FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Bring yourself to the game. Leave the cooler and backpack at home.
The NFL is tightening stadium security starting this preseason, limiting the size and type of bags fans can bring to the game.
The restrictions are designed to enhance security while speeding up entry into stadiums.
With the exception of medically necessary items, only clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches will be allowed. One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags also will be OK, as will small clear plastic bags approximately the size of someone’s hand, with or without a handle or strap.
One of those clear bags and a small clutch bag will be allowed per person.
Binoculars, cameras, and smartphones also will be permitted.
Banned items will include purses larger than a clutch bag; coolers; briefcases; backpacks; fanny packs; cinch bags; seat cushions; luggage; computer bags; and camera bags or any bag larger than the permissible size.
The league is encouraging fans not to bring any bags to games.
“Our fans deserve to be in a safe and secure environment,” Jeffrey Miller, the NFL’s chief security officer, said Thursday. “Public safety is our top priority. This will make the job of checking items much more efficient and effective. We will be able to deliver a better and quicker experience at the gates and also provide a safer environment. We appreciate our fans’ cooperation.”
An NFL committee on stadium security recommended these measures in May and the owners have approved them.
A secondary buffer area well outside the stadium will be established where security personnel will check for prohibited items or bags being carried toward the ballpark. Fans with prohibited bags will be turned away until they dispose of those bags. Stadium personnel are being encouraged to have approved bags on hand to give to fans, or to have a place outside the restricted areas to check items, so that fans can reclaim after games.
I've never really enjoyed an NFL game in person, but I've only attended at the Metrodome where you leave with a massive headache from all the confined noise and a beer spilled down your back.
Um, they are discouraging people from bringing ANY bag? WTF? My wallet/wristlet is bigger than what they are describing. I also tend to bring bags I can fit my wallet, phone, keys, sunglasses, water bottle, chapstick and kindle into. Which I don't think is that unreasonable.
ETA: And I am going to a preseason game in August.
I was curious about feminine hygiene products when I heard this. Some women might need a few tampons/pads. Shove them in your pockets, I guess. I think it is pretty silly. Why no seat cushions either?
I know my time in a stadium is fairly limited, but I can't see how you'd be comfortable bringing in a bigger bag than 12x6x12 anyway. The seats are small, the space under the seats is often dirty or wet (or gets wet from drink spills or whatnot) you are usually also juggling food and drinks you just bought. I guess I can see with kids you'd want something bigger - but if each person can bring their own 12x6x12 bag it seems they could still bring what they needed. Maybe I just hate stadiums.
I was curious about feminine hygiene products when I heard this. Some women might need a few tampons/pads. Shove them in your pockets, I guess. I think it is pretty silly. Why no seat cushions either?
I know my time in a stadium is fairly limited, but I can't see how you'd be comfortable bringing in a bigger bag than 12x6x12 anyway. The seats are small, the space under the seats is often dirty or wet (or gets wet from drink spills or whatnot) you are usually also juggling food and drinks you just bought. I guess I can see with kids you'd want something bigger - but if each person can bring their own 12x6x12 bag it seems they could still bring what they needed. Maybe I just hate stadiums.
#notacrowdperson #notasportsfan #hermitsunite
The CLEAR bag can't be any larger than that. I mean, I'm a tiny purse person, but I wouldn't want to go to an NFL game w/o a kid with only what I can carry in my pockets. Do men realize girl pockets aren't big enough to carry anything?
Without a kid I can carry everything I need in my pockets. I'm not much of a girly girl. WITH a kid, forget it. I'm not going anywhere without a change of clothes for her in case of an accident.
Also, has any one actually been worried about their security at an NFL game?? Have there been major incidents?
Did people before the Boston Marathon think this either?
I've certainly thought about it at the New York Marathon. And at any of our bigger parades. And sometimes at museums and such or in the subway or sitting in my office. I think the reality of living in a big city (particularly one like New York that has been hit before) is that you know that there's always a risk, particularly when lots of people are assembled in one area. So yes, I'd imagine many people at the Boston Marathon had it in the back of their heads that something *could* happen.
