24 replies to this topic

[sweetheart]

I need to vent first then need some advice on a plan of action.

My BF and i love going to concerts and sporting events together, we do this often...at least once sometimes twice a month. There have been several occasions now that we have another couple or a group of friends that want to go with us..go out to dinner, enjoy a concert....but every venue that we have ever been to will not allow anymore than one "companion" seat in the handicap area. Even went to a concert at TD Bank North Garden in Boston that has a large Handicap section, that had 6 available seats after the concert started and the usher wouldn't allow the 3 friends that we had with us to use the empty seats...so we had to keeping switching seats so that we could all spend time together. THIS HAS ME BULLSHIT!!! I can see if there are no extra spaces, but there was an empty row!

Okay...enough venting, now for the advice part...

Who can i call to complain about this, should i accept this as the norm or should i really start raising hell about it....this really upsets both of us....any advise? suggestions? Should raise hell or just accept?

[Ches]

Have you ever taken the time to inspect the floorplan and seating charts before heading to an event? There is typically regular seating right along side the handicap, your friends could always sit there. I was at a concert back in August.. A friend and I sat with the gimps and my other 10 friends sat in the row literally right in front of me. We mingled and had a good ol time.


Seems like many arena's have a way of limiting the handicap capacity. Which in itself is a whole new issue. Why cant they just have seats that can be removed to make more room for those with our own seats.

Edited by Ches, 23 January 2008 - 06:08 PM.

[KarenFerguson]

I hear you. There's never enough seating. Hubby & I are both in chairs and I always transfer out of my chair & sit in a regular seat (this has many ushers perplexed as they see me in my chair and just assume I'm in it for good). Then their heads explode as I quickly hop into a regular seat. I'm sure other para's do the same - right? So, then of course I have the added bonus of what to do with my chair. Sometimes the usher will whisk my chair away, then I'm just stranded there helpless. It's a great feeling - I guess I'll just crawl to my chair after the event is over? Usually there's enough space somewhere around me to tuck my chair away.

This reminds me of a movie theater outing I had a couple of days ago. Hubby and I along with my mom and aunt when to see Juno at the local indie theater. Needless to say the theater is a bit behind on accessible seating. They just have an empty space in the back. So what hubby & I do when we go to this particular theater, is I transfer on to a regular isle seat at the very top of the theater, take apart my chair and set it in the seat next to me and hubby basically sits in the aisle. However, this time the theater was packed and no seats were available at the top, plus my mom and aunt were along. There was no way we were all sitting together. Damn. The accessible area had a man in a large powerchair along with his family sitting on folding chairs. Double damn. I was pissed. Not only could I not sit in a regular seat, but I had to cram myself in the little accessible area and try not to get in the way. I sort of accomplished it, but I had people stumbling over me in the dark as they went to get more popcorn. Thanks I'm glad my chair broke your fall. My chair also has a really low back rest so to make myself more comfortable I leaned up again the back dirty indie theater (I hope no creepy crawlies are back there) wall with my jacket wedged between us.

Oh well, the movie was worth it & nothing creepy crawly crawled on me. I'm just glad I didn't have to crawl somewhere myself.

[allis53ca]

you have to "take" the seats you need...tex motor speedway has same policy..9 of us go and we take what we need...nobody wants to "confront" the cripple in the middle of the invaders...

[kelli haggerty]

I agree, this is unacceptable and worth fighting to change. My son is a C1/C2 Quad complete on a vent. We went to the Qualcom in San Diego and he had to sit at the very top of the staduim next to a pillar that blocked part of his view and his nurse had to sit in a lawn chair next to him. The rest of the family had to sit several row down. Of course he made the best of it, but I was fuming. We contacted the stadium prior to arrival and they told us they had accessible seating, I guess I'll ask more questions next time.

Kelli (Mom of David)

[wheeliebear75]

I literally had to sue the Sports Arena! I'm not sure if anyone is familiar with a VERY BIG law suite against Qualcom Stadium or not..........but Amy Venderbelt happens to be my lawyer and so when Sports Arena told me I couldn't buy tickets for arena seating because I'm in a wheelchair........well (on phone) "um yeah Amy got another bunch of A** Holes"; I don't like that law suites seem to be the only way of getting attention.......but it sure seems to be that way. Each state and even county has somewhat different laws...........so you'll have to find someone locally to help you. Best of luck.

[LuckyinKentucky]

damn fire codes

[PsychoSimon]

I hate that too. Concerts seem to be the worst for me, I wanted to go and see Korn last year, but was told that only one other person could come with me into the disabled area, kinda handy when your just going with three people. PITA

The download festival seemed good though, although again only one other was allowed onto the viewing platform there were 7 of us in the disabled camp site.

