Stowaways!

[trilobyte]

The BMOrg gate/perimeter team's policy on stowaways is changing. In the past, there were lectures, warnings, and time spent in the penalty box at the gate.

This year, any vehicle found to have a stowaway on board will have tickets confiscated from ALL passengers, the vehicle will be denied entry, and everyone on board will be sent home.

Vehicle being denied entry means that even if you're traveling in a caravan, a friend/campmate from another car will not be able to take the vehicle to camp and unload everybody else's stuff. It just gets turned around and sent away.

It's a harsh policy, but a necessary one IMO. Actions have consequences. With no tickets at the gate, anyone turned away would either end up lingering and trying to sneak across under cover of darkness (sure it'd be fun for the perimeter guys), they'd be that negative stereotype dirty hippy vagrant hanging around Gerlach all week, or they'd be that person that potentially died of exposure/dehydration trying to walk home in the desert.

If you are making arrangements to have someone else haul some of your supplies/gear to the playa, make sure they're dependable enough not to try and bring a stowaway. And drivers, make sure that all your passengers either have tickets in hand or printouts of the stuff they'll need for Will Call upon arrival.

[jella]

♥ it !

a cousin asked about stowing away ,half joking ( I hope) and I went all postal on them lol

[illy dilly]

You just have to hide the stowaway real well!

The easiest way to sneak a person into burning man is chop them up real small, like ground beef!

Then at the end of the week they get a first hand view of the temple burn!

[Savannah]

While I imagine the sold out status at the box office will still guarantee some interesting shenanigans, I really think this could reduce the stowaway problem . . . compared to what it would have been without this policy, anyway. Potential stowaways will still ask unfair favors, but hopefully this strengthens the resolve of the drivers (and persuades them to check tickets, ID, and confirmation numbers for all).

Before, some might have felt a stiff fine & detention was worth the risk. But I don't know many people who would risk 1) their entire Burn experience and 2) all the money they spent on it.

[SnowBlind]

That's assuming they hear about this. Somehow I have a feeling the people that will try to smuggle stowaways into the event are not the ones reading eplaya. Or JRS. Or anything that could inform them, for that matter.

You know, just like they didn't see the warnings about tickets selling out.

[unjonharley]

Lane closures in Canida are posted at 5 miles, 3 miles, 2 miles, 1 mile, and there are rubber skids right up to the end..

So much for warning people.. Warnings are read as meaning "for some one else"

[Savannah]

That's assuming they hear about this. Somehow I have a feeling the people that will try to smuggle stowaways into the event are not the ones reading eplaya. Or JRS. Or anything that could inform them, for that matter.

You know, just like they didn't see the warnings about tickets selling out.

True, that. Though if it stops one newly-informed person from riding along with a bunch of jerks with a stowaway, and the honest person makes other travel plans in time, I'll be happy for them.

[trilobyte]

I'm sure folks will try, but from what I understand the DPW/perimeter/gate security people are up to the challenge and looking forward to this year's event.

[Lord Of Ruin]

The BMOrg gate/perimeter team's policy on stowaways is changing. In the past, there were lectures, warnings, and time spent in the penalty box at the gate.

This year, any vehicle found to have a stowaway on board will have tickets confiscated from ALL passengers, the vehicle will be denied entry, and everyone on board will be sent home.

Vehicle being denied entry means that even if you're traveling in a caravan, a friend/campmate from another car will not be able to take the vehicle to camp and unload everybody else's stuff. It just gets turned around and sent away.

It's a harsh policy, but a necessary one IMO. Actions have consequences. With no tickets at the gate, anyone turned away would either end up lingering and trying to sneak across under cover of darkness (sure it'd be fun for the perimeter guys), they'd be that negative stereotype dirty hippy vagrant hanging around Gerlach all week, or they'd be that person that potentially died of exposure/dehydration trying to walk home in the desert.

If you are making arrangements to have someone else haul some of your supplies/gear to the playa, make sure they're dependable enough not to try and bring a stowaway. And drivers, make sure that all your passengers either have tickets in hand or printouts of the stuff they'll need for Will Call upon arrival.

Minor point of clarification: This has actually been the policy for a long time. The ticket is a revokable license and may be revoked without refund for misconduct, failure to obey the rules of the community, etc. Sneaking in during the closure order is an actual crime, although Gate doesn't normally invoke LEO for such things. But they have in the past for particularly douchebag-y behavior. Remember...you aren't in Burning Man until you are PAST Gate.

LoR

[trilobyte]

In past years, they have only detained the rest of the participants in D-lot. According to that crew, that will no longer be happening.

[capjbadger]

Minor point of clarification: This has actually been the policy for a long time. The ticket is a revokable license and may be revoked without refund for misconduct, failure to obey the rules of the community, etc. Sneaking in during the closure order is an actual crime, although Gate doesn't normally invoke LEO for such things. But they have in the past for particularly douchebag-y behavior. Remember...you aren't in Burning Man until you are PAST Gate.

LoR

And even then the law still applies...

-Badger

[capjbadger]

That's assuming they hear about this. Somehow I have a feeling the people that will try to smuggle stowaways into the event are not the ones reading eplaya. Or JRS. Or anything that could inform them, for that matter.

You know, just like they didn't see the warnings about tickets selling out.

I raised this same issue. Gate may be able to save themselves a few headaches by posting a sign with this policy at the (12 mile?) turnoff to the event.

-Badger

[ygmir]

I'm sure folks will try, but from what I understand the DPW/perimeter/gate security people are up to the challenge and looking forward to this year's event.

those GPE folks are wicked..........smart, attractive and omnipotent........

[Savannah]

...humble...

