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Ok, I understand that people have a job to do, but, I got straight harassed walking through centeroo for no reason. Here's what happened.
I had a laminate, which afforded me the luxury of getting beer backstage. I ordered a Bud Light, which they gave me in a big 16 oz can - ok, whatever...we walked out the entrance into centeroo - the security there didn't say a word about the can - infact, hadn't said anything about open containers or beers or drinks all weekend (if you entered by the Which stage - if you entered near guest camping, they didn't let you bring ANYTHING in...it was crazy, but, that's another story) anyway, I was just walking along with a few friends drinking my beer, not thinking anything of it. All of a sudden, this guy in a red shirt came up to me and started yelling at me...It took me a sec to figure out what he was yelling at, and then he grabbed my beer out of my hand.
"No cans in centeroo!!!" he screamed. I tried to explain to him that I got it backstage, and that I didn't realize it was a problem because they didn't stop me at the entrance. I showed him my laminate to confirm it. "We don't sell those beers here!" he shouted. my friends tried to explain that we all just came from the backstage area and I did indeed get the beer there. Then he started turning me around and said that he needed to search my bag. My one friend said "What are we doing random bag searches at Bonnaroo now?" to which he replied "She had a beer in a can". I didn't have anything else on me - so, I had nothing to hide, but, WTF??? Come on, it's not like i was brandishing a gun or shooting heroine in the middle of centeroo. Basically, what the problem was, is that he thought I snuck a beer into centeroo - ooooohhhhh noooooooo.....Bonnaroo wouldn't get their $12 for a beer....it wasn't a safety issue, it was an economic issue. That's kinda what made me angry. And, PS, it was a legit beer that Bonnaroo gave me. It was just a real buzz kill.
Anyone else have any stories of overzealous staffers?
Well they do not allow beer in cans inside centeroo he was 100% correct. I am not sure that qualifies as overzealous. It does sound like he could have handled it better though.
Security was pissing me off left and right this weekend. We camped in guest camping, thinking that it would be a major upgrade from GA (where I've spent 4 of the past 5 years), but it was the opposite-- I ended up having a much easier time sneaking beer into Centeroo from GA camping than from the overzealous hagglers at the entrance from guest camping. Like the OP said, I'm fine with security for safety measures, but when they're strictly there to bolster 'Roos economic bottom line, that's when I begin to look elsewhere for my music.
Most of the time the enrtance was much better than last year, but Saturday afternoon during the blazing heat and a huge line to get in, the guy searching bags in our line, not only went through every single pocket, but sniffed every pocket of the bags and back packs. I'm all for safety, but I really felt that was overkill especially when it gets so hot waiting in that line.
Security was pissing me off left and right this weekend. We camped in guest camping, thinking that it would be a major upgrade from GA (where I've spent 4 of the past 5 years), but it was the opposite-- I ended up having a much easier time sneaking beer into Centeroo from GA camping than from the overzealous hagglers at the entrance from guest camping. Like the OP said, I'm fine with security for safety measures, but when they're strictly there to bolster 'Roos economic bottom line, that's when I begin to look elsewhere for my music.
So you are mad they are looking out for their bottom line when you got a comp pass? Unless you bought the guest pass of ebay you do not have a lot to gripe about. Even if you did it was still a free pass they handed out, you are the one who thought it would be some kind of free for all pass not just shaded camping.
Last Edit: Jun 16, 2010 10:09:13 GMT -5 by Deleted - Back to Top
Post by Mean Mr. Mustard on Jun 16, 2010 10:07:51 GMT -5
Its weird you all had problems, because I came in both of the entrances to centeroo several times over the weekend and never once did the security person actually look in my backpack. Myself and everyone in my group found the security more relaxed than we had ever seen it this year. They didnt even search our RV this year where last year they had us all stand out side while they ripped the whole thing apart to the point it took us at least an hour to reorganize it. I guess it is just timing and luck of the draw.
I was also in guest camping. The guest Which stage entrance was rediculous. Not only were they making us dump beer but also water and they were searching our bag much more than the main arch entrance. Which, by the way asked to see my wrist band and as soon as they saw it was green they waved me through. They were doing this for all guest and people with THAT PASSES. I know of people with the THAT PASS were friends and family of an artist so they were pissed.
