[knight]

xMelloCat, on May 17 2010, 09:52 PM, said:

Can you link me to a thread? Or must I make one?

Ah, but there were so many people who had the same thing with them. If you went to the masquerade, there was someone with the sign that said "The Game."
Someone also had a shirt that said "Free Hugs." Someone had a shirt that said 'The Game." About ten people had a sign that said "Free Hugs" And that had NOTHING to do with their cosplay. But IRT didn't take it away at all. People had signs about "The Game." Also.

sadly they should have been ask to remove their signs as well but IRT can not be everywhere and see everything. we do our best but some rules infractions will inevitably fall through the cracks.

[Bunni]

Ok, I will explain this as a professional enforcement agent as a real job outside of con myself. Any higher up on the totem than me will agree. Under IL law as an in house volunteer "Public Safety" operative, it is our jobs to:

1. Protect from damage, with in perimeters of the law, all person and property pertaining to; Hyatt Hotel, Rosemont Convention Center, all vendors contracted to sell merchandise with in the convention center and Midwest Anime Promotion Society.

2. Ensure the safety of individuals on the premises of convention ground from obstruction, damage and health related issues.

3. Observe, report and aid in apprehension of any persons committing any illegal act, including ordinance violations, on a federal, state, county and city level.

4. Enforce all rules and regulations, with in the law, of; Hyatt Hotel, Rosemont Convention Center and Midwest Anime Promotion Society.

5. Aid and/or report individuals in need off assistance as appropriate for reasons of; handicap accessibility, medical assistance, emergency assistance or those with mental handicaps.

IRT is not a police force, or a security force, but they are a public safety group. They actually have legal authority in IL. IRT has the authority and are expected to enforce and report what ever rules and regulations they deem enforceable for both Rosemont Convention Center, and Hyatt Hotel in Rosemont. IRT works in cooperation WITH Hyatt Hotel Security, Rosemont Auxiliary Police, Rosemont Public Safety, and Rosemont Convention Center. We are basically the first defense if it gets past us or goes over our head the next level gets involved. Trust me we know your here to have fun, so are we, but the next level up cares alot less then the level before it.

Some of the seemingly minor offenses that we handle if handled by Hotel Security, Rosemont Public Safety, Rosemont Auxiliary Police, or Rosemont Police could equal to immediate fines, eviction from hotel or arrest. Examples; excessive use of the elevators, disturbing the peace, accessing off limit areas, excessive noise or noise disturbances, dropping items from any raised position regardless of height (1 floor or 11 floors inside or outside there is no difference only severity), and drinking or drunkenness in public spaces. When ever it is severe enough or the person is uncooperative with us the next level is called in. They care about the people that are behaving and have a zero tolerance for people who are not.

We all know Anime Central is a whole lot of fun, but people it is still the real world. Even though social barriers break down and you can truly be yourself without fear of social repercussions, real world rules still apply. When any person of authority asks you to do or not do something based on a rule or regulation you have to comply or face repercussions, even if they seem rude. Now don't get me wrong excessive rudeness should be reported to the appropriate party, but being told or a stern talking to about not running or to leave restricted area is with in our rights. Better us then police they don't have to be nice at all. By the way Rosemont Police and Auxiliary Police I Love you, you are some of the best and miss understood people I've met at con.

[knight]

Bunni, on May 17 2010, 10:09 PM, said:

Ok, I will explain this as a professional enforcement agent as a real job outside of con myself. Any higher up on the totem than me will agree. Under IL law as an in house volunteer "Public Safety" operative, it is our jobs to:

1. Protect from damage, with in perimeters of the law, all person and property pertaining to; Hyatt Hotel, Rosemont Convention Center, all vendors contracted to sell merchandise with in the convention center and Midwest Anime Promotion Society.

2. Ensure the safety of individuals on the premises of convention ground from obstruction, damage and health related issues.

3. Observe, report and aid in apprehension of any persons committing any illegal act, including ordinance violations, on a federal, state, county and city level.

4. Enforce all rules and regulations, with in the law, of; Hyatt Hotel, Rosemont Convention Center and Midwest Anime Promotion Society.

5. Aid and/or report individuals in need off assistance as appropriate for reasons of; handicap accessibility, medical assistance, emergency assistance or those with mental handicaps.