[capjbadger]

I'm sure folks will try, but from what I understand the DPW/perimeter/gate security people are up to the challenge and looking forward to this year's event.

those GPE folks are wicked..........smart, attractive and omnipotent........

You forgot "Humble".

Oh Gate is going to be interesting this year. lol

-Badger

[capjbadger]

...humble...

Dammit... beat me to the punchline.

-Badger

[CapSmashy]

I am really looking forward to working it this year.

[Lord Of Ruin]

In past years, they have only detained the rest of the participants in D-lot. According to that crew, that will no longer be happening.

Again, it all comes down to the circumstances, and the douchebaggery of the participants. The fundamental limits this year necessitate a change:

If you have a stowaway, there was exile to DLot for "reeducation". At the end of that, the stowaway would have to buy a ticket and a stupid tax would be paid. The size of that tax depended on the level of deceit, the general attitude, etc. If you welded a special hiding compartment into your artcar or RV for hiding a person? Stupid tax = $2k.

But, since tix are sold out this year, there's no way for said stowaway to buy a ticket. And since you can't abandon walkers at the gate, the entire car would be made to leave the event. The punishment would be revoking the tickets for the whole group, ensuring they don't just go to Gerlach and dump the person, making them that community's problem.

It actually is fairly logical.

Also, a sign wouldn't help. If you didn't read your ticket, and you didn't read any email, and you didn't get raised by your parents properly to not steal, then I don't think a sign on the side of the road is gonna make you suddenly have a newsflash and mend your ways.

LoR

[Eric]

Also, a sign wouldn't help. If you didn't read your ticket, and you didn't read any email, and you didn't get raised by your parents properly to not steal, then I don't think a sign on the side of the road is gonna make you suddenly have a newsflash and mend your ways.

+1

[capjbadger]

Also, a sign wouldn't help. If you didn't read your ticket, and you didn't read any email, and you didn't get raised by your parents properly to not steal, then I don't think a sign on the side of the road is gonna make you suddenly have a newsflash and mend your ways.

+1

Point there. And even if they did change their mind, you then have the same ticketless dingbat dumping issue. Nevermind.

-Badger

[tamarakay]

This does make me want to work gate. Or perimeter. But there is SO MUCH i want to do and i've been sitting on my hands cause everyone keeps telling me my virgin year I should just show up and enjoy, and check out and see what I would really enjoy for volunteering my sophomore year. Still true?

[MyDearFriend]

This does make me want to work gate. Or perimeter. But there is SO MUCH i want to do and i've been sitting on my hands cause everyone keeps telling me my virgin year I should just show up and enjoy, and check out and see what I would really enjoy for volunteering my sophomore year. Still true?

You and me both!

I have this feeling I'll be flashing between deer-in-the-headlights and ferret-on-crack, though...

[Major Krash]

curious how this situation will be any different for someone with a forgery that they paid good money for (and are not knowingly trying to pass)...they will still have to be turned away (presumably along with the vehicle they came in...or else the same issues with lingerers/people dying of thirst at Gate will still happen)...??

[trilobyte]

This does make me want to work gate. Or perimeter. But there is SO MUCH i want to do and i've been sitting on my hands cause everyone keeps telling me my virgin year I should just show up and enjoy, and check out and see what I would really enjoy for volunteering my sophomore year. Still true?

Heed their advice! It'll be your first year, just worry about getting out there in one piece and staying hydrated and all the other good stuff. If you make it out in one piece, all is fine and good with the world, and you STILL feel like volunteering, you can either help any one of your neighbors or come down to Playa Info, they can direct you to the Volunteer Camp (though I think it has a more clever name). It's a sort of Burning Man job bank, people who need people, help out where you can.

[ygmir]

This does make me want to work gate. Or perimeter. But there is SO MUCH i want to do and i've been sitting on my hands cause everyone keeps telling me my virgin year I should just show up and enjoy, and check out and see what I would really enjoy for volunteering my sophomore year. Still true?

You and me both!

I have this feeling I'll be flashing between deer-in-the-headlights and ferret-on-crack, though...

that's the attitude that makes you one of the favorite Burngins, right there, MDF!!!

[Savannah]

This does make me want to work gate. Or perimeter. But there is SO MUCH i want to do and i've been sitting on my hands cause everyone keeps telling me my virgin year I should just show up and enjoy, and check out and see what I would really enjoy for volunteering my sophomore year. Still true?

I hope you wait 'til next year. You really need time to acclimate. And indeed, so much else you want to do. (It is a popular piece of advice for a reason.) You can always do Lamplighters on a walk-up basis once you're there (reporting several hours before sunset), or Postal Delivery on a whim if you're feeling like it's right at the time (orientations twice a day; google BRCIPO).

The idea of someone working too much during their first burn gives me the cold chills. I hope you accept only a commitment only to your own enjoyment, safety and exploration.

[trilobyte]

Yes, great idea Savannah, Lamplighters or BRC Post Office are great 'walk-up' volunteer shifts on the playa.

[capjbadger]

Yes, great idea Savannah, Lamplighters or BRC Post Office are great 'walk-up' volunteer shifts on the playa.

+1000

Lamplighters are 5:45 and Rod's Road. Get there at 5pm and help us out.

-Badger

[Eric]

You can always do Lamplighters on a walk-up basis once you're there (reporting several hours before sunset), or Postal Delivery on a whim if you're feeling like it's right at the time (orientations twice a day; google BRCIPO).

If you want super simple, BRC Weekly is always looking for delivery people- esp. people who want to hit the 9:00 side and the backstreets. Great way to meet people.

[Savannah]

Are delivery people looking for specific addresses, or are they distributing on the fly? If the latter, even better.