Whether it's your first Bonnaroo or you’re a music festival veteran, we welcome you to Inforoo.
Here you'll find info about artists, rumors, camping tips, and the infamous Roo Clues. Have a look around then create an account and join in the fun. See you at Bonnaroo!!
Post by Mista Don't Play on Feb 17, 2011 23:20:35 GMT -5
Yea, the DTF searches are completely random, for the most part. I was a random victim last year. Nothing conspicuous about our car, no smells, nothing. We just happened to be the chosen one. Survived unscathed. We were really cool with them and they didn't tear our car apart like I saw them doing to some others.
Post by fearthestupid on Feb 18, 2011 17:08:13 GMT -5
on a slightly side note...many of the people walking i-24 buying and selling tix are not who they seem...take extra precautions while in vehicle lines as well. They look at cars then record plates of who to search later. Didn't anyone else wonder why so many random dudes walking all had the exact same mardi gras necklace on?
Post by themanflounders on Feb 18, 2011 19:09:52 GMT -5
Agree with everything above. And if you have that special glass bottle that you definitely don´t want to get taken away, keep it between them and a sexual harrassment lawsuit. I´ve never been touched on my person and when the centeroo folks do it they never touch you anywhere besides your hips. That said, I´ve never had one of these random fed searches. Perhaps someone would like to elaborate there.
Providing an outlet and a voice for music lovers to unite under the common theme of music for all. Join The Pondo Army to show your allegiance to musical freedom! Fighting for no censorship of the arts & music education in schools, The Pondo Army will triumph! The Pondo Army Movement
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A few tips, as I have dealt with searches for years at various concerts and events including last year's Bonnaroo:
-Offer the searchers water but don't be too adamant about them taking the water if they decline. They will see it as if you have something to hide. But overall, offering water is a nice gesture for people working in extreme heat.
-Do not engage in extra curricular activities immediately before entering. Not every searcher is meticulously trained, but many are. They will pick up the signs and have reasons to dig deeper.
-Don't appear too nervous or antsy. Obvious.
-Make eye contact with your searchers when they talk to you. Answer all the questions they throw out at you; even the most mundane like "where are you from?"
-Don't hover over them while they are searching, especially when they come close to a bag or item you DON'T want them to search. Some of these searchers will sense this. Also don't change the way you act when this happens either. If you are somewhat quiet, don't all of a sudden start gabbing to redirect them if they come near an area you are worried about.
-Don't have glass at all. If you do, even one glass bottle - they will most likely search more on principle.
-Don't complain about the heat. Guess what? They have been standing in that heat all day and have been WORKING in it. You might get someone irritable. Sure the weather is typically a small talk topic of conversation to strike up, but if you start complaining about it a searcher could be offended.
-A good technique is if they ask if you have anything in your car that is illegal, show them a legit prescription medication if you have it. They will see it as honest and forthcoming.
-If they do start gutting your car/RV, deal with it. Don't yell at them, that will make matters worse and they will probably throw some of your items in the mud.
-Last tip; this one is so important. There are no drukqz allowed at Bonnaroo, so do not bring any with you.
Post by rideincircles on Feb 19, 2011 4:06:45 GMT -5
We were pulled out for an extensive search in 2009 for drawing attention to ourselves blowing bubbles. 5 officers started tearing through the car and after they were about half way through, one of them pulled out a giant plastic bag filled with crumbs. He was like, what's this? Banana bread. Ok, your free to go. It was pretty funny, but they were going through everything. We made it out unscathed and they gave us the option of getting a ticket if we declared anything or getting arrested if they found something.
We were pulled out for an extensive search in 2009 for drawing attention to ourselves blowing bubbles. 5 officers started tearing through the car and after they were about half way through, one of them pulled out a giant plastic bag filled with crumbs. He was like, what's this? Banana bread. Ok, your free to go. It was pretty funny, but they were going through everything. We made it out unscathed and they gave us the option of getting a ticket if we declared anything or getting arrested if they found something.
Common police tactic/trick. What's humerous is that they would have arrested if they found anything they could actually arrest you for. Otherwise they'll give a possession charge/ticket and let you go. Really. Don't admit to anything, you're setting yourself in that instance and have no recourse. Just don't say anything (denial or admittance). Call someone on the phone, or pretend to so that the cops will not have a conversation with you and ask you leading questions.
Also, you consent to the search when you purchase the ticket. It is not an illegal search by the police.
