USFSA Goes Nuts On Security - Again

[adrianchew]

http://www.usfsa.org/news/2002-03/security.htm

The rule about backpacks, etc is just plain stupid - geez, carry-on luggage is still allowed in planes, but you can't take a bag into an arena? After being searched and all? :roll:

Just X-ray all bags - that's what many offices/buildings/etc in NYC is doing - its not rocket science! :roll:

Oh well - I'll say it again - there's security, and there's plain paranoia and stupidity. At this point, the USFSA will have more security in place than anywhere in NYC - I used to work in the UN and still have friends that do, and even there, the security has been resonable, yet effective.

I suppose this is what happens when you get a cowboy ex-FBI agent formulating your security policies. :roll:

[Badams]

i don't think that it's a bad idea. i'm just glad they are still taking it seriously. a lot of people have already forgotten why security has been heightened. they are already complaining about new security measures being more of an inconvenience...and i think that's really sad and scarey. i'm not implying that you feel this way adrian, i understand your complaint considering you have a board to run and go to many shows and write reports to post etc... i'm sure a backpack would come in handy to carry all of your supplies and stuff. i just think it's good that they are still taking stronger measures then in the past.

[adrianchew]

My beef really is that they need to show a little consideration for the paying fans who attend these events. Security is good, but the lack of consideration shown is rather bothersome.

Bags can be searched, but if they are serious, they should scan bags via an X-ray. Most large facilities already have the capacity for this now. The other problem is that for us guys - if we don't carry backpacks, we're all gonna go out and buy purses now? :roll:

Food and drink - the one problem that fails to be addressed is that a skating event is not like any other sporting event. You can spend 12+ hours at an arena - that's why people like the option of bringing in their own food and water, etc... aside for just partaking in the typical fast food type deal available in the arena.

What's the deal with no outside stuffed animals but allowing Chevy logos last year? The logos were far worse of a nuisance than stuffed animals have ever been - and there was far too many of those, they're absolutely useless, aside from pelting the poor skater who's about to skate next.

Leaving the arena is actually not very practical now given the security checks - it takes time to get in again.

Other than this - I welcome the security measures. They just need to show more respect to the viewing audiences, and not brush us off like convicted criminals. And you have to imagine that given how creative those who want to do harm can get - that these sort of measures are at most precautionary - its just impossible to be 100% safe and secure. A good measure of security plus some common sense (the latter seems to be lacking) would work best.

Let's just say what I've seen in the past - has me skeptical if the USFSA is after better security, or is attempting for some amount of insanity. :roll:

[Shi]

Originally posted by adrianchew
http://www.usfsa.org/news/2002-03/security.htm

The rule about backpacks, etc is just plain stupid - geez, carry-on luggage is still allowed in planes, but you can't take a bag into an arena? After being searched and all? :roll:

Just X-ray all bags - that's what many offices/buildings/etc in NYC is doing - its not rocket science! :roll:

Oh well - I'll say it again - there's security, and there's plain paranoia and stupidity. At this point, the USFSA will have more security in place than anywhere in NYC - I used to work in the UN and still have friends that do, and even there, the security has been resonable, yet effective.

I suppose this is what happens when you get a cowboy ex-FBI agent formulating your security policies. :roll:

I'm an Israeli sports journalist, i spend most of my time going to sport events over here, we have MASSIVE checks, including x-raying bags in some cases, and let me tell you - it's aweful. the security is tight enough without the bag search and check, but this is REALLY makes things worse and it takes FOREVER to get in.

besides - you have to live with security for a few days. this is our lives here. i have to go through 5 (FIVE!) security checks to go to the movies, and yesterday, just for example: my car was completely checked, my bags were checked twice and i was checked by the security guard with a metal detector just when i went out to lunch in the mall.

I'm sorry for being that way about it - but it always gets me when people complain about security. It's just for a few days, and it's for a very good cause.

[Debbie S]

Originally posted by adrianchew
My beef really is that they need to show a little consideration for the paying fans who attend these events. Security is good, but the lack of consideration shown is rather bothersome...Let's just say what I've seen in the past - has me skeptical if the USFSA is after better security, or is attempting for some amount of insanity. :roll:

ITA with you, Adrian. I attended the Skating Tribute show at MSG last year less than a month after 9/11, and I found the security checks to be very reasonable. We walked through turnstiles where a security guy w/ a magnetic wand ran it across our bags - w/ no wait. At Nats, it was ridiculous, not to mention inconsistent. One day, food wasn't allowed; the next day, I saw people bringing in packaged sandwiches they bought at the hotel's deli counter. Some people got in w/ backpacks, some didn't. Camera policies were all over the place.