I haven't worried as much at sporting events/concerts because they check bags and don't allow backpacks in stadiums/arenas/etc.
Wouldn't metal detectors (if they don't already have them) solve a lot of problems?
Also, I'd think it is way easier to steal people's money when it is in a clear bag than when it is in a purse held on a shoulder. And it is easy to drop baggies/clutches.
Couldn't they just allow bags of a small but non-clutch size, that are big enough to hold a wallet and smartphone and keys but small enough to not fit a bomb?
I know my time in a stadium is fairly limited, but I can't see how you'd be comfortable bringing in a bigger bag than 12x6x12 anyway. The seats are small, the space under the seats is often dirty or wet (or gets wet from drink spills or whatnot) you are usually also juggling food and drinks you just bought. I guess I can see with kids you'd want something bigger - but if each person can bring their own 12x6x12 bag it seems they could still bring what they needed. Maybe I just hate stadiums.
#notacrowdperson #notasportsfan #hermitsunite
The CLEAR bag can't be any larger than that. I mean, I'm a tiny purse person, but I wouldn't want to go to an NFL game w/o a kid with only what I can carry in my pockets. Do men realize girl pockets aren't big enough to carry anything?
Without a kid I can carry everything I need in my pockets. I'm not much of a girly girl. WITH a kid, forget it. I'm not going anywhere without a change of clothes for her in case of an accident.
I am a girly girl, but all I typically need is iPhone, wallet (or card case with cash/id/credit card), keys, and sunglasses/sunglasses case (because it is annoying to have to wear my sunglasses on the top of my head after dark). Lip balm is a plus. Regardless, that's way too much to fit in my pockets, and I don't even always have pockets. Probably way too much to fit in a clutch too (certainly too much if my wallet is involved).
If I were a pickpocketer, I'd be psyched about this rule. Girls typically can't fit much in pants pockets because their pants are too tight, and it is much easier to get things out of coat pockets.
I typically carry: Phone (back pocket), ID and debit card (back pocket) (probably could be picked but I'd feel them go I think), cash (front pocket), and if I need to a tampon or 2 (the compact ones)(front pocket). Sunglasses go on my head when I don't need them anymore. It's really not all that hard to carry all that in my teensy girly pants.
It'll be interesting to see what this new rule does to attendance.
It won't affect it. Either there will be even more testosterone in the stands or we'll just follow the rules. Football is king, this isn't something that will decrease attendance and that's why they can get away with creating these new policies.
I hope the contents of a 2 or 3-month-old's diaper bag can fit in two 12x6x12 plastic bags for when we go the Giants-Chargers game in San Diego in December with the baby.
I was curious about feminine hygiene products when I heard this. Some women might need a few tampons/pads. Shove them in your pockets, I guess. I think it is pretty silly. Why no seat cushions either?
I already wear the ultrathin pads but if I have to stuff a few of them into my skinny jeans that is going to be rough...
I typically carry: Phone (back pocket), ID and debit card (back pocket) (probably could be picked but I'd feel them go I think), cash (front pocket), and if I need to a tampon or 2 (the compact ones)(front pocket). Sunglasses go on my head when I don't need them anymore. It's really not all that hard to carry all that in my teensy girly pants.
My phone doesn't fit in any pants i own. I used to only use pockets, including having a mini size man's wallet, but smart phones are too big.
My "purse" is a wristlet, actually smaller than a clutch. Basically it's a cell phone holder with a loop for carrying.
Post by secretlyevil on Jun 14, 2013 12:36:12 GMT -5
At bare minimum I would need: my glass case to switch from sunglasses to regular glasses, lip balm, hand sanitizer, phone, id, cc. My glass case doesn't fit into any pocket. The ziploc bag thing is just crappy. I would do it but it's still crappy.
Post by demandypants on Jun 14, 2013 12:42:34 GMT -5
Most of our home games require a winter coat, and I wouldn't be really worried about not bringing a purse cause coats have pockets. Even without the ban, I would really try hard not to bring a purse to the game. One beer being kicked over behind me and my pretty bag would be all gross.