[sentinel28a]

davebb, on May 20 2008, 12:53 PM, said:

About the guns are you sure there were IRT ops carrying them? Or was it a cosplay they had under their vest? Also was it someone else wearing a Tac vest the same color as IRT. If it was IRT be sure to get the name on the badge or the callsign on the vest.

Dave, I saw several IRT members carrying fake weapons. (Next year I'll carry a notepad to take names.) Other people have reported this as well.

I think the fake gun policy should be looked at. One of the vendors told me--correctly--that when picking up his replica M4 not to point it at anyone. That's just good sense. But I saw several people pointing guns at each other. Now let's say some stupid cosplayer gets it into his head to point his Airsoft AK-47 at a Rosemont PD officer and gets blown away because the cop isn't taking a chance. (Since I had a realistic looking sniper rifle pointed at me during the con, and heard some nasty things said in the direction of RPD officers, this is far from an unlikely scenario.)

Hotel security at the Hyatt and at every hotel I've worked out never carried anything besides nightsticks. I don't understand the reasoning why some IRT members feel the need to look like they're running convoys into Iraq. A person who doesn't feel complete without a toy assault rifle has problems to begin with and shouldn't be working IRT anyway. A good litmus test for IRT might be "If this was a real gun with live rounds, would this staffer's idea of crowd control be opening fire into the crowd?" If the answer's yes, then they don't need to be on staff.

On another note, I wanted to cut and paste this from another thread:

This may have been done already, but what might help IRT is to break the con into sectors with set teams in those areas with a set chain of command. If people need to leave the line, the IRT guys supervising the reg areas could report back to their superior, who could keep a running tally (here is where the bathroom passes would be a superb idea).

It would also help IRT if they put their most inexperienced people in areas that need the least experience with the least amount of stress. Put your most experienced people in areas of high stress (Masquerade/AH lines, reg area, roving patrols). Team your noobs with veterans who can keep things under control. Limit shifts to a four-on, four-off schedule (or eight-on, eight-off) so no one is getting overworked. That actually would work just as well with the other departments as well. Rotating people in and out would keep them fresh. You'd be surprised how even a one-hour break can recharge the batteries and get people back in a mood to help congoers rather than commit premeditated murder.

Ben Da Mad Irishman

[Edrik]

The rule on airsoft is you're allowed to carry an airsoft around so long as it has an orange tip, no metal, and the clip is removed. That is the rule for attendees and was the rule for IRT ops as well. As of, I believe, Saturday of con however, IRT ops are no longer allowed to carry airsoft while vested and on shift. Personally, though I've never carried an airsoft around during con myself, I agree with those who see nothing wrong with an IRT op doing so so long as it obeys standard con rules. Attendees are allowed to do the same, and it's all in good fun. The rule has been changed, however, which effectively settles the matter.

[CuteButDeadly]

davebb, on May 20 2008, 12:53 PM, said:

About the guns are you sure there were IRT ops carrying them? Or was it a cosplay they had under their vest? Also was it someone else wearing a Tac vest the same color as IRT. If it was IRT be sure to get the name on the badge or the callsign on the vest.

I am sure there were at least 4 IRT members carrying airsoft guns, I observed this while sitting in line for the Prelander Z concert on Saturday. I also noticed alot of IRT members weren't wearing call sings, badges, ect. I saw a lot of name less IRT members.

[sentinel28a]

Edrik, on May 20 2008, 10:14 PM, said:

The rule on airsoft is you're allowed to carry an airsoft around so long as it has an orange tip, no metal, and the clip is removed. That is the rule for attendees and was the rule for IRT ops as well. As of, I believe, Saturday of con however, IRT ops are no longer allowed to carry airsoft while vested and on shift. Personally, though I've never carried an airsoft around during con myself, I agree with those who see nothing wrong with an IRT op doing so so long as it obeys standard con rules. Attendees are allowed to do the same, and it's all in good fun. The rule has been changed, however, which effectively settles the matter.

I agree. Thanks, Edrik. Sounds like the problem has been solved.

Ben Da Mad Irishman
"And that's good"

[Edrik]

CuteButDeadly, on May 20 2008, 05:19 PM, said:

I also noticed alot of IRT members weren't wearing call sings, badges, ect. I saw a lot of name less IRT members.

I'm not clear on the specifics, but there were some problems with the badges and name tag production this year, resulting in some people ending up without one or the other or, in some cases, either. Any operative should give you her or his call sign upon request, though. If not, and they need reporting, please request help from another nearby op or take a brief description, location, and time.

[DigiDragon]

The problems I had were actually not with the IRT. They were with the Hyatt Security. I know that this is an IRT thread, but...I'm hoping this can be taken into account. It...really inconvinienced me and my friend.

I'm forgoing the format because generally one thing led to another - it was in multiple areas.

The Security in the Hyatt as the Masquerade was letting out (that area) was...just in general mean. I tried asking a question ("Do you know where Voices For is being held?") and they answered in a snappish way. One lady even yelled at the con-goers in the area, telling EVERYONE to clear out, including those sitting by the wall.

In the Skywalk, the shortcut to the Sofitel (the one many needed Saturday night to avoid the rain) was closed off. This was at 8:45-ish on Saturday night. I said there was something going on for the convention there and we REALLY needed to get through, but they said, "You'll have to go around then," and quite literally shooed us away. Now, it was seriously annoying, but what I'm worried about is...well, if I recall correctly they left it open last year. I stayed at the Sofitel then and could easily get back to my room, but this year...there were still many people out and about that stayed at the Sofitel. My roommates had to walk back through the rain because the Skywalk was closed down, and it was during a really heavy part. They were soaked and their costumes were almost ruined. I'm sure they weren't the only people, either.

