Hamilton Cancellation Line- Page 88

[happydude]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 8:30pm

schubox said: "So you've been in line for like 45 hours and you're 5th and 6th for tickets. What in the ever loving **** 

"

Yes, as a self-admitted line sitter, I can justifiably say that line sitters maintained order. This one line mess is chaotic and futile for everyone involved. Line sitters enforced two separate lines for different days and it worked. Now you having to plan for 3 and four day waits behind this nonsense. There is something to be said about professionals. You may not like them, but they're invaluable in many ways.

Updated On: 5/25/16 at 08:30 PM

[steins]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 8:51pm

I'm just going to comment on that 1 line situation. totally reasonable. If people don't get tickets, they should be able to choose to continue on. Whoever comes first should automatically be in the line for the next day first unless they quit. In my opinion, it is a more reasonable system.

I'm recommending not doing cancellation line anymore mainly because kids are out of school by now, the people in front of me are just normal people/parents/college kids willing to wait for multiple days to get tickets. As I said, 1st couple who will do tomorrow's line after not getting in today arrived 5am today.

[casedilla2]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 8:57pm

I agree, having one line is objectively the more fair system. It might be making the wait longer, which sucks in many ways, but if people are willing to wait the longest and stick it out for another show, they should absolutely be allowed to do so. I was planning on doing this again and had no problem with a 24+ hour wait, but this is really worrying me now. I just don't know if I can commit 2 nights to this, plus it's now even more unpredictable with when you'd have to get there.

Updated On: 5/25/16 at 08:57 PM

[happydude]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 9:07pm

casedilla2 said: "I agree, having one line is objectively the more fair system. It might be making the wait longer, which sucks in many ways, but if people are willing to wait the longest and stick it out for another show, they should absolutely be allowed to do so. I was planning on doing this again and had no problem with a 24+ hour wait, but this is really worrying me now. I just don't know if I can commit 2 nights to this, plus it's now even more unpredictable with when you'd have to get there.

"

I personally feel that every day should be a reboot. The people from the previous day can stay on the line, but should go to the back of the line. I don't think that's unfair, because they took a chance for a specific day and it didn't work out. It should be a one shot deal. It's not fair people to have to plan to be on the line in the mix for Wednesday's tickets when they really want Thursday tickets. But, in order for them to get Thursdays tickets they have to start waiting Tuesday?!?? Keeps the line fresh and morale up IMO.

However, I do believe on days when there is a matinee and evening show, that should remain one line. People should have an option of staying on line if they don't get matinee tickets. Order is a good thing to have.

Updated On: 5/25/16 at 09:07 PM

[casedilla2]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 9:15pm

I wish that was how it's done just because it's easier, but when I try to think of it in terms of fairness, I have to disagree. But I do see where you're coming from. Regardless, it's in the hands of the theater now and it's up to them on how they want to organize the line. Maybe they will switch it to that after seeing how long people are waiting this week.

[happydude]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 9:15pm

happydude said: "casedilla2 said: "I agree, having one line is objectively the more fair system. It might be making the wait longer, which sucks in many ways, but if people are willing to wait the longest and stick it out for another show, they should absolutely be allowed to do so. I was planning on doing this again and had no problem with a 24+ hour wait, but this is really worrying me now. I just don't know if I can commit 2 nights to this, plus it's now even more unpredictable with when you'd have to get there.

"

I personally feel that every day should be a reboot. The people from the previous day can stay on the line, but should go to the back of the line. I don't think that's unfair, because they took a chance for a specific day and it didn't work out. It should be a one shot deal. It's not fair people to have to plan to be on the line in the mix for Wednesday's tickets when they really want Thursday tickets. But, in order for them to get Thursdays tickets they have to start waiting Tuesday?!?? Keeps the line fresh and morale up IMO.

However, I do believe on days when there is a matinee and evening show, that should remain one line. People should have an option of staying on line if they don't get matinee tickets. Order is a good thing to have.

"

1
Another thing, this type of defeating scenario comes to mind: 25 people wait on Monday. 9 get tickets. 14 stay for Tuesday, 6 tickets are given out. 8 people stay for Wednesday. Catch my drift. In the past, when there were two lines, if people didn't get there early enough or there were just a paltry number of tickets handed out, the remaining people had a choice of staying and taking another shot, but at the back of the new line, or going home. Many chose to go home, because not only did they not want to wait again, they effectively would have less of a chance. This discourages people from hanging on the line for days on end, preventing newcomers from having a chance.