On top of that, the ushers worked the event like they were doing crowd control at a Lakers (or Kings) game. Once, during a break between events, I tried to walk over to the next section to say hello to Heather (of MK web site and forum fame) by using the aisle behind the lower bowl seats and was stopped by a security guard who could have doubled as a club bouncer that stepped over and blocked my way - and said nothing. My first thought was that he was a little too old to act like a school yard bully and I had no idea why he had decided to block my way. I stepped to the left and started to walk around him when he finally said I couldn't walk between those 2 sections using the aisle and had to go outside and walk around - huh? Keep in mind that this was between 2 events and the arena was about 1/3 full. Plus, people were allowedto use the aislesto walk between other sections.

In addition, my mom was nearly barred from walking down to her seat after her ladies room trip during the Zamboni break before the final flight in the pairs final. The reason - she didn't have her ticket with her showing she could sit there. How many people take their tickets with them to the ladies room? She was only able to come down b/c we sat in the 16th - next to last - row and the people behind us saw what was happening - I happened to be looking at something else - and told the usher (who was a diff. one than the one who was there the rest of the week) that she did indeed sit at this level. And I remember reading a few posts either at FSW or Skatefans from people who had experienced the same thing. I only hope that the staff at the MCI Center calms down - we'll be in the VIP section - first 4 rows - and I don't want to have to carry ID with me every time I take a bathroom break.

An interesting thing I noticed about the USFSA's new policy is that separate transportation will now be provided for athletes/coaches/officials and for spectators. I guess that's the end of skater sightings on the bus. My question would be - has there ever been a problem w/athletes and spectators mixing on the busses? I've only been to Nats the past 2 years and the bus trips seemed pretty calm to me. OK, I realize that there's always the potential for something, but that same potential exists at the hotel, local restaurants, public areas of the arenas, and anywhere else the athletes may frequent. Other than the Nancy K attack (which actually occurred in a credential-only area, I believe), Nats have been pretty quiet.

Bottom-line: at some point, you have to stop running scared. Take necessary precautions to eliminate excess risks, but try to keep things normal.

[singerskates]

Yes, there should be lasers to screen bags but really. If you're going to bring in Sandwhiches, why not bring it in the grocery bag you bought it in. Easy to check.

As far as skaters, coaches and officials being on their own bus separate from the fans. I think it is good because the skaters need the time to focus on their job. This is how it was done at Skate Canada and it worked fine. I was an official but I had a friend who was not and couldn't use the skaters bus to go to the rink. How would you like to have a zillion people bugging you as your are doing your job at work? There were times set up for skaters to meet with the fans after the skaters' events were done.

Most senior events have people comig from all over the world. Sometimes it's just a little scary if you don't know who some one is. Competing is nerve racking enough. Skaters shouldn't have to worry if someone is a bomber or a murderer. Security is there to protect the skaters and also the fans who watch in the stands.

Brigitte a.k.a. singerskates

[kara]

Truthfully, I think they've read these boards (skating boards in general), looked around during/after competitions, and are a little freaked out. There are a lot of people who act appropriately in their "fanhood," but there are also a few who go overboard or do rude and presumptous things when their favorite skaters are around. Skaters may not be recognizable to most people, but the level of stardom that they've reached in our circles might make them feel wierd being on the bus with us. I really can't blame them...they're heading to important practices, events, whatever, and might want to focus or relax and not feel like they're not being watched. I haven't seen any problems on busses, and most of them probably haven't either, but maybe the USFSA has decided to take action before anything bizarre or just distracting does happen. I don't think that's unreasonable, even if it takes away a little fun from fans. In fact, I can't believe they were ever allowed on busses to begin with...and I'm a fan:).

And, while I thought it was strange that I couldn't take the lid from water purchased in the arena to my seat, in my experience, most of the security was fine. I know some had different experiences, but our usher was so unassuming and friendly, and didn't check our tickets after the first day or two...even during the exhibition when people had different seats. The men who checked our bags were always very quick and polite enough, too. I wish we could've brought our own items to throw, but that, honestly, was the only real complaint that I had in LA.

