Stadium entry still sucks

[Section124]

I have entered via the East gate for the 35+ years I have been a season ticket holder. In the past it’s been great. Never took me more than 5 minutes to get in…and usually only 2-3. It only started to suck when they created the dedicated lines for the Provident Club and move to the mobile tickets. The main issue now is that the entrance is like hitting the Essex toll on the GSP at rush hour. You essentially have 15 lanes of traffic to go thru 2 security gates. Then once you get thru they only have 3 people scanning tickets. And sometimes just 2 for the main lines.

What Rutgers needs to do is create ropes lines so it’s more orderly getting through the weapons scanners…just like they have for the ticket scanners. The police they have prior to the weapons scanners are useless and just get in the way.

 

[Section124]

And to those that like the North gate, I have tried that in the past. That is always a shit show. I’d rather enter the west gates before doing North ever.

 

[Knight Shift]

Shut up Al

al is right. But I recognize not everyone has the luxury of arriving early if they have a whole family to get together into the car, etc.

 

[Knight Shift]

I have entered via the East gate for the 35+ years I have been a season ticket holder. In the past it’s been great. Never took me more than 5 minutes to get in…and usually only 2-3. It only started to suck when they created the dedicated lines for the Provident Club and move the mobile tickets. The main issue now is that the entrance is like hitting the Essex toll on the GSP at rush hour. You essentially have 15 lanes of traffic to go thru 2 security gates. Then once you get thru they only have 3 people scanning tickets. And sometimes just 2 for the main lines.

What Rutgers needs to do is created ropes lines so it’s more orderly getting through the weapons scanners…just like they have for the ticket scanners. The police they have prior to the weapons scanners are useless and just get in the way.

We have observed the same thing. Earlier this year, we wound up walking around to the main entrance of the Club adjacent to the lot. The problem with that entrance is there is a single, really slow elevator to the 3rd level. When I asked about the nearest stairs, one of the people said that they "don't want" people using the stairs. Not wanting to create an unnecessary issue, we complied. But if it is crowded and we are running late, we will find the stairs. I prefer stairs to elevators.

We used the East Gate this past Saturday, but we were in by 11 a.m. It was a breeze. No wait.

Also, there are "auxiliary" gate(s) between the North (facing the bubble) and the East Gates. Seems like a good option.

 

[S_Janowski]

I have entered via the East gate for the 35+ years I have been a season ticket holder. In the past it’s been great. Never took me more than 5 minutes to get in…and usually only 2-3. It only started to suck when they created the dedicated lines for the Provident Club and move to the mobile tickets. The main issue now is that the entrance is like hitting the Essex toll on the GSP at rush hour. You essentially have 15 lanes of traffic to go thru 2 security gates. Then once you get thru they only have 3 people scanning tickets. And sometimes just 2 for the main lines.

What Rutgers needs to do is create ropes lines so it’s more orderly getting through the weapons scanners…just like they have for the ticket scanners. The police they have prior to the weapons scanners are useless and just get in the way.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

The entrance time at that gate has only gotten worse year over year.

There’s major room for improvement.

It’s starts with making the formal line start earlier, add more detectors and more people to scan tickets.

These simple changes would go a long way to improve the experience.

 

[Section124]

We have observed the same thing. Earlier this year, we wound up walking around to the main entrance of the Club adjacent to the lot. The problem with that entrance is there is a single, really slow elevator to the 3rd level. When I asked about the nearest stairs, one of the people said that they "don't want" people using the stairs. Not wanting to create an unnecessary issue, we complied. But if it is crowded and we are running late, we will find the stairs. I prefer stairs to elevators.

We used the East Gate this past Saturday, but we were in by 11 a.m. It was a breeze. No wait.

Also, there are "auxiliary" gate(s) between the North (facing the bubble) and the East Gates. Seems like a good option.