Lastly, there was a general lack of knowledge about where to point people. I couldn't find any IRT people in the area I ended up at (I think it was an off-shoot of the Rosemont convention center), and when I asked the Security where Voices For/Main Programming B was (I told them it was in the Sofitel before hand), they said, "Nothing's going on here. It's at the Hyatt." The Security in the Hyatt were the ones who pointed me there in the first place. It took me several times asking around to finally figure out where I was, let alone where I was supposed to go. Long story short...the hotel Security should know at least a little bit of what's going on. Like, "In this building, Main Programming A is going on, etc." I don't know if anyone else had this problem, but time and time again, the hotel Security sent me and my friend in the wrong direction and in the end we missed the event we were looking for and almost got lost.

I'm not sure if the ACen staff can do anything about this, but please try and speak to the hotels. Wandering around getting yelled at and walking through the rain is not how an ACen attendee is supposed to spend their night...heck, it's not how ANYONE should spend their night. :/

[DOOM-in-a-skort]

CapsuleCorp, on May 16 2007, 12:08 AM, said:

who: not sure...it was several people

where: in the Hyatt lobby as well as in the dealer's room

when: primarily Saturday

what: complete failure to enforce the 4' prop rule.

I personally witnessed more than one IRT staff member walk right by cosplayers carrying props taller than themselves. As I am 5'4", I'm pretty sure said props were over 4'. One was a Demyx carrying a very large sitar (and consciously hugging it to herself whenever a black vest came into view - she knew it was too big) and one was a sailor senshi of some ilk (pluto? saturn?) toting a very tall glaive that did not have any sign of being able to break down to under 4'. She stood with it for a long time in the lobby near the bar, chatting with people, and I never saw it broken down. I saw other cosplayers, too, but that Demyx was the glaring example, because I didn't just see IRT walk past her and ignore her prop once, I saw it happen at least three times, and I never saw her without the sitar - afaik she was never asked to put it away.

HOW - well, obviously the simple answer is to ask for more consistent enforcement of the prop size rules. naturally, I already anticipate that the IRT staff will say, we were short-handed, we can't be everywhere at once, we can't catch everyone, sorry a few will slip through the cracks. My question, then, is this: do you guys appreciate someone coming up to you and telling you how to do your job, essentially ratting out another cosplayer? Would your people bristle and react badly to the suggestion that they ought to go over and bust that cosplayer, or would they happily take that sort of narcing in stride and go over and do it? It's somewhat of a rhetorical question - I'd like to know what your people would do in such a situation, whether it ought to be the cosplayer's job to start being a jerk and ratting out other cosplayers who can't keep their big props in the room. Or whether it is humanly possible for IRT to enforce such a rule with the con growing larger every year. Personally, I think some leeway is called for. Tall, thin props like staves, brooms, glaives, and narrow swords aren't an issue, tall, broad props like buster swords and sitars and scythes are. Not that I'm in favor of nitpicky rules, exclusionary type, but maybe one ought to rethink the feasability of enforcing those rules against a con growing out of control in size and a staff that can't or won't keep up with the demands.

Dude, keep your nose in your own business. She wasnt swinging it around and it's stupid that you have to disassemble your props that you worked hard on anyways. IRT have more things to worry about then a lame 4' rule, and to even try and rat her out after the con shows you are a nosy person with out much a life.

[Dogao]

Would like response to complaint, plz thx

[Divide]

Neon Lotus, on May 20 2008, 12:49 AM, said:

Who, What, Where, When, How doesn't quite apply for my comment... just an overall observation.

IRT had their good and bad points... some IRT were very nice to me. I broke a rule unknowingly, and they talked to me calmly and let me go with a warning. From then on they would joke around with me about if I was behaving myself. Also, they were helpful when I lost my state ID, and when my boyfriend needed a band-aid. lol.

But then... you saw the IRTs that were VERY rude. Unnecessarily rude, actually. They could have been a lot nicer, and gotten things done without upsetting people. Also, I saw many con-goers (that I noticed didn't have their badges visible or anything to show they were at ACEN, and not just a normal guest at the Hyatt) get yelled at or questioned by IRT. I just want to suggest that IRT be careful about that, because you may actually mess with a hotel guest rather than a con-goer and get yourself a problem that could have been avoided by not letting your "power" go to your head.

But overall, great job IRT! You guys were great!

Hi! I was the one who helped you with your state ID and gave your boyfriend the bandaid ^^. I was just wondering, did you ever recover it? I got a little worried when I didn't hear any update about it.
As for the overly rude IRTs, I myself have actually found several of them and got them straightened out on how they need to behave. Most of these guys were greens anyway, so I understood on some level how they came to act that way and had them corrected accordingly. As for any veterans I've caught, I gotta say that after having at least ONE year of working Acen, I'm a bit disappointed that they haven't learned to watch their act after encountering and even during stressful situations. I'll be working on that when next year's planning and training starts rolling.

~Neg 1

[Lady Luna]

I wasn't sure where to post this , so I figured I'd post it here.
I was just wondering if the IRT was able to find the other human Luna that was running around on Saturday in the late afternoon/early evening and if she was okay.
I was just curious because one of the IRT had approached me asking me my age (I was dressed as human luna from Sailor Moon) and then seemed confused went off for like a minute and brought back two more . And then I realized that they must be looking for the other human Luna , because I had ran into her earlier in the day and she seemed nice. So me and my friend had just wondered/were worried what happened to her.

