Brewers new bag policy

[rickh150]

Brewers saw the "Guns" post and decided to do something about it.... the timing of the response matches up well with the posts.

 

Not sure if I'm serious...

[BrewersSuperCollector]

The change in the bag policy is an even trade off for the people that hold up the lines because they can’t get figure out their ball park pass password.

[Patrick425]

This will affect us as we always bring in a tote that has multiple compartments (just purchased a nice Brewer one online about 1 year ago). However, I understand the need for it. I do feel like the Brewers were told my MLB that they need to tighten up their screening practice. Prior to this year they barely checked the bags. This year they are pretty thorough.

 

Here are some of the reasons we bring in a tote (for people who don't understand the need). 1) One of the season seat holder awards we always choose is the $2 refillable beverage cup. I don't want to carry those around. 2) I don't want to carry around any handout they may be giving out at a game I'm going to. 3) Even with the roof the temperature during a game can change as the game goes on (especially early and late in the year). Sometimes we like to throw a light jacket or pullover into the bag.

 

Again, I completely understand the policy in this day and age. We will just have to go out and find a tote bag without compartments. I do feel it is a bit unfair to women though as it seems like most purses have multiple compartments.

[KeithStone53151]

Again, I completely understand the policy in this day and age. We will just have to go out and find a tote bag without compartments. I do feel it is a bit unfair to women though as it seems like most purses have multiple compartments.

 

It will probably impact women more than men...but it's not accurate to say it is unfair to women. The new policy applies to men and women equally.

[Patrick425]

Again, I completely understand the policy in this day and age. We will just have to go out and find a tote bag without compartments. I do feel it is a bit unfair to women though as it seems like most purses have multiple compartments.

 

It will probably impact women more than men...but it's not accurate to say it is unfair to women. The new policy applies to men and women equally.

 

Men generally don't purchase and carry purses, so........

[patrickgpe]

I’m fine with the change in policy, but is this really going to cut down on screening time per individual? They’re still letting people bring in bags — just slightly smaller bags.

 

At some gates, there’s not enough room between the metal detectors and the ticket scanners. There’s probably not enough metal detectors on busy days too.

 

Yes, I think the point as to not have to go through more than one compartment. When people bring in a backpacks or coolers with 5 zippers, each needs to be opened and searched, which takes time.

[KeithStone53151]

Again, I completely understand the policy in this day and age. We will just have to go out and find a tote bag without compartments. I do feel it is a bit unfair to women though as it seems like most purses have multiple compartments.

 

It will probably impact women more than men...but it's not accurate to say it is unfair to women. The new policy applies to men and women equally.

 

Men generally don't purchase and carry purses, so........

 

There's clearly a difference between something negatively impacting women more and something being unfair. It's not like their goal was simply to target and discriminate against women...which you seem to imply. There are real and justifiable reasons to enact this policy.

[homer]

While it may not be unfair or targeting women it most likely impact them more.

[Dean Machine]

I live in Minnesota and the Twins just started the same policy more or less and they enacted it immediately.

[jerichoholicninja]

Are bags slowing things down really an issue? I haven't been to Miller Park in a couple years but from what I remember the security people take about 3 seconds to look in a bag no matter the size.

[pacopete4]

Are bags slowing things down really an issue? I haven't been to Miller Park in a couple years but from what I remember the security people take about 3 seconds to look in a bag no matter the size.

 

I used to think they don’t but that’s because they never checked them hard. Now when you go they actually look through everything which has slowed the process considerably.

[hawing]

Are bags slowing things down really an issue? I haven't been to Miller Park in a couple years but from what I remember the security people take about 3 seconds to look in a bag no matter the size.

Bag checkers this year are being much more thorough, to the point where I'm tempted to say "picky." It's across-the-board enough so I'm assuming they've been instructed to be more thorough (whether that started at the MLB level or within MP or with particular gate supervisors). What I bring in has been very consistent for years, so the difference this year is apparent to me.