I am usually in my seats 30 minutes before but I don’t know if it was the good weather or great tailgates, but seemed like most got to the entrance 10-15 minutes before the game this week. We had my 86 year old father in law and he walks slow now. That is why I was there later than expected so I got to feel the pain the OP felt. Of course getting to the gates late is the issue but there is a better way and it just seems Rutgers does not want to fix this despite me bringing it up to them and on the survey each week.

 

[S_Janowski]

If something bothers you, and it's in your power to avoid it, I don't get why that is such a burden.

Of course, that means there'd be one less thing to bitch about.

I came in the East gate this week by the Hale center, also around 11:50. Later than I wanted to be, because my wife and kids were enjoying the boardwalk. I knew it'd cause a delay getting in, and it did.

But I knew that, because I've been going to games and entering through that gate for years. It was our fault getting there so close to kick, so I accepted the consequences of our own actions.

Usually I get in earlier, because I know better.

I’m glad you like to wait in a line that barely moves for an extended period of time. I don’t

I also don’t consider myself one to bitch often and do have patience (within reason).

Please answer these couple questions:

Considering the Easy gate is the entrance that the majority of folks see / head to from the Blue, Yellow, Black, Purple, Silver, Tan, Light Blue and JMA lots….

1) Is it really “bitching” if I ask them to install more than 2 detectors for the general ticket holders (I’m fairly certain the other entrances have more than 2 detectors).

2) Is it really “bitching” if I ask them to have more than 3-4 people scanning tickets for the entire entrance (I’m fairly certain the other entrances have more than 3-4 people).

Looking forward to your responses to each question.

 

[S_Janowski]

The sidewalk on that side does allow for more. They allocated one just for club seats. No line there if you wish to pay up. People have to walk on the road to get around.

Thanks but I shouldn’t have to “pay up” to get a better experience and one that is at least somewhat aligned with the entrance on the exact opposite side of the stadium.

I get it can’t be the exact same (due to the building structure / layout / spacing) but at least make an attempt to do better.

That’s all I’m asking.

 

[Section124]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

The entrance time at that gate has only gotten worse year over year.

There’s major room for improvement.

It’s starts with making the formal line start earlier, add more detectors and more people to scan tickets.

These simple changes would go a long way to improve the experience.

100% agree. As I mentioned above I keep bringing this up to Rutgers and the supervisor at the east gate each week. I think she is tired of hearing from me but the solution is simple as you suggest with starting the lines much further out.

 

[RUChoppin]

I’m glad you like to wait in a line that barely moves for an extended period of time. I don’t

I also don’t consider myself one to bitch often and do have patience (within reason).

Please answer these couple questions:

Considering the Easy gate is the entrance that the majority of folks see / head to from the Blue, Yellow, Black, Purple, Silver, Tan, Light Blue and JMA lots….

1) Is it really “bitching” if I ask them to install more than 2 detectors for the general ticket holders (I’m fairly certain the other entrances have more than 2 detectors).

2) Is it really “bitching” if I ask them to have more than 3-4 people scanning tickets for the entire entrance (I’m fairly certain the other entrances have more than 3-4 people).

Looking forward to your responses to each question.

There's an architectural bottleneck at the bottom of the ramp. There's already a second entrance to the right of it onto the concourse, with two more detectors.

Maybe some ropes creating aisles together back from the gate might help with traffic, but you're not going to get many more staff in that area.

I sit in 229, so that's the most 'direct' way in, but I've gone through the West gate and around the south concourse at times, too, without much issue.

The biggest issue is volume. Too many people arriving too close to kickoff.

I've solved it easily for myself by arriving a little earlier or using a less trafficked gate.

It's free, it requires minimal effort, it reduces frustration, and allows me to see the start of the game from my seat.

Just like shore traffic on a summer Friday ... lots of people will be on the road. Leave earlier or find an alternate route, and you save yourself headache.

 

[S_Janowski]

There's an architectural bottleneck at the bottom of the ramp. There's already a second entrance to the right of it onto the concourse, with two more detectors.

Maybe some ropes creating aisles together back from the gate might help with traffic, but you're not going to get many more staff in that area.

