So what was it like inside BMS?

Finally someone who gets it.

Everyone did not have the same experience. I do not let drunken idiots (or sober ones for that matter) run over me or my children. I did not enjoy waiting over three hours in stifling heat (with drunken idiots trying to cut in front of me) to be let in to my seat. I did not enjoy missing the entire halftime show and most of the third quarter waiting over an hour for food (while drunken idiots tested my patience again). I had no complaints about about my seat (actually wish Neyland had backs on the bleachers like BMS) and wish to God I had never left mine to go get food. On the positives (other than comfortable seats I just mentioned) the national anthem and patriotic opening with the jet flying over was spectacular, the bathroom line was hassle-free and went really fast. (no drunken idiots present) Most of all, I am glad the Vols won.
 
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I work at VT. Sat in Pearson in heart of VT section with a bunch of coworkers. The 1st quarter was hell on those of us in orange sitting on that side. The next run of 45-3 changed the mood veeeeeery quickly. Most fans around me thought the fix was in and the refs were pulling for UT. The refs don't fumble the balls 5 times.

Did the VT fans know the refs were Big 10 refs?
 
We had a fantastic time. The only trouble we had was a big back up getting in our seats but we had given ourselves plenty of time and didn't miss anything. We were in section B waltrip in a mix of VOLS and VT fans. The atmosphere was electric.. My skin was buzzing.. I was actually impressed with the volume of shuttles back and forth and honestly thought it was ran pretty darn smooth for the size of the event. It was a ton of fun and just being able to say we were there was worth it.
 
Everyone did not have the same experience. I do not let drunken idiots (or sober ones for that matter) run over me or my children. I did not enjoy waiting over three hours in stifling heat (with drunken idiots trying to cut in front of me) to be let in to my seat. I did not enjoy missing the entire halftime show and most of the third quarter waiting over an hour for food (while drunken idiots tested my patience again). I had no complaints about about my seat (actually wish Neyland had backs on the bleachers like BMS) and wish to God I had never left mine to go get food. On the positives (other than comfortable seats I just mentioned) the national anthem and patriotic opening with the jet flying over was spectacular, the bathroom line was hassle-free and went really fast. (no drunken idiots present) Most of all, I am glad the Vols won.

I sense a common theme to this post...are you a member of MADD? If not, you might want to explore joining as I think it would be right up your alley.
 
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Had a great time. I saw and talked to fans from teams all over the country. We were in the suite but walked out to get this pic. Traffic was easy to get in. A lot harder to get out. Left after the game and didn't get back to our cabin in Mars Hill until 3.
 

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I sense a common theme to this post...are you a member of MADD? If not, you might want to explore joining as I think it would be right up your alley.

drunk driving. You think it's laughing matter? Drunks driving cars have killed a helluva lot of people--and so you should be careful of making stupid comments like this one.
 
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This was by far one of the worst executed events I have ever attended. We waited outside in the heat for over three hours to get in with thousands of people on top of each other with no security personnel anywhere that I saw. My husband almost got in a fight with a drunk Tennessee fan who tried to cut line going in the gate. We waited in line for over an hour to get food and I almost got in a fight with some drunk Tennessee sorority girls - one of them was mouthing at my daughter. Too much alcohol, no security to be found - I never saw one security personnel. It was a miserable experience. As a matter of fact, I am still sitting in the parking lot waiting to get out. Glad the Vols won, but this will do me for while. I'll be watching from home.

Seems like issues with you as often as you speak about fighting.
 
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I sense a common theme to this post...are you a member of MADD? If not, you might want to explore joining as I think it would be right up your alley.

Wow, that is a really lowdown comment to make about MADD - like it's a joke - and NO I am not a member of MADD just someone whose temperament does not tolerate people who can't hold their liquor and think they have a right to cut in front of me when I have been standing there as long as they have. You are out of line telling me joining MADD would be "right up alley" as if that's a bad thing. Freaking jerk.
 
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Seems like issues with you as often as you speak about fighting.

And how often has that been other than about this event where drunken man tried to cut in front of my husband and a drunken female who could barely stand up started trouble with me at the concession stand? What is your point exactly?
 
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Yes have been to several races within last 15 years when NASCAR was really strong. QUOTE]

You've been to that many races and did not know to just go to another gate. We just walked around to the shortest line and walked in. Once inside you can walk wherever you want. Yes I have been to a lot of races too.
 
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I'm getting in late on this discussion. I'll throw in my 2 cents, and try and not get long winded.

I think the best way to describe my experience is that it was somewhat dreamlike. Ever had one of those dreams where everything is exaggerated and out of proportion? The distances we walked were great. The tailgating and tents sprawled out for acres and acres.

I've watched the movie Woodstock and read interviews with the performers. The highways got so choked they had to helicopter in the musicians. There was a helicopter shuttle going on from the airport and for hours before the game, they were lined up dropping a load of VIP's (and I hope one of you guys were there.. if so - did you realize you were a VIP?). To me, that added to the biggness of the event.