[Yazmeen]

I am looking at it both ways: the security procedures are annoying and IMO a bit much, and I also can't help but wonder if the arena's food vendors had a little hand in that "secure" policy about not bringing in food and drink...:roll:

On the other hand, I worked Nationals 98, and the day of the exhibition, in the costume/makeup area, the lady from USFSA in charge of the volunteers stopped down to have her hair done (a treat offered to her by the volunteers during a down time). The issue of security came up, and she mentioned that just before the ladies final, Pat Lipinski came to her and informed her that Tara's best friend, Erin Elbe would be backstage with her to watch Tara skate. She promptly informed Pat that that was NOT going to happen as Erin was not permitted to be there, and she took the time to get someone to find a seat for her. As she put it--she had been at Nationals in 94 when the goon squad went after Nancy Kerrigan, and NOBODY was going to cause a problem at these Nationals.

Its a difficult issue. On one hand its very annoying to be treated like potential criminals and have your rights and freedoms trampled. On the other, who would have guessed 10 years ago the the lure of Olympic Gold could have led to an attack like the one that affected Nancy? Who would have imagined planes attacking buildings? Its very difficult these days to draw the line between protecting people from terrorism and attack and violating their rights. Sometimes the "answers" aren't fun, but we have to live with them--or work to change them. While we can't change it this year, if it is truly stifling, maybe the fans who attend can work to influence the USFSA to change the rules for next year.

[arena_gal]

I think the policy is a good one, and it is in line with what is happening at large arenas these days anyways. I know that figure skating fans can be packrats, and frankly at Canadians last year I never sat in my assigned seat because it was in among a group of fans (probably some from this board) who had huge bags that they tried to stuff under the seats and there was no legroom. People would agree to go pee all at the same time so they would only have to move the stuff once.

I went (and driving three hours each way), with a notepad, media guide, two cameras, half a dozen energy bars and a bottle of water. This all fit in my coat pockets. I don't usually carry a purse anyway. I ate breakfast before I got there. I left the arena once in the afternoon for lunch. I could have bought my water in the arena, and could have remembered to bring a spare bottle cap if that was the case , but maybe at the most I'd spend $5 on water/coffee. So what, energy bars get boring but they pack well, give me that 2500 k/cal a day and are cheaper than concession food.

So I can't bring flowers and stuffed animals. I know that's important to some fans (I still love the lady who threw packages of pantyhose, best gift ever). That's the issue to work with the USFSA (eh, why have flower gatherers if no flowers are allowed?), but there is enough other stuff that can be brought in without having a backpack or suitcase sized purse.

[Spinner]

Originally posted by adrianchew
The other problem is that for us guys - if we don't carry backpacks, we're all gonna go out and buy purses now? :roll:

I'll have to agree with Adrian here. Our first day at US nationals in LA I brought my small carry-on tote to the arena to keep my progams, camera, munchies, etc. I was berated by the security gestapo and almost asked to leave, yet the nice woman behind me with a purse at least TWICE the size of my tote was allowed in with a cursory search of her bag. I was :evil: :evil: :evil: Clear case of discrimination and just plain stupidity. I agree with being secure and safe, but c'mon!

[Debbie S]

Originally posted by Spinner
I'll have to agree with Adrian here. Our first day at US nationals in LA I brought my small carry-on tote to the arena to keep my progams, camera, munchies, etc. I was berated by the security gestapo and almost asked to leave, yet the nice woman behind me with a purse at least TWICE the size of my tote was allowed in with a cursory search of her bag. I was :evil: :evil: :evil: Clear case of discrimination and just plain stupidity. I agree with being secure and safe, but c'mon!

Yeah Spinner, I agree. In LA, I had a backpack-purse, which was nearly filled to the brim w/ the usuals, like my wallet, cell phone, and hotel room key, plus my camera, (mini) binoculars, medicine on a couple of days, tix, and bus pass, and the security people basically opened the top, took one look, and moved it down the table as I walked through the metal detector. It's possible that they looked long enough to see I didn't have food (btw, they did allow my mom in w/ a bottle of water one day), but if I were some terrorist, I could easily have put a biological agent or something in there and I don't think they would have noticed.