[Relevance81491]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 9:17pm

Whoever is willing to wait the longest gets tickets. End of story. That is fair 

if someone wants to start the line for NEXT Thursday, more power to him/her 

[ashk8177]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 9:26pm

So where  is everyone camped out now? I just walked by and did not see anyone except 3 at the stage door and 2 people who it looked like we're wearing Nederland uniforms. Just curious  how this is playing out.

[Wick3]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 10:25pm

ashk8177 said: "So where  is everyone camped out now? I just walked by and did not see anyone except 3 at the stage door and 2 people who it looked like we're wearing Nederland uniforms. Just curious  how this is playing out"

I agree with you. I walked by on my way home at around 9:30pm and didn't see anyone waiting in the usual areas (i.e. marriott car park area, across the street near Edison Hotel, RRT box office, etc.) 

Where are you steins? I wanted to say hello.

 

[NJ_BroadwayGirl]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 10:40pm

I'm never going to stand in this line but I'm curious how long the seasoned sitters think this will continue before the cancellation line goes away? It sounds like things are pretty messy now. 

I imagine someone will probably get heat stroke as the weather gets hotter. I certainly don't wish that upon anyone but with people deliberately not drinking water, etc, it could lead to a dangerous situation. 

[gatorgirl2]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 10:40pm

Wick3 said: "ashk8177 said: "So where  is everyone camped out now? I just walked by and did not see anyone except 3 at the stage door and 2 people who it looked like we're wearing Nederland uniforms. Just curious  how this is playing out"

I agree with you. I walked by on my way home at around 9:30pm and didn't see anyone waiting in the usual areas (i.e. marriott car park area, across the street near Edison Hotel, RRT box office, etc.) 

Where are you steins? I wanted to say hello.

 

 

"

So my line buddy is in line now for Friday's show (crazy I know but we both obviously want tickets) and they all agreed to take a break at around the time you walked by. They gave each other numbers and disbursed for and hour or so. 

[schubox]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 10:42pm

But couldn't you show up on a Friday night before showtime and start a new line for Saturday? And then people either stay in line for Friday or they jump in the Saturday line?

 

the closer it gets the more likely I think I'm not getting in 

[gatorgirl2]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 10:47pm

schubox said: "But couldn't you show up on a Friday night before showtime and start a new line for Saturday? And then people either stay in line for Friday or they jump in the Saturday line?

 

the closer it gets the more likely I think I'm not getting in 

 

"

I think the easeist for everyone and the most fair to those who have been waiting the longest is to just use one line. Honestly I wish I had gone in March/April like I was thinking cause now that people are out of school for the summer I don't see the line getting any shorter unless there is bad weather. Also the window of time to see the OBC is getting smaller so that doesn't help. 

[casedilla2]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 10:47pm

gatorgirl2 said: "So my line buddy is in line now for Friday's show (crazy I know but we both obviously want tickets) and they all agreed to take a break at around the time you walked by. They gave each other numbers and disbursed for and hour or so. 


That's an interesting idea, but what happens if someone showed up during that time and "starts" the line, thinking there's no one in it yet? Seems a bit unfair to them for everyone to come back and say "just kidding, we're all in front of you"

[Em6]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 10:55pm

That's an interesting idea, but what happens if someone showed up during that time and "starts" the line, thinking there's no one in it yet? Seems a bit unfair to them for everyone to come back and say "just kidding, we're all in front of you"

 

"I was thinking the same thing!!  Although I agree, everyone deserves a break...a long one, after standing in line for hours/days.  I hope they all get to see the show. :)"

 

Updated On: 5/25/16 at 10:55 PM

[gatorgirl2]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 10:58pm

Em6 said: "


That's an interesting idea, but what happens if someone showed up during that time and "starts" the line, thinking there's no one in it yet? Seems a bit unfair to them for everyone to come back and say "just kidding, we're all in front of you"

 

"I was thinking the same thing!!  Although I agree, everyone deserves a break...a long one, after standing inline for hours/days.  I hope they all get to see the show. :)"

 

 

"

IDK I had the same thought lol but there is like 15 people to back everyone up so hopefully it will be fine. 

[jesskee]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 10:59pm

Long time lurker, first time poster after my line waiting experience yesterday. As a professional line sitter (I meant to quote happydude here, but am technologically inept), I feel like your opinions on how the line should be set up are irrelevant because you have nothing at stake here. Why should there be hope for newcomers to a line when people have already been waiting for over 24 hours and are willing to wait for longer? It mostly screws those people over who don't have a friend or significant other who can wait in both lines. 