IRT is not a police force, or a security force, but they are a public safety group. They actually have legal authority in IL. IRT has the authority and are expected to enforce and report what ever rules and regulations they deem enforceable for both Rosemont Convention Center, and Hyatt Hotel in Rosemont. IRT works in cooperation WITH Hyatt Hotel Security, Rosemont Auxiliary Police, Rosemont Public Safety, and Rosemont Convention Center. We are basically the first defense if it gets past us or goes over our head the next level gets involved. Trust me we know your here to have fun, so are we, but the next level up cares alot less then the level before it.

Some of the seemingly minor offenses that we handle if handled by Hotel Security, Rosemont Public Safety, Rosemont Auxiliary Police, or Rosemont Police could equal to immediate fines, eviction from hotel or arrest. Examples; excessive use of the elevators, disturbing the peace, accessing off limit areas, excessive noise or noise disturbances, dropping items from any raised position regardless of height (1 floor or 11 floors inside or outside there is no difference only severity), and drinking or drunkenness in public spaces. When ever it is severe enough or the person is uncooperative with us the next level is called in. They care about the people that are behaving and have a zero tolerance for people who are not.

We all know Anime Central is a whole lot of fun, but people it is still the real world. Even though social barriers break down and you can truly be yourself without fear of social repercussions, real world rules still apply. When any person of authority asks you to do or not do something based on a rule or regulation you have to comply or face repercussions, even if they seem rude. Now don't get me wrong excessive rudeness should be reported to the appropriate party, but being told or a stern talking to about not running or to leave restricted area is with in our rights. Better us then police they don't have to be nice at all. By the way Rosemont Police and Auxiliary Police I Love you, you are some of the best and miss understood people I've met at con.

couldn't have said it better myself except to add that we really try to be as nice as possible. thank you bunni

[Bunni]

knight, on May 17 2010, 10:21 PM, said:

couldn't have said it better myself except to add that we really try to be as nice as possible. thank you bunni

Oh ya nice is great too. Nice is always a plus, but its not required by law. It is IRT's policy to be nice. In the specific incident listed where i was rude, out of 8 people pulled from the elevator 4 were giving alot of attitude, so my generally pleasant demeanor turned into a stern talking to. Very sorry if you got caught in the cross fire of a few others who were uncooperative.

[stringcheese]

Bunni, on May 17 2010, 10:40 PM, said:

Oh ya nice is great too. Nice is always a plus, but its not required by law. It is IRT's policy to be nice. In the specific incident listed where i was rude, out of 8 people pulled from the elevator 4 were giving alot of attitude, so my generally pleasant demeanor turned into a stern talking to. Very sorry if you got caught in the cross fire of a few others who were uncooperative.

I'll vouch for this guy. Bunni was one of the most professional and nicest people I worked with all weekend. He offered to work with me even when he was off shift. He made transitioning a line clogging up the hallway into a single file line against a wall so effortless, I was jealous.

I hope somewhere down the road next year, I will be able to work with him again.

[daegan]

Menchi, on May 17 2010, 07:09 PM, said:

Surprisingly in the past I've had little to no issues with the IRT staff... but I think that's because this is the first year I decided to stay the night at the con both nights. Mostly they were good or neutral drones from the people that would keep people in line, or organize the splits in the lines...that sort of organization seemed to go really well. However, there were a few instances that really upset me, and others in my group that I think definitely need to be resolved.

MOST UPSETTING OF THIS WHOLE WEEKEND: My friends and I, like most con goers were PAID GUESTS OF THE HYATT. We had a room for two nights there, and on Saturday night after the game room had closed, we wanted to go to the terrace. The moment we got there, this rude IRT woman told us to "turn around and get out". When I had asked why we weren't allowed in a part of the hotel that's completely open to guests, all age 21 and over, she refused to answer my question, told me to "shut up", and told her partner to push the elevator button for us to leave. I pressed the issue, because a mature, professional response and explanation would have sufficed to have us leave, and she proceeded to call us "stupid, incompetent" (likely better attributes suited to her unprofessionalism), and when one of my group members suggested we return "downstairs", she rudely insisted "NO, you are NOT taking the stairs, you are waiting here for the next elevator and going back to your room" (despite the fact that, legally, we are all WELL over the curfew age and she has no right to impose that sort of restriction on us). Oh and that's not all... HER AND HER IRT PARTNER WERE HEAVILY INTOXICATED. How ACEN staff could allow this is beyond my recognition. I wish I had taken her name, but for a general description:

Staffed Hyatt around 3:00 AM on Sunday
Female, Glasses, probably early 30s/late 20s, short hair
And as one of my friends described (formerly being on IRT himself) one of the "power hungry" IRT

Her partner was more clearly describable. Male, late 20s, Curly spiky-ish hair, a prominent piercing on the left side of his lower lip.