 

For example: They pick up people's key rings (whether in a bag or not) and inspect them - like pick through the whole thing. I'm guessing people were sneaking/inadvertently bringing in key chain pocketknives. That is just one of the steps that now adds time. It was not a focus point before this season.

 

Some of my encounters with bag checkers have felt almost adversarial. For years I have brought in a mid-size digital camera to capture photos my phone can't get. I have no special lenses. I always have the case unzipped and ready to show at entry. In one security line this spring, the woman checking my bag pulled out the camera, turned to a colleague and asked loudly IS THIS ONE OF THOSE CAMERAS THAT'S TOO BIG? I politely pointed out that I have been using it at games for years. Bag checker's response was THEY CHANGE THE RULES ALL THE TIME. I asked if the rules had changed since Tuesday (our last game prior; it was three days later when I asked this). Checker said YOU NEVER KNOW. Maybe it was the yelling, but the whole time I felt called out and uncomfortable for bringing something in that I knew was within reason.

 

I could say a lot more about this (and maybe I will when time allows), but if they just don't want any bags anymore, they should just come out and say so. If they don't want to deal with carry-in food/drink anymore, just say it.

I suggested to the Brewers after the Yelich bobblehead day crowd that they have a giveaway of clear bags or whatever they'd consider acceptable - since heaven knows this fanbase turns out for the free stuff. They are offering free clear bags to SSH customers. Maybe they should expand that to everyone.

[tomwopat]

This piece still rings true to me: Baseball’s new metal detectors won’t keep you safe. They’ll just make you miss a few innings.

 

This especially floors me with the increased attention on the fact that you're much more likely to be injured by a foul ball than a terrorist attack, yet clubs have been slow to take action, and seem completely uninterested in doing in ways that are less invasive to the fan experience.

 

The Mets had the audacity to implement a similar change in the middle of this season. I can understand if there was some threat intelligence that changed the level of urgency, but in the absence of real data that shows this is necessary I'm still inclined to call this a bunch of hand-waving.

 

There's even security check at spring training games... really?

[hawing]

A couple of other things:

 

- tomwopat added the link that I forgot to add before lunch. I get that some cities are more likely to be terrorist targets than others, and we've seen before that what's important to, say, New York and Boston often drives what becomes important to MLB.

Safety is important, but these particular measures are way more about keeping MLB/individual organizations safe® from litigation, should something go awry at a game.

 

- I agree with JimH5's observations from earlier in the thread:

Instead of spending more on screeners and scanners, they're forcing fans to change their gameday habits. I don't like that part.

If they're trying to expedite entrance into the building, there are things they could do themselves instead of forcing fans to make all the changes. But that would cost real money.

I'm pretty sure the Brewers are done using their "cherish the fans" mantra of a few seasons back, but this does not make me feel cherished, even if it's all MLB's idea. Do not make me feel like I'm the problem for wanting to score games in my own book; bring a soft drink I actually like rather than take in caffeine or sugar that I don't need; having a few doses of Tylenol or a feminine hygiene product (a fact of life for a bunch of fans) on hand in case of need; for wanting to use my camera to take photographs that add to my memories of games; for having a phone charger so our phones are usable on the way home as well as before the game.

 

- I rarely feel unsafe within Miller Park, but the few times I have were related to fans' alcohol consumption, not weapons or terrorism.

(Really want to say something snarky about CHC fans here, but I'll take a higher path)

 

- I'm not eager to blow open a big gender debate, but this is likely to affect women more than men, although I recognize that's not the point. But I'm in that group, so I reserve the right to grumble about it a bit.

 

- When I first saw the Brewers' graphic on Monday announcing the changes, I was surprised they're actually giving people until 2020 to adjust and not implementing it immediately. So there's that, I guess.

[bork]

I don't get to a lot of games, so I don't recall. Is there a separate line for people without bags? They do that at Disney. I'm always the one schlepping the entire house around, so I wait to get the bag checked while my wife and kids go right through the no bag line and wait for me inside the gate. And like JimH says, they have the bag check and metal detectors well outside of the ticket scanner area.