I sit in 229, so that's the most 'direct' way in, but I've gone through the West gate and around the south concourse at times, too, without much issue.

The biggest issue is volume. Too many people arriving too close to kickoff.

I've solved it easily for myself by arriving a little earlier or using a less trafficked gate.

It's free, it requires minimal effort, it reduces frustration, and allows me to see the start of the game from my seat.

Just like shore traffic on a summer Friday ... lots of people will be on the road. Leave earlier or find an alternate route, and you save yourself headache.

You failed to answer two basic questions I posed to you.

Instead you wrote 7 paragraphs and ended with talking about shore traffic.

Let that sink in.

 

[jtung230]

Thanks but I shouldn’t have to “pay up” to get a better experience and one that is at least somewhat aligned with the entrance on the exact opposite side of the stadium.

I get it can’t be the exact same (due to the building structure / layout / spacing) but at least make an attempt to do better.

That’s all I’m asking.

You said it yourself. The 2 sides of the stadium are very different. Ever try the North gate? A lot more metal detectors there.

 

[S_Janowski]

You said it yourself. The 2 sides of the stadium are very different. Ever try the North gate? A lot more metal detectors there.

It wasn’t apparent to me that the other entrances have such a better experience. I might consider a different entrance next game now that I’m reading some of the replies.

That still doesn’t absolve Rutgers from doing better.

You know, for:

- The fans who aren’t capable of walking to other entrances.
- The casual fan who isn’t familiar with the entrances or wait times.
- The first time fan who first sees the East gate as they walk to the stadium from the Boardwalk.

 

[jtung230]

It wasn’t apparent to me that the other entrances have such a better experience. I might consider a different entrance next game now that I’m reading some of the replies.

That still doesn’t absolve Rutgers from doing better.

You know, for:

- The fans who aren’t capable of walking to other entrances.
- The casual fan who isn’t familiar with the entrances or wait times.
- The first time fan who who first sees the Easy gate as they walk in from the boardwalk.

The other gates didn’t look like it was moving faster despite having more metal detectors. You might say that having more metal detectors doesn’t help.

 

[S_Janowski]

The other gates didn’t look like it was moving faster despite having more metal detectors. You might say that having more metal detectors doesn’t help.

How exactly would you know what was happening at all of the other gates?

Read the responses of peoples experiences - it’s clear there’s an issue at the East gate entrance and the wait time there is not close to what other folks are experiencing elsewhere.

There are also folks who are saying they avoid the East gate because of their prior experiences and how much of a disaster it is.

 

[jtung230]

How exactly would you know what was happening at all of the other gates?

Read the responses of peoples experiences - it’s clear there’s an issue at the East gate entrance and the wait time there is not close to what other folks are experiencing elsewhere.

There are also folks who are saying they avoid the East gate because of their prior experiences and how much of a disaster it is.

As a long time season ticket holder, I share your pain. I have tried other gates to beat the system. My only success was the “secret” entrance that’s to the right of the East gates. But they turned that into a bag line now. The only way to avoid the wait is to get in early.

 

[S_Janowski]

As a long time season ticket holder, I share your pain. I have tried other gates to beat the system. My only success was the “secret” entrance that’s to the right of the East gates. But they turned that into a bag line now. The only way to avoid the wait is to get in early.

Thanks - I will look to try another gate in the future.

 

[RUChoppin]

You failed to answer two basic questions I posed to you.

Instead you wrote 7 paragraphs and ended with talking about shore traffic.

Let that sink in.

They already added detectors and staff in that area, to the side of the ramp onto the concourse because of space limitations caused by the architecture bottleneck at the bottom of the ramp. I mentioned that first in my response.

Keep shaking your fist at the sky.

 

[S_Janowski]

They already added detectors and staff in that area, to the side of the ramp onto the concourse because of space limitations caused by the architecture bottleneck at the bottom of the ramp. I mentioned that first in my response.