And in general... All IRT staff really need to be educated in the BASIC stuff for the con. If you're going to staff a con and not even know what the layout of the con is (no, NOT "where XX panel is", but where Hyatt named rooms and locations are (especially when they are about 10 feet away from you), you shouldn't be staffing it.

Anyway, I had nothing but pleasant experiences from the rest of the ACen staff, especially the folks at Registration and in the Dealers', but I had to vent from this very unpleasant experience.

The name-calling is totally uncalled for, but you probably just stumbled on something you weren't supposed to.

[Miroku2010]

Edward Elric, on May 17 2010, 04:54 PM, said:

IRT at the masquerade seemed to mostly have their heads up their rears. They had no clue what each other were doing, half the IRT said "no you can't leave the line for food or snack, and no to going to the bathroom." You expect people to sit in line for 3 hours and not have to pee? or get hungry considering the line was wrapped around the building. Yet if you manage to flag down a hotel staffer, its a different story then the IRT's get on the "line jumpers" rear when hotel staff already cleared them and asked the surrounding area if they didn't mind said person leaving and coming back and not jumping.

Person to remain nameless who was waiting in line had to pee and was told she couldn't leave the line to do so. We created a censorship wall so she could do so in a bottle.

I hope no one else has to resort to that in the future. When nature calls you should be allowed to leave the line to use the restroom. Or hell, put a dollar entrance fee on the soap bubble so the con can provide port-a-potties outside the line or something.

[DresdenIRT]

IRTHunter, on May 17 2010, 04:48 PM, said:

Let us all work together to identify the "foolish" members on IRT! Imaginably we can get our "Call Sign" tag size increased for better viability! Perhaps in the future more members will follow my IRT hat example xD. If we can find out who these "jerks" are, possibly our management can properly deal with them!

>Hunter<

where did you get your hat anyways, i want one

[cinnamon mew]

I feel evil posting a gripe about this but umm . . . I had a group of friends walk up to me and tell me that IRT was stupid . . I asked why and they showed me a stack of badges that were fake beyond belief (an obviously fake back frm a previous badge, faded front with useless numbers) apparently (dont quote me on this) 3 members ,including sum1 checking badges at con, asked to see the badge and couldnt spot it so uh ya i understand ppl are tired but come on

[Menchi]

Actually it is not uncalled for. Listen, my group of friends and myself were among the most well-behaved people of the entire con. Nothing we did was illegal, harmful, or distracting in any way. We did not drink, consume or do any substances, and were just there to enjoy WHAT THE CON IS MEANT FOR (ANIME)...and hasn't lived up to in about 4 years (but that's another complaint). On the contrary, both of these operatives were intoxicated (my primary point of contention if the BOLD wasn't obvious enough), and the one with the piercing started talking about how he had wished he'd had more to drink.

I'm an anime fan...but I'm also collegiate and professional in a work environment. I don't need the "ACEN is also the real world" speech, it is precisely because it is the real world that I expect a bit more decency and professionalism. Not only that, but this statement:

By request of Guest Relations' DH this section was removed

Instead of being professional about it and telling us that (not ONCE did this rude Op tell us in any way shape or form what Bunni just wrote...that the floor was off limits. All she persisted in saying was to get down/get out/some variation of the sort). If you did this at any legitimate business, a customer could call BBB and get a whole slew of customer service complaints written up. It's great that IRT are volunteers, but that's the FACT that they are VOLUNTEERS. We attendees are the ones PAYING for their services, paying $50 to attend the con AND paying $200 to stay at the hotel. In a business sense we are the customers of ACEN, and the reason ACEN is kept alive.

Quote

Drinking or drunkenness in public spaces

If only this could be fixed Internally, within the organization that's supposed to stop and control this first. If only IRT could set a good example.

Not don't get me wrong. 99% of IRT did a fantastic job, like other posters have said. For example, an IRT Op was chiding some people for using the Service elevators, but she was SOOO professional about it, saying something like "These elevators are designated for hotel staff only, please use the stairs or the central elevators." I think if all IRT are made to take a basic training in customer service, everyone would be so much better and they wouldn't come off as total jerks. It's those specific people that other posters have mentioned at fault here. All these horror stories about the Masquerade are ridiculous as well and I hope they get sorted out.