OT, but my bag also made it through the scanning machine at my airport and LAX w/ one of those lead bags for film, the kind that hide anything inside, and no one asked me to open my bag so they could inspect it. I wasn't surprised a few weeks later when I saw a report on one of the TV news shows (Dateline, I think) that an undercover investigation of airport baggage screening at my airport and others revealed that lead bags went unnoticed by the security people. Yeesh - and arenas want to have a fit over snack food.

[Meredith]

I wonder if the USFSA will allow purses this year. They say, "no bags" but aren't really specific. Since I can't take my camera bag (where they confiscated my food :cry: one day at LA Nationals) I guess I'll just rely on plenty of pockets for film, tickets, $$$$$, etc.

Edited to say that since I don't intend to carry my purse, Spinner, you and Adrian can fight over it. It will save you from going out and purchasing one. ;)

[Scott]

This is the most ridiculous policy I have ever heard and seen enforced.What is wrong with backpacks? I use them all the time. And if I want to bring in muncies that are of a healthier variety than the junk that they sell at the areas I should be able to do so. I think what the USFSA forgets is that people spend an entire day at these events. You need your backpack tocarry essentials, reading materials,etc. This policy needs to be changed.

[RobinA]

The "no food and drink" thing is clearly designed to make you buy the food that's there. They are just using "security" as an excuse to prohibit outside munchies. I plan to do my best to thwart this nonsense in D.C. I already have my tote bag...er, purse bought just for the occasion.

[adrianchew]

I wish you much luck - seriously, you might be hassled - guys have it hard too. Although when they were waving the magnetic wand over this poor lady with white hair, with lots of jewelry on her, I just about thought that's as bad as it gets!

[Spinner]

Originally posted by New Yorker
Just thought of a potential solution for men: cargo pants!

LOL! New Yorker, you are a genius! Off to shop for a pair long enough for me...which will be no small task for this 6'5" guy :roll: ;)

[Arsenette]

Gosh.. I can't believe it's that bad.. then again.. I remember last year's rant over Skate America.. I thought the camera policy was horrible.. this is WAY too much.. personally - If the security people were consistent I don't think it would be a problem.. but they are not.. they seem to be "rent-a-cops" with huge egos (because they think they are special :roll: ) or the typical.. let the woman with the massive tote bag and a million stuff in while the guy with a camera get's a enema for coming to a figure skating competition 8O (exageration.. you know what I mean).. I have an idea.. guys.. hire a girl to go with and put your stuff in HER purse :D :P ;)

[speedy]

I guess this answers my question about what was going to happen in Dallas after everybody's complaints in L.A. last year. If they're going to force you to eat the arena's food it would be a good idea to actually have all the concession stands OPEN so that you don't have to wait in line an hour for a measly sandwich. I don't mind paying the outrageous prices for arena food if you didn't have to miss half of the event waiting to give them your money. And most of the time for practices there are no stands open at all! The bus policy is curious too...I've never seen any skaters harassed on the bus by fans before, and those that wanted complete privacy (Todd, Michelle) usually had their own private transportation arranged anyway. Oh well, as long as they get us back and forth in an organized manner, whatever. I don't get the backpack thing either...what the heck is the difference between a backpack and a huge handbag? I'm not one to try to smuggle in a lot of food and cameras anyway but this is ridiculous. You can go to a NASCAR race and take in coolers of drinks with hundreds of thousands of people, but you can't go into a skating competition without this kind of heavy-handed security? If the policies were handled consistently it would be tolerable but when it's only enforced part-time it's a sham. I figured the days of getting to throw things to your favorite skaters on the ice was history but if they give out those idiotic Chevy logos again I'm gonna scream. :twisted:

[adrianchew]

The crowds in attendance at the Nascar Talladega race this past weekend was around 150,000 in the stands. :!:

[Scott]

This security thing could even be a trhow back to the Knee wacking incident involving Nancy Kerrigan. Maybe the USFSA is worried thay guys will be hiding sticks in their back packs! At any rate theyare turning a fun event into a hassel. This really shows how we are caving in to the terrorists. Weare supposed to get back to our normal way of life but this is not normal. I wonder what the policy is going to be this year concerning the tossing of stuffed animals. This was developing into a nice tradition and the animals were usually donated to Hospitals. I don't see any reason to ban this custom.

[Debbie S]

Originally posted by Scott
I wonder what the policy is going to be this year concerning the tossing of stuffed animals. This was developing into a nice tradition and the animals were usually donated to Hospitals. I don't see any reason to ban this custom.