[gsp23]

Ok this is a subject I am familiar with as of recent times. I have been to a few events recently and the second one I tried to go to with another couple this happend. I was so upset I just ended up ordering the 2 tickets for me and one other person in the handicap area and 2 other tickets somewhere else. THEN I sent a very strongly worded email about discrimination and way to make me feel like sore thumb and I couldnt believe that this day in age this kind of thing was going on that someone in a wheelchair was only allowed to go with one other person but everyone else is allowed to purchase up to 8 tickets.... anyways I sent the email to the manager of the theater, owner of the theater, ticketing director, program director and vice president. I got a response the following day apologizing to me for this problem and they straightened it all out and I was given a different number to call in the future. I was told that TicketMaster doesnt have all the details there and often will restrict the number of tickets to 2 for anyone in disabled section but if you call the theater directly when this does happen then they will get you all seating together. So... if you call ticketmaster get the tickets however they will set them up and of course state your disgust with the person for the record. Once you have your tickets, call the theater and tell them of your problem and they will get you better seating together, waive the ticketmaster fees and refund your original tickets. Now, if you have the direct theater number then you can just call there right away and get this all straightened out if you know you will have issues.

I have purchased tickets for a group of people now 3x at different theaters since this happened and all times they accomodated me and my friends by placing us all together. One theater only had 2 seats together because of the setup but they put the 2 people together and everyone else together in front or behind (whichever I wanted) so we were still all together.

[kewlcatkez]

gsp23, on Jan 25 2008, 06:57 PM, said:

. So... if you call ticketmaster get the tickets however they will set them up and of course state your disgust with the person for the record. Once you have your tickets, call the theater and tell them of your problem and they will get you better seating together, waive the ticketmaster fees and refund your original tickets. Now, if you have the direct theater number then you can just call there right away and get this all straightened out if you know you will have issues.

wow, what a lot of hassle though, which means its still discriminatory behaviour, imo...as all the other people wanting tickets don't have that palarver


Take care,

K

[gsp23]

kewlcatkez, on Jan 25 2008, 02:27 PM, said:

wow, what a lot of hassle though, which means its still discriminatory behaviour, imo...as all the other people wanting tickets don't have that palarver


Take care,

K

Agreed, we definatly shouldnt have to go through any more hassle than the next person. Expecially when there is a special number for us to call for ticketmaster in the first place, they should be trained to handle those situations otherwise whats the purpose. Anyways, I completly agree that it is a hassle, but the upside is at least there is a way to still go to shows with friends.

[kewlcatkez]

gsp23, on Jan 25 2008, 08:36 PM, said:

kewlcatkez, on Jan 25 2008, 02:27 PM, said:

wow, what a lot of hassle though, which means its still discriminatory behaviour, imo...as all the other people wanting tickets don't have that palarver


Take care,

K

Agreed, we definatly shouldnt have to go through any more hassle than the next person. Expecially when there is a special number for us to call for ticketmaster in the first place, they should be trained to handle those situations otherwise whats the purpose. Anyways, I completly agree that it is a hassle, but the upside is at least there is a way to still go to shows with friends.

Hi gsp23,

Yes, I know what you mean. It just amazes me that the person who told you to do this, is sort of perhaps thinking that they are helping you out ( which they are b/c you get extra tickets!) but they fail to see the fact that its not the type of crap that they would want to go through. I know its not that person, or the next person on the telephone's fault, but I can bet a tenner that the corporate manager doesn't lose a minute's thought over it!...any of it! -hence the situation stays as it is.

I am pretty sure that if an A list celebrity, or even say any other 'minority' (due to Race, Colour or creed, religion whatever!) had to go through all that, or was treated that way in the first place, the Corporate managers would be falling over themselves to put it right before it hit the press!
Yes i know that there are limited seating areas for disabled patrons, but if they had a better policy, more people who want to utilize them so it would be a win win situation. Also, A list Celebs often want the private areas, away from the crowds which are scarce yet I can bet my last pound thats one 'performance' that THEY wouldn't have to go through!.



Thing is we can let the hoops we have to jump through curtail our enjoyment, can we? lol

glad that you have found a solution so that you can go enjoy, just wish it wasn't so unfair..is all..


Take care,

K

[sweetheart]

The issue is we did go to customer relations, we did talk to the managers, but nobody cared or responded. There was an entire section of empty seats and they still said, no..only 1 companion was allowed. There has to be a better way!!!!!!!

[allis53ca]

the issue is you went to them...you should have just taken the seats...they dont know who "didnt" show, just those who "do"... if no one says "theyre in our seats" they dont know you dont belong there.."you" told them you didnt belong there...understand?