This post has been edited by SongstressLenne: 19 May 2010 - 09:35 PM
Reason for edit: Department Head Request

[ZomgBlue]

not a full on complaint, more of a annoying ammount of miscommunication. though in the end things seemed to get worked out.

first i went to cs near where the dances are held because i was being sexually harassed via text by another con goer that got my number. they called over two irt members, one walked me to the pen. at the pen i talked to one seated member who then said wait and told me to talk to the guy to his left. heres teh whole story and then ill include the parts that were muddled

i then no longer felt comfortable walking to and from the hyatt alone or around the hyatt. the person had followed me out of a room party of sorts one night while i was on a trip to get some items from my car for someone, of course i asked a friend to join me just by chance. we got the items and then returned to the gathering only for me to find out teh person had followed me and my friend. thats when the sexual stuff started showing up.

now this guy that followed me out he was clearly gone beyond any relam of remembering even his own name drunk. he claimed he must have been drugged as he doesnt drink (even tough he had a bottle of vodka with a handle on his person) i started getting random texts from young people on my phone from his number with text speak leading me to also think he had a room party with underage drinking going on. not to much shock this person had a room party that was shut down last year for the same reason (under age drinking, i know as after a bit it hit me how i knew his face).

i gave the info i had about the underage drinking suspicion, i had a room number and all. though it seemed that they were under the impression i was directly in the room and went directly over teh more important to me part, the sexual harassment. i can understand it gets mixed after a line of telephone but i was kind of hoping he would have also been told that not every girl enjoys being treated like meat. also that when a girl does say that she has no plans to do such a thing that she normally doesnt mean not at that very second and plans to change her mind in 5 seconds. *smashes head* though after that night after talking to the irt guys he did leave me alone and i believe my name was left out.

honestly cant remember call signs but they all had call signs 2 were even still on duty just incase because of 'just incase'

-edit-
the first 2 i talked two were kind of a couple as in they called each other hon and darling in that sort of way. she was a blonde and near my height 5'6-5'9. he was like 6'3 at the max it was around friday night near sunset. the two sitting were higher ups and heavy set men one had on a hat. no one was rude or anything just i think the true worry i had got lost in translation.

This post has been edited by ZomgBlue: 18 May 2010 - 02:22 AM

[Drake_Ravencraft]

please try and remember call signs it helps to ferret out complaints . most of us joined irt after attending the con for a few years and joined to help make it more enjoyable for everyone involved from the young to the elderly.

irt op Shade

[Bunni]

To menchi,

1. Regardless of what was said you should never have been physically allowed to get off the elevator in the first place guards are posted there to keep con-goers and hotel guest out of the restricted area.

2. Removed text per DH of Guest Relations request

3. Nice or not (hopefully nice) if you are told to do something by a person of authority you must do it immediately. If no explanations are given then you shouldn't continue to inquire why.

4. Your point has been clearly made and conjecture and conspiracy need to be stopped please.

Some one was rude to you. It will be investigated. So will the validation of his/her sobriety. All staff hallways, kitchens, back rooms, offices, closed panel rooms, closed ballrooms and service elevators are completely off limits to all hotel guests and con-goers. You stumbled into an area you should have been in, someone handled the situation poorly. I have had guard duty before and I tell you it gets old telling people who aren't supposed to be somewhere to leave and they start 20 questions. The only major difference is I make sure to tell them the situation immediately negating any reason for inquiry other then being argumentative and obstinate. In which case I calmly remind them to comply or their badge will be waiting for them in the bull pen and they have to talk to a supervisor to get it back. Rarely has it come to even the second warning and on the third it was no longer a warning and they did in fact have to talk to a supervisor to get their badge back.

This post has been edited by SongstressLenne: 19 May 2010 - 09:40 PM
Reason for edit: Department Head Request

[Kasin]

Only issue I had was the same issue I have every year. That one irt guy who thinks he's god, and can boss people around, or take elevators up alone.

[mmy-sama]

xMelloCat, on May 18 2010, 02:05 AM, said:

During Con
On Sunday, my friend had a sign that said "The Game" and the other side said "Free Hugs"
We had it for more than two hours. There was some IRT that we kept seeing and they kept laughing and playing along. So, after a while, some other IRT tells her to throw it away because it is completely irrelevant to anime con and that free hugs is prostitution. It disappoints her so much, that we actually left early.