The most tried and true strategy to not getting arrested is to not break the law.
When you are getting off of i24 (and driving through the fence gate)... and there are 16 lanes taking cars... and the tennessee atf on the side fence waving at each car... ignore them.... When the atf guys are waving at each car - they are trying to get someone who is mad nervous and thinks that they are actually waving AT THEM. Each year when driving past the fence gate next to i24 - i see the same guys on the left side waving at me - and each year... i drive to one of the 16 open lanes!
in talking to anyone... hello - you are not guilty. just say whats up and answer their questions frankly - and dont start conversation... HELL. Just talk on your cell phone the entire quacking time... get your heads in the game people!
Side Note: I'm southern, and just know one thing. When dealing with a hardcore redneck police officer (all police in Tennessee) make sure to USE your southern accent and kinda make it stronger than normal.
last year was my first bonnaroo. i came down from new york with 4 of my friends (all of us males) and we came down in a chevy venture van i think it was. a minivan basically, with stickers all over the back. the van was packed pretty tight with all of our stuff, and we had more stuff on top of the van wrapped in a tarp. when we drove through the gate and drove up to get in line, i watched one of the officers by the fence turn and see the van, motion to another officer at us, and walked over to us and told us we were getting searched. they asked if we had anything, we gave up a small amount of green thinking they would just take that and let us go, as we had much more hidden. they took that and began searching the van. after finding quite a bit more green and a device for the green, was when it started pouring. the mood lightened a lot once it began to downpour and they stopped searching and wrote 2 of my friends posession tickets. i believe we were searched because 1) the stuff wrapped in the tarp ontop of the roof and 2) 5 dudes packed in a minivan with stickers on the back. we were all very blitzed too as we had been in line 7 hours with nothing but smoking to do. honestly, with the other stuff in the van, if it had not started downpouring at that very moment, all of us would have been spending a night in coffee county jail. it was a godsend lol. this year, im going to do things a looottt different.
we didnt smoke much in line actually, but we def did on the way down. it was one kid's birthday wednesday, and we left wednesday at 5pm. we had to celebrate lol.
For Christ's sake, man...could you PLEASE not get high while you're behind the wheel? My uncle got killed by an impaired driver...drunk, not stoned, but still...this, yes, murderer was "very blitzed" too, and my uncle never even knew what hit him.
last year was my first bonnaroo. i came down from new york with 4 of my friends (all of us males) and we came down in a chevy venture van i think it was. a minivan basically, with stickers all over the back. the van was packed pretty tight with all of our stuff, and we had more stuff on top of the van wrapped in a tarp. when we drove through the gate and drove up to get in line, i watched one of the officers by the fence turn and see the van, motion to another officer at us, and walked over to us and told us we were getting searched. they asked if we had anything, we gave up a small amount of green thinking they would just take that and let us go, as we had much more hidden. they took that and began searching the van. after finding quite a bit more green and a device for the green, was when it started pouring. the mood lightened a lot once it began to downpour and they stopped searching and wrote 2 of my friends posession tickets. i believe we were searched because 1) the stuff wrapped in the tarp ontop of the roof and 2) 5 dudes packed in a minivan with stickers on the back. we were all very blitzed too as we had been in line 7 hours with nothing but smoking to do. honestly, with the other stuff in the van, if it had not started downpouring at that very moment, all of us would have been spending a night in coffee county jail. it was a godsend lol. this year, im going to do things a looottt different.
Post by vedderific on Feb 19, 2011 16:57:34 GMT -5
This will be my fourth roo. I've went with a big crew of 15+ and as little as 4. I've entered the farm early thursday every year. I've sat in line for an hour and I've also sat in line 12+. I've also entered from the Interstate and also from the back road. There is no rhyme or reason that I can decypher. In 08, and 09 I was asked to get out of my car as they opened my trunk and my cooler...gave it a quick glance and asked if I had any glass and was on my way. Last year I was pulled to the side by the DTF crew. The officer was nice and introduced himself to me and my friend and said he was with the Coffee County drug task force (DTF). He asked if there was anything in the car that he should know about and it would be alot easier if I told him upfront if there was because there was a chance that if I was honest with him that I could still go in for the weekend and avoid arrest. I was calm and collective, mainly because I knew there was nothing in my car. He had us step out and patted us down and asked us to move to the front of the car. This is when my mind started freaking. I knew that I didn't bring anything but in the hours before, my crew and I were hanging out in line...we were all "reminiscing" among other things and were showing each other what we had brought and thats when I thought that one of my friends may have put something in my car by accident.
