29 replies to this topic

[eFestivals]

I was in the campervan fields for the first time this year which meant going in and out the site many times - and each time my ticket photo was checked very carefully.

Since I've been back I've had an email from the mother of someone who bought a ticket from someone who posted here - that mother was pissed off cos her daughter didn't get in cos her face didn't match the photo.

That mother wanted to know why I'd allowed people to sell tickets here when the tickets weren't transferable. I pointed out that I have a dilemma about those sales, as the system is designed to stop touting, not to make people who have a ticket they can't use lose their money - and that it's exce3edingly unlikely that any buyer didn't know that they were taking a risk.

Anyway, I know the checks at Gate C were very strict, but was it like that at the other gates?

[AnnaGrant]

Strict at Gate D.  I was asked to remove sunglasses and hat, all tickets were scanned inside a box, and wristbands were checked, including tugging them to check they were securely fastened.

[pinback]

eFestivals, on 28 June 2011 - 10:29 AM, said:

I was in the campervan fields for the first time this year which meant going in and out the site many times - and each time my ticket photo was checked very carefully.

Since I've been back I've had an email from the mother of someone who bought a ticket from someone who posted here - that mother was pissed off cos her daughter didn't get in cos her face didn't match the photo.

That mother wanted to know why I'd allowed people to sell tickets here when the tickets weren't transferable. I pointed out that I have a dilemma about those sales, as the system is designed to stop touting, not to make people who have a ticket they can't use lose their money - and that it's exce3edingly unlikely that any buyer didn't know that they were taking a risk.

Anyway, I know the checks at Gate C were very strict, but was it like that at the other gates?

I stayed in Tangerine Fields for the first time this year, outside Gate B. The ticket/wristband checks were extremely thorough every day, but the staff were also charming and polite with it.

[johnmcga]

Nothing of the sort at gate A when I went through on Wednesday afternoon (around 4pm, I think). They pased the ticket under UV light (I think), had a cursory look at the photo, then wristbanded me up.

There was quite a long queue at the time, so perhaps they were under pressure to get people through faster?

[tolywoly]

We came through Gate D, and yeah they did spend longer scrutinising the photo than last year. They checked it even more carefully when I came back in with a pass out.

Incidentally Neil, I mean't to introduce myself during the cider bus meet but didn't get the chance. Another time.

[Yesiamaduck]

I saw 5 people questioned at Gate A whilst I was having my ticket checked... quite often people were going 'you have any other ID?'

[Laura_Babs]

Two friends used tickets without their faces on and had no problems at all but it was a very stressful expirience for all involved.This was at gate c on Wednesday lunchtime. I also saw five caterers being refused reentry because theyd cut the end of their wristband off for hygiene reasons. They were unimpressed and had to go to the little blue hut to get it sorted.

[Phil-itfc]

passed through Gate C wednesday lunch time the girl spent a good 20-30 seconds looking at the photo and looking at me (photo on the ticket is about 4 years old)then she let me in. we went out later in the afternoon to pick up the booze and had my ticket studied as well as my bag searched when I re-entered.

[Amii]

My 40 year old bald ex boss got in. On a 20 year olds ticket, who has long black hair. But then he did wig up!

They looked VERY closely at my photo. The the man sarcasticly said "niiiice photo". Alright, it was taken when I was 15 with very short hair, but come on  

[camperman]

Yes they were and so they should be, gate A was very stringent even with a disabled exta wrist band which is only isued once in the disabled camp field, my only concern is a paper ticket is not up to frenquent five day use in wet conditions. my was in a right state when gate steward had to look at pic in heavey rain and then scan it by the time i got it back it was like wet kitchen roll. having said that glasto is what you make it, and mine was f--king briliant.

[fat_man_joe]

We are very strict. The amount of people with ticket problems is countless. We had to turn away the lead singer of Metronomy for about 90minutes til he managed to ring someone to bring him his pass out ticket, etc.

[sedra]

Came in gate C at about 9.45am- it was raining and most people had hoods up or hats on- I could have been anyone! Just got a cursory glance and waved through! My ticket was all crumpled and wet too!

[geebus]

I was campervanning there too and didn't feel the ticket checks were much more thorough than last year when I was going back and forward to D a fair bit.

As for the moaning mother - I think it has been made pretty damn clear that you're taking a risk when buying them.  I suspect with some perseverance most should get in anyway.

[PabloCoke]

as ever its the luck of the draw, I know 3 people who walked in no bother and one who got turned away(although that was a white man trying  asian woman's ticket!)

[dicka]

I was was in a caravan in Blue East and when I first entered the main festival area I was asked my address when I had to show my ticket this is the first time I have had this done.  Had to laugh as the first two times I entered the site I got stopped and searched by the same security guy was going to go straight in to be searched on the third day but the security guy that stopped me was not there.

[eFestivals]

rather amusingly, my son got out and in the gate without being issued a pass-out, and with his photo cut out from his ticket.

But there were good reasons for all that (his photo had been used on his kidz field staff laminate), and the gate staff (the 'gate monitors', not the stewards) were very helpful and thoughtful in how they dealt with his unusual ticket situation - so all praise to them for being smart enough to recognise that sometimes things can be done outside of the rules for the right reasons.

[Redwinevino]

I was covered head to toe in mud at Gate A coming in and the guy just laughed said "I really want to hug you and make you feel better" as I looked like I was at the end of my life ticket wasn't even looked it!

It was my own however

Edited by Redwinevino, 28 June 2011 - 11:15 AM.

[Bexxxxx]

I was in campervan east again this year, so passed through PGC twice every day. I also went through PGA a couple of times. I actually felt the checks were less strict than last year - not once did i feel that any of the gate stewards were really checking the pic was me.  Last year PGC gate staff frequently asked me to remove my sunglasses, hat etc....

Edit for typo

Edited by Bexxxxx, 28 June 2011 - 11:32 AM.

[geebus]

Oh what did surprise me was getting searched LEAVING gate C on Friday night.
Totally didn't expect so wouldn't have been looking, err, 'guilty'... it all ended up fine thankfully.

[Pinhead]

Pass outs should have been given to any ticket holders upon exit. Obviously kids young enough to not need one don't need a pass out.

I think I posted on here somewhere before the festival in response to the number of tickets being transferred that people should be aware that we (Oxfam) were all being told to tighten our game for this year regarding photo checks. This was reiterated during the steward briefings and at the gates when we were manning them. Tbh, only found one dodgy ticket, but then I was on Pennard Gate (Ex-Myhab). Was on shift Wed afternoon as well, so missed seeing you all at Cider Bus meet    See you 2013