Oh wow.

Completely irrelevant to the con? A lot of stuff is completely irrelevant to the con. There where All sorts of people cosplaying all sorts of characters, some not even anime related! A whole lot of people need to throw away a lot of stuff thats no relevant to the con.

Prostitution? Really? She was giving hugs away for free! Thats not prostitution! Who doesn't give out free hugs at con? Thats like saying that we're all dirty whores at con. That IRTling just called a WHOLE lot of people whores. Wow.


Also, why don't they have some more graceful way of telling people that the eleventh floor is off limits? Theres been multiple times where're i've been riding on an elevator that stopped there. theres never any sign or anything telling guests what it is. I can imagine a lot of people would be surprised if they where treated like that. Just put up some sort of employee only sign in front of the elevator door, problem solved. I'm a genius.

[Cricket]

Kasin, on May 18 2010, 08:04 AM, said:

Only issue I had was the same issue I have every year. That one irt guy who thinks he's god, and can boss people around, or take elevators up alone.

Please, please, please, i cannot emphasize this enough, IRT has name badges and tapes on their vests, please get us a name so we can do something about it.

...As a side note if they were riding the elevator up, it might have been guest escorts and they were trying to take priority in order to get the guests you come to see to places they need to be on time. if the hyatt had other elevators that we had exclusive access to, we would take them so we didn't have to bother our attendees, but we must make do with what we have, I'm sorry.

[daegan]

Menchi, on May 18 2010, 06:34 AM, said:

(whiny, entitled rant)

I meant they shouldn't have called you names, dude. But as Bunni said - and I'm nowhere near staff and I know this - that level is off-limits ever since the restaurant's been gone. You are not entitled to an explanation why, it just is.

[Irish]

Quote

"This is Nighthawk to Phoenixheart. Nighthawk to Phoenixheart. We got a situation down here. Subject is consuming a pastry treat in a highly congested area. Requesting permission to execute takedown. Over."
"Phoenixheart to Nighthawk. Take him down with extreme prejudice. Over."
"I'M POPPIN' SMOKE! GO! GO! GO!"

...bwahahahahahahaha.... thats hilarious. SO going on the quotes page.

-Irish
IRT Operative/Guest Escort '10, '09, '08, '07

[Shay]

mmy-sama, on May 18 2010, 04:53 PM, said:

Oh wow.

Completely irrelevant to the con? A lot of stuff is completely irrelevant to the con. There where All sorts of people cosplaying all sorts of characters, some not even anime related! A whole lot of people need to throw away a lot of stuff thats no relevant to the con.

Prostitution? Really? She was giving hugs away for free! Thats not prostitution! Who doesn't give out free hugs at con? Thats like saying that we're all dirty whores at con. That IRTling just called a WHOLE lot of people whores. Wow.

They probably used the word solicitation, not prostitution. Any sign asking for something, either with something in return or free, is considered solicitation and is not allowed. For the past several years, the rule at ACen is that only signs directly part of your cosplay are allowed, and only if they are not considered solicitation. For example, even if the character you are cosplaying carries a sign saying "Free Hugs" the sign would still not be allowed. But if you're cosplaying Rorschach from Watchmen (for example) it would be allowed to carry a sign that says "The End is Nigh" because that is a part of the cosplay.

So, it wasn't the fact that the sign wasn't relevant to anime. It was the fact that solicitation is not allowed. I'm sorry if it wasn't explained well, but something things can get a little loud or hectic at a convention.

[Kasin]

I couldn't get a name, since the elevator closed in my face.

[DeadCruiser]

I'm posting this from a cell phone, so I wont be using the quote button (lazy). However, to the guy who was going on about how bad Rosemont PD is compared to IRT...stop trolling. Nobody thinks you are witty, helpful or funny.

I know I have said it a ton of times, but I cant stress enough that there are some seriously rad IRT guys and girls. I was instructed to do stuff a few times by IRT and they were nothing but nice and polite.

Sure, it may not be required by law to be friendly, but nobody likes a power hungry clown. For me, respect is a two way street. I've been rude with more than one cop with an attitude problem, I'm definitely not going to hesitate doing the same with an unruly IRT member. I'm sure if the roles were reversed, it would be the same way.

This whole experience makes me want to join IRT next year so I can treat atendees how they shouldbe treated while working with other IRT members who do their jobs flawlessly and weed out those who are mistreating atendees.