[Bunni]

DigiDragon, on May 20 2008, 06:06 PM, said:

The problems I had were actually not with the IRT. They were with the Hyatt Security. I know that this is an IRT thread, but...I'm hoping this can be taken into account. It...really inconvinienced me and my friend.

I'm forgoing the format because generally one thing led to another - it was in multiple areas.

The Security in the Hyatt as the Masquerade was letting out (that area) was...just in general mean. I tried asking a question ("Do you know where Voices For is being held?") and they answered in a snappish way. One lady even yelled at the con-goers in the area, telling EVERYONE to clear out, including those sitting by the wall.

In the Skywalk, the shortcut to the Sofitel (the one many needed Saturday night to avoid the rain) was closed off. This was at 8:45-ish on Saturday night. I said there was something going on for the convention there and we REALLY needed to get through, but they said, "You'll have to go around then," and quite literally shooed us away. Now, it was seriously annoying, but what I'm worried about is...well, if I recall correctly they left it open last year. I stayed at the Sofitel then and could easily get back to my room, but this year...there were still many people out and about that stayed at the Sofitel. My roommates had to walk back through the rain because the Skywalk was closed down, and it was during a really heavy part. They were soaked and their costumes were almost ruined. I'm sure they weren't the only people, either.

Lastly, there was a general lack of knowledge about where to point people. I couldn't find any IRT people in the area I ended up at (I think it was an off-shoot of the Rosemont convention center), and when I asked the Security where Voices For/Main Programming B was (I told them it was in the Sofitel before hand), they said, "Nothing's going on here. It's at the Hyatt." The Security in the Hyatt were the ones who pointed me there in the first place. It took me several times asking around to finally figure out where I was, let alone where I was supposed to go. Long story short...the hotel Security should know at least a little bit of what's going on. Like, "In this building, Main Programming A is going on, etc." I don't know if anyone else had this problem, but time and time again, the hotel Security sent me and my friend in the wrong direction and in the end we missed the event we were looking for and almost got lost.

I'm not sure if the ACen staff can do anything about this, but please try and speak to the hotels. Wandering around getting yelled at and walking through the rain is not how an ACen attendee is supposed to spend their night...heck, it's not how ANYONE should spend their night. :/

You have to understand that security whether IRT, Hotel Security or Rosemont PD are not Q&A they have many more important things to worry about than who is where what panel is where and what actor did what. IRT wants to help you thats why we are here but we have routes, call signs, back routes, local laws, IRT rules and regulations, Con rules and regs, radio channels, radio etiquettes, Op placement, where your back up is, ALL Amber alert descriptions, what and where all incidences are currently being handled, all medic calls, all 911 calls incoming/outgoing (police, fire, ambulances), trouble makers descriptions and last know position, Hotel security dispatches, Chain of Command, fire codes, keep an eye open for all weaponry, look for tags on all weapons to immediately see if it is not real, look for all suspicious persons or behavior, DROPPERS ( i mean crap so stupid why would someone think that it is ok to do it), persons of unstable psychological conditions, underage drinkers, public nudity, and most important looking for predators of underage con goers. All this is on the mind, while all things are occurring around us and we have the radio traffic all in one ear.

I can handle at the end of the day someone is pissed off cause i kicked em out of line (atleast we didn't revoke their badge when they call us names and refuse to comply until we have to get rude), if i never have to explain sorry so and so your daughter is missing it seems a man was seen dragging her out screaming.

IRT is here to help but we don't know everything at the con. Every IRT member can direct you to the information services or customer services. They can tell you all information you need it is their job. All the information is also in your Program Book which the staff did a wonderful job on. IRT knows that con goers are here for fun. Hotel security has no clue what motivates you and they do not care. We try hard to be friendly where professional security agents expect you do what they tell you or your going to be booted from the hotel and or arrested. Rosemont PD has one mindset do what i tell you or your going to the police station. Ask a police officer what panel is where and you might get a very unsettling answer.

I know it is frustrating when you don't know where you are going, but security is not information services. IRT understands your fandom and accepts it, don't expect other security officers to know anything about you or your favorite things, its just that week they refer to as "Freaks are coming back".

[davebb]

Who DISPATCH: in particular CQC, Rope, Shadow, Fireball, Hedgehog, Rabbi of whom all were my dispatch.
What They all did an excellent job in handling traffic especially during medical calls and amber alerts.
Where Entire Convention, both hotel and convention center
When Entire Con
How keep them, tie them up and don't let them go away!!!! Wait we essentially did that during con by "locking" them in a room.

To the dispatchers, thank you very much for making sure we knew where to go, being our eyes and ears when possible, and answering questions that were not entirely required of you to know but were able to figure out. Also able to maintain good professionalism over the radio despite your frustrations at times. Also at times going above and beyond what was required of you as a dispatcher.

[jsieczkar]

What Crowd flow
Where sky walk tunnels
How The tunnels backed up really bad at times, mostly with people stoping to look out windows or to take pictures. It would be nice if IRT could make rounds and try and get people moving. This my be difficult to do because of staffing, but the area that should be looked at the closest is the area from parking and hotels to the CC. I saw several non-Acen guests being held up including an elderly couple with a wheelchair not able to get by.