Could they have picked a bigger plane for the flyover.. Geez, what a Monster. Was it a B-52? I had endzone seats, UT student section. At the end of the 3rd, I spotted some seats opening up where my sons were sitting. Unlike Neyland, there is no lateral movement around the stadium from the stands. Each entry portal has steps that go up/down, but there is nothing left/right. As I began the walk to their seats in the concourse (Waltrip V to Yarborough A) it was like a dream where you are going down a long corridor with many rooms. I walked and walked and walked.. up some steps.. walked some more. Finally got there.

Making it more dreamlike was the fact that I saw on separate occasions - two guys - walking alone, decked out if full Bama paraphernalia. And a guy approached me and asked if I wanted to help fund a wedding. I said sure, just to mess with him, and his wife approached me and I asked her "who did I knock up, anyway?". They didn't like my answer and walked off.

Got back to Knoxville at 4:30 am and crashed on my kids sofa in Fort Sanders. I was, and still am, exhausted. The whole day, and especially in the wait to get in the stadium, I had a layer of sweat on my brow. The heat, coupled with the claustrophobic conditions entering the stadium was something I had to endure, but considering the 156,000 - I understand. By the way, curious as to how some of the beautiful women in orange can look so fresh and good, while I'm sweating so bad. I don't get that, but I'm thankful the world works in these ways.

Still talking Big, one of the best fireworks displays I've ever seen happened leaving the stadium. Shot those babies off the top of a nearby mountain and it was wonderful. It was obvious to me, at that point - that the folks that put this on sincerely wanted this to be one of the best experiences for the crowd. I don't think they did much half way, even though I did hear some complaints that the concessions were high. I was thirsty, but didn't feel up to standing in line and I knew I had a Yeti full of cold gatoraids waiting at the car.

I got my tickets from a wonderful fellow I met here on Vol Nation. He and his crew pretty much saved my day. He was camping. We got there about 10:00 am, and I had no where to really go. They invited me to hang at their tailgate and graciously provided shade, drink and some amazing smoked ribs that were ready about two hours before kickoff. Great bunch, and it's so good to be around folks in orange. I hope I've made some permanent friends there.
 
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Yes have been to several races within last 15 years when NASCAR was really strong. QUOTE]

You've been to that many races and did not know to just go to another gate. We just walked around to the shortest line and walked in. Once inside you can walk wherever you want. Yes I have been to a lot of races too.

We got in a crowd trying to go in at gate 13 and there was no way out. It was wall to wall people.
 
I have been going to the Bristol races for years, including when it was always sell outs for the fall race.

If you have been coming to Bristol for years then you can remember when there WAS NO highway 394 and the road to Blountville was two lanes. Was it as bad as back then, NO.
 
This was by far one of the worst executed events I have ever attended. We waited outside in the heat for over three hours to get in with thousands of people on top of each other with no security personnel anywhere that I saw. My husband almost got in a fight with a drunk Tennessee fan who tried to cut line going in the gate. We waited in line for over an hour to get food and I almost got in a fight with some drunk Tennessee sorority girls - one of them was mouthing at my daughter. Too much alcohol, no security to be found - I never saw one
security personnel. It was a miserable experience. As a matter of fact, I am still sitting in the parking lot waiting to get out. Glad the Vols won, but this will do me for while. I'll be watching from home.




You may want to look at yourself if everywhere you go you want to get in a fight or someone wants to fight you.
 
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Just looking at the crowd on the TV it was mostly UT Orange, I'd say 2-1 Vols. Does that seem right to y'all who were at the game?
 
You may want to look at yourself if everywhere you want to get in a fight or someone wants to fight you.


Okay well I guess I'm just lucky then that I can be standing there minding my own business being courteous to those around me and I am apparently an attractant for drunk, obnoxious *******s who think they have a right to cut line in front of me! Geez I am so lucky! Happy now? And when did I say it happens everywhere I go?
 
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I loved it and wish we played a game there every year or two.

The atmosphere was great. All day it was like a carnival/football scene. Preachers with bullhorns, overserved people resting on curbs, several free concerts. The event staff shuttle service were great.

I dont know why some gates were slow but our gate was fine.

Our seats were high but we could see fine. The jumbotron helped but they really could've showed more replays rather than stupid fan shots. Getting drinks took about 15-20 minutes.

Id love to go back. Given the crowd was split, it has potential to be very loud.
 
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It has been years since the speedway was filled for a race so they are probably a little rusty. I have never seen as much congestion getting to the track. I live about a mile from the speedway. I left at 2:45 to go get my two granddaughters about 10 minutes and 5 miles away. I got back home at 5.
The atmosphere was a once in a lifetime experience. I had pretty good corner end zone seats on row 22. It was perfect for watching the up close with binoculars so I watched the whole game with them. The C5 Galaxy lumbering over at the end of the national anthem at low altitude and the red, white, and blue fireworks circling the speedway sent the crowd into a frenzy.
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