Seriously guys, I love this convention and I'll be damned if I let and shady people who slip through the cracks and become IRT chase away the people who pay to make this convention happen every year. I'll do everything in my power to help.

[God Hand]

DeadCruiser, on May 18 2010, 11:51 PM, said:

Seriously guys, I love this convention and I'll be damned if I let and shady people who slip through the cracks and become IRT chase away the people who pay to make this convention happen every year. I'll do everything in my power to help.

This is one of the best reasons for joining IRT! Personally I am hurt every time I hear about such and such operative was being a Jerk. I worked my way to being a supervisor so I could cut the crap that is done wrong.

[Ita-chan]

mmy-sama, on May 18 2010, 03:53 PM, said:

Oh wow.

Completely irrelevant to the con? A lot of stuff is completely irrelevant to the con. There where All sorts of people cosplaying all sorts of characters, some not even anime related! A whole lot of people need to throw away a lot of stuff thats no relevant to the con.

Prostitution? Really? She was giving hugs away for free! Thats not prostitution! Who doesn't give out free hugs at con? Thats like saying that we're all dirty whores at con. That IRTling just called a WHOLE lot of people whores. Wow.


Also, why don't they have some more graceful way of telling people that the eleventh floor is off limits? Theres been multiple times where're i've been riding on an elevator that stopped there. theres never any sign or anything telling guests what it is. I can imagine a lot of people would be surprised if they where treated like that. Just put up some sort of employee only sign in front of the elevator door, problem solved. I'm a genius.

Please calm down, as Shay explained, she may have said the word "solicitation" which if you don't know the whole definition can be easily mistaken for being associated with the word "prostitution".

Alot of things at the con are irrelevant to anime and manga but I still enjoy them anyways. Cosplay by definition is not limited to just anime, video game and manga characters.

Signs: No signs of any kind are allowed at ACen if they are not an obvious part of the costume(i.e: the objection! signs phoenix wright characters have, etc.). It is the written in the rules IRT and congoers recieve.

I agree it would be a good idea but people steal signs put up by staff. The sign for the gopher hole was stolen more then a once from the basement.

sarcasm is not very polite either. Respect is a two-way street.

DeadCruiser, on May 18 2010, 11:51 PM, said:

I'm posting this from a cell phone, so I wont be using the quote button (lazy). However, to the guy who was going on about how bad Rosemont PD is compared to IRT...stop trolling. Nobody thinks you are witty, helpful or funny.

I know I have said it a ton of times, but I cant stress enough that there are some seriously rad IRT guys and girls. I was instructed to do stuff a few times by IRT and they were nothing but nice and polite.

Sure, it may not be required by law to be friendly, but nobody likes a power hungry clown. For me, respect is a two way street. I've been rude with more than one cop with an attitude problem, I'm definitely not going to hesitate doing the same with an unruly IRT member. I'm sure if the roles were reversed, it would be the same way.

This whole experience makes me want to join IRT next year so I can treat atendees how they shouldbe treated while working with other IRT members who do their jobs flawlessly and weed out those who are mistreating atendees.

Seriously guys, I love this convention and I'll be damned if I let and shady people who slip through the cracks and become IRT chase away the people who pay to make this convention happen every year. I'll do everything in my power to help.

Thankyou, I do not like people who think they're above simple common curtesy, and I make it a point to resolve my issue with them. I hope to see you apply for IRT, but being rude is not going to change a person's mind, even if they are in the wrong. They will think you are just being a jerk, and get more angry with you. It is better to stay calm and let them dig themselves into trouble, the less trouble you cause the easier it will be to report such a person, and not get dragged down with them. I love this convention,too, and I plan on doing staff again next year. Unfortunately misbehavior does slip through the cracks, IRT tries it's best to cover all areas of the con during the weekend, but IRT has only so many people. I've heard IRT will be accepting more people next year.

[Kuroi Yokan]

Kind of late, but to the people that were complaining about IRT not letting you use the bathroom while in line...I'm not on staff, but while I was in line for the Saturday Aural Vampire concert, one of the IRT ladies that was standing next to us told us that it was in their rule/policy book that they HAVE to let people use the bathrooms. Again, I don't know if this is the case since I'm not on staff myself, but I think that should entirely be the case. If that is an official rule and people weren't allowed to use the restroom that is a problem and it should be made more clearly to the IRT who either forgot it or chose to ignore it. Bathroom emergencies are emergencies.