[Lordi]

sentinel28a, on May 20 2008, 10:11 PM, said:

This may have been done already, but what might help IRT is to break the con into sectors with set teams in those areas with a set chain of command. If people need to leave the line, the IRT guys supervising the reg areas could report back to their superior, who could keep a running tally (here is where the bathroom passes would be a superb idea).

It would also help IRT if they put their most inexperienced people in areas that need the least experience with the least amount of stress. Put your most experienced people in areas of high stress (Masquerade/AH lines, reg area, roving patrols). Team your noobs with veterans who can keep things under control. Limit shifts to a four-on, four-off schedule (or eight-on, eight-off) so no one is getting overworked. That actually would work just as well with the other departments as well. Rotating people in and out would keep them fresh. You'd be surprised how even a one-hour break can recharge the batteries and get people back in a mood to help congoers rather than commit premeditated murder.

Ben Da Mad Irishman

This is pretty close to what's being done now. The Hyatt, the Sofitel, and the Stephens all had seperate squads dedicated to that area. They're also broken down to days, evenings, and nights" Clear chain of command, with two people responsible for running each shift. Other departments run similarly.

All greens are paired with a Vet. That's the way it's been done since 2004. Occasionally, for line control purposes, you'll see two greens paired, but that's more due to a lack of hands and the simplicity of that job.

[darkprincegyu]

As a IRT member, I do have to say we pretty much get stuck with a lot a stuff that's unnecessary. A lot of people don't understand us.
Myself, I try to be cordial. However, there are those people who deliberately provoke us as well. I'm not saying it's an excuse, but after a whole day of getting yelled at by people who think it's ok to carry around weapons or run and block medical emergencies, even the best of us can lose our tempers and use "colorful" words. Also, in case people didn't know, there was 16,000 people who registered for con. We had 140 people on IRT staff. That means, for every 1100 con-goes or so, there is 1 IRT member. We have to deal with enormous pressure.

For those of you who were treated, or through they were treated unfairly, I do apologize. But I'd have to say, in most of the cases, there was a good reason. For Dogao who's BF had issues. As much as our staffer let him out, he should realize that with how many people are there, and with the measure we might need to take, he might not have been able to get back into the line. And he should have at least taken his cell phone in case of problems. As for the police, we would not have been accountable cause you were holding the property. We were not preventing you from doing anything. However on the other end, the staffer should have compromised and dealt with the problem accordingly and not block him out completely. He could have had someone escort him to find you. So on behalf of the staff, for that part I do say I'm sorry. Now the thing is, going to hotel staffers to sneak you in can cause issues. So please, in the future, find a staffer you can reason with. I'll be more than happy to help you.

For those who had programming issues. Unfortunately, we at IRT are told very little when the programming staff, which is a different division, changes things on us. So for those of you who needed to find the Sofitel for the programming, we were not told until the very last minute. As for the Skyway being closed at a certain time, it was due to safety reasons and to close down certain parts of programming. It was reopened up later. It was just bad timing.

For the prop rule, we try to enforce it as much as we can, however, we cannot be everywhere and if people also hide from us and we don't see it, we can't do much about it. Also, if we have a issue that is a lot more serious than a prop, the props are on hold.

The masquerade was a little difficult this year as they posted the wrong times online and wanted us last minute to break the tickets into shifts. As I said, we get told very little. Props are usually not allowed. Please remember that for next year. As a cosplayer myself, I would rather not have someone's hard work broken from the crowd or for those waving it around, accidentally hitting someone.

Now as for myself, I did lose my cool a couple of times. Especially during line control outside. However folks, making sure that you have a clear walkways to stand on or go by on is our job. This way, you are not in danger of getting hit. However, I did have to yell and confront several people, especially when I warn someone 3-4 times. So if I was curt, I do apologize but remember, your safety comes first.

Finally, for those who I really was curt with regarding live steel and giving me problems. I will be upfront with you if you think that just cause you didn't read the rules and accepted the agreements, that I will be lenient. You are NOT allowed to have live steel on the floor period. If you want me to show you where is says it, read the rules on props. I love swords as much as the next guy,but even when I was on shift, I took of pocket knives just in case. Anything hardened metal that can be used as a weapon is not allow. Mainly swords. If you get uppity with us and plan to not to hand it over to us while we escort you to safely stow it, then you may deal with the Rosemont Police who will confiscate it and you will have to go down to the station to plead your case.

In closing, for those who I could help, I am very glad you found what you were looking for. Hopefully. I did try and have a map with me at all times in my little clipboard. For those I couldn't help, I'm sorry and I hope that there won't be too many changes to the schedule. I hope that many of you will return next year.

jsieczkar, on May 21 2008, 11:44 AM, said:

What Crowd flow
Where sky walk tunnels
How The tunnels backed up really bad at times, mostly with people stoping to look out windows or to take pictures. It would be nice if IRT could make rounds and try and get people moving. This my be difficult to do because of staffing, but the area that should be looked at the closest is the area from parking and hotels to the CC. I saw several non-Acen guests being held up including an elderly couple with a wheelchair not able to get by.

Thank you very much for your observation and suggestion.
I personally will bring this up next time at the meetings.

[Dogao]

darkprincegyu, on May 21 2008, 03:10 PM, said:

For those of you who were treated, or through they were treated unfairly, I do apologize. But I'd have to say, in most of the cases, there was a good reason. For Dogao who's BF had issues. As much as our staffer let him out, he should realize that with how many people are there, and with the measure we might need to take, he might not have been able to get back into the line. And he should have at least taken his cell phone in case of problems. As for the police, we would not have been accountable cause you were holding the property. We were not preventing you from doing anything. However on the other end, the staffer should have compromised and dealt with the problem accordingly and not block him out completely. He could have had someone escort him to find you. So on behalf of the staff, for that part I do say I'm sorry. Now the thing is, going to hotel staffers to sneak you in can cause issues. So please, in the future, find a staffer you can reason with. I'll be more than happy to help you.