But all was fine, and they stopped the line so that we could catch back up to our crew and all was well.
Just pack cleanly, don't look like you just came off a month long Phish binge, and be polite, even if they aren't polite to you and all will be kosher.
Post by pondo ROCKS on Feb 20, 2011 9:04:17 GMT -5
The whole "Lets sticker up our vehicle for Bonnaroo" is just a bad idea in general...basically you are telling any cop on your way there to search away.
Providing an outlet and a voice for music lovers to unite under the common theme of music for all. Join The Pondo Army to show your allegiance to musical freedom! Fighting for no censorship of the arts & music education in schools, The Pondo Army will triumph! The Pondo Army Movement
Follow me on twitter@Pondoknowsbest
The whole "Lets sticker up our vehicle for Bonnaroo" is just a bad idea in general...basically you are telling any cop on your way there to search away.
I don't really get this. We have stickers all over our car. Mostly ones from places we've been. But also sports teams, and a Drive Shaft sticker. We also have bonnaroo parking stickers on our windshield.
The whole "Lets sticker up our vehicle for Bonnaroo" is just a bad idea in general...basically you are telling any cop on your way there to search away.
I don't really get this. We have stickers all over our car. Mostly ones from places we've been. But also sports teams, and a Drive Shaft sticker. We also have bonnaroo parking stickers on our windshield.
Never any problems.
That's fine if they are already there...my point is to just load up a bunch of new stickers/signs saying "Hey I am on my way to what most people still call a Hippie fest" is kinda like baiting your own trap.
Providing an outlet and a voice for music lovers to unite under the common theme of music for all. Join The Pondo Army to show your allegiance to musical freedom! Fighting for no censorship of the arts & music education in schools, The Pondo Army will triumph! The Pondo Army Movement
Follow me on twitter@Pondoknowsbest
I'll be going with a couple of my college friends and we're all 19. What I understand from this is the cops will take away anything that is illegal, but does this include alcohol if everyone in the car is under 21? Also, will the Bonnaroo people check ID's if they see beer in the cooler? I guess what I'm asking is, will we get carded if they find alcohol in our car?
I'll be going with a couple of my college friends and we're all 19. What I understand from this is the cops will take away anything that is illegal, but does this include alcohol if everyone in the car is under 21? Also, will the Bonnaroo people check ID's if they see beer in the cooler? I guess what I'm asking is, will we get carded if they find alcohol in our car?
The Bonnaroo people will not card you. If you get the DTF search, then they may take issue. I've never heard of this happening, but I can't say for sure either way.
Ok, I see that a few people have asked this question and few have answered them.
-when they do a full thorough search of the vehicle, will they also pat you down, etc. or will they just make you empty your pockets?
I know that I will most likely get searched due to having northern plated, my younger age and the "sporty" car I will be driving.
Yes, they legitimately frisk you. Pat your butt, check your feet, play with your balls, the whole nine yards. Its like a massage without a happy ending.
Ok, I see that a few people have asked this question and few have answered them.
-when they do a full thorough search of the vehicle, will they also pat you down, etc. or will they just make you empty your pockets?
I know that I will most likely get searched due to having northern plated, my younger age and the "sporty" car I will be driving.
Yes, they legitimately frisk you. Pat your butt, check your feet, play with your balls, the whole nine yards. Its like a massage without a happy ending.
and what would happen if they found, say, a large amount of green but it was for personal use? I know I can find whatever I want there for cheaper than what I pay, but don't want to risk it with this considering I am quiet the greenthumb.
Post by Mista Don't Play on Feb 22, 2011 15:21:51 GMT -5
Keep in mind, the Bonnaroo volunteers are not going to frisk you and will not do highly detailed searches of your vehicle. This is only if your car is randomly selected for the DTF search. They will give you the opportunity to give up anything you may have, they will write you an expensive possession ticket and let you in to the festival.
Keep in mind, the Bonnaroo volunteers are not going to frisk you and will not do highly detailed searches of your vehicle. This is only if your car is randomly selected for the DTF search. They will give you the opportunity to give up anything you may have, they will write you an expensive possession ticket and let you in to the festival.
but being that I am a northerner, I am expecting to have the DTF rip my car apart while looking for anything. you know, the older guys from down south usually don't like people from up north. even though when I went to school in FL, I was treated the same as everyone else.