Seating (or standing) in The Fort

[GOREVS3000]

All seating is first come first serve in the Fort, correct?

I am under the impression that is not because I've heard a few stories from people about being "bumped out" of their row or seat because people come in later and apparently some people have "their seats." Can people save seats?

Whats the deal with this? Since when could people claim spots in the fort? Because if you can I would like to claim one, too.


Does anyone know the number of rows in the fort and the number of seats in each aisle?

Oh and one other thing...is it possible we could expand it maybe to the first 15 rows in all the sections behind the net as opposed to having one entire section?

[patfan1]

All seating is first come first serve in the Fort, correct?

I am under the impression that is not because I've heard a few stories from people about being "bumped out" of their row or seat because people come in later and apparently some people have "their seats." Can people save seats?

Whats the deal with this? Since when could people claim spots in the fort? Because if you can I would like to claim one, too.

Does anyone know the number of rows in the fort and the number of seats in each aisle?

Oh and one other thing...is it possible we could expand it maybe to the first 15 rows in all the sections behind the net as opposed to having one entire section?
Seating is first come first serve. Some people do save seats, but I'm not sure what you mean by "claiming seats." I haven't ever bumped someone out of a seat.

I believe there are about 19 seats across an aisle in our section, but I'm not sure.

And why would we want to expand to the first 15 rows? They'd never allow it. From the security side, it's much easier to control the Fort if it's in one section. And people in row 16 and up in the other sections would complain about others standing in front of them. On our side, it's much easier to coordinate chants.

[GOREVS3000]

So we can save seats?

What I meant by claiming seats is that it seems to be in the first 5 rows or so the same people always sit in the same place. Is there like an unwritten order that people have just sort've settled and thats been their seat?

I'm just curious because I've only been here for a year.

[Mattymags811]

So we can save seats?

What I meant by claiming seats is that it seems to be in the first 5 rows or so the same people always sit in the same place. Is there like an unwritten order that people have just sort've settled and thats been their seat?

I'm just curious because I've only been here for a year.

Mind you some people go into the section as soon as the gates open. I've observed the same people in the same area. Some save seats, but others do just get in early and claim their area. I do know that once you get on the wrong side of certain people there's virtually no chance of getting in the front row.

[bwidell]

I noticed this Saturday. I went in for the Canada game, and even then there were already seats "reserved" (I mean, someone had put scarfs and some kind of starry decoration over the seats) for people who did not show up until the US game. I sat in the 2nd row because I didn't want to cause any problems, but I don't agree that that is how it should work. If you want the first row, get into the stadium early so you can get it.

[Weber King]

IIRC, 2003 was the first year that section 143 was General Admission seating.

Prior to that, we all had assigned seats. A good number of the regulars had seats in the first 4 rows or so.

Fast forward to the present and there is a certain contingent of fans who go in as soon as the gates open (even earlier for Ceneter Circle members). As such, they often get first dibs on seats. Some people choose to save a seat or two for their family members or friends, some do not. That's their perogative...

The loss of the 3rd hour of tailgating time a few years ago doesn't help the situation. Waiting for grills to cool off before you can put them in a car sometimes prevents me from going in sooner. Sometimes, my wife will stay with the grill to put it in the car and I will head in to grab a seat and save one for her as well.

It's a sticky situation, but it's really the only way to go if we want to continue a GA seating arrangement....

[bwidell]

IIRC, 2003 was the first year that section 143 was General Admission seating.

Prior to that, we all had assigned seats. A good number of the regulars had seats in the first 4 rows or so.

Fast forward to the present and there is a certain contingent of fans who go in as soon as the gates open (even earlier for Ceneter Circle members). As such, they often get first dibs on seats. Some people choose to save a seat or two for their family members or friends, some do not. That's their perogative...

The loss of the 3rd hour of tailgating time a few years ago doesn't help the situation. Waiting for grills to cool off before you can put them in a car sometimes prevents me from going in sooner. Sometimes, my wife will stay with the grill to put it in the car and I will head in to grab a seat and save one for her as well.

It's a sticky situation, but it's really the only way to go if we want to continue a GA seating arrangement....I don't mind people saving a seat or two for family, but when it gets to 3, 4, 5 seats... well I don't think that's fair.

But it doesn't matter to me. As long as I'm somewhere with other Riders than I'm happy! :D

[GOREVS3000]

IIRC, 2003 was the first year that section 143 was General Admission seating.

Prior to that, we all had assigned seats. A good number of the regulars had seats in the first 4 rows or so.

Fast forward to the present and there is a certain contingent of fans who go in as soon as the gates open (even earlier for Ceneter Circle members). As such, they often get first dibs on seats. Some people choose to save a seat or two for their family members or friends, some do not. That's their perogative...

The loss of the 3rd hour of tailgating time a few years ago doesn't help the situation. Waiting for grills to cool off before you can put them in a car sometimes prevents me from going in sooner. Sometimes, my wife will stay with the grill to put it in the car and I will head in to grab a seat and save one for her as well.

It's a sticky situation, but it's really the only way to go if we want to continue a GA seating arrangement....


That makes sense I guess I was just curious how it worked. How has it worked when people have gone in and there has been a bunch of little kids in our section? Do they just clear out when you bring in the drums in such or what?

[The Magpie]

It's real simple: get in when the gates open, and you have a shot at the front row; that's pretty much how it works. Anyone who thinks they're entitled to a spot needs to think again... and there's a number of people who think they're entitled.

[Weber King]

How has it worked when people have gone in and there has been a bunch of little kids in our section? Do they just clear out when you bring in the drums in such or what?