Yes, you WERE preventing him from doing something. Your staffer was preventing him from walking the 60 feet necessary to contact all of us, by threatening him with ejection from the con. Repeatedly. In a threatening tone. Beyond reason.

The issue here is not my boyfriend's judgement in what he should or should not take with him to a bathroom. The issue is that your staffer was more willing to put a congoer in very real danger than generate sufficient brain activity to actually solve a problem.

As for why my BF didn't find a reasonable staffer: how many people do you really think are going to say "well, that went well, let's try again! I wonder how many people I can get to shriek at me before one of them actually does something HELPFUL!" How many first-time congoers and 14-year-olds and just plain shy people (because we don't have any of THOSE in the anime fandom) would give up after the first power-tripping lunatic yelled obscenities at them? I would have.

If you're honestly still inclined to blow this off as "stupid con goers don't know what they're doing," this should help. I was an abuse peer-counselor at my college. This would have been my end of the conversation with 911-dispatch.

"Hi, I really feel silly doing this, but I'm alone and I feel kind of scared...my name is [___ ____] I'm at a hotel, and there's someone who won't let me get my keys or phone or jacket. They're sort of keeping me here. No, it's not an employee, there's some kind of convention going on. No, everytime I get close he screams at me and the other exits are blocked, the only people I can see keep screaming at me to go back to the end of some line. I really don't feel safe. I think you have officers here already, can you just send someone over, please? I just want to go home."

Do you seriously think that wouldn't have a cop in front of me in three minutes?

Here's a more pressing question, something to keep in mind when you're handing out the vests next year: Would you like to find out?

[Bunni]

Here is a link to Rules section if you didn't read these before the con read em now. Then you can repost if you still feel wronged.

http://www.acen.org/...p?categoryid=51

To the complaint lodged by the boyfriend. We had lots of non con goers breaking into the hotel and events by saying they went to the bathroom, this year we cracked down and some still got in. We can not be held responsible for the fact you got out of line. Even in Disney world if you get out of line you might not get back in. There is a no cutting policy. If 5 people get out of line so the line moves up how many people have to be moved when you come back? Just because some people in line offer to hold your spot IRT and our other volunteers offered no such agreement. We are lenient if you had asked before hand instead of assuming the IRT member could have possibly remembered you upon your return, and or told you I am sorry I can't promise you can get back in.

It is unfortunate that you had a bad incident. In scenarios where there are 300+ people in lines we have to think of the group more over the individuals. If you have been to or plan to return to con please remember every year what its like and plan ahead. If you are going to stand in line for 2 hours go to the bathroom before you go.

I hate to be blunt on this position but with 4 IRT members on 300 bored and restless lined congoers, it is unreasonable to have a single person walked back to there place in line unless it was for an emergency. Lines can often be on the brink of riot because of emergencies that occur in line. That is why IRT is there.

On a side note, calling emergency 911 frivolously when they are overwhelmed as much as we are is asking for trouble not as much from us but by the police. Officers were too busy with all the real crimes and emergencies we were handling that they either would not have responded or charged you with unwarranted emergency call (I believe about $200 fine). IRT is for emergencies, POLICE are not big brother they are here for serious matters and crimes. When an incident is over our heads the police are already called. The fact that your cellphone and jacket were held in line does not mean IRT was with holding your property. It was freely given to a member of your party within a restricted access area. By leaving the restricted zone you are by act entrusting your property to that individual until it can be returned by that individual.

I have been in similar situations but my entire party removed themselves from line and joined me in the rear of it. The question is at the end of the line did you still get in and enjoy your programming?

"Hi, I really feel silly doing this, but I'm alone and I feel kind of scared...my name is [___ ____] I'm at a hotel, and there's someone who won't let me get my keys or phone or jacket. They're sort of keeping me here. No, it's not an employee, there's some kind of convention going on. No, everytime I get close he screams at me and the other exits are blocked, the only people I can see keep screaming at me to go back to the end of some line. I really don't feel safe. I think you have officers here already, can you just send someone over, please? I just want to go home."

Is whats know as deliberate falsified emergency call. You are 1 aware that there is a con you have a badge right? 2 you are talking about a line you are in and it is well known ACEN is a private event. Why else might you be standing in line. 3 you are not complying with the orders rude or not of the Official Security Operative of the convention wich is grounds for revocation of Badge at the discretion of the Operative, and removal from the premises. Insubordination is grounds for revocation of your badge in the rules section you personally agreed to by buying your badge. The police Officers would have come and said whats going on here youd have been brought to the Pen to talk with IRT, everyone would have been angry they have said now you have your phone give us your badge go with the police and do not return. 4 you are the one saying you just wanted to go home.

**Edit** 911 was called alot over the course of the con, the officers in the hotel, and the ones who were constantly returning were definitely tired and annoyed. You gave an example call, and I am saying that is a really bad idea for those reasons not a personal attack. Especially if your under 18, because for 911 calls minors must be detained until legal guardians can retrieve them from police custody. 911 is a serious affair and should never ever be abused. Instead Go to the IRT Bull Pen where we have supervisors and up willing to listen to you. If Ops are being overly rude and unreasonable our superiors definitely want to know.