Keep shaking your fist at the sky.

Still can’t answer the 2 simple questions I posed.

Done with you.

 

[RUChoppin]

I’m glad you like to wait in a line that barely moves for an extended period of time. I don’t

I also don’t consider myself one to bitch often and do have patience (within reason).

Please answer these couple questions:

Considering the Easy gate is the entrance that the majority of folks see / head to from the Blue, Yellow, Black, Purple, Silver, Tan, Light Blue and JMA lots….

1) Is it really “bitching” if I ask them to install more than 2 detectors for the general ticket holders (I’m fairly certain the other entrances have more than 2 detectors).

2) Is it really “bitching” if I ask them to have more than 3-4 people scanning tickets for the entire entrance (I’m fairly certain the other entrances have more than 3-4 people).

Looking forward to your responses to each question.

You asked:
"1) Is it really “bitching” if I ask them to install more than 2 detectors for the general ticket holders (I’m fairly certain the other entrances have more than 2 detectors)."

I answer: YES

You asked:
"2) Is it really “bitching” if I ask them to have more than 3-4 people scanning tickets for the entire entrance (I’m fairly certain the other entrances have more than 3-4 people)."

I answer: YES

There you go - both of your inane questions answered.

They already added more detectors and staff on that corner of the stadium - there's another gate that was added immediately to the right of the one you are bitching about. I'm amazed you missed while standing there for 35 minutes.

There are also lots of other ways into the stadium that don't require you to use that gate - or you could just show up ahead of the rush.

Keep bitching, though - it's at least entertaining.

 

[S_Janowski]

You asked:
"1) Is it really “bitching” if I ask them to install more than 2 detectors for the general ticket holders (I’m fairly certain the other entrances have more than 2 detectors)."

I answer: YES

You asked:
"2) Is it really “bitching” if I ask them to have more than 3-4 people scanning tickets for the entire entrance (I’m fairly certain the other entrances have more than 3-4 people)."

I answer: YES

There you go - both of your inane questions answered.

They already added more detectors and staff on that corner of the stadium - there's another gate that was added immediately to the right of the one you are bitching about. I'm amazed you missed while standing there for 35 minutes.

There are also lots of other ways into the stadium that don't require you to use that gate - or you could just show up ahead of the rush.

Keep bitching, though - it's at least entertaining.

If you think it’s bitching for simply asking for a similar experience as other entrances then you need your head examined.

Or you must love standing completely still or inching forward in a line like a snail and witnessing incompetence first hand.

Either way, you need your head examined.

 

[RUChoppin]

If you think that’s bitching then you need your head examined.

Or you must love standing completely still or inching forward in a line like a snail and witnessing incompetence first hand.

Either way, you need your head examined.

Get there 10-15 min earlier, or try another gate, and you won't be inching forward like a snail.

This is like someone saying "Doc, it hurts when I punch myself in the face" and the doctor saying "well, stop punching yourself in the face."

That gate's been that way for well-attended games since I got season tickets 16 years ago, and it's not going to magically get fixed because you've bitched about it. Though if we keep playing like we have been, the traffic at that gate will go down for other reasons - it was pretty smooth getting in during the Ash years.

 

[Local Shill]

The metal detectors have made it 100% easier to sneak in food and drinks since they don’t try to rummage through a clear bag anymore. So Matt C and his homeland security lies can kick rocks!

 

[robcac26]

Everyone knows if you get there earlier you can avoid the long wait, but that doesn't change the fact that it should not take a half hour to get into the stadium. Other stadiums alleviate this bottleneck by fencing off a larger area around the stadium and having a ton of ticket scanners and metal detectors etc along that fence rather than at the entry to the building since it's a much wider area. Sure you might still have a bit of a bottleneck because everyone still has to funnel into the same paths, but at least by that point everyone is moving freely instead of being held up right at the narrowest point of the bottleneck by ticket scanners and metal detectors. I've also said it a million times, but mobile tickets have slowed down the entry process.