With that said, I actually have no personal complaints. Any IRT I encountered was totally civil and left me alone when I proved my prop broke down. I'm quite content with my IRT experience. Unusual, because I usually get yelled at for something dumb like not having my prop checked even though I'm on my way to get it checked.

My friends weren't so lucky as I heard several complaints about IRT being rude, but ACen is unfortunately nationally remembered for power-abusing IRT. I don't mean to leave this post off on a bad note since I had a good experience, but I really wish ACen was known for something positive. (Read: Could this be fixed?) I have to agree that being a jerk isn't necessary when reminding people of the rules, especially when they haven't actually done anything yet. It's one thing to do it to someone who is actively causing a problem, another to do it to someone who might possibly have done something but you aren't sure and can't prove they did. It just makes everyone unhappy. I would be a lot more willing to oblige to a request if I was told politely to do it. If it was barked at me I would pretend to oblige and continue doing whatever it was behind his back out of anger to spite him. Immature? Sure, but truthfully it's the more likely result. It is possible to be authoritative and still be polite. It really is. I'm not asking IRT to kiss people's feet; just don't scream at people. Be civil. Makes for better moods all around. I love ACen, but over the years I have been less interested in going mostly because of the rude IRT. This year was a nice exception, but from what I've heard, things haven't really improved from the past. No one wants to go to the convention fearing IRT - IRT is just there to keep everyone safe. I just really wish to see bad IRT not be the first thing people talk about when talking about ACen. That's really sad.

Sorry to rant and ramble - it's just that I know ACen is known for their IRT and even if my experience was good, I feel like IRT still needs to improve upon general attitude. I know the attitude problem is only limited to a select group of IRT, but the problem still exists. For those that were polite and friendly, THANK YOU, and keep up the awesome work.

[Drake_Ravencraft]

God Hand, on May 19 2010, 12:13 AM, said:

This is one of the best reasons for joining IRT! Personally I am hurt every time I hear about such and such operative was being a Jerk. I worked my way to being a supervisor so I could cut the crap that is done wrong.

i like god hand joined irt for the same reason to keep the con fun and enjoyable for all involved i hope that next year we have some of the complaints handled so please for next year as i know many other irt op had mentioned before please please please get a callsign from the op in question so we can get to the bottom of the situation and take care of it for acen's to come

[Shay]

Drake_Ravencraft, on May 19 2010, 01:20 PM, said:

i like god hand joined irt for the same reason to keep the con fun and enjoyable for all involved i hope that next year we have some of the complaints handled so please for next year as i know many other irt op had mentioned before please please please get a callsign from the op in question so we can get to the bottom of the situation and take care of it for acen's to come

I joined IRT for the same reason... I saw not-nice IRT in the past and wanted to make a positive change. I also knew that the nice-IRT were overworked and underappreciated, so wanted to help out with that too! For any of you who know me, you know that it's generally difficult to get me angry... at conventions, I'm happy & bubbly & running around crazy. If I'm not happy & bubbly it's because I'm tired or someone did something to piss me off... please don't make the short, cute Pocky angry! It's not happy!

But I enjoy helping people and making people smile... and while I know that sometimes you need to be a little stern or raise your voice (if people aren't listening or in crowded areas) but I've found that people are more responsive to the carrot rather than the stick! Well... most people, but we won't get into the others... that a WHOLE other story and not family-friendly! Usually the only time I actually have to yell is if I need people to clear in an emergency and don't have time to ask politely.... either we need to get to someone quickly or what you're doing is dangerous to yourself and/or others. I'll be nice & polite & explain later if I can, but in the middle of a dangerous situation there isn't always time

If someone on IRT is rude or comes across as power-hungry, or is doing something illegal, please look at the callsign in bright orange letters on their vest... and report them. We can't fix things if we don't know where the problems are.

*hugs* and hope you had a great ACen, and hope next year is even better!

[Roark]

Menchi, on May 17 2010, 01:09 PM, said:

Oh and that's not all... HER AND HER IRT PARTNER WERE HEAVILY INTOXICATED. How ACEN staff could allow this is beyond my recognition. I wish I had taken her name.

Why were you there at all? It's not a listed function space for the convention.

I was there at exactly that time. I walked past those two IRT operatives numerous times, as did many other people. No one ever mentioned heavy intoxication in our staff to me. Can you prove this? It's a very serious accusation, and one I don't take lightly.

