I should let CHEF take up this subject, but I'll throw it out there. Ms CHEF was barred from entry to HRS because she was packing a Kindle tablet. She was allowed in after stowing it in their car.

"Gameday Rules" for HRS make no mention of laptops / tablets being banned. Was this an isolated incident with gate personnel who didn't know the rules ? Have new rules been implemented without notice ? Did anyone else bring a device in or have to return it to the car ?

I ask because about the only difference between Ms CHEF's Kindle and my smartphone is the size. Why ban tablets if not smartphones ???

(09-22-2014 07:40 AM)Da.Owl Wrote:  I should let CHEF take up this subject, but I'll throw it out there. Ms CHEF was barred from entry to HRS because she was packing a Kindle tablet. She was allowed in after stowing it in their car.

"Gameday Rules" for HRS make no mention of laptops / tablets being banned. Was this an isolated incident with gate personnel who didn't know the rules ? Have new rules been implemented without notice ? Did anyone else bring a device in or have to return it to the car ?

I ask because about the only difference between Ms CHEF's Kindle and my smartphone is the size. Why ban tablets if not smartphones ???

Either the guard is misinformed, improperly trained, or the website is inaccurate. I could believe any of them. From the website:

Quote:Prohibited Items:

No weapons of any kind<
No pets (Exception: service animals)
Tobacco Products
Food and Beverages (Exception: 1 liter unopened bottle of water)
Unauthorized banners, signs or flags
Artificial noisemakers
Oversized bags, briefcases, coolers, etc.
Recording Devices (professional cameras, tripods, etc.)
Laser Pointers
Umbrellas
Thank you for your continued cooperation and please be assured that your comfort and safety are our primary goals.

source: http://www.riceowls.com/ot/ricestadium-gameday.html

Yup, I saw someone get turned away because they had their iPad. Also saw that the MOB was having trouble taking in their ice chest of water bottles. There were only two of them and there is a rule on only having one bottle per person. They had to make some calls in order for them to be let in.

Former Sammy the Owl R.D. Burke reported that they wouldn't let him bring in his "real" camera.
He was admiring my Canon 5D, after I took a picture of his family with his phone.

Sounds like arbitrary application of arbitrary rules.

this whole security thing has just gotten out of hand. I just don't see HRS or Autry or Reckling as targets............

Let JK know about it.

Thanks for the warning. I'll let my daughter know she's not allowed to bring her copy of Harry Potter into the game next time we go down there...

Wow. If tablets are a threat, the security force isn't very good at detecting them. I know several folks who had theirs at the game. You know who you are!

And who knew umbrellas weren't allowed? I was wishing I had mine with me on Saturday sitting in the mostly sunny skies.

11am is a bad start time for a Sept. game at HRS. I know why they did it, but it's still a bad idea.

Because Lord knows what Rice needs to be doing is turning people *away* from the teeming crowds at HRS.

(09-22-2014 09:33 AM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  Let JK know about it.

Exactly. Write to Rice athletics and hopefully that will make them look into and revise the rules as needed and communicate it down to the ground level personnel.

The key word is hopefully.

I noticed when wandered over to the Roost for a beer midway through the game that the folks making sure people stayed within its designated confines wore light blue shirts with both Rice and the name of some company (don't recall the name) on them. I didn't notice if the people taking tickets and searching bags at the gates were similarly attired. Did we hire a new outfit this year and they haven't been adequately trained?

Also, I got an email from the ticket office asking for feedback on my experience Saturday. I will reply and mention what has been reported here, but I expect it would be more effective coming from the folks who actually experienced these things.

(09-22-2014 12:18 PM)AnotherOldOwl Wrote:  I noticed when wandered over to the Roost for a beer midway through the game that the folks making sure people stayed within its designated confines wore light blue shirts with both Rice and the name of some company (don't recall the name) on them. I didn't notice if the people taking tickets and searching bags at the gates were similarly attired. Did we hire a new outfit this year and they haven't been adequately trained?

Also, I got an email from the ticket office asking for feedback on my experience Saturday. I will reply and mention what has been reported here, but I expect it would be more effective coming from the folks who actually experienced these things.

This year we have Andy Frain Services running the event security and staffing. They were the same people at the front gate. Cannot remember who was there last year but we used to have 5 star for the longest time before that.

(09-22-2014 12:18 PM)AnotherOldOwl Wrote:  I noticed when wandered over to the Roost for a beer midway through the game that the folks making sure people stayed within its designated confines wore light blue shirts with both Rice and the name of some company (don't recall the name) on them. I didn't notice if the people taking tickets and searching bags at the gates were similarly attired. Did we hire a new outfit this year and they haven't been adequately trained?

Also, I got an email from the ticket office asking for feedback on my experience Saturday. I will reply and mention what has been reported here, but I expect it would be more effective coming from the folks who actually experienced these things.

Got the same survey and reported it this morning.

I think this only serves to fuel my thought that multi-media experiences are what people are looking for

We do know one of the people you spoke of Tomball -- but even worse for you, I had mine too and I was sitting next to you. I forgot it was in my bag during the drive over. Last year I saw the "security" idiots turning people away with bottles of water -- something specifically allowed. They didn't seem adept at reading the sign 10 feet in front of them. Last year I reported that to Rick Mello when I ran into him.

Responding to the customer survey is a great idea. I will rescue mine from the deleted box.

im.

Here's the best story. They tried to ban Joyce Hardy from taking candy for the players into Reckling last year, like she has been doing since how long? Similar issue a couple of years ago at Autry but this was inside where the players run in before the game. For the former, her son found Shu or Mello or someone and got that straigtened out real quick. The admin really needs to get the security folks to lighten up

(09-22-2014 11:10 AM)Barrett Wrote:  Because Lord knows what Rice needs to be doing is turning people *away* from the teeming crowds at HRS.

The level of security is probably inversely related to the game attendance. Which brings us to Operation Sellout/Bring Your Own Sniper Rifle day at HRS later this fall...

I45 made me chuckle.

(09-22-2014 12:22 PM)Antarius Wrote:  This year we have Andy Frain Services running the event security and staffing.

They appear to be in need of some redemption.

(09-22-2014 04:44 PM)Seventyniner Wrote:  

(09-22-2014 12:22 PM)Antarius Wrote:  This year we have Andy Frain Services running the event security and staffing.

They appear to be in need of some redemption.

Guess they need to become Andy refrain