Texans game (Reliant Stadium)...

[stevie_d_64]

"Wife Unit" and I went to the game last night...Not much of a game, and for the most part we had a great time...We had some tickets and a primo parking pass drop into our laps Friday...

I of course carried to our designated parking lot...Parked, cased my carry piece, knife, mag in the vehicle safe...Removed all non-essential items from my pockets...Because I knew there would be some sort of body cavity search somewhere along the way...

BTW, parking on-site for a Texans game is $30...I about lost it!

Thats why I am not much of a go-to-gamer-type person...

Anyways...

Proceeded to the entry gate to the stadium and waited for them to let us in...

One thing that really bothered me for some reason...And I know its just a nerve they hit (some may already know this), but whats the first thing that pops into your mind when they segregate (by gender) what line you go into to be "searched" before you get your ticket "scanned" and gain entry to the "stadium"???

My wife went down one line with the women, and I went down the other with the men...

This really didn't start bothering me till I allowed myself to think about it a bit more after the game...

For all of the life experiences, and knowledge I have accumulated over my short 41 years...Something bothered me to the very core about this...Maybe its stretching it a little, and I should lighten up some...

Like I said we had a great time watching the Texans really blow another game this year...And may consider going to another one sometime down the road...

I tend to think outside the box most of the time, and wonder if others here see and draw the same ironic conclusion I have about this...

I am reminded to be ever so thankful this week for not ever having to live through something like what some folks have had to in the past...

And at least to be born in a country where we can do our best to fight to keep it from happening here...

[Paladin]

My wife went down one line with the women, and I went down the other with the men...

This really didn't start bothering me till I allowed myself to think about it a bit more after the game...

For all of the life experiences, and knowledge I have accumulated over my short 41 years...Something bothered me to the very core about this...Maybe its stretching it a little, and I should lighten up some...

The fact that they disarmed you, separated up your group (husband/wife), then sent your wife on her own.... all the "security" putting the both of you at maximum risk?

I know going to games can be fun, but it sounds like a risky situation. I've been to one game out there before, left my piece out in the car, but wasn't with my wife and traveled with a pack of guys I know.

I didn't know they prohibited knifes?

[stevie_d_64]

Figure they'd obviously have a problem with knives if they wand you...

I'm beginning to feel like its almost better these days to stay away from regular, high profile targets like ballgames these days...

But when a ticket or two flop in yer lap...Hey, why not...flip a coin, take the chance and have a little fun...

Just that I saw some things that made me go hmmmmm...

[longtooth]

Sometime the bad feelings you have at times like you describe above are good. They let you know that something is not right. Now to each his own but if I am in a store & they want to separate me & my family "for our own protection" & I know that something is not right w/ that then I am leaving & you would too. Your feelings are right on target. Is it worth the risk to see a game that you disarm yorself. Disarm your family. Trust the security in a office & 5 minutes response time from you to "protect" those they have disarmed & separated. If it is true that you are armed 24-7 because you never know when the unthinkable will happen, then how can a game be worth the risk. My biggest problem w/ the description of your separation of family is the desencitizing of the public to separation. The more it takes place the more comfortable people get & the less the Republican Guards, who know what is best for us poor ignorant commoners, are questioned. I commend you stevie_d for haveing the feelings. Most in our day never question, just move like unsuspecting cattle to the kill floor in a packing plant. There is no doubt in my mind that on the parking lot you were 100 % at situation awareness. No one can watch a game & also be parking lot aware. In stores, on the street, & especially parking lots the closer someone gets to you & family the more "situation attention" they get. That has to be suspended when in the spectator seat. No one can focus on game & every one jostling around too. Ask any body guard for a game summary. Took me a long time to confess that to myself. I read your posts w/ great respect & you have made some very good points. Keep this one rolling in your head & heart for a while too.

[stevie_d_64]

I agree Longtooth...

The constant descensitizing of the public is amazing...I find myself recognizing it right off the bat...In almost every aspect of my day...

Another thing I noticed at the game was right after the singing of our National Anthem...The public address system and the big jumbotrons played the stadiums emergency exit system...

It stressed that the audience remain calm and exit in an "orderly" manner...And to follow the direction of the professional "security" personnel...

I looked over at this older gentleman who was sitting next to us and said to him...

"If it ever really hit the fan here...I'm staying right here in the seat..."

He chuckled, and told me he was thinking the same thing...

[Paladin]

Looks like this is their policy, but it doesn't shed too much light:

"Prohibited Items
For your safety and the continuity of the game on the field, the
following items are prohibited in Reliant Stadium: backpacks, bags
larger than 11"X17", beach balls, bottles, cans, containers, coolers,
fireworks, footballs brought in from outside, Frisbees, illegal
substances, laptop computers, laser pens, noisemakers, outside
food and beverages and weapons/firearms. Please note that this is
not an exhaustive list and other items may be prohibited from
Reliant Stadium if they are deemed to be dangerous or disruptive.
Guests are not permitted to bring outside food, beverages,
thermoses, coolers, backpacks, bags or jugs into Reliant Stadium.
Children's juice boxes, infant bottles and items necessary for
medical purposes are permitted."

http://www.houstontexans.com/reliant_st ... edures.php

[Lumberjack98]

They separate the men from the women because they look in the women's purses and it takes longer to do that. There are a lot of men that go together without women and just sail right on through the line and don't have to wait while purses are being searched. I'm sure there's some study that show's that they'll sell more beer that way and that's why it's done.

[CaptDave]

What timing, talking about security at Reliant Stadium.