[KeithStone53151]

I'm pretty sure the Brewers are done using their "cherish the fans" mantra of a few seasons back, but this does not make me feel cherished, even if it's all MLB's idea. Do not make me feel like I'm the problem for wanting to score games in my own book; bring a soft drink I actually like rather than take in caffeine or sugar that I don't need; having a few doses of Tylenol or a feminine hygiene product (a fact of life for a bunch of fans) on hand in case of need; for wanting to use my camera to take photographs that add to my memories of games; for having a phone charger so our phones are usable on the way home as well as before the game.

 

For starters, you probably can fit all of that in an acceptable tote bag. Also, a reminder that even the new Brewers bag policy is far and away more liberal than any other sporting event in Wisconsin. As far as I'm aware, you can't even bring sealed water in to a Bucks or Packers game.

 

https://www.packers.com/lambeau-field/carry-in-policy

 

https://www.nba.com/bucks/security-screening

 

I'll also add, the reason the Brewers have had issues getting fans into games is 100000% the fault of the fans. It's not even debatable. It certainly isn't 100% due to large/multi-compartment bags...but that definitely is a contributing factor. Other factors include a significant portion of fans arriving at the gate 5 minutes before 1st pitch, drunk buffoons, people being generally putzy and not paying attention, people chatting with the security people, etc. The Brewers for months have made announcements urging fans to arrive to the gate early...nobody listens. The other 3 aren't really something they can do anything about. Eliminating maybe up to 10,000 tote bags and purses from the line that probably take 20-30 seconds each to inspect adds up...and makes the park safer.

[KeithStone53151]

I don't get to a lot of games, so I don't recall. Is there a separate line for people without bags? They do that at Disney. I'm always the one schlepping the entire house around, so I wait to get the bag checked while my wife and kids go right through the no bag line and wait for me inside the gate. And like JimH says, they have the bag check and metal detectors well outside of the ticket scanner area.

 

They do, but I've found it minimally effective. They push the ballpark app so hard that I suspect in most cases, 1 guy has the tickets on his phone for his entire group. Well that group probably has at least 1 person with a purse/bag...so they can't exactly leave that person in the bag line and the other 3 go through the express lane. With a paper ticket you could do that, but most probably wouldn't. Do you think any guy is going to leave their wife/girlfriend in line while they go through the express lane and waltz on in?

[tomwopat]

I'll also add, the reason the Brewers have had issues getting fans into games is 100000% the fault of the fans. It's not even debatable. It certainly isn't 100% due to large/multi-compartment bags...but that definitely is a contributing factor. Other factors include a significant portion of fans arriving at the gate 5 minutes before 1st pitch, drunk buffoons, people being generally putzy and not paying attention, people chatting with the security people, etc. The Brewers for months have made announcements urging fans to arrive to the gate early...nobody listens. The other 3 aren't really something they can do anything about. Eliminating maybe up to 10,000 tote bags and purses from the line that probably take 20-30 seconds each to inspect adds up...and makes the park safer.

 

Regardless whose "fault" it is, the majority of the burden to find a good solution is on the business. The Brewers have spent millions on improvements and infrastructure to more effectively take more money from the fans, but have spent next to nothing on improving this aspect of the fan experience... then have the audacity to ask the the customers to fix the problem.

 

The clubs realize that game length is a problem, but are unwilling to reduce the amount of downtime between innings and are slow to reduce the amount of mid-inning pitching changes. But are fine asking fans to come 20 minutes early to stand in line?

[mtrebs]

I wonder if the Miller Lite giveaway backpack cooler from a few years ago will be allowed in. I’m guessing not, and it was an awesome giveaway.

[homer]

I don't get to a lot of games, so I don't recall. Is there a separate line for people without bags? They do that at Disney. I'm always the one schlepping the entire house around, so I wait to get the bag checked while my wife and kids go right through the no bag line and wait for me inside the gate. And like JimH says, they have the bag check and metal detectors well outside of the ticket scanner area.