[Edrik]

Dogao, on May 21 2008, 03:42 PM, said:

Yes, you WERE preventing him from doing something. Your staffer was preventing him from walking the 60 feet necessary to contact all of us, by threatening him with ejection from the con. Repeatedly. In a threatening tone. Beyond reason.

The issue here is not my boyfriend's judgement in what he should or should not take with him to a bathroom. The issue is that your staffer was more willing to put a congoer in very real danger than generate sufficient brain activity to actually solve a problem.

As for why my BF didn't find a reasonable staffer: how many people do you really think are going to say "well, that went well, let's try again! I wonder how many people I can get to shriek at me before one of them actually does something HELPFUL!" How many first-time congoers and 14-year-olds and just plain shy people (because we don't have any of THOSE in the anime fandom) would give up after the first power-tripping lunatic yelled obscenities at them? I would have.

If you're honestly still inclined to blow this off as "stupid con goers don't know what they're doing," this should help. I was an abuse peer-counselor at my college. This would have been my end of the conversation with 911-dispatch.

"Hi, I really feel silly doing this, but I'm alone and I feel kind of scared...my name is [___ ____] I'm at a hotel, and there's someone who won't let me get my keys or phone or jacket. They're sort of keeping me here. No, it's not an employee, there's some kind of convention going on. No, everytime I get close he screams at me and the other exits are blocked, the only people I can see keep screaming at me to go back to the end of some line. I really don't feel safe. I think you have officers here already, can you just send someone over, please? I just want to go home."

Do you seriously think that wouldn't have a cop in front of me in three minutes?

Here's a more pressing question, something to keep in mind when you're handing out the vests next year: Would you like to find out?

Before anything else, I would ask you not compare IRT to the Gestapo. It's not that I find it personally insulting, but rather that I think doing so is unfair to those who actually suffered under their persecution. Also, it makes Godwin cry. That having been said, I apologize to both you and your boyfriend for having to go through what you did. As the op before me said, he should have been allowed to retrieve his things. If "Mario" understood that he was being prevented from doing so, he was wrong to handle the situation in such a manner. I can only imagine he was trying to hold the line, saw no ops in the direction your boyfriend was trying to go, and, having to keep his eye on the section by him, didn't feel he could leave his position or know for certain your boyfriend was telling the truth. Unfortunately, we hear all sorts of creative excuses as to why someone isn't really trying to cut in line when they are. Further, He probably felt he was putting him in a line where, if his story was true, he would eventually meet up with you anyway once you were both in Soap Bubble and not be in any really danger. The line was crowded and, on the outside, rainy, but there was no threat to personal safety in it. Still, if he was alone and could not leave his position or see clearly in the direction your boyfriend was going, he should have asked your boyfriend to wait with him until he could, since it sounds like your boyfriend's priority at that point was getting his things, not getting back in line. If one of these was not the case, he should have made accommodations to help your boyfriend retrieve his property. If he did not, he should have also explained the situation to your boyfriend and should not have yelled at your boyfriend unless he needed to yell to be heard. I should say, though, I don't believe a call to 911 emergency would have been appropriate. Regardless, you once again have my apologies regarding how the situation was handled. I hope you can understand, however, why it was handled the way it was. You have my assurances we will do what we can to prevent this sort of thing from happening in the future.

[Dogao]

Bunni: Thanks for the helpful suggestion, but we DID go before we came. But since hydration is important at a RAVE PARTY, we'd had just a bit of water.....unless you'd prefer I fast all night so I can stay in your little line, and you can just deal with the fallout when I pass out in a dark room with 3000 people in it? How long are you psychos going to attempt to enforce this biologically impossible rule? Until someone actually ends up in the hospital?
I'm glad you can apparently go for infinite periods of time without food or bathroom breaks but that's a stupid and irresponsible policy to force on the entire congoing public. Please don't ever work for the con again but we really appreciate your time. <3

Regarding the call: if you really think this would get me in more trouble than you, you're a bigger liability than the bathroom policy. Even if I did get fined (which is probably only a 20% chance, since most non-emergency calls are routed through 911 now) it would still do much more damage to the con than to myself.

Edrik: This is exactly what I wanted to hear. Thank you for your compassionate and thoughtful apology; it is dedicated, reasonable people like you, looking to improve the con, that keep me and my friends coming back to ACEN. <3 <3

I'm glad this has gotten official attention, and I hope next year's line policy will be seriously improved, since simply expecting people not to pee is not working. The last thing ACEN needs is for some diabetic or something to go into shock because she didn't feel like losing her place in line for a sandwich. And for what it's worth I'd REALLY like to avoid relieving myself in a corner

The last thing I want is for bad things to happen to the con. But if it's between a strike against ACEN and involving the authorities for illegal and irresponsible measures taken by con staff...well, that should be a choice that no one is forced to make.

[Coderjoe]

RedXIII, on May 21 2008, 03:28 PM, said:

About Bathroom breaks:
We have that policy in place because people, whom I have read many about, like to find "alternative routes" back into place like The Soap Bubble and such. The reason we do that is because if the Fire Martial comes to us and asks "How many people do you have inside there?" We can tell him a for sure amount. If we have 50 people going out to use the bathroom and trying to come back in as we are letting 50 other people in not counting the 50 that had just left and are now sneaking back in, we would be shut down and that would ruin everyones fun for the night. I, myself, at the expressed "OK" of my supervisor, aloud only a hand full of people to use the restrooms. If you have 25 people leaving for a potty break then trying to get back into lines.... it becomes MASS CHAOS.