What we have done in the past if little kids were in the section was to seek out their parents or guardians and explain to them that the Fort was a standing section that could get a bit rowdy at times and was subject to some strong language and we recommended (carefully worded - we never said "we told them") that they might want to find seats elsewhere.

For the most part, people were/are generally receptive to the warning. Some are genuinely thankful.

Every year, though, it seems we get someone (usually a one-timer) who insists that they have 'assigned seats' or that they want everyone to sit down....

[GOREVS3000]

It's real simple: get in when the gates open, and you have a shot at the front row; that's pretty much how it works. Anyone who thinks they're entitled to a spot needs to think again... and there's a number of people who think they're entitled.

Sitting in the front doesn't interest me at all, I don't think I can see the pitch as well. Last two matches I've sat farther back and I liked it a little better, as I could see more. One thing is that I was around people I wasn't as familiar with, but more importantly I've noticed that there's bad communication between the people farther back and the people further up front regarding the chants. I know I'm not the first to say this. Has anyone thought of having something like they have in Chicago where there is a guy who sort've leads everyone on a platform?
I doubt security would like it, but just an idea.

As far as the seats go I had heard from a few people that some people were bumped out of their seats in the first two rows on Saturday. If this is true thats not cool at all.

[Weber King]

As far as the seats go I had heard from a few people that some people were bumped out of their seats in the first two rows on Saturday. If this is true thats not cool at all.

I freely admit that I'm one of the ones who seem to be in the front row for the vast majority of games. I've tried to pack things up and get in as soon as possible rather than rely on someone to save me a seat. Most of the time it works, but sometimes such as this years' home opener, it doesn't. I watched that match from row 4.

Would I have liked to be where I usually stand? Absolutely. But someone got the seats first and I wasn't going to try to weasel my way down there.

I know I was in the front on Saturday, but when I came in (right after the Canada match ended), there was no one in those seats and nothing from other people that might have been saving them. Nonetheless, I'm dismayed to hear that people got bumped. And if I was at fault in any way, my apologies to those affected. That was not my intent.

[edlova]

I do not see the problem with people going in and saving seats for friends or family...I know in previous experience, I grab 2 seats and then see if there are empty seats to move closer.

[SamAdams]

It's not even saving "seats" really, it's more saving enough space to fit who you need. Every game I usually go in with about 4-7 other people and we can usually work it out to fit in a spot for 4 people. rub elbows. it's no big deal

I agree w/ bwidell in the fact that saving people seats for the US game during the Canada game is BS. There's plenty of room in the Fort for people to find a spot.


as far as organzing our songs a little better: lets figure out what we have in our repertoire, number em out on an index card, give em to 3-4 loud mofos and just keeps a heads up for whoevers got the drum. We can even tape em to our arms like Tom Brady's playbook.

[Ann]

Another thing I haven't seen addressed yet - If you leave your seat at half time, it's not your seat anymore. I had someone tell me I was in "their seats" a few games ago. There was a whole empty row when I got there, so I told them politely that general admission means you don't own a seat.

[GOREVS3000]

I agree w/ bwidell in the fact that saving people seats for the US game during the Canada game is BS. There's plenty of room in the Fort for people to find a spot.




Ya that was the main issue I think people had on Saturday. But people who had assigned seats in the fort before were sort've grandfathered into the spots they generall have now I take it? They had a similar thing with Fenway when they went from GA to assigned seating in the bleachers in the 70s.

[thecastigador]

Another thing I haven't seen addressed yet - If you leave your seat at half time, it's not your seat anymore. I had someone tell me I was in "their seats" a few games ago. There was a whole empty row when I got there, so I told them politely that general admission means you don't own a seat.

absolutely.

I have moved up during half time more than once. This is why I piss/grab a beer before half time.

[The Magpie]

How has it worked when people have gone in and there has been a bunch of little kids in our section? Do they just clear out when you bring in the drums in such or what?

This is pretty much how it's been. If there are kids or soccer moms in the first few rows, they are usually informed - usually by Fort regulars - that the section is a standing one, that there will be chanting and singing, and that it will be pretty full. In almost every case, the families and/or the kids relocate. Those who haven't sometimes take off when the drumming starts, while a select few have elected to stay.

I know I'm not the first to say this. Has anyone thought of having something like they have in Chicago where there is a guy who sort've leads everyone on a platform? I doubt security would like it, but just an idea.

To be honest, I don't think this has ever been broached to the Revs, but I can't think of any particular reason why it hasn't.

FWIW, I wasn't aware that anyone had been bumped from the first row after the first game on Saturday, and if I were approached by someone saying I had, I'd happily have found another seat in a higher row.

[NeSpazz]

I know that there is a certain contingent that seems to think the front seats are theirs, no matter what. At MLS Cup people tried to save me a seat because they wanted my big screaming mouth in the front. However, after much tongue wagging and body wiggling, I was basically pushed out of the row and standing in the aisle. A security guy kindly informed me that I couldn't stay there so rather than try to fight said contingent, I moved back a few rows. I'm not going to say that saving seats is wrong because sure, people follow different schedules and stay out tailgating longer or go in early to set up stuff, but giving people evil death stares or muscling them out of the row isn't OK either. First come first serve certainly applies, but you also better be prepared to let someone who has shown up first take the saved seat of someone who hasn't shown up yet.

Spazz :D

[SamAdams]

Another thing I haven't seen addressed yet - If you leave your seat at half time, it's not your seat anymore. I had someone tell me I was in "their seats" a few games ago. There was a whole empty row when I got there, so I told them politely that general admission means you don't own a seat.

hell yes.