I went to lunch around 1 and I saw people already camped out for tailgating spots at the state lot on the corner of MLK and San Jac. (where the old HF tailgate was). I can see camping out on Friday morning, but early Thursday afternoon?! I hope for their sakes they are not noobs trying to bogart long-standing tailgaters' spots. If so, this will not end well for them.
Its a few of the regulars in response to the Bullock lot tailgaters that got into line early this morning.
According to a friend of mine, people were camping out in the lots on Monday afternoon, if not before.
Actually started a bit later than I anticipated. BH, please wake up Maddog and remind him to have another beer...
I've never been part of an organized tailgate, but I wonder how it works. When you say you hope that new groups aren't intruding on the space of longtimers, what do you mean? Can you reserve spots formally or informally? How do the people that get the same spots year after year do it? Is it as simple (or difficult) as showing each game week on Thursday and claiming your spot? Always wanted to know.
I should prob let somebody more knowledgeable answer this, but I believe that the parking spots in the state lots go on "sale" at 5 p.m. Friday afternoon. There is an unwritten rule that the tailgaters that have been in these lots for years (before tailgating got really really popular) should get their same spots, but since tailgating has blown up, people are showing up earlier and earlier to try to get spots in these lots. I assumed that showing up Friday morning to "reserve" your spot in "line" was early enough, but I guess you have to show up even earlier than that.
Isn't it "first come, first served" for the surface lot parking spots? That means that longtime tailgaters have no advantage doesn't it?
Yes, hence the longtime tailgaters camping out days in advance. I personally think it's ******** for new tailgaters to come in and take spots that have been used by the devoted tailgaters (some have been there 10+ years, through good times and bad). Just my $.02.
Camping out is illegal in Austin, Texas city limits. These scofflaws need to have the police come and arrest them. They should do hard time in Huntsville, first offense. Vagrants, all. Damned Tailgate Rats, or is it Worms?
l00p - hell, have the authorities move 'em over to the west side by the Drag... they can sip their wine & eat their cheese in peace, plus they will fit in with some of the Drag worms and no one will complain
Hell, if they offer me a beer and some brisket or food if I walk by, then let 'em be! I do see some reasoning behind it though, but hell... not like you got your name on it, or do you!?!? If so, how would the newbies know you did!? I say you snooze you lose! COME EARLY!!!!! Just as long as they are also LOUD, WEARING ORANGE, and STAY LATE! Then I don't have a problem!
I hope that cooler heads prevail and there are no fights amongst fans. It is sort of childish to pretend you can "claim" a spot just because you were there last year. If it is a free for all and somebody gets there first, beat them next time. But some will prob. puff their chests and go on and on about how long they have been there, etc... I do see both sides though. The tailgate that has been there before does not know of other locations, they had that. But with the shuffling of parking things may be dicey. I would think the further the better for new tailgates to establish. But then they have to be real careful about locking up.
the rolling rock gathers no moss. if fans think they can stroll up Friday afternoon and claim a spot b/c they were there the last 5 years, they deserve to be out in the boonies. snooze ya lose
The "shuffling" has only occurred in the UT lots, not the state lots. I can only speak for the state lots, but the instances of fighting are extremely rare in my 15 years of tailgating (only the past 10 or so of which have become "competitive" for spots). Occasionally a new group shows up and beats out an old group to stand in line. Typically, afer some discussion over a few cold beers, the various groups can shuffle around and come up with enough spaces to accomodate everyone. It is definitely first-come first-served, which is fair enough, but I will say this about the "established" tailgates-- we've been in the same spot for close to ten years, and we have scores of family and friends who know where to find us. If we were ever forced out of our normal spot, it would be very difficult to get everyone back on the same page. Not the end of the world of course, but a sizeable PITA. And that is why the established tailgaters go to such great lengths to secure their existing spots. It's pretty rare for the established groups to get bumped by new folks, and like I said before, when it DOES happen, it's even more rare for there to be any fights about it.
I can understand the long-timers wanting to claim their same spot, I would feel the same way. But what if I wanted to start my own tailgate someday for my friends and family, and I get there early and unknowingly post up in a 'long-timers' spot? I certainly wouldn't be doing it to piss anyone off, I just found a good spot that I wanted to set-up in. I would be open to discussion if they could point me to a spot somewhere else that I liked just as much, but I sure as hell wouldn't tear down all my stuff to move just because they were there last year.
I think a big problem was that for the Tech game last year, four corporate groups swooped in for the last game and took up 40 spots in the Bullock lot displacing a bunch of groups that had been there all year and previous years. That's why you've got people camping on Thursday.
GatorDave, Again, speaking only for the state lots (which was the origin of this thread) because things work differently in the UT lots, but it would not get to that point. You would have already negotiated spots in line before you ever set up anything. My best advice for new people wanting to tailgate for UT games would be for them to establish themselves in one of the "non-competitive" lots. There are many lots where people DON'T camp out ahead of time to get their long-established spots. In those lots, you can typically drive up a few hours before the game and set up your tailgate spot, with absolutely no need to stand in line. These lots are a couple of blocks further away, but still easy walking distance from the stadium.
To me it's also a matter of whether the 'longtimer' showed up early and was just further back in line, or if they showed up at 11AM wanting to set up in 'their spot'. If a new group has enough time to completely set their **** up, then the 'longtimer' ****** up by showing up too late. There was a group near us in Lot 70 who had this sense of entitltement to 'their' spot, to the point where they would even show up until about noon for a 6PM game...
You wake up late for school - man you don't wanna go You ask you mom, "Please?" - but she still says, "No!" You missed two classes - and no homework But your teacher preaches class like you're some kind of jerk You gotta fight for your right to party! You pop caught you smoking - and he said, "No way!" That hypocrite - smokes two packs a day Man, living at home is such a drag Now your mom threw away your best porno mag (Bust it!) You gotta fight for your right to party! Don't step out of this house if that's the clothes you're gonna wear I'll kick you out of my home is you don't cut that hair Your mom busted in and said, "What's that noise?" Aw, mom you're just jealous - it's the Beastie Boys! You gotta fight for your right to party! You gotta fight for your right to party!
