Security B.S.

Unrequited

Will we be allowed to bring backpacks and/or courrier-type bags? I know I'll want to bring one to hold swag / carry my gadgets in, but I'm not sure if it'll fly with the security staff. Other conventions I've been to have had a strict no-no against personal bags.

Raiden333

I'm not sure how it affects the rules on bringing in personal bags, but if I recall correctly we get swag-bags.

WhitePanther

Last year, bags were allowed, and quite common (Where else do you think we keep all our Game Boys and Memory Cards, and spare games, and cards, and whatnot?) Second day they started banning the bags from the console room, as a few items had been disappearing, but other than that they were allowed. (Bag check was just a pile of bags, so I dropped my bag back at the hotel room after a while though, hopefully that will improve this year if done again.)

futility

I had all my gear and clothes in a backpack that I lugged around with me last year. it kind of sucked cuz there were periods that I was not checked into a hotel so it couldn't be helped not having a heavy backpack

Highfire

I say take what you can fit into your pockets, that way you don't lose anything. Unless you're taking your laptop with you. Like I might.

Unrequited

That's really what I'm asking about. I'm gonna carry my DS, laptop, maybe some other stuffs too. Doesn't help that some are saying they were allowed, and then others saying no *sigh*. Maybe I'll just pop an email off to the organizers.

Robert Khoo

Feel free to bring a bag. There will be a bag check on the premises.

Unrequited

Hah, that answer's just as confusing. So we're allowed to bring a bag, just not carry it (i.e. we have to check our bag upon entering)?

Mike Fehlauer

The idea is to balance convenience with courtesy for attendees' stuff. For example, most of the consoles and games at PAX are loaned by other PA readers. It'd suck if they got ripped off--there was an issue with a PS2 last year. We have a duty to try to protect the property of these gamers, as well as the Bring Your Own Computer guys and of course exhibitors.

Since PAX is literally open to anyone who walks off the street, we *have* to have some security measures--not everyone attending PAX knows that this isn't some giant corporate event. Barring bags from certain rooms makes it less likely that something will get snatched.

There won't be a fee or anything for bag checks, and you can swap out your bag whenever you want. It'll be as hassle-free as possible.

Thanks for your understanding and patience.

-Mike

Dog

Hi all, I'm the Chief of Security for this year. Each room/area will have it's own bag policy. For those that attended last year you may remember that we hastily setup a bag check for the console room after a couple of things came up missing. Hopefully, you'll also remember we were pretty nice about it.

Essentially, should you need to check your bag at a particular room, you can expect that you will be given one unique tag that you will keep on your person and another that you will place on your bag, it goes without saying that you should not lose this (if you do, we have a process that will be followed for retreival). Only Enforcers will have access to the bags, so you don't have to worry about anyone getting into your bag. The Enforcer will check the tag you have against the tag on the bag, pretty simple but effective.

Bags will be allowed, as we expect and encourage everyone to get some items from the various exhibitors. We also hope everyone will visit the great vendors that will be at the event!

Unrequited

Thanks for the wonderful replies, it clears a lot up!