About Food/water in Long Lines:
I understand about the Reg lines. I wasn't there to see it for myself, but I heard the horror stories about them. There was a malfunction with the computers. We couldn't help that. Our Reg people worked, literately, around the clock to fix it. Even then, we ended up with MANY IRT members without badges and such. ANYWAYS, if I had someone ask me to get them a glass of water, but I started drawing the line when (I kid you not) 46 people asked me to get them some water. I'm not your server. I do not get payed to wait on you. I understand this is gonna sound like a bitch thing to say BUT.... Please bring WATER when you know you are going somewhere that is going to have a line to wait. I understand that a lot of Cos Play costumes don't have pockets, but you do have hands.

To be fair, the people waiting in the 10 hour registration line were not expecting to wait in line for 10 hours. You honestly expect everyone to be able to hold the evacuative functions that long, and carry enough water for themselves to last 10 hours, when they were expecting a much, MUCH shorter wait?

[Bunni]

GenesicStrongJaeger, on May 21 2008, 06:19 PM, said:

I dealt with IRT more this year than I have in my last 5 years combined. Given, none of it was my fault, but I became embroiled in the con drama. Before I get all mean, I will say that Wedge seems like a decent guy and I like how he handled the situation we were involved in. As for every other IRT member there, good freaking lord I have never been so disgusted. And now on with my own problems.

So it's Saturday night, about 11ish I think. MOst all the craziness had died down but there was plenty of people outside. Tons of people smoking, including my friend who is standing roughly two feet away from the curb. At this time two IRT come up and instantly yell at him that he has to be three feet away from the curb and tell him to move. He repsonds with a simple "What about those other people standing near the curb?" as he gestures at the atleast 5 dozen people smoking on the curb. So the first IRT guy demands his badge, just like that. When my friend says no, the other IRT guy calls backup. Before we realize there is roughly ten IRT who have surrounded him. When he tries to walk away one IRT shoves him and they all keep him in their little circle. They argue more and everntually two IRT just agree to escort him back to his room, which is actually my room. On the way there, he books and takes off. The next thing I know, my room keys have been disabled and there are cops asking for me by name. So I go the front desk.

When I get there I'm greeted by the head of hotel security as well as 2 IRT guys. Gabe, head of hotel security, tells me that IRT reported that he was drunk and disorderly and the cops had been contacted to arrest him. I'm just flabbergasted. I mean, my friend was totally sober, and just because he refused to surrender his badge on a bull**** call made by a power tripping IRT, they are going to try and charge him with a crime. So eventually I get security calmed down and I get back into my room, agreeing that if I saw my friend I would let them know. As soon as they left I called my friend and told him the whole deal. At which point he changes clothes and evades security the rest of the weekend.

So what went wrong here? Everything. I don't blame hotel security, who only knew what IRT told them. Wedge, who was bought in near the tail end of it, was quite professional and helpful. To the rest of IRT staff, I have NEVER been more appalled in my life. Not only did you ILLEGALLY shove and detain my friend, you made false accusations to security and the police about him. All because he dared question your infinite authority because you had singled him out of 50 people doing the same wrong thing. Normally if I was upset at something like this Iw ould just not go, but not now. At this point I vow I will be back next year. And if you think you think you had a hard time handling people this year, I promise I will do everything in my power to make it ten times harder for you next year if things don't change.

You forgot a few details. In the rules section you are required to present your badge when inquired by IRT hotel security and the police. Your friend was being insubordinate and the hotel security said he was to be removed from the premises and called the police. At the time your friend was shouting and harassing 2 female ops when the ADH of the shift appeared on scene. At wich point he was legally and passively detained while the head of hotel security evaluated the situation. When he found out he couldn't get away and tried to become violent we did nothing other than stand close. To his credit other than pushing he was not violent. Until a person had a severe medical injury and had immediate need of evacuation. He used that situation to escape from legal authorities. The police were inbound and hotel did not want his presence around anymore. At this point in the con he was illegally trespassing on both hotel and convention property. It was a situation easily avoided if your friend had simply moved out of the middle of the street when asked. I was an op directly next to the incident and all Froggy said was "please move out of the street" till he responded with "f**k you". I remember asking you to please cooperate and ask your friend to calm down. You the one with the camera phone? I definitely would like to thank you for backing out of the situation and complying with our requests. And yes Wedge is awesome.

There are people at the con with fun in mind, but some feel that they don't have to do what anyone says. This is the whole reason IRT gets upset.

[Caerulea Windseeker]

SongstressLenne, on May 21 2008, 02:58 PM, said:

I honestly done care if I get flamed for this but I'm tired of seeing how everything is the higher ups fault:

IRT AND STAFFERS CANNOT READ MINDS!

They will assume it is a normal person walking by unless the person speaks up. You have to speak up, and in all honesty, no offense, if you don't the blame falls back to you. Yes, there might be a screaming match if you get a bad apple, but your point will get across.

I was going to be pushed outside but I spoke up, with good reason.

Just voice yourself, don't be afraid. Trust me people are willing to hear you out.

Or, you'll get kicked out of the con. Which I saw several people in danger of, just for the ultimate sin of having to use the bathroom and the I.R.T. they told about it went on walkabout when they got out of the john. Given one of the stories above, I can say that everyone's fears of that were probably real fears. You make it sound so innocent, but I.R.T. was at the breaking point Saturday night. Sure, if they confiscated a badge the person who it was taken from may be able to prove themselves in the right. But they'd be out the rest of the con. You really think people want to take that chance?

