Badge needed?

[Abby_Normal]

I was noticing on the Defcon site that it says you need a badge to be on the AP grounds rather then just to attend con related events. Is this new (I haven't checked the rules in years).
How serious are they about that. I was thinking about inviting my mom just to come and hang out with me in Vegas, but I doubt she'd want to attend any of the talks or anything, So it'd be silly to pay for a badge.

[TheCotMan]

I was noticing on the Defcon site that it says you need a badge to be on the AP grounds rather then just to attend con related events. Is this new (I haven't checked the rules in years).

It has been this way for a while. Ever since the DefCon took over the whole AP for the duration of the con.

How serious are they about that. I was thinking about inviting my mom just to come and hang out with me in Vegas, but I doubt she'd want to attend any of the talks or anything, So it'd be silly to pay for a badge.

IIRC, They really only patrol [for badges] the Main building with presentations, games, minor events, vendor room, food area, bar, etc. [There have been fences/gates to control traffic to these places.]

People have asked this question before about kids or Sig-O only using the room, and going elsewhere, and the answer was "has not been a problem in the past."

[Abby_Normal]

It has been this way for a while. Ever since the DefCon took over the whole AP for the duration of the con.

I only noticed last year that there were no airline employees at the hotel anymore. It needed to be done really.

IIRC, They really only patrol [for badges] the Main building with presentations, games, minor events, vendor room, food area, bar, etc. [There have been fences/gates to control traffic to these places.]

People have asked this question before about kids or Sig-O only using the room, and going elsewhere, and the answer was "has not been a problem in the past."

Thanky, good to know.

[John D]

I only noticed last year that there were no airline employees at the hotel anymore. It needed to be done really.



Thanky, good to know.

Technically the AP wants everyone to have a badge. Makes it easier to weed out the street hoodlums that we get showing up trying to cause trouble (trust me they try every year). I am going to make an assumption that your Mother isn't going to start any trouble so she wouldn't bring attention to herself...

[Voltage Spike]

IIRC, They really only patrol [for badges] the Main building with presentations, games, minor events, vendor room, food area, bar, etc. [There have been fences/gates to control traffic to these places.]

Note that there is usually someone checking badges at the gate by Pool 1, so it can be rather difficult to get in through the front door (hint, hint).

Of course, Abby_Normal could be abusing our trust in an attempt to get us to help her sneak into Defcon without paying. Very clever, Abby. You almost got us.

[[Syntax]]

Assuming they avoid the convention areas, badge checking usually right outside the lobby, or even enter the hotel rooms from the parking lot instead of thru the front entrance, I dont see how anyone would say anything.

People are swimming and stuff out in the lawn areas, theres always people without badges.

[TheCotMan]

From 2003: You don't need a badge. No. You must have a badge.

From 2004: You can get away with it if you stay in your room, avoid DefCon, don't mind the noise, and go elsewhere in Las Vegas when not in your room.

From 2005: You can get away with it. Examples cited.

[Abby_Normal]

Technically the AP wants everyone to have a badge. Makes it easier to weed out the street hoodlums that we get showing up trying to cause trouble (trust me they try every year). I am going to make an assumption that your Mother isn't going to start any trouble so she wouldn't bring attention to herself...

I can't make too many promises, she is my mother after all...
Really, I don't see her even being on the grounds much, if she decided the con was of interest we'd just get here a badge.

Not that having a badge means one isn't a trouble maker.

[TheCotMan]

Not that having a badge means one isn't a trouble maker.

If she does not have a badge, being caught without one, and near trouble-in-progress, it could easily make not having a badge an issue.

If she plans to hang out, she should get a badge. If she will be out at other Vegas shows, or in her room, and not "at the con", then it will probably not be an issue.
(See post above with old threads on this cited.)

[John D]

I can't make too many promises, she is my mother after all...
Really, I don't see her even being on the grounds much, if she decided the con was of interest we'd just get here a badge.

Not that having a badge means one isn't a trouble maker.

I know I wouldn't vouch for my Mom. ;)

99% people at DC (ie with a badge) aren't troublemakers. And those that are, are pretty benign (ie fight the power type or try to mess the con up).

The people I get worried about are true thugs. They are there to cause real trouble (ie someone gets hurt, and I am not talking hurt feelings here). Wolves among the sheep (it's scary, at night you can see them pacing across the street from the AP like wolves... they smell their prey).

-JohnD

[ch0l0man]

I have only been to about four cons, but I have never seen any "real thugs" pacing across the street. Now down at the corner store I have seen some questionable locals, but nothing that would get my Nike Cortez in an uproar.

[Abby_Normal]

I have only been to about four cons, but I have never seen any "real thugs" pacing across the street. Now down at the corner store I have seen some questionable locals, but nothing that would get my Nike Cortez in an uproar.

Well, I recall a few years ago I recall some non dc people crashing a party and getting in to a fight. I wasn't there, and I never got the full story. But I guess it is a problem.

[Gadsden]

I have only been to about four cons, but I have never seen any "real thugs" pacing across the street. Now down at the corner store I have seen some questionable locals, but nothing that would get my Nike Cortez in an uproar.

I think those were Goons you saw..

Actually, I think there has been a couple times where locals have tried to sneak into the con and Goons and/or hotel security ran them off.

[noid]

Actually, theres a couple things going on. The Hard Rock has problems with people hanging out around the corner (i.e. across from the AP) and mugging drunks. Its just a matter of time before those folks say 'hey, I wonder whats going on across the street'. Every year we have locals cruise the parking lots or try to come on property. Several years its been gangsters (the real kind), however last year it was ravers. That was a pleasant change of pace. Nothing I love more than harshing some ravers mellow by helping them off property. You also get a lot of degenerates hanging out at the liquor store who see the endless parade of people comming in and its a matter of time before some dope says 'oh, theres this really massive party going on down at the AP'.

Requiring badges makes it easy to bounce folks off the property if they show up.

[Deviant Ollam]

i recall one year (DC9 or DC10, mabye?) where some kids were in the parking lot having bike races with these mini versions of kawasakis and hondas... think they are called pocket bikes. anyone else remember that? don't think they were con-goers... just random locals who wanted to pretend that they were badass street racers. i recall some sort of incident with them and the attendees that involved security.