shift #9 - ingress and egress

Well, I knew it was coming, an outdoor shift. I was with the "plaza" team. I was at the spectator entry, doing "pacer" work. We let only one spectator through the magnetometer at a time, ensuring that the security person watches them go through and if it beeps, the spectator gets wanded for all metal items on the body.

It was so sunny in the afternoon, it was great, I had to bring out my sunglasses. It's funny the stuff people bring to the games, flags, signs, the costumes they wear, etc. It's a sign of patriotism and great spirit. Good for them.

The security guys confiscated a couple of pocket knives, but nothing else to note. There was some inconsistency in messaging from the security people: can you bring in water, can you bring in food? The whole point of "no liquids" is that it's potentially a threat to public safety. The supervisor was on the side of the spectator, saying that if you stand in line for an hour, you get thirsty, you drink from your bottle and now you have to dump it at the gate?

Funny how many people will come late to a figure skating event having paid hundreds of dollars. Lower bowl seating tickets are $450! Some of the Japanese come in their wooden sandals and kimonos, it's great to see, but cold for the feet, I'm sure. It's men's figure skating today.

Ingress was probably the fastest 3 hours I've had volunteering. Once the crowds went in and the sun went down, it was quite cold. My team lead let us have an extra hour break once our entry tent was closed. There was one security guard, Badi, who was very friendly and a great screener, always ready for the next spectator, trying to get them through as quickly as possible. Other workers didn't have the same work ethic. I heard about 5000 people were hired by security for the games, but I don't think any of them would stop a threat, they were more into standing with a metal wand, or into customer service and socializing.

I read in the paper that there was a 2nd security breach, where an x-ray operator thought he saw a gun in a bag, but didn't stop the bag or person, was too busy calling over a supervisor and cops to check out the video! These guys are protecting our games?!

Egress was quite a steady flow, ~12,000 people leaving the arena and trying to get home. Really cold now, ~ 2100h. I feel bad for the spectators, they have to walk ~ 400m from the street to the entrance and same on the exit. The way the organizers mapped out the venue, in my opinion, was not the best way. I think the spectators always come last, where media, sponsors, etc get priority treatment. I heard USA Evan Ysacek upset the favoured Russian Evgeni Plushenko for Gold. I saw Patrick Chan skate and he fell a couple times and came 5th.

For my 9th shift, I got a silver plated keychain for "Team 2010" from Birks.