 

They do, but I've found it minimally effective. They push the ballpark app so hard that I suspect in most cases, 1 guy has the tickets on his phone for his entire group. Well that group probably has at least 1 person with a purse/bag...so they can't exactly leave that person in the bag line and the other 3 go through the express lane. With a paper ticket you could do that, but most probably wouldn't. Do you think any guy is going to leave their wife/girlfriend in line while they go through the express lane and waltz on in?

 

I have seen that happen more than once at Packer games.

[MrTPlush]

I wonder if the Miller Lite giveaway backpack cooler from a few years ago will be allowed in. I’m guessing not, and it was an awesome giveaway.

 

You mean the one in the picture if you click the link?

[KeithStone53151]

I'll also add, the reason the Brewers have had issues getting fans into games is 100000% the fault of the fans. It's not even debatable. It certainly isn't 100% due to large/multi-compartment bags...but that definitely is a contributing factor. Other factors include a significant portion of fans arriving at the gate 5 minutes before 1st pitch, drunk buffoons, people being generally putzy and not paying attention, people chatting with the security people, etc. The Brewers for months have made announcements urging fans to arrive to the gate early...nobody listens. The other 3 aren't really something they can do anything about. Eliminating maybe up to 10,000 tote bags and purses from the line that probably take 20-30 seconds each to inspect adds up...and makes the park safer.

 

Regardless whose "fault" it is, the majority of the burden to find a good solution is on the business. The Brewers have spent millions on improvements and infrastructure to more effectively take more money from the fans, but have spent next to nothing on improving this aspect of the fan experience... then have the audacity to ask the the customers to fix the problem.

 

The clubs realize that game length is a problem, but are unwilling to reduce the amount of downtime between innings and are slow to reduce the amount of mid-inning pitching changes. But are fine asking fans to come 20 minutes early to stand in line?

 

I don't see how either of your reaches have anything to do with each other. The concessions upgrades are very nice and make the whole experience in the concourse so much better than before the upgrade. And how does game length and the integrity of the game correlate in any way to fans standing in line 20 minutes before a game? And yes, if you want to get in to a game on time that 35,000 people are trying to attend...don't arrive 5 minutes before it starts and expect everything to work out. Arrive 20 minutes early and you'll probably be fine...and frankly Miller Park is way better than every experience I've ever had at Lambeau as far as entry to the stadium.

 

And too many people are glossing over how this improves security inside the ballpark. That's nearly as significant as the time saved.

[trwi7]

I don't get to a lot of games, so I don't recall. Is there a separate line for people without bags? They do that at Disney. I'm always the one schlepping the entire house around, so I wait to get the bag checked while my wife and kids go right through the no bag line and wait for me inside the gate. And like JimH says, they have the bag check and metal detectors well outside of the ticket scanner area.

 

There was when I was there on Tuesday. They were checking bags outside the stadium and if you didn't have a bag you were directed to a different line in the stadium to go right through the metal detectors.

[patrickgpe]

I don't get to a lot of games, so I don't recall. Is there a separate line for people without bags? They do that at Disney. I'm always the one schlepping the entire house around, so I wait to get the bag checked while my wife and kids go right through the no bag line and wait for me inside the gate. And like JimH says, they have the bag check and metal detectors well outside of the ticket scanner area.

they do have express lines for fans without bags

[JimH5]

I'll also add, the reason the Brewers have had issues getting fans into games is 100000% the fault of the fans. It's not even debatable.

 

Of course it's debatable.

 

They can't get people through the doors fast enough because they don't have resources committed to doing so.

 

They could have double the screeners and screening machines. They could do a TSA precheck style of speedy walk through for designated people.

 

They could send transport carts out to the parking lot and screen people there and then drive them in.

 

But instead, they're using their leverage as a hot ticket in town to force fans to make alterations without exception.

 

They run the stadium operations in a way that makes sense to them, and if we don't like it, too bad.

 

They screwed up entrance to the Ed Sheeran concert last year, too. There have been times when it has taken more than an hour to get from my house in Brookfield to my seat inside the stadium, less than 8 miles away.

 

You can give the company a pass and blame their customers if you want to. But I never thought being a fan of a team meant that I had to silently accept every inconvenience they impose on us.