I believe the policy is going to be no stuffed animals from now on. I was in LA last year to witness the Chevy logo mess and I can't believe the USFSA can't work with sponsors to come up with something better. After all, sponsors want to put their names on anything - why not have them sponsor stuffed animals? I know that sounds weird, but when you think about the variety in local sponsors for each event, to say nothing of the national USFSA sponsors, it seems that TPTB (the powers that be) could come up with something more creative than a stuffed logo. Plus, the sponsor could get a nice tax break, and local hospitals would benefit as well. Aside from the fact that they were basically asking spectators to throw worthless junk that was essentially recycled from day to day, the logos themselves weren't good objects to throw b/c they had a very small projectile - meaning that unless you were in one of the first 8-10 rows or so, no matter how hard or which way (overhand, frisbee-style, etc.), there was a pretty good chance it would end up on the head of someone in the stands. As someone who will be in the first 4 rows at Worlds, I sure hope the logos are gone by then.:twisted:

[blue111moon]

If you're in the first few rows, you stand a good chance of being hit by thrown objects, no matter what they are. I've had flowers (wrapped and unwrapped!), stuffed animals and other packages bounced off my lap several times because people don't throw them far enough. You don't even have to be in the front rows to get hit. I remember a few years back when someone lobbed a teddy bear over the media platform, missed and bounced the animal off the desk in front of Dick Button.

Safety of the spectators isn't the issue.

And it's not as if throwing stuffed toys is a long-standing skating tradition. It's a nice gesture and some of the kids enjoy getting them, and the toys are safer than flowers but it's not necessary for the sport.

[Scott]

I think that this is a very nice tradition and it should continue. Why do we always have to take the fun out of everything. Keep the stuffed animals!

[Dustin]

At Campbells they were giving out thousands of Campbells dolls to throw on the ice. They wouldn't let anyone bring any of their own in, but the pathetic thing was they didnt even search anything (purses, pockets, etc.)!

[speedy]

For some reason I wanted to see AP turn around and slug one of those Campbell's Soup Kids when they were standing around off-ice...forgive my sadistic thought, don't know what came over me. :twisted: Think I've been seeing too many of those ESPN mascot commercials.

[speedy]

Seriously though, the more I think about it...if Dallas is anything like L.A. last year, the USFSA will NOT be getting any more of my money until they decide that these events will be fan-friendly again. I've got tickets through 2004 in Atlanta but I will not be buying tickets again for Nationals if this is the kind of inane treatment we're going to receive. I don't mind higher security, that's normal these days, but the USFSA needs to realize that fans are going to start staying home if they continue to be subject to haphazard (and sometimes completely unnecessary) policies and inconsistent enforcement of these rules. Maybe that's what they want...events skated strictly for TV with no annoying fans to interfere with the proceedings. :roll:

[Yazmeen]

speedy: You weren't the ONLY one thinking that about those obnoxious Campbell's Kids. Good grief, there's AP trying to look composed in one of the biggest moments of her skating life so far, and she has to contend with those goofy mascots.

I didn't picture her socking them, maybe tripping one of them, or "accidentally" tripping over one and gouging it with her toepick...

(Now you've given me a wonderful mental picture of Ann Patrice, a la Lucy from Peanuts, looking at the Campbell's Kids, hauling her arm back, and saying "I oughta SLUG you...") :P

Grin, :lol:

Beth

[ellen]

the usfsa tells us that it takes too long for "security" to check us when we have stuffed toys. i would like to know:

1 - what type of "security" did the chevy pillows experience, and how long did it take? or did someone presume that nowhere in the manufacturing/packing/mailing processes did anyone tamper with these boxes ...

2 - same question for the boxes of usfsa stuffed toys.

at daytona the campbell soup dolls were distributed outside.

I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT NO ONE TOSSES ANY SPONSOR ITEM OR PURCHASED USFSA ITEM, ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME.

ellen

[speedy]

Good idea Ellen, I certainly won't be buying anything inside the arena to give to my favorite skaters. If they're concerned about people throwing things on the ice, why should you be allowed (or even encouraged) to throw stupid Chevy logos? If they want to end beanie-tossing, fine, but nothing else should be allowed to be thrown either. That was incredibly tacky seeing all those stupid yellow things on the ice last year. Chevrolet's a sponsor, we get it already ok? Just like the food policy, this gift-tossing rule seems designed not for safety or security but for redirecting fans' money into vendors' pockets and hyping sponsors. Most sports are doing their best to cater more to the fans these days to draw more people back to events...why is the USFSA making it harder on its fans? Very strange.