 

[ru66]

I have entered via the East gate for the 35+ years I have been a season ticket holder. In the past it’s been great. Never took me more than 5 minutes to get in…and usually only 2-3. It only started to suck when they created the dedicated lines for the Provident Club and move to the mobile tickets. The main issue now is that the entrance is like hitting the Essex toll on the GSP at rush hour. You essentially have 15 lanes of traffic to go thru 2 security gates. Then once you get thru they only have 3 people scanning tickets. And sometimes just 2 for the main lines.

What Rutgers needs to do is create ropes lines so it’s more orderly getting through the weapons scanners…just like they have for the ticket scanners. The police they have prior to the weapons scanners are useless and just get in the way.

They're not real "police ", they're students who are auxiliaries.

 

[ru66]

I entered by the same way at 11: 30 .It was a bit more congested than usual but honestly it took at most 10 min to get in. I had enough time to wait online for a sausage sandwich, get to my seat, stuff sandwich down my throat and not miss a thing. Those extra 15 minutes earlier make a huge difference.

 

[kupuna133]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

The entrance time at that gate has only gotten worse year over year.

There’s major room for improvement.

It’s starts with making the formal line start earlier, add more detectors and more people to scan tickets.

These simple changes would go a long way to improve the experience.

Agreed the formal entry process ie metal detectors, line formation bag searches need to be further from the bottleneck near the stadium. Move the fenced in portion of the entrance further from the stadium.

 

[DHajekRC84]

Update: this applies to my experience at the East gate.

Entrance procedures continue to be a Mickey Mouse operation

Arrived at the East entrance (by Provident club at about 11:50am).

I was fully expecting to wait 10-15 minutes to get in but it took over 35 minutes to enter the stadium from the point we got in line.

Great move getting rid of the bag lines but they still only have 2 freaking metal detectors setup for people to walk through in what is probably the busiest (or 2nd busiest entrance).

2 freaking metal detectors that everyone has to funnel through single file!

Absurd this place does its best to keep people from coming back.

Got there at 11:40 and Sat down with 9 mins left in Q1. My back simply can't stand there for 29-25mins and seriously effecting my thoughts of still hoing. Every week I get the survey and bitch about this and the stupid operation of having all the shuttle bus fans walk past the entrance and exit of blues lot holding up the cars.

 

[S_Janowski]

Got there at 11:40 and Sat down with 9 mins left in Q1. My back simply can't stand there for 29-25mins and seriously effecting my thoughts of still hoing. Every week I get the survey and bitch about this and the stupid operation of having all the shuttle bus fans walk past the entrance and exit of blues lot holding up the cars.

Sorry to hear about your experience.

So you got in line 20 minutes prior to 12pm and still didn’t get to your seat until 9 mins left of the 1st quarter.

Further proof that the East gate entrance is a disaster and requires changes.

But be careful about complaining. Some folks in this thread will say you deserved to wait and you should be arriving even earlier….

 

[S_Janowski]

Agreed the formal entry process ie metal detectors, line formation bag searches need to be further from the bottleneck near the stadium. Move the fenced in portion of the entrance further from the stadium.

Exactly.

Anyone with common sense who sees the terrible setup, lack of manpower and the bottleneck that develops at the entrance would realize it’s setup to fail.

 

[beaced]

Don’t worry, you won’t have to worry about crowds trying to enter the stadium anymore.

Why not Daddy?

 

[kupuna133]

Exactly.

Anyone with common sense who sees the terrible setup, lack of manpower and the bottleneck that develops at the entrance would realize it’s setup to fail.

Realistically they should expand the fences in area and move the beer garden section inside the fence. Or have a duplicate beer garden inside. Kill 2 birds late arriving crowd and security delays. Captive audience already cleared y security. Shut the beer garden down inside the fence at kickoff.

 

[RUChoppin]

The architecture of the stadium and surrounding buildings/landscaping features make it difficult to add more lanes on the east corner of the stadium than they already have.