I waited for Tuesday's show and was very lucky to get in. What's messed up about the new rule is that line sitters are forced to go in to see a show that they don't even want to see.The linesitters who were sitting with us were very friendly and nice- they were looking for premiums, but none came out for our day. If they got those, they would have bought them and left the line to free up chances for others. I appreciated their perspective on how the line works and our odds, etc. Both guys expressed that they were just there to do their job and wanted to go home ASAP and had no interest in seeing the show. They wanted to pair their clients with the next set of people in line, so they could effectively do their jobs and pass their tickets on to other people who really wanted to get in, but the boss wouldn't allow that to happen. So they both were forced to sit through a show they didn't want to see, and I heard that one of them left 15 minutes into Act I. So maybe I have more of a problem with the new linesitting system than the linesitters themselves. It seems a bit wacky to me that they wouldn't be allowed to pass their tickets off to the next people waiting in line after they've done their job. Just my opinion. I really would've liked to have seen two more people behind me who actually cared about seeing the show get in. At least the current system does cut down on the number of linesitters overall, giving us common folk who can't afford such luxuries more of a chance if we're willing to be on line for 24+ hours. 

Updated On: 5/25/16 at 10:59 PM

[schubox]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 11:01pm

gatorgirl2 said: "schubox said: "But couldn't you show up on a Friday night before showtime and start a new line for Saturday? And then people either stay in line for Friday or they jump in the Saturday line?

 

the closer it gets the more likely I think I'm not getting in 

 

"

I think the easeist for everyone and the most fair to those who have been waiting the longest is to just use one line. Honestly I wish I had gone in March/April like I was thinking cause now that people are out of school for the summer I don't see the line getting any shorter unless there is bad weather. Also the window of time to see the OBC is getting smaller so that doesn't help. 

 

"

School being out, the Tony's, and the OBC leaving soon are all a huge perfect storm. It's just insane to me that someone will wait 24+ hours and then say "ah screw it I'll wait another 24." Like how is that a thought process someone has? I'm basically going to have to get lucky and win the lottery or win a few thousand dollars. Because by the time my flight lands it seems like the line is going to be 10 deep for the show I want to go to 

[Wick3]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 11:08pm

gatorgirl2 said: "IDK I had the same thought lol but there is like 15 people to back everyone up so hopefully it will be fine."

That's risky. All that's needed is for that person who shows up thinking he/she is first in line while everyone is taking a break is to take a photo/selfie of herself in front of the line. If I were that person, I'd also talk to one of the box office folks to be clear that that person is first in line. If there are rules, then people have to follow them. 

 

[casedilla2]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 11:09pm

jesskee said: "Long time lurker, first time poster after my line waiting experience yesterday. As a professional line sitter, I feel like your opinions on how the line should be set up are irrelevant because you have nothing at stake here. Why should there be hope for newcomers to a line when people have already been waiting for over 24 hours and are willing to wait for longer? It mostly screws those people over who don't have a friend or significant other who can wait in both lines. 

I waited for Tuesday's show and was very lucky to get in. What's messed up about the new rule is that line sitters are forced to go in to see a show that they don't even want to see.The linesitters who were sitting with us were very friendly and nice- they were looking for premiums, but none came out for our day. If they got those, they would have bought them and left the line to free up chances for others. I appreciated their perspective on how the line works and our odds, etc. Both guys expressed that they were just there to do their job and wanted to go home ASAP and had no interest in seeing the show. They wanted to pair their clients with the next set of people in line, so they could effectively do their jobs and pass their tickets on to other people who really wanted to get in, but the boss wouldn't allow that to happen. So they both were forced to sit through a show they didn't want to see, and I heard that one of them left 15 minutes into Act I. So maybe I have more of a problem with the new linesitting system than the linesitters themselves. It seems a bit wacky to me that they wouldn't be allowed to pass their tickets off to the next people waiting in line after they've done their job. Just my opinion. I really would've liked to have seen two more people behind me who actually cared about seeing the show get in. At least the current system does cut down on the number of linesitters overall, giving us common folk who can't afford such luxuries more of a chance if we're willing to be on line for 24+ hours. "

While the line sitting likely worked for Tuesday's show, since there was no carry-over from the line for a show the night before (since there wasn't one), I don't see how they could reasonable be waiting for anyone for the upcoming shows at this point. Their fee for such a long wait plus the cost of 4 tickets would, at this point, be higher than resale tickets on stubhub. I have nothing against the line sitters personally, it just seems the game is stacked against them at this point.