[blue111moon]

The Chevy logos and tstuffed Campbell's dolls are probably safer for the skaters to receive than those stupid cardboard 6.0 fans.

I don't understand the NEED for fans to throw anything at skaters. Just applaud louder. Or send a card. I'm sure Hallmark makes something appropriate.

Personally, I go to these events to see the SKATERS and the SKATING. My ticket entitles me to put my butt in the seat and watch. That's it. The fact that we've gotten away with hauling tons of freebies into the arenas before is irrelevant. That was then; this is now. Adjust.

Besides, all it takes is one nut-case fan (and there are a few of those in skating) to decide to throw a toy stuffed with baby powder or flour to cause a panic in an arena. It's not worth the risk, IMO.

[speedy]

I've never been one to haul "tons of freebies" into arenas. I am questioning why the USFSA feels the need to pass out other garbage for people to throw at all if they're so concerned for people's safety. As far as the food, I'm perfectly willing to pay outrageous prices for concession stand fare if they would just ensure we didn't have to wait in lines a mile long to buy it, or worse yet, have nothing for sale at all during practices when they know full well we have to leave the arena and go through the whole security process again just to get back in the building. I think most of us that were in L.A. remember what a debacle that was, especially being locked out of practices when our tickets entitled us to be in the building for them. We do not want to see a repeat of all that chaos again. Some of the treatment that we as paying fans received from the Staples Arena "staff" was atrocious and inexcusable. I fully hope and expect Dallas's Southern hospitality to at least come through in that regard for 2003.

[RobinA]

Count me as one person who is not willing to pay arena prices for food for 10 hours a day for six days. Not only would that make it very difficult for me to attend these events, but my body doesn't function on that crap all day every day. I need real food. Price and security hassles aside, us over 25-year-olds can't live on junk food. Time was I could, but no longer.

[Tigger]

I think a good question would be this....

What's going to happen to someone who is a diabetic, hypoglacimic(I butchered that and I know it. Sorry.) or has a food allergy that prevents them from ordering anything from the concessions and has no choice but to bring in food w/them? Or someone like me who has to have water on them at all times to take medication at the times they need to take them? That's when it goes from being just a fan issue (which I'm not dismissing. It isn't fair when you're there all day and can't get something to eat.) to a medical issue which is a much more serious thing. Maybe someone needs to alert the proper organizations in the US to what's going on w/the USFSA and this rule....

Just a thought. Another is.....If you can afford it, come on up to Canada and see great skating at an affordable price and where you can bring food into an arena if you need to.

[blue111moon]

If you have a medical condition, all you do is bring a physician's note along with your supplies. (My father was a diabetic and that's what we did with him without a problem.)

At least they're telling people about the situation ahead of time - meaning spectators can plan accordingly. It is also my understanding that committee people in Dallas are working with the ARENA (it's not USFSA's issue) to resolve the situation and hopefully get the ARENA people to schange their minds and open some concessions during practices. I suspect that their could be contractual and union issues factoring in, though: how does the ARENA decide which vendors may open when and for how long, and how do the vendors decide which employees work when, etc.? There's a lot more involved than the convenience of a relatively small number of spectators.

As for the bag issue, I collect the canvas bags sold by the sweatshirt vendors at these events so it's simple to pick one up the first day and then use it the rest of the week to hold tickets, wallet, program, etc. The one time in LA one guard started to tell me that I couldn't bring the bag in, I told him that I'd bought it inside, showed him the logo, and he let me through. I never had anyone else question it.

I will admit that security at LA Nationals was erratic and inconsistently appl;ied. I put it down to 9/11 aftermath. I'm assuming that the folks in Dallas will have things planned better and will hopefully be more polite about carrying out those plans.

[Tigger]

And if I was to attend an event in the US, where would I put my white cane? I need a bag that's big enough to put the cane into and that size would more than likely be against the USFSA rules on bags. Not to mention, it might be looked at as a potential weapon by some security happy rent a cop. What are your suggestions about that?