At my sisters camp over in POD 1 had problems too. With the security that was at the street. They were being rediculous with crossing. Yelling at the people trying to cross"CROSS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF ME, NOT THE LEFT!" and then stopping people from going around her. Then they closed the side entrance way early. When I spoke to the supervisior they weren't supposed to do that.
So basically the "safety" in the purple and pink shirts were morons, and the yellows were ok.
Jess, it wasn't so much expecting to get treated better than everyone else. But at the main entrances I did get a better treatment. But at the entrance from my campsite I had to go through a different search? Especially when that was the entrance for guest/press/artist. Just a little wierd and inconsistant when it shouldn't be.
I was hit or miss all weekend. Overall, going in at the entrance near the ferris wheel was much easier. Lines were shorter, searching was faster. I had my bag off and open every time. They seemed to be searching harder at the arch. I even saw some security guys searching bags telling the security guys who were combing it over to lighten up.
Jess, it wasn't so much expecting to get treated better than everyone else. But at the main entrances I did get a better treatment. But at the entrance from my campsite I had to go through a different search? Especially when that was the entrance for guest/press/artist. Just a little wierd and inconsistant when it shouldn't be.
They probably had more security there so they could keep people out. Dumping water sucks, dumping beer is completely understandable to me. Personally I never had any trouble at the ga entrances, I never waited more than 5 minutes, and I think only once did they check my pockets. 07 was the worst for that imo I remember it being 20+ minutes every time I wanted to get in.
Yea, I never had one issue going through any security. when you get in line you can tell who is doing the heavy checks and who is doing light ones. I would just move into that line. I did see a kid get suplexed during ween in the back. I told security to let the kid breath and that it was too hot to be killing someone.
Jess, they were making us dump everything. And as far as going in to the guest area, well they kind of sucked at that too. I saw a bunch of GA bracelets in the guest area on Friday night. So they were just wrong. But we just went to the entrance on that came off of guest hospitality and they had a yellow safety guy who was just checking wristbands.
Post by jellyphish on Jun 16, 2010 11:44:32 GMT -5
yeah, entering through the guest entrance (by the Cinema) - they were hard core about not letting you in with anything - only water if it was sealed - and they searched my bag every time. I had a That Pass as well - which, doesn't mean that I should have special treatment, but, I'm just calling for a little consistency - if you walked through the guest/press walkway to hospitality (behind the Which stage) you could get a beer/drink/water/etc and walk out with it on the other side of the which stage...strange. We asked them about it, and they said that it was 2 different companies staffing the 2 entrances and that was their rules. The other folks must have had other rules...they were really cool about it, and one time it caught us off guard and they wouldn't let us through with our beers, they were just like "Hang over there and finish them". My friend was so funny, he tried to slip them a $20 to let us through with the drinks, and the kid guarding the entrance refused it. We were laughing our heads off. (my friend was pretty drunk when it happened) it was just funny. They were cool, no problem with them, just the fact that there wasn't consistency with the rules.
Post by unregistered on Jun 16, 2010 11:49:49 GMT -5
Coming in from VIP both on the side of What and near the arch I think the longest I had to wait was about 10 minutes and that was the most thorough search of the weekend.
By Saturday the entrance on the side of What near the VIP hill was searching but I really don't understand why. They still patted my pockets and felt the beer cans but waved me on through anyway. The one guy found my bag of favors and handed it back to me. The one time I stopped to finish the drink I had in a plastic cup the guy pointed me out, told me I didn't have to finish and basically pulled me through security w/ cup in hand.
By Saturday afternoon I was just walking right through w/ open cans of beers and red plastic cups plainly visible in my hand without any questions.
The only thing I had "confiscated" was a sampling of the beef jerky that I was munching on and that was done by a pleasant request. ;D
I'm guessing attitude and appearance have a lot to do with me not being hassled. Don't act like a jerk to security and they won't act like a jerk to you.
Post by monkybunney on Jun 16, 2010 11:52:30 GMT -5
Must be luck of the draw. Only once was I asked to empty my pockets (GPS, cell phone, several bottles of water & smokes). But i always looked for the line being searched by "scruffy looking" folks with smiles on their faces, and when I approached I had my bag and all pockets on it unzipped and open. They would barely even glance at it.
I did see a guy who was searching every single pocket at the which stage entrance on Sat. i just avoided that line, and made it in fine with my *various things*. We used the Which Stage entrance most of the time.