The challenge of the East gate is road access in and out to the Hale Center, and the real estate occupied by the Scarlet Walk. Scarlet Knight Way and Sutphen must remain open for vehicles.

They could extend fencing from the North Gate outward and add more detectors/gates, but the East gate is essentially at the bottom of a funnel created by the Scarlet Walk, Battaglia Practice Complex, and Hale Center.

They could potentially extend fencing from Sutphen, down the west side of the Scarlet Walk, then around the back of the Scarlet Walk down to the Hale Center.... that would eliminate the East gate detectors/ticket takers entirely and leave it as an entrance only. There would be no way to enter the stadium directly from Scarlet Knight Way itself, though you could potentially increase the overall number of detectors and ticket takers along Sutphen on either side of the knight statue. It would also cause a lot more people to lining up on Sutphen Way itself in front of the stadium (not sure if that section must remain open, or not).

Another option is to create another gate on the other side of the Hale Center, in the southeast corner - but there may not be an appetite to have fans lining up across the front of the Hale Center.

Edit: Another option would be a pedestrian bridge over River Rd to alleviate traffic flow, and then have the RAC shuttle drop people off by the South gate. It would mean fewer people trying to get in on the upper side of the stadium - but I know there are zoning issues with the township about building a structure like that from Johnson Park.

Or... people could get there earlier and/or avoid the East gate closer to kickoff.

 

[RUChoppin]

For this game, I arrived at the East gate at about 11:50 because my kids wanted to spend time with the boardwalk games/rides until they closed. My seats are in the front of 229, and I got to them at about 12:20 with 6 min left in the first quarter (a few plays before we scored our first TD). 30 min from getting in line to getting to my seat, at nearly the worst possible time to enter through that gate.... about 20-25 min of that was standing in line, and the rest was getting up the ramps and down the upper level concourse with my wife and 2 kids.

Not ideal - but expected based on past experiences. I had a feeling we were going to have a rough game with all the injuries, and my kids don't really care about the game at all, so I didn't pressure them to leave the boardwalk early. Honestly, got to our seats faster than I'd anticipated - because I expected much more of a logjam than I got.

 

[RUPete]

They're not real "police ", they're students who are auxiliaries.

I thought that may be the case - they look very young, but many folks do to me these days. Either way, I find that they are usually trying to re-direct me to a more "convenient" entrance with the same bottleneck.

 

[Section124]

They're not real "police ", they're students who are auxiliaries.

They are still ineffective. They need to actually do something or just get out of the way.

 

[DHajekRC84]

Sorry to hear about your experience.

So you got in line 20 minutes prior to 12pm and still didn’t get to your seat until 9 mins left of the 1st quarter.

Further proof that the East gate entrance is a disaster and requires changes.

But be careful about complaining. Some folks in this thread will say you deserved to wait and you should be arriving even earlier….

If it was a 2pm or 3:30 game I'd certainly plan for earlier gate arrival but when it's noon getting to the gate by say 11:30 means packing up and walking at say 11am. Family I go with has 90min drive. That really squeezes the tailgate fun especially on a day as georgous as Sat was.

The West gate is certainly a better option but since I am in pain walking and standing it doesn't work for me. Rutgers has no options for cripples like me.

Btw..thank you to @BKIn118 who continues to be a first class guy for taking the time to ask if I was ok while trying to walk out on sat.

 

[RUPete]

Good suggestions in this thread - both reasonable and doable. I know the obvious answer is get there earlier, but you can still improve the entire process.

 

[RRRRUUUU]

Why not Daddy?

Because we suck again, daughter.

 

[Rhuarc]

I tailgate in the silver lot, leave at 11:15 and get to this gate around 11:35. I was in by 11:45 because I had time to go to the bathroom and then watch the team come out of the Hale Center before they went into the stadium.

It sound like literally a matter of minutes before the traffic starts to backup. I would try that newer gate next to the West entrance that wraps around the fence and pathway. That seems to move at a decent pace.