For those who think I'm overreacting, I was legitimately worried about that very thing when I attended Cdns in Hamilton earlier this year. Thankfully, the friends I were staying w/know someone on the Board of Copps and she assured me I'd be fine both w/my cane, bag size and bringing in the food I needed to have w/me since I was unable to eat the concession food. Do you honestly believe that security people are really going to believe someone w/a doctor's note? They're going to look at something like that, assume it's a fake and throw out whatever food they find. If you think I'm just spitballing, then fine. That's your right. I can see it happening w/these very strict rules though and that's a shame both for the fans and the USFSA for turning those very fans that help pay for their salaries w/the ticket prices from events like Skate America and US Nationals against them.

[IgglesII]

Originally posted by Tigger
For those who think I'm overreacting, I was legitimately worried about that very thing when I attended Cdns in Hamilton earlier this year. Thankfully, the friends I were staying w/know someone on the Board of Copps and she assured me I'd be fine both w/my cane, bag size and bringing in the food I needed to have w/me since I was unable to eat the concession food. Do you honestly believe that security people are really going to believe someone w/a doctor's note? They're going to look at something like that, assume it's a fake and throw out whatever food they find. If you think I'm just spitballing, then fine.

That would be an issue to bring up with the people at the arena in Dallas - the USFSA made these rules, but they're going to be relying on the judgement of the arena staff to enforce them.

Now as far as the bus issue goes - after watching those two idiot baseball fans in Chicago running out onto the field to beat up one of Kansas City's coaches, I don't blame the USFSA one bit for having a rule like that. You can sit there and say "when has there ever been a problem" all you want, but all it would take is ONE time for something to go horribly, horribly wrong.

I worked at Nationals in Boston, and I remember sitting on the bus right next to skaters. It was a priviledge, it was fun - but it's also really scary to think that some lunatic with evil on his/her mind could get on a bus and be sitting that close to someone they wanted to harm. There were no security personnel on any of those buses in Boston. Going the safe route and removing the fans from the buses is an excellent idea.

[blue111moon]

My mother's white cane is collapsible and fits into her purse. She and her elderly friends have never had a problem with security in taking canes, walkers, crutches, oxygen tanks, wheelchairs, or any medical equipment into any public place. I can't imagine that Dallas arena security (who are the ones responsibile for a lot of the restrictions and for their enformcement) would hassle the genuinely handicapped. If you're that concerned about it, I suggest you contact arena security and ask them what you can do to avoid becoming a medical emergency while at the arena.

Security guards probably won't argue with people carrying banned substances with a doctor's note - they'll just refer you to a supervisor or manager for inspection. Most arenas these days have trained medical staff who are able to recognize legitimate conditions and reasons. I slao don't think they'd be willing to risk lawsuits if something did happen to a partron because secuirty had denied the person access to a medical necessity.

However (and this is said humorously) I would guess it's pretty difficult to justify Twinkies as medical necessity. I would also guess that the family I saw once who brought an entire Sunday dinner - complete with pots, pans and silverware - in paper grocery bags into an arena might not get away with that now. Times have changed. :)

[duane]

Originally posted by blue111moon
I don't understand the NEED for fans to throw anything at skaters. Just applaud louder. Or send a card.

i wouldnt call it a need, but a desire.

after watching competitions on television for years, when i attended my first (and so far, only) competition ever (2002 Nationals), i had the intention of buying huge stuffed animals to throw at michelle, sasha, and sarah. or, perhaps, to stand near the rink with a huge bouquet after one of them skated, to assure that they would spot me and skate over to me a give me a hug! :)

i hated to find out that the only thing we were able to toss were those little freebie dolls! i wanted my gift to stand out from the crowd! :x

[speedy]

Looks like I found my answer about practice food at the bottom of this page...

http://www.dallas2003.com/faqs.htm#dpscdfood

Guess you better eat big before you get to practices (unless you're going way down to Duncanville)!! I'm not thrilled with the bus schedule they published either...it's gonna take at least 25 minutes to get from the Hyatt to AA (at least on the "fan" Blue Line) because you'll have to go to Reunion, then the Meridien before you get to the AA Center. Oh well, I guess paying $55 is better than hundreds of dollars in taxi fares. :roll:

Does anybody know if you can walk to Reunion Arena from the Hyatt? Or are there interstates in the way that are not meant to be used by pedestrians?

By the way the schedule is out now too for those of you interested...glad to see they're scheduling the exhibition a little earlier than normal at 12:30:

http://www.dallas2003.com/schedule.htm