Pope's Visit: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Philadelphia: home, buying)

[kyb01]

There's a lot of discontent regarding Septa and, somewhat less so, the city and the pope weekend. But the Secret Service has declared it a national security event. It and Homeland Security are more than likely dictating many of the decisions being made about perimeters and transit access. Yet, I don't see any posts about how the Feds are the responsible ones.

[Becca8377]

Latest info - you now need an actual ticket to get to the papal mass. Sucks for all the people not from the area, sounds like they may get here and not be able to actually physically attend the mass.

http://6abc.com/religion/ticket-requ...philly/967061/

[rotodome]

Originally Posted by kyb01

There's a lot of discontent regarding Septa and, somewhat less so, the city and the pope weekend. But the Secret Service has declared it a national security event. It and Homeland Security are more than likely dictating many of the decisions being made about perimeters and transit access. Yet, I don't see any posts about how the Feds are the responsible ones.

IMO it doesn't matter who gets the biggest share of the blame. Having a scapegoat doesn't fix anything.

[Becca8377]

People are already selling the tickets (THAT WERE FREE) on Craigslist for hundreds of dollars

http://6abc.com/religion/tickets-for...inutes/967061/

[FamousBlueRaincoat]

SEPTA has announces many more subway stations will be open for the papal visit. Which will solve a lot of problems for locals - notably the most used stations on the BSL, Erie and Olney, are now open for business.

SEPTA adding subway stations for papal visit

It's a plan that, at least for the BSL, utliizes for 4 track subway in a pretty efficient manner. And is fairly similar to what I said should have happened when all this nonsense was first announced, and a bunch of ya'll acted like I was a cranky crazy loon. Not to brag or anything because there's still plenty of time for them to change it back.

[LibraGirl123]

Originally Posted by Becca8377

People are already selling the tickets (THAT WERE FREE) on Craigslist for hundreds of dollars

http://6abc.com/religion/tickets-for...inutes/967061/

This REALLY ticks me off! Just for the heck of it, I checked CraigsList and someone was selling four tickets for Pope Francis at Independence Hall for $500 EACH. So not only did they deprive four other people of seeing the Pope for free (as intended), but they stand to gain $2,000 IF someone buys the tickets. They should be ashamed of themselves...I hope karma bites 'em right in the a$$.

OK, rant over.

[thedirtypirate]

I got free tickets today for independence Hall. I am pumped.

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by FamousBlueRaincoat

SEPTA has announces many more subway stations will be open for the papal visit. Which will solve a lot of problems for locals - notably the most used stations on the BSL, Erie and Olney, are now open for business.

SEPTA adding subway stations for papal visit

It's a plan that, at least for the BSL, utliizes for 4 track subway in a pretty efficient manner. And is fairly similar to what I said should have happened when all this nonsense was first announced, and a bunch of ya'll acted like I was a cranky crazy loon. Not to brag or anything because there's still plenty of time for them to change it back.

For a long time it didn't seem like Septa was going to alter their original plans. So the fact that they have means they have listened to locals. Who knows? Maybe they lurk here.

[Becca8377]

Originally Posted by LibraGirl123

This REALLY ticks me off! Just for the heck of it, I checked CraigsList and someone was selling four tickets for Pope Francis at Independence Hall for $500 EACH. So not only did they deprive four other people of seeing the Pope for free (as intended), but they stand to gain $2,000 IF someone buys the tickets. They should be ashamed of themselves...I hope karma bites 'em right in the a$$.

OK, rant over.

I saw Nutter on the news last night complaining about how awful it is that people are scalping the tickets. Honestly, wtf did he think would happen? Months ago, they told people they would have to buy the special train tickets, so everyone buys them. Then they're like oh btw you also need a ticket to actually see the Pope and there's a limited amount. They weren't even going to have tickets available to the general public until everyone freaked out. The tickets are on Ebay too in the thousands of dollars, but Ebay is removing the listings for violating terms.

This whole thing is just so poorly planned. Rather than having a plan upfront, they've been figuring it out as they go along. When the public freaks out they're like ohhh nevermind, we'll do whatever you want. They should've had a system in place up front. For instance, can't transfer tickets, etc

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by Becca8377

I saw Nutter on the news last night complaining about how awful it is that people are scalping the tickets. Honestly, wtf did he think would happen? Months ago, they told people they would have to buy the special train tickets, so everyone buys them. Then they're like oh btw you also need a ticket to actually see the Pope and there's a limited amount. They weren't even going to have tickets available to the general public until everyone freaked out. The tickets are on Ebay too in the thousands of dollars, but Ebay is removing the listings for violating terms.

This whole thing is just so poorly planned. Rather than having a plan upfront, they've been figuring it out as they go along. When the public freaks out they're like ohhh nevermind, we'll do whatever you want. They should've had a system in place up front. For instance, can't transfer tickets, etc

You had to have tickets for the Pope event in 1979 but obviously there wasn't all the security. Scalping probably happened then. Once again we really have no way of knowing how messy this has become because of Secret Service involvement. I keep in mind even in our post 9-11 world, the SS hasn't been 100% successful at keeping intruders off the White House grounds. What breaches have happened that the public never found out about? Hence they are not the most competent bunch given their recent track record.