I just got a funny email (IMHO) -fwd'd to me from a buddy.
It's a video clip with a guy talking about going to a ball game where they make you go through the metal detectors, taking away pen knives and all the security and it turns out it"s "Bat Day" - where they're handing out bats to everyone.

It's funny, but "R" rated due to language.

If you think you would find this entertaining send me a pm and I'll shoot the web address to you.

[gigag04]

Looks like this is their policy, but it doesn't shed too much light:

"Prohibited Items
For your safety and the continuity of the game on the field, the
following items are prohibited in Reliant Stadium: backpacks, bags
larger than 11"X17", beach balls, bottles, cans, containers, coolers,
fireworks, footballs brought in from outside, Frisbees, illegal
substances, laptop computers, laser pens, noisemakers, outside
food and beverages and weapons/firearms. Please note that this is
not an exhaustive list and other items may be prohibited from
Reliant Stadium if they are deemed to be dangerous or disruptive.
Guests are not permitted to bring outside food, beverages,
thermoses, coolers, backpacks, bags or jugs into Reliant Stadium.
Children's juice boxes, infant bottles and items necessary for
medical purposes are permitted."

http://www.houstontexans.com/reliant_st ... edures.php

Laptop Computers are in the same category as guns? That's just funny.

Also - don't they sell beer in bottles? Couldn't a bottle become a weapon?

I think they should sell beer in the soft foil squeezey things like Capri Sun drinks come in.

-nick


(ps - these smilies are great!)

[Papalote]

I won't go to the games for several reasons. The price of parking and concessions and the crowds. There are too many folks in the wrong part of Houston for me. I am a born Houstonian but the downtown areas are not appealing to me. Stevie d just added a few more reasons why I should stay home.

Papalote

[stevie_d_64]

I won't go to the games for several reasons. The price of parking and concessions and the crowds. There are too many folks in the wrong part of Houston for me. I am a born Houstonian but the downtown areas are not appealing to me. Stevie d just added a few more reasons why I should stay home.

Papalote

I didn't really mean to do that...

If anything it should encourage us to take back the streets...

Intimidation goes both ways...We just happen to be able to do it in a mature and respectful way...

[Steve, the enternal "annoying" optimist]

[ThunderDownUnder]

A couple of clarifications....
First- The parking price shown at the gate IS $30. But Season ticket holders only pay $20. Do they post the higher price to make us feel like we are getting a deal? Probably.

Second- The Search ! For WHAT are they "searching"?

Any guesses??? Weapons in general ????? Nope!
They are searching for bombs,explosive devices, suicide bomber belts. Period. Basically they have separate lines for men and women which are next to each other ( so could hold her hand down the line if you want ). Women security (yellow shirts) search women, men search men. They run their hands down your torso sides, touch the top of your shoulders (for the bomb straps) and run their hands down from your sternum to about the navel (checking for the explosives with the nails, ball bearings, screws, etc).
Is this necessary? Well the USSS and NFL think it's a prudent action based on expressed real terrorist threats and plans. A couple months ago , a OU student detonated a suicide bomb outside an OU football game. Some reports listed the explosive used is the same brew as the Palestinians use- Acetone Triperoxide. It's been hushed up but there are questions regarding whether the bomb went off prematurely or the kid meant to blow up that fountain and commit suicide.
Also currently, an ohio guy is suing the Bengals and the NFL because of the searches. He will probably lose. Don't want your tummy rubbed? Well watch the game on TV (or go to the range) is the NFL position.

As for other weapons, obviously the CH is out because of Ch46.035, but I keep a pocket knife on my key chain and go into the games with it.

Third- As a Texans fan ( aunt has the PSL's and we split the tickets), my condolences! But we're still in first place for the #1 pick in the draft though! Wait til next year!

Anybody want some tickets to the Christmas Eve -Jax Jaguar game ?
Didn't think so.
J

[KBCraig]

A couple of clarifications....
Second- The Search ! For WHAT are they "searching"?

Any guesses??? Weapons in general ????? Nope!
They are searching for bombs,explosive devices, suicide bomber belts. Period.

They're searching for beer, booze, and food.

The exorbitant take on concessions is of more concern to stadium owners than the nearly-zero chance of a terrorist or criminal attack.

My only professional sporting event was an Astros home game last April. I noted that the entrance lines were segregated into those carrying bags of any type, and those who were empty-handed; I was the latter. Being a LEO instead of CHL, I wasn't concerned with the restriction on carry at a "professional sport event", but I didn't carry to the game. (I was on a chartered bus, unsure of stadium security procedures, didn't want to argue the point at the gate, and wasn't sure I would be able to return to the bus or secure my gun. Plus, I wanted to quaff a couple of overpriced beers.)

The ticket price was reasonable, for center field ($12.50, group rate). But one regular, plain, 6" hotdog and two beers cost $21. Again: $21 for a dog and two brews, which would be $8 max anywhere else!

Those concession prices confirmed what I already suspected: they really don't care if you're packing a .38 or a suitcase nuke, so long as you don't sneak in a coke or a pack of peanuts.

Kevin

[stevie_d_64]

As far as consessions go...

Years ago my wife and I went to the Rodeo and met up with another couple (wife's co-worker and husband) who we knew were going as well...

After a few events, he and I got up to go get beers, because nobody was coming around like they do consistantly at the ballgames they used to have there...

We found a roaming beer guy at the top of the steps leading to the consession stands and got the goods...When I went to pay he said it was $11 for the two plastic "long-necked" beer bottles...

I was a bit shocked, and the vendor saw that...And said, "I know, I know...You're expecting a lap dance?"

Not that I know what a lap dance is, nor understand that beers in "those" establishments are that expensive...

[bauerdj]

Does a Texans game qualify as a "professional" sporting event?