Security at Glastonbury!?!

Imnewaroundhere · #1 02-06-2010, 01:24 AM

Hello Everyone
Just wondering if you can help me?
I've never been to Glastonbury..And the earliest train I can get means I will arrive at the Festival at about 10.30 to 11.00 am on Wednesday. Im just wondering what the security is at the entrance? What are the procedures? Do I have to unpack my bag or something? Cos I would like to go and pitch my tent as soon as possible

and I dont want to be stuck in a HUGE queue.. Or have to unpack all my stuff, like do the security have to check for glass bottles through all our bags?
Any past experiences please let me know asap!!!
Thanks very much!
xx

Piston Broke · #2 02-06-2010, 05:54 AM

Security checks have been a bit random in my experiance, 1 in 3 or 5. Depends how dodgy you may or may not look. Not been inspected in the last 3 visits, but friends have. Nearly all gear unpacked and checked, not just looking for glass...

Oh and at 10.30 you will be in a que, took us about two hours last year that was arriving at 10.30, unpack car, load sack truck, join que, move a foot every two mins. Eventually got through by about 12.30. Then walked for another hour or so to the far end of the site to camp above "Shangri-La". (Bl**dy kids!)

But on the plus side it just ads to the enjoyment, everybody is in the same situation and the atmos is great. Have a good festival!

Andy B.

ReinventingMe · #3 02-06-2010, 08:33 AM

As Piston Broke says security checks are fairly random, although I must be looking dodgier as I get older as I seem to get searched more often these days!

Generally they'll just open your bag and have a quick feel to see if they can find any glass bottles. They may be more thorough if they decide they don't like your face...

stinkywitch · #4 02-06-2010, 10:02 AM

they can be very thorough. and they have plenty of female security so they can do pretty intimate searches on the girlies. saw a few last year that practically had to take their bras off.

they are very friendly though and we have been searched loads (well whatme has) obviously we are good people so they never found anything.

doubledecker · #5 02-06-2010, 01:19 PM

say someone was to get caught with something they are not supose to have, ie abit of green, how do they deal with it? Is it a case of them just taking it off you or will they not let you in?

anyone with any past experiences?

Imnewaroundhere · #6 02-06-2010, 01:36 PM

Thank you for your replys..But I am NOT taking any drugs whatsoever! Im also worried about drink.. Am I allowed to bring any? Im 17.. I don't wanna take it and get it confiscated

Can anyone help Please!? I need to start organising..
Thanks xxx

Imnewaroundhere · #7 02-06-2010, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by Piston Broke

Oh and at 10.30 you will be in a que, took us about two hours last year that was arriving at 10.30, unpack car, load sack truck, join que, move a foot every two mins. Eventually got through by about 12.30. Then walked for another hour or so to the far end of the site to camp

But on the plus side it just ads to the enjoyment, everybody is in the same situation and the atmos is great. Have a good festival!

.

Thanks for letting me know what the queues are really like

But OMG!

How am I gonna survive?

.. I wanna get a good place to camp

Mart44 · #8 02-06-2010, 02:01 PM

Doubledecker - I think they would just take it off you from what I've heard, but I'm not speaking from personal experience, so maybe someone else will chip in. Because we were in a motorhome and coming on and off site a couple of times a day there were random searches going on all the time. I got searched once but not intimately if that helps - ie emptied my pockets and backpack and patted down. I would imagine coming onto site 'sober' would help, then the party starts !
Imnewaroundhere - as you're 17 you are not allowed to bring alcohol in to the festival. Whether you take the risk is up to you ;-)

Imnewaroundhere · #9 02-06-2010, 02:05 PM

Ok thanks

I will be thinking twice. I dont wanna cause trouble. x

Glasto-worker · #10 04-06-2010, 05:12 PM

I don't work for Security but have been working at festivals for the past 21 Years and I have lots of contact with various Security Companies and they do discuss various factors and the key factor is ' Attitude '

If you are stopped - if you are polite and compliant then you will have a far better response than if you kick off or you demand your rights.

if you are sensible then you should be fine.

there will be various bars being run by various companies at Glastonbury and they are likely to be asking for ID for anyone who looks under 21 { and in some cases it may be anyone who looks under 25 }

so unless you look as old as me your best to avoid the bars .

I am sure some will claim staff turn a blind eye even although staff have to sign a legally bound contract that they will be held personally responsible at the point of sale and they can end up with a Criminal record and a fine so trust me they will not be taking any chances and I work for the main bars at Glasto and I know how many do get asked for ID .

Twisted Fire Steward · #11 04-06-2010, 09:40 PM

Spot on, Glastoworker, it is all about attitude. Us stewards are not security but we are expected to look out for potential trouble and/or breaches of law and festival licence. In practice, if you gob off to us, we are likely to call in people to deal with you whereas if you are just having a laugh and the situation is unlikely to get out of hand, we'll just join in the fun! Not sure if that helps but I've been to the pub ....