How was your fair experience?

[Dragonfighter]

Just trying to get a pulse here. Vote based on your experience and elaborate as you see the need. I am interested not only in any change in policy but the consistency from gate to gate, time to time. Please vote "info collected" if it was attempted, even if refused or recanted upon encounter.

[gemini]

BTT
IF you have attended the Fair this year, please participate in this poll.
Good source of info for this forum and it's members.

[Hoi Polloi]

You need at least three more options:
Walked in without wanding
Wanded but CHL not found so walked in
Other

[Dragonfighter]

Good idea on the options because I need to use a new one. We went tonight for the girls to see Brook White (Season 7 American Idol, Folk Singer and sweet girl). Technically my experience was an "other". I had my CHL out and the wander asked what it was and I told her and she says oh, you need to tell the supervisor and sent me over to a table along the side of the gate where next to where they collect the Dr. Pepper cans. The supervisor was very polite and asked me if "I was a concealed holder." I said yes and held out my ID and she waved it off. She asked me if I had my ticket already and I said yes, she said go on through and gave the wand person a nod, she met me on the other side, walked me over to the DPD at the gate, asked the officer to verify a CHL, he compared the DL and CHL and said okay. She then said enjoy the fair and left. The DPD said, "There are only two places you can't go. The Cotton Bowl and the Old Mill." I said, "Neither was on the agenda, I think we'll be okay." He said, "Cool, have fun." Both the wander and security supervisor acted as if they didn't even want to see the CHL and this routine seemed well rehearsed so I think we may find it consistent. An actual LEO was the only one to look at it.

Pertinent Data:
Arrival at gate 5, 5 P.M.
Got certificates from Dr Pepper cans and bought tickets.
Went to wander first and told to go over to supervisor, stationed at gate.
Told to go on in, met on other side and escorted (discreetly) to LEO who verified valid CHL.
With waiting in line excluded, the whole process was less than five minutes.
We were on our way by 5:10 P.M.

So I think the smoothest procedure is to buy your ticket, ask that the security supervisor be pointed out. Go to them first and discreetly mention you have a concealed license. If I am correct they will tell you to proceed through the gate and simply meet you on the other side and walk you over to the DPD officer stationed at the gate who will verify your CHL.

On a side note, I get the Cotton Bowl thing but is the Old Mill 51% or something? It has no practical importance because I never go there nor do I want to.

BTW the girls got to meet and talk with Brook White AND Jason Castro (another idol favorite). Front row at the concert too. Happy girls+happy wife = Happy Dad.

[BrianSW99]

I have no knowledge of the Old Mill, except that it's not listed on the texas3006 site. It's possible they're 30.06 posted, or maybe they're 51% though I always thought they were mostly a restaurant. However, the Cotton Bowl would not be off limits as long as it's not during the Texas/OU game. It's owned by the City and the prohibition is against carrying to a collegiate or professional sporting event, not the stadium in which those games are played. Is the Cotton Bowl even open outside of the Texas/OU game day?

[Dragonfighter]

I have no knowledge of the Old Mill, except that it's not listed on the texas3006 site. It's possible they're 30.06 posted, or maybe they're 51% though I always thought they were mostly a restaurant. However, the Cotton Bowl would not be off limits as long as it's not during the Texas/OU game. It's owned by the City and the prohibition is against carrying to a collegiate or professional sporting event, not the stadium in which those games are played. Is the Cotton Bowl even open outside of the Texas/OU game day?

Cotton Bowl is generally buttoned up during the fair with the exception of the Texas/OU and Grambling/Prairie View games. So again, non-issue for me as I avoid weekends in general and game days like the plague.

[tboesche]

I went Saturday. Wife, daughter and sister dropped off by the gate while Brother in law and I parked the car. We got there around 5-5:30 Gate 10 & 11 near the Chevy test drive area. Walked up to the wander, already had CHL out flashed it at her and she said "go ahead" No wanding. Interesting, she also let my Brother in law in with out wanding. He is not a CHL holder, but I'm working on it.

Daughter was just inside with our tickets, we walked right on in. Ticket guy never pulled our stub either.

On a side note- The orange Boss 302R in the Ford display was absolutely gorgeous!

[BrettW]

I went today with the family, arrived at the south entrance around 1230pm. Received a fairly thorough wanding and already had my CHL in my hand. My wander was fairly clueless, so he shouted over at another wander "hey, have a concealed gun over here!" (nice). Anyway, she came over and escorted me over to the side of the ticket booths and told me to wait for the LEO. 30 seconds later, he showed up. He asked if the address on my ID was still correct and what type of gun I was carrying (not sure why that was important, but I told him). He then told me the two places I couldn't carry (mentioned above), and then just said a few things about being safe and doing all I could to let DPD handle any issues. I was then on my way. No info was collected, LEO was very professional and friendly, and this took only about 60 seconds of my time. So I have no complaints.

[Dragonfighter]

My wander was fairly clueless, so he shouted over at another wander "hey, have a concealed gun over here!" (nice). <SNIP> No info was collected, LEO was very professional and friendly, and this took only about 60 seconds of my time. So I have no complaints.

Other than being outed you mean

Sheesh.

[BrettW]

Other than being outed you mean Sheesh.

Yes, other than that.

[puma guy]

I thought you meant the Comal County Fair. There's another fair?

[XDgal]

I went yesterday, Sept 27. We arrived at gate 9 at 11:00. Showed my license to the wander and she asked me to wait while she waved at the superviser. I had to wait about a minute for the supervisor to come over and escort me to a DPD officer, she and the Leo were already busy with another CHL. The officer looked at my licenses and ask if the address was still correct. Then asked what I'm carrying. I replied " a Kimber". He asked " is that a 38?" I said "45". he goes He disapointedly said they are only alowed to carry a Sig. Then he goes into the Cotton Bowl and the Old Mill restriction. Tells me to let the police handle any problems. Pretty freindly encounter over all. Turns out his son goes to a high school about a mile from me. Small world! I was on my way by 11:03. No info was collected. Had a great time, too.

[Dragonfighter]

As I suspected, I believe those that are asked what they are carrying is just "professional" curiosity; not anything germane to the process. My wife is going with my daughters and grand kids, she is required to carry and she has a P3AT. She asked me what to say if the cop asks her and I said, "A little one?" She truly wanted to know what she was carrying, I told her, "Just say Keltec .380" she is hard pressed to recall things like model numbers.

[USA1]

Then asked what I'm carrying. I replied " a Kimber". He asked " is that a 38?" I said "45". he goes He disapointedly said they are only alowed to carry a Sig.

[sjfcontrol]

What is "The Old Mill"?