Edrik's apology is the only sane response to this situation I've seen thusfar in this thread. Bunni (who doesn't seem to have a staff ID on her forum handle, so for all I know she could just be a regular joe schmo like me, even though her tone doesn't come across that way) seems to be content with the status quo, which is the usual "blame-the-con-goers" routine. That gets old. Especially given how others, including myself, have pointed out just why this policy is unfair, unreasonable, and puts undue stress on both the con-goers and I.R.T. Especially given how this was brought up last year, and the problem was mostly ignored by con staff. If there was a problem this year, and staff members don't like the flames that come from people who were made miserable by this stupid, shortsighted excuse of a policy, then perhaps they should have paid more attention back then and they would have saved themselves the elevated blood pressure. Perhaps con-goers may, just maybe, actually know a thing or two, or are right about something from time to time.

Please think outside the box, think of what will help turn this into a win-win scenario. I don't want to see I.R.T. pushed to the brink any more than I want to see someone get ill because a volunteer went on a power trip over their bodily functions.

Someone mentioned how Disney handles lines. Last time I checked, Disney started implementing a ticket system so that people could take care of themselves and not struggle to stand in hours-long lines. When I was last at Disneyland, the longest I waited in line for a raid was a reasonable 45 minutes. If Disney recognizes that it's not happy to have people miserable because they can't get out of line without losing their place to take care of themselves, perhaps ACen should take a page out of their book?

Rosa has indicated that the issue of letting folks take care of themselves will be hammered out, and she seemed to be interested in the ideas that were presented by folks in the Suggestions/Gripes forum. So I would hope that no more staff come on these forums and directly contradict her. It tends to make us jittery that we're being told things by the higher ups that won't be implemented by those a little lower on the totem pole.

[LadyLaetitia]

ExentricSage, on May 20 2008, 03:15 AM, said:

(Sorry about replying twice in a row... ^^; )

I actualy have to disagree with this person. I think it's hilarious that they cary prop weapons and even dress in costumes sometimes. Furthermore, I don't think it's bad for them to look intimidating. Sometimes these guys actualy have to deal with violent confrontations or people sneeking in live steel. I hope they scare the piss out of anyone who's causing trouble. Pluss, I find it rather charming. Their bad butt image kind of makes me want to join IRT.

As someone who has worked conventions (everything from simple volunteer to chairing events) for over 20 years the people interested in joining staff because of the "bad butt image" are exactly the type that should NOT be on staff as they cause more problems than they solve, both with attendees and venues.

Nor should anyone on staff be carrying even prop weapons while on duty. It gives entirely the wrong impression and is going to escalate problems that should have been / would have been handled calmly without the prop weapon involved. The "bad butt image" is entirely unnecessary to handle even violent situations - as an older, plump, short woman I have handled dozens of violent situations mostly involving young large drunk men and have never had a problem. IRT needs to cultivate a demeanor of authority which is entirely different than "bad butt" or intimidation.

Whatever part of staff one is assigend to one must *always* be polite to the attendees and any kind of power trip behavior will get one kicked off staff (and possibly out of the event) so fast one's head will spin.

YMMV,
Laetitia

[Bunni]

Coderjoe, on May 21 2008, 08:03 PM, said:

To be fair, the people waiting in the 10 hour registration line were not expecting to wait in line for 10 hours. You honestly expect everyone to be able to hold the evacuative functions that long, and carry enough water for themselves to last 10 hours, when they were expecting a much, MUCH shorter wait?

When I worked Reg on Thurs night and Sat mid day we tried to be accommodating as possible 10 hours is insane. I can not vouch for any other Ops but The Law, Hedgehog and me all were reasonable with bathroom requests. Unfortunately we had to keep the lobby clear and stairs clear. The lobby was not leased to the convention as the room was so we were not allowed to have guests loiter there. On the stairs it was against fire code to have anyone blocking a thoroughfare especially stairs. When ever asked for a bathroom request i pointed em to it and waved at them upon their return. Registration is a different monster than Masq or soap bubble lines. The masq line is by ticket so its kinda useless to wait in line till right before the event. Soap bubble has allot of non con goers trying to sneak in and or sell drugs in line. Allot of people come under the influence of legal or illegal substances. Most are responsible con goers but the bad ones make us go on higher alert and more of a hard line than other situations. Granted in all situations the Op should try to stay polite yet firm.

[davebb]

Well Bunni is a new staff member as am I. He's a green IRT member on midshift. So he is staff.

Caerulea Windseeker, on May 21 2008, 11:27 PM, said:

Edrik's apology is the only sane response to this situation I've seen thusfar in this thread. Bunni (who doesn't seem to have a staff ID on her forum handle, so for all I know she could just be a regular joe schmo like me, even though her tone doesn't come across that way) seems to be content with the status quo, which is the usual "blame-the-con-goers" routine. That gets old. Especially given how others, including myself, have pointed out just why this policy is unfair, unreasonable, and puts undue stress on both the con-goers and I.R.T.

[Caerulea Windseeker]

davebb, on May 21 2008, 11:11 PM, said:

Well Bunni is a new staff member as am I. She's a green IRT member on midshift. So she is staff.

I'm hearing different things about the policies and what will be done with them next year depending on where in the hierarchy folks are. This, I believe, is one of the problems that I.R.T. and many other departments needs to address.