So, interesting story. I saw Train on Sunday night in New Jersey. It was at an indoor / outdoor venue. There were 2 acts before Train. We were in the very last row before lawn seating. I don't know why, but we had plenty of empty seats all around us, even though we had to get our tickets from StubHub, because the venue didn't have any. ( It was 95 degrees and humid, so maybe people decided to stay away.... tickets were cheap on StubHub... $35 each ) As Train came on, those seats were still empty. And one lady who worked for the venue was doing an excellent job making sure that people were not sitting in seats if they had paid for the lawn. She must have booted 25 people who tried to sit in seats. Then this guy took over for her. And it started to rain. People from the lawn rushed to sit in the seats. The guy was keeping them out of those seats UNLESS they bribed him. I actually saw him taking money from people and then helping them climb a wall to get to the seats. And within minutes, we were jam packed all around, and my great view of the stage was gone..... so, I got his name and his shirt number, and called the venue yesterday to tell them about it... I wasn't sure they were taking me seriously, but management called me today to verify, so I guess they are. I may be a jerk, but I think I did the right thing. I know one other lady was pissed off that this guy was doing this, but I don't think she was following through. I have since been contacted by the head of HR and the head of Security, so they are checking into it. But they said the can just observe him for a few shows and see if they see anything.... I guess my word is not enough.
Frankly I understand how annoyed you are and the security was wrong to take money and profit from the unfortunate situation. If I was him I wouldn't have taken a personal initiative and would have spoken to higher ups to see what I can do about the matter. In a way, you were right to report an unprofessional behaviour that kinda ruined a night you payed for. no shame in that and definitely not a jerk. Sometimes you should let things pass coz it's not worth it, but at that moment you decided otherwise and that's a fair thing to do. Don't feel like a jerk coz you outed someone who was in the wrong. As for the "my word is not enough" part, well it was enough for them to observe him. They can't just fire the guy coz a person spoke against him. They want to catch him in the act. Doubt the situation would repeat itself (what are the odds?) but maybe catch him in other things since it's more likely he's getting bribed for other things too.
It was sorta of a jerky thing to do however that guy was also being a jerk for taking bribes. Maybe two jerky things makes a right? #
Nemerlab.... yeah, I understand my word can't be enough.... or people might go on vendettas. I'm not sure why I wrote that, really.
It bothered you! No worries, bud! You did the right thing! It's not right a bunch of people who paid less than you did to sit around you and in front of you! And ruin your view? Not cool! I woulda done the same thing! This employee will get caught doing it again, you can rest assured! Listen, When I was younger I was a ticket broker--alright--scalper! When everyone else was selling one kind of dope or another, I was the ticket man! For years! That was my thing! Going to concerts! Later, I worked security at the big venues here in the Los Angeles area for a few years. Worked the stage for the big guys like the Who, Zeppelin, the Stones, and virtually all of them! I was asked to be a body guard for some famous people back then, but I already had a career by then. Just saying, because I've done that personally. Never did anything stupid to jeopardize my job like the guy you mentioned. He deserves to be fired! And probably will, now that his employer got wind of it! All in all, good for you for speaking up! A lot of people have no balls these days and are afraid to confrontate! I respect you for that!
The only thing you did wrong was go to a rock and roll concert with seats. I've never heard the like.
You must be pretty young!!! Except for at or near the stage, that is, that could facilitate standing room sometimes, most all permanent venues in So. Cal. always have seats except for these outdoor concerts that are held in grassy fields and such for these Woodstock-like multi-band and multi-day mega shows. Good thing, as when you get to be my age, you don't wanna stand the whole time elbow-to-elbow sardined with a million hot sweaty people anymore! Been there, done that! I'll take my killer front seats where I can stand if I want but sit the rest of the time with an unobstructed view the whole time with no bozos in my way to ruin my experience!
Or my age..... I'm 52. I think - not sure - they eliminated standing general admission for indoor events in my state. ( Pennsylvania )
Sorry guys, I'm an oldie too (48) and still hang in the mosh pit. (Yeah, okay, on the fringe, but hey, I'm there!) Although I do agree that you were not being a jerk. First off, rain or shine - sit where you paid to sit, dammit! If you don't wanna get rained on, don't buy freaking lawn seats!!!!!
It was the right thing. Irrelevant of the venue, event or circumstance, taking bribes is bullshit whatever way you look at it. It's actually standing on the sidelines accepting it that is the wrong thing but funnily enough seems to be the acceptable thing. Of course they needed more proof than someone's word that they saw it but if that person were an employee of mine, I don't care what the event or place, I want to know and I want to prove it and I want them gone. So yeah some people might see it as "ratting" some guy out but corruption is corruption (and bribing is corruption) and in civilised society that should never be tolerated. So, yeah, you did the right thing. It's actually a pretty bad reflection of society (not you, just society in general) that you had to even ask.
