Hamilton Cancellation Line — Page 54

Thanks Frida3, your update was very helpful. It sounds as though it is okay to 'share' your wait time with the person you will be seeing the show with. I don't think this is technically 'swapping out'. (Which I would think refers to someone waiting who will not actually be seeing the show.) I think the rule is in place to deter line sitters. I do wonder how strict they will be, for example, if my son is waiting all day and then has to leave for an hour or two to take a class, can I sit in his place, even if I won't be seeing the show?

One last question- did they enforce the no chair rule? And if yes, is it ok to have a chair until the box office opens or will someone on line 'tattle' on you for this as well? Thanks!

@bucky3 I agree. Share line time with a friend who both will see the show should definitely not be considered swapping-out. I am pretty sure RRT will agree.

Wait- I'm confused. (I think our posts crossed) Is it your impression that is is okay for the two people who will be seeing the show together (and getting a pair) to take turns and give each other a break as long as both of them go in to see the show?

Thank again.

Don't feel bad about the line sitters. They still get paid for the time they waited out there regardless of whether or not they're able to get tickets. That's at least my understanding of SOLD and Linestandingnyc.

I do feel kinda bad for the homeless people some patrons have hired in the past who would only pay them for their wait if they are able to get tix.

Anyway, I'm glad the rules are enforced. I hate being a tattle-tale but at the same time, if I'm #5 or #6 on line where it is iffy, I definitely would take photos at 10am and then show them to the RRT manager so he can see if there was a line swap with a line sitter at around 5pm or 6pm.

I don't mind line sitting but now that RRT actually tweeted the new rules and thousands of Hamilfans now know about the cancellation line, at least we all know line sitters will be out of the picture ---- as long as the people in the line help enforce the new rules by taking photos at the time the box office opens and when a possible line swap could occur.

To make both camps happy, perhaps allow for 1 line sitter per show? At least the majority of the cancellation tix will still go to diehard fans willing to wait.

Updated On: 5/14/16 at 01:38 AM

Frida3- I just read what the person who hired the line sitter said to the poor mom, and yes, that is absolutely horrible! Unbelievable, actually. And yes, I agree that the rules have to be followed and as SOLD was on notice, they sat (and accepted money) knowing the risk. (I just have a soft spot for Miguel and Robert because they are genuinely nice guys who looked out for my son and seemed to feel bad when he-and others who had been waiting all day- didn't get in.) It will be interesting to see how this all plays out and what the new wait time will be.

Frida3 said: "They did enforce the no chair rule at points, though I think the line sitters pulled them out again occasionally once the RR staff member went away. But once the manager guy came out, they asked for all chairs to be removed from the area.

I don't think the RR considers swapping within a pair that are both going to see the show to be breaking the rule."

Thanks for the report and am glad you got to see the show! I just walked past the RRT and outside already see at least 3-4 line sitters with their chairs. No tents though. It will be interesting to see if RRT will continue to enforce the new policies tomorrow.

So line sitters are out now. I guess I'm surprised. Do you know if they were they SOLD guys?

Bucky3, the answer to both your questions is I don't know. I think someone said that the manager guy said he'd been around out front at like 6am that morning so he knew who was there at that point.

bucky3 said: "last crazy question (I know Iv'e said this before... ) Are the line sitters or swappers or whatever fair game BEFORE the box office opens at 10 am? Not sure if this has been addressed.



"

I don't think the notice on twitter has a time limit. In honestly, waiting during the day is not bad at all. the worst waiting is overnight waiting. If the policy is for the purpose of cutting down the insane situation, it should certainly apply to before the box office opening as well. However, it will up to whoever arrived after them before the office opens to call them out.

Vibe was good. People were really kind and supportive (including the line sitters). It got tense when stuff was happening with swappers, but even then it felt very supportive because everyone was annoyed by the swappers.

I mean, as far as I can tell, the rule is an attempt to get rid of paid line sitters. The intent of these tickets was to allow people who couldn't buy resale tickets the opportunity to buy cheaper tickets. The line sitters (SOLD), regardless of how nice they are, are just another way for people with more money to see the show, and screw over people with less.

That's what I think the intent is, so I think if you're waiting in line for pair tickets, the person you are seeing the show with can swap out with you. Does this sound accurate?

Obviously it seems like a self-policing thing. In the end though, it sounds better for fans who can't afford line sitters. there's potentially shorter lines without SOLD being able to swap out for people who could afford them. Sucks for their clients, but that was not the original intent of this line anyway.

I'm finding it hard to sympathize with the SOLD guys, honestly. It was just a way to make money off a system that was designed to give those with less money an opportunity to see a show - and I'm sure I don't need to address the issue of how inaccessible musical theater is for the less-wealthy compared to other forms of art.

According to LinestandingNYC, they are "assessing the new cancellation line rules."

Via Twitter:

"Your new cancellation line rules seem to be missing an effective date @HamiltonMusical. Written rules the only official rules?"

"Would be nice if @HamiltonMusical posted ALL the new rules. Same day announce and implementation of rules is unfair."

No updates from SOLD yet.

I suppose 'assessing' the new cancellation rules means seeing the extent to which the new rules are enforced.

If they are being enforced, that is the end of line sitting. And "no sales" earlier than before 30 minutes to showtime? That would not be 'convenient' (just like no line sitters are not 'convenient" but I welcome it. It will eliminate resale of the extremely limited number of seats still possibly available. It would help prevent - to the extent it can be prevented- the escalating insanity.

I think the producers have an obligation to reduce the increasing insanity/public nuisance of camping out/long lines - as students are out of school and warm weather comes...not to mention the Tonys. Inc. insanity, Tonys, higher $$, escalating safety issues, etc. They have a real duty to do something. Of course, if the rules are not enforced then it is all meaningless.

(I work full time and personally am completely disadvantaged by these new rules but I am so outraged at the scalping situation that I am glad whatever is getting done (too little too late] is at least getting done.)