[sweetheart]

The handicap area is separate, with folding chairs, we didn't tell them, they just knew and wouldn't let them be in the same section as us, cuz only 1 companion allowed. Even tho there was nobody else in the section and plenty of room, they still would not accommodate. It is very frustrating, sometimes depending on the set-up we can get some people around us to switch seats, but at the garden the handicap section is separate from all other seats, the only way to sit together is to be in the section.

[Motor]

sweetheart, on Jan 26 2008, 12:25 PM, said:

The handicap area is separate, with folding chairs, we didn't tell them, they just knew and wouldn't let them be in the same section as us, cuz only 1 companion allowed. Even tho there was nobody else in the section and plenty of room, they still would not accommodate. It is very frustrating, sometimes depending on the set-up we can get some people around us to switch seats, but at the garden the handicap section is separate from all other seats, the only way to sit together is to be in the section.

That sux. I have season tickets for the Florida Panthers and have 4 seats. I am only one in wheelchair and it doesn't matter. Some seats are for elderly who are stroke victims or other problems. Dolphins stadium however does only allow one helper per wheelchair. Rule sux. Gonna file a lawsuit cause I have 3 plus me in my family and when I go to Marlins or Dolphin game always get a hard time.

Peace!

[Motor]

kelli haggerty, on Jan 24 2008, 04:50 PM, said:

I agree, this is unacceptable and worth fighting to change. My son is a C1/C2 Quad complete on a vent. We went to the Qualcom in San Diego and he had to sit at the very top of the staduim next to a pillar that blocked part of his view and his nurse had to sit in a lawn chair next to him. The rest of the family had to sit several row down. Of course he made the best of it, but I was fuming. We contacted the stadium prior to arrival and they told us they had accessible seating, I guess I'll ask more questions next time.

Kelli (Mom of David)

Hey Kelli nice to meet you. I had my accident 2 months before your son. It get worse before it gets better. I can actually say things are OK now. I go to alot of sporting events here in S Florida and at Dolphin stadium threatened to sue. Also called the NFL main office and haven't had a problem since. Go with 4 people all the time and we sit together. # folding chairs and me and my wheel chair.

be well.....peace!

[Big Valley]

This type of thing has angered me for almost all my disabled years. I go to a lot of events and usually with more then one person. Not only do they try to restrict it to 2 tickets I hate that they call it an attendee or assistant. How about a person's wife/husband/child/friend. It is like they expect every person to come in with a nurse pulling an IV bottle and spoon feeding you at the show.



I have to put so much work into getting tickets to a show and many time will just not go because I can't get good tickets. I find the accessible areas to be poor seats at most locations. Put in as after thoughts. Like at the top of a high section of seats behind a railing next to the hotdog vendor and trashcans. Or off to some far side roped off like a leper with all the other gimps.



I have always asked why there can't just be a seat or two removed here and there around an arena instead of a single section to lump everyone together? If they had a section where they would put all the Asian/black/red headed/or left hand people their would be an outrage. Especially from the redheads. You know about their tempers. :-)



I usually become familiar with the seating charts of an event from their websites or goggling. I then look for tickets in areas I know I can get to and try to get isle seats. I find buying off eBay works to get an isle ticket. Then I just go the event and remove the chair (when I know it will be a removable seat). Then there is general admission type concerts. Just get there early so you can get close before it starts but don't leave your spot or it will be gone.



I am currently dealing with ticket master on an event I just saw this weekend. I bought (and was happy to receive) 4 tickets to an event I was taking 2 children to along with my g/f. I did the accessible ticket request via email that is available now during a presale and was offered 4 great seats in a very close section. These were seats 1-4 and even called to confirm these were wheelchair accessible. This is a new arena in Kansas City and the specific seating chart for this event was not available yet. I was told by the ticketmaster rep. these were on the floor in an accessible area where a chair could be removed. I had to pay the highest ticket price for this event as the seats were in the close area. I had no problem with that and was happy to get such great seats. Well we drive 100 miles to the event and guess what. Not even close to accessible. There was no floor section on this event. My group was moved to an up high far left accessible area with a terrible view in a section where the tickets cost 1/3 of what I paid. I was mad. I would not have purchased these seats if they were what had been offered to me. The kids still had good time but it would have been so much better to be in the seats I had paid for. I could see those empty seat from our way up location and they were the best seats in the house. front row dead center. I have emailed Ticketmaster customer service using the reply from when I requested and bought the tickets that shows the history of what I asked for and was given. I expressed my disappointment in what happened and asked for a refund in the difference of the ticket price. I received a form letter type reply stating policy of no refund and basically piss off. I have replied stating how unacceptable that is, how my request was clear and through the proper process of requesting accessible tickets, was offered tickets, I confirmed they were accessible, paid a premium price and was seating in low price seats. I said this is fraud and demand my reasonable request of the partial refund. If not I will file my complaint with the Better Business Bureau and move to other means of getting my refund. I am getting very angry now.