[Menchi]

Naturally I suppose my complaint sort of doesn't hold any weight because I not only didn't get these ops names, but I wasn't aware of the exact procedure on how to formally file a complaint (I guess this is my fault, the only reason I'm posting on the forums in the first place because I had no idea where to start).

As for the intoxication...naturally it wasn't to the point where they couldn't function or talk, but while talking to us (I won't mention the circumstances again, out of a request made to me from a staff member) they were audibly conversing to each other: one Op specifically said how he wished he'd had more to drink. It certainly may not have been "frat party/3 hours of shots" intoxicated, but having been in a college environment, I know the effects of alcohol when I see them. Their demeanor and way they acted towards us may have partly been just attitude or guard duty, whatever, but it was clear there was something else in play. It was late on Saturday night after all, I'm sure they did not expect visitors.

But I don't care anymore, this is something your org should investigate internally if you see fit. As another poster said something like "it's not uncommon for IRT to be drinking" and THAT is what I find most discouraging. I apologize, next time I will use proper channels to make a complaint if it is due.

And as for "why we were there at all", I mean... I don't really want to press this at all since I've gotten friendly and cryptic PMs to "not talk about it", but simply put, we were there for the con, but we were also guests of the hotel. In a NORMAL environment/situation, if you stay at a hotel you would fully expect to be able to use its facilities, would you not? Such as using the rec center, spa, pool, free access to all "public" areas of the building, etc. As such, there was no notification anywhere (not even in the location, except for the presence of the IRT staff) that said that area was "off-limits" and as guests of the hotel, one of us had the innocent suggestion that we go there to check out the view, and/or to find some place quiet to sit and chat. What I wonder is, outside of the convention, if these same rules apply to the hotel and if NOT...why is it not written in the pamphlet or there any sort of restriction/sign? Ie, why is that location accessible in the first place if Con Staff decided that it shouldn't be? To me, not sure if my POV is understandable, coming from the side of a hotel guest it seems a little unreasonable to have a "don't ask questions" policy.

This post has been edited by Menchi: 19 May 2010 - 11:44 PM

[TheRabbi]

Something you-all should know: The Guest Relations department has asked us to ask you not mention the name or location of where the guests spend their off-time. While it may be common knowledge to some of you, and you may have even visited - or tried to visit and gotten turned away, more likely - it makes much more work for them if that knowledge is broadcast on the forums. Since we like our GR department, and we like getting guests for the convention (some guests we want may not come if they look on the forums and think they may be hassled by congoers on their breaks between panels and such), we've granted GR's request. Please know that all the heads of the departments that are relevant to the complaints we've received concerning that location are aware of those gripes; they have not gone unnoticed. Thank you for your understanding. Feel free to PM me with any questions.

As far as any IRT you saw intoxicated, I have a feeling that next year's training will include a stern lecture on this subject. (Even though it should go without saying.)

[Riker]

xMelloCat, on May 17 2010, 09:05 PM, said:

On Sunday, my friend had a sign that said "The Game" and the other side said "Free Hugs"
We had it for more than two hours. There was some IRT that we kept seeing and they kept laughing and playing along. So, after a while, some other IRT tells her to throw it away because it is completely irrelevant to anime con and that free hugs is prostitution. It disappoints her so much, that we actually left early.

I can clear this up, because I'm pretty sure I was the op who stopped you. I know there were many people with those signs this con, so I don't know for sure it was me, but I remember stopping a couple of guys in the con center with a two-sided "Free Hugs" and "The Game" sign. Did you also have a Death Note book with a sign written into it?

I know I didn't use the word "prostitution." As Shay has pointed out, the correct word (and the one that I tried to use every time that I stopped someone for such a sign) is "solicitation." Advertising free hugs is actually a matter of local laws, and not something that we have control over. It was also listed in the rules section of the program book.

I'm sorry that the IRT you saw earlier in the day didn't take that opportunity to explain the rule on signs to you. Clearly we need to make sure all of our operatives are being a little more observant. As Knight pointed out, there are only so many of us and we can't possibly talk to EVERY congoer with a sign, but it seems like we need to make sure we're enforcing the rules a little more evenly.

I'm even more sorry that having to throw away the sign ruined the con for your friend so much that she left early. I work IRT to make sure that everyone stays safe and legal and ENJOYS the con, not to try to ruin anyone's holiday. I hope you both consider coming back next year.