 10:37:40 GMT -5
i saw kids getting busted on shakedown left and right. me and my friends kept spotting bush narcs everywhere and yelling narcarooo at them. this weedend was sad. bonnaroo is dead.
i saw kids getting busted on shakedown left and right. me and my friends kept spotting bush narcs everywhere and yelling narcarooo at them. this weedend was sad. bonnaroo is dead.
i had absolutely zero problems whatsoever. snuck beers into centeroo constantly.
This was my first Roo, but I had no problems at all with security or getting searched. No car search coming in, very light (if any) bag searching into centeroo, and they never once checked my pockets or patted me down. Guess I wasn't a person of interest? I actually never saw anyone getting checked thoroughly. We all got in with open bottles of water and snacks.
As for campsites, I NEVER saw security in the camps in tent-only. I will say that I was usually only at camp to sleep, so I wasn't around a whole lot, but I never saw anyone get busted for anything while I was there.
The vibe was good for the most part. There were some inconsiderate people, but that's to be expected anywhere. They were usually drunk, and a lot of people are agressive with then drink, so I chalked it up to drunkness. We had some nice neighbors but we also had some apathetic neighbors. They were obviously there to ingest as many NO NO WORDS as they could. I'm not sure I ever heard them speak about any shows.... sort of sad to me.
can anyone tell me if they noticed a difference in the number of people that attended? i keep hearing that they sold way less tickets this year, but no one has commented on it being less crowded than last year, or even the year before.