[gsp23]

Big Valley...

Since TicketMaster is doing nothing, might want to contact the theater directly and tell them about what happened. I have found that the theaters have actually been responsive and apologetic for TicketMasters mistakes. I have had them offer free tickets to a show for the mistakes of TicketMaster so that could be one way to make up the price difference, and there might have been better wheelchair accessible seats than what you had. I'm not saying to let it drop with TicketMaster but just pursuing another opportunity because TicketMaster is acting on behalf of the theater and if the information TicketMaster has for seating is incorrect then the theater will take responsibility. Luckily you did the email method instead of the phone call method so the theater can look at those emails to see what transpired.

[eleanorigby]

I agree with gsp, the best way to get tickets is just dealing with the theater themselves. Ticketmaster or any other ticketing service (where I live we have another one called stateside) has no clue about the theater set up. I called to get tickets to a concert once and was told there were no wheelchair seating. I bought aisle seats and hoped for the best, then we got there and there was great wheelchair seating! And of course, the aisle seats I purchased were completely inaccessible. Luckily, the people sitting in the accessible section were happy to trade (my seats were in the same area, just inaccessible), so my friends and I got seating, but it was still super annoying. I've found when I contact the theater, they give me more than one companion (usually after I explain that I, shockingly enough, have more than one friend and feel it's unfair as no one else gets told they can't sit together). What annoys me more are movie theaters that only have one or two companion seats. If I go with three people, we're screwed. A lot of times people have to sit in the row in front of me which isn't awful, but is annoying.

[chefzapp]

Been there done that plenty I know it sux, but you have to look at the big picture. If they allowed unlimited guests the section would be full and another disabled person would have to miss out because you just wanted to sit by your significant other. I am just grateful for the section at all better than staring at smelly butts for the whole show. As for the extra work to get exact tickets that you wanted, good job. Do we expect everything to be handed to us on a silver platter just cuz of the chair? There are disability laws and if the place adheres to them, we still bitch? Some are to quick to pull the Im being descriminated on card. Nothing will ever be up to everyones liking, they have to accomidate to everyone. We must think about their side as well. Use some of that class action lawsuit energy and time to outwitt the system, not try to bring it down.

Always check the venue's seating lay-out. Same places change entire layout for different events so the disabled section might be in different locations for different events in same building.

Be creative, get mutiple sets of disable seating: let someone use a spare chair, make someone use a crutch, wear earplugs and say its hearing aid, brain injury, hell act blind. There is more than one way to skin a cat.

Motor claim one of your children is disabled also, that makes 2 disabled+2 abled=seats for everyone. There is no law about a group having only 1 disabled person in it.

. I will shut up before I piss anyone off to bad, but really lets be greatful the damn disabled section is even there!

[Hapahowlee]

Yeah this is a pisser! Since my husband and I moved to another State, it's usually just the two of us in the handicap section. But in the City we used to live, we had to try to order tickets for all our friends near the handicap section and there were times we couldn't get them. Also at sporting events, there were two facilities that only had one handicap section and it was in the really expensive section and we didn't know until we got down to the event and were told we had to pay the high price with no discount. I write a lot of letters and wrote to the managers of these rip-off places and no response, but we didn't go back to their facilities either. What Century are we in anyway?

[emerson]

going to concerts went from being one of my favorite things to do, to NO MORE!
not only are all the handicapped parking spaces taken, but there isn't always seats and if there are, they are metal folding chairs. If you get out of your seat, someone might swipe it. If you pay for seating, you should have a designated seat, not just an open area. There are also some reeeally large people (walking fat people) in the designated area and they smell soooo bad.

[Bobo1974]

I just went to Linkin Park's Projekt Revolution at the New England Dodge Stadium, formally the Meadows and they were great. First, all of the ramp vans were detoured to the very front. People with Handicapped Tags and no ramp were put away from the ramp vans and in another section. I went with four people each had a companion seat. I went through Live Nation. I would write to either TicketMaster or the place where they had the concert.

[curbyi]

I had the same problem this year at the play-off finals in the UK (Bristol city) me and my dad in one section my brother and all my mates miles away in another section.
We should all have been allowed to be crying and upset together at the end!

Sometimes you get lucky and steward uses discretion but most stewards are brain-dead so it's a rarity.
My other major beef with Gigs is having to deal with different vendor for the tickets.
Ticketmaster have got a little better, but often it was a case of "if you want disabled tickets contact the venue directly"