Also, I do hope the line sitter who left so soon after the show started handed off his ticket to someone in the cancellation line or outside of the theater. :/ I know there are many who would be happy to see the rest of the show, even though they missed the first bit of it.

Just out of curiosity, what time did you arrive on Monday to be able to get in for Tuesday's show?

Updated On: 5/25/16 at 11:09 PM

[Wick3]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 11:12pm

Em6 said: "That's an interesting idea, but what happens if someone showed up during that time and "starts" the line, thinking there's no one in it yet? Seems a bit unfair to them for everyone to come back and say "just kidding, we're all in front of you"

"I was thinking the same thing!!  Although I agree, everyone deserves a break...a long one, after standing in line for hours/days.  I hope they all get to see the show. :)"

I  agree people deserve breaks, but in this case everyone took a break at the same time! I dunno but I think a better idea is to take turns taking breaks. Out of 15 people in line, at least have 5 people there waiting so there is no confusion. 

I still hope everyone gets to see the show tomorrow! Good luck folks!

 

[Ring-a-ding]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 11:16pm

I personally feel that every day should be a reboot. The people from the previous day can stay on the line, but should go to the back of the line. I don't think that's unfair, because they took a chance for a specific day and it didn't work out. It should be a one shot deal. It's not fair people to have to plan to be on the line in the mix for Wednesday's tickets when they really want Thursday tickets. But, in order for them to get Thursdays tickets they have to start waiting Tuesday?!?? Keeps the line fresh and morale up IMO.
 

 

 

I understand why a paid line sitter would advocate for this system, but it is in no way more fair to ask a person who has been in line for 36 hours to get behind someone who has been in line for two hours. Order is good, but this system is a self-serving order designed to better position the professional line sitters over those in line on their own behalf who want to buy the first available tickets or keel over trying. That said, it sounds like this whole thing is really getting out of hand, and I can't imagine it can go on like this indefinitely. People really will make themselves sick trying to stay in line in the heat. I suppose the situation will abate naturally with the departure of some of the original cast if the theater doesn't take any action. 

Updated On: 5/26/16 at 11:16 PM

[Wick3]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 11:18pm

schubox said: "School being out, the Tony's, and the OBC leaving soon are all a huge perfect storm. It's just insane to me that someone will wait 24+ hours and then say "ah screw it I'll wait another 24." Like how is that a thought process someone has? I'm basically going to have to get lucky and win the lottery or win a few thousand dollars. Because by the time my flight lands it seems like the line is going to be 10 deep for the show I want to go to "

You never know until you arrive in the cancellation line so at least have hope! :) When I waited on a Saturday I recall I was 11th in line but still managed to see the show that day. My point is each day will be different. It seems like there's a rush right now because school is out and students have the time to wait. The diehard fans will gladly wait another 24 hours no problem, especially in this weather.

Also, be grateful the RRT actually offers the cancellation line. If they do stop it, then your only option would be the ones you mentioned above.

 

[jesskee]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 11:20pm

casedilla2 said: 

While the line sitting likely worked for Tuesday's show, since there was no carry-over from the line for a show the night before (since there wasn't one), I don't see how they could reasonable be waiting for anyone for the upcoming shows at this point. Their fee for such a long wait plus the cost of 4 tickets would, at this point, be higher than resale tickets on stubhub. I have nothing against the line sitters personally, it just seems the game is stacked against them at this point.

Also, I do hope the line sitter who left so soon after the show started handed off his ticket to someone in the cancellation line or outside of the theater. :/ I know there are many who would be happy to see the rest of the show, even though they missed the first bit of it.

Just out of curiosity, what time did you arrive on Monday to be able to get in for Tuesday's show?

 

 

I agree, I think it's going to be more and more difficult for them to make their case. But as it stands, it is still significantly cheaper to hire linesitters than to go to stubhub. Especially for the quality of seats that you're getting. 

I think that linesitter wasn't allowed to pass his ticket off. When he left, another linesitter who was sitting next to me took his seat for the second act, because he was in Orchestra. 

I was one of the very last people to get in and I started sitting at 5pm Monday. The two girls at the very front got there at 2pm. The professional linesitters were directly behind them and arrived around 3 I think. The rest of us lucky enough to get tickets arrived around 5. The group behind me showed up like 10 minutes after I got there and didn't get in. It's amazing that such a small span of time led to them not getting tickets and me getting one. I feel really lucky.  

 

[schubox]

Posted: 5/25/16 at 11:24pm

So with it just being one, constant line. If I show up on a Friday before the Friday night show, but wanting Saturday tickets, I just get at the back of the Friday line?