Post by michaelclegg on Jun 16, 2010 11:59:44 GMT -5
no problem with security.....Just the fact that u couldn't wear camel backs and they would make u dump em..... but everytime I went to Centeroo I would get either lightly patted down or nothing........By Sat. night they were just checkin my bracelet.
Its weird you all had problems, because I came in both of the entrances to centeroo several times over the weekend and never once did the security person actually look in my backpack. Myself and everyone in my group found the security more relaxed than we had ever seen it this year. They didnt even search our RV this year where last year they had us all stand out side while they ripped the whole thing apart to the point it took us at least an hour to reorganize it. I guess it is just timing and luck of the draw.
That is what sucks about the whole thing is it is hit and miss. It was nice when you didn't have to wait in line to enter centeroo. Some people will never know how awesome it used to be. Now it's the it thing to do and they will survive off of the popularity for years. Advertising alone will keep them going.
I had just about zero problems all weekend with security at the archway entrance. I always had my camelback full and never had to dump it. One time a woman said I couldn't bring in the two 5 hour energy drinks I had in my bag. I just tossed them and let it go.
I think it is really important to have your bag's zippers already open and openly facing the security when you get to them. If you make them work, they will.
Post by Kanye West on Jun 16, 2010 16:45:01 GMT -5
I had almost no problems, I used the ferris wheel entrance all weekend though. only thing that happened was that the guy wouldn't let me bring in one of those energy shots but whatever
I had almost no problems, I used the ferris wheel entrance all weekend though. only thing that happened was that the guy wouldn't let me bring in one of those energy shots but whatever
No 5 hr energies!? that is ridiculous!
Late night Saturday, I was reentering that entrance "enhanced" and there was no line. This huge security guy started going through all my stuff and he found my friends nice 5 yr old piece and almost g of good, I tried to plead with him but he wasn't having it! He put it on the ground next to him and in my state i took that as "grab it from the ground, not him" and he almost got real aggressive! I even tried to pay some people to try and snatch it for me! (I'm a small dude and was not in any condition to run for my life!) I couldn't find anyone in better shape than me so I had to let it go!
That chit almost ruined my trip! Deacon rescued any feelings I had before hand! In the last 3 yrs, this was the only issue I've had with security. I've had people look at my stuff, put it back in my bag and let me go!
Post by dirtmcgirt on Jun 16, 2010 18:12:20 GMT -5
Never had any problems with security personally. Always had my bag open and pockets empty. They did a quick peek inside the bag and pat down and that was it. Didnt bother to even check water bottles or cigs. My buddy got some 5 hour energies and about 500 glow sticks taken tho.
my friend had 4 glow bracelets. One for each of us. She was a little tipsy when she went through and left some airplane bottles of vodka in her purse. The guard took everything out and said "no glow sticks" Then put the vodka back in.
Post by StringerBell on Jun 16, 2010 19:17:30 GMT -5
Ridic. Every single time I went into Centeroo I got molested. One dude actually told me to take off my shoes so he could look in them???? I'm not a sketchy looking dude, but I never have had this kind of experience with the security at Roo. They even confiscated a lighter?!?!!?
Post by stallion pt. 2 on Jun 16, 2010 19:43:07 GMT -5
This was the most lax security year for me ever in 9 years. I seriously didn't have to even empty my pockets once going into Centeroo.
That said, I've encountered some real dicks in the past, and it sounds like you had one chase you down. Just remember they're not cops and you have a right to halt any search at any time and walk away from their dumb asses.
John: We don't even understand our own music Spider: It doesn't, does it matter whether we understand it? At least it'll give us . . . strength John: I know but maybe we could get into it more if we understood it
i had no problems with security. i must have brought in like a case of beer in friday night.but my friend that went in the entrance by the general store got some very good stuff taken from him during the search, i know that security guy had a good night after that score
i was in camp chewbaca and had no problems. going into to centeroo with just about anything was easy. the only thing i can say i had a problem with was golf carts. these guys cutting across the grass were nucking futs. when i was at dmb this guy cut through the crowd going way to fast and ran over my shoes that just happened to be next to my head while i was stretched out waiting for the concert to start. i honestly thought someone was going to get hurt. i guess he did not like dmb.
