does STAR do a good enough job for reading fans?

[Ian Royal]

I don't really care what the steward told you was the reason RL, the people on the ground aren't likely to be fully au fait with all the reasons why they do something or go into detail with a fan at the time. And frankly in my experience people are often happy to say anything vaguely relevant to shut people up.

Alcohol may be a topical issue, but its not going to be the sole or long term reason.

As I've said several times, I don't see where the imposition is... if you've got something embarrassing in your bag, don't take it, or bury it under something else, it's not like the searches are thorough.

Whether other people without bags are being searched has nothing to do with anything really IMO.

[Svlad Cjelli]

And, for the record, they'll almost certainly not be suspecting you of carrying in weapons or alcohol for yourself - they'll be trying to stop you carrying it in on behalf of other people.

[Royal Lady]

And, for the record, they'll almost certainly not be suspecting you of carrying in weapons or alcohol for yourself - they'll be trying to stop you carrying it in on behalf of other people.

oxf*rd sake. That's pathetic. Stop all old women with a tiny handbag because they might be carrying a miniature bottle of scotch for their 76 year old father in law?

IF I was going to smuggle in alcohol, I'd put it in a flask. No one ever asks to have a look in them.

[Svlad Cjelli]

And, for the record, they'll almost certainly not be suspecting you of carrying in weapons or alcohol for yourself - they'll be trying to stop you carrying it in on behalf of other people.

oxf*rd sake. That's pathetic. Stop all old women with a tiny handbag because they might be carrying a miniature bottle of scotch for their 76 year old father in law?

IF I was going to smuggle in alcohol, I'd put it in a flask. No one ever asks to have a look in them.

Yes, it is pathetic - but I'm explaining, not supporting or condoning.

[Ian Royal]

It's easier to search everyone with a bag, because then everyone is treated equally and you can't argue you're being discriminated against or there's no reason to search the bag.

Outrage for the sake of outrage from RL IMO.

[Royal With Cheese]

TBF that's the basis of an entire strata of English society.

[Royal Lady]

It's not outrage for the sake of outrage - it's been pissing me off for years tbh. I'd be interested to hear how many people have been found to have been hiding alcohol in their bags when searched. If someone wanted to bring in alcohol, they'd think of far better ways to hide it than having it in a bag which is then going to be searched. And my main point is, I have a tiny little bag sometimes, which I can just about fit a packet of fags and a mobile phone in, but they still insist on looking in it. Plus, it's men who root around your bag, rarely do I see a female steward doing it to women.

[Ian Royal]

Well if it's a tiny bag with your phone and fags who gives a toss if it's a man or a woman?

Get a sense of perspective, it's a quick glance in and feel of a bag on your way in that takes all of 5 seconds. Don't like it, don't go.

[East End Lady]

I thought it was more to do with the carrying in of bottles and cans which could in theory be thrown at pitch, opposing supporters etc. It's certainly not a policy only limited to Reading - my bag routinely gets searched at all the grounds we go to, The kids get their bags searched too.

The Coventry searching we were told when we went is that they have the olympic people there checking up on their procedures so they had to be extra careful. They even apologised that it seemed heavy handed.

[Royal Lady]

I thought it was more to do with the carrying in of bottles and cans which could in theory be thrown at pitch, opposing supporters etc. It's certainly not a policy only limited to Reading - my bag routinely gets searched at all the grounds we go to, The kids get their bags searched too.

The Coventry searching we were told when we went is that they have the olympic people there checking up on their procedures so they had to be extra careful. They even apologised that it seemed heavy handed.

But you can buy bottles at the ground anyway - albeit with the tops off. And it's perfectly easy to secrete a bottle or a can within a large coat/jacket - if I saw other people being searched I wouldn't mind so much - but they're not. And I bet no-one has ever been refused entry because of what is in their bag.

Maybe I'll fill my bag with tampons next time and see how the nosey male stewards like that.

[Rex]

He won't believe your using them for the correct purpose.

[Harpers So Solid Crew]

OOOOOOF

[Ian Royal]

I thought it was more to do with the carrying in of bottles and cans which could in theory be thrown at pitch, opposing supporters etc. It's certainly not a policy only limited to Reading - my bag routinely gets searched at all the grounds we go to, The kids get their bags searched too.

The Coventry searching we were told when we went is that they have the olympic people there checking up on their procedures so they had to be extra careful. They even apologised that it seemed heavy handed.

But you can buy bottles at the ground anyway - albeit with the tops off. And it's perfectly easy to secrete a bottle or a can within a large coat/jacket - if I saw other people being searched I wouldn't mind so much - but they're not. And I bet no-one has ever been refused entry because of what is in their bag.

Maybe I'll fill my bag with tampons next time and see how the nosey male stewards like that.

More likely to get a reaction with a mousetrap or an enormous dildo.

[Rex]

Just ensure the batteries are out first as they will be confiscated.

[Rob-Royal]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk5pO06BdSk

1m 50 sec in - just for you RL!

[Ian Royal]

Just ensure the batteries are out first as they will be confiscated.

Don't need batteries for a dildo, s'why I didn't say vibrator.

[Rex]

Just ensure the batteries are out first as they will be confiscated.

Don't need batteries for a dildo, s'why I didn't say vibrator.

I shall stand in the corner.

[STAR Liaison]

But Red, the question wasn't "Which STAR activities have the most importance" it was "Which STAR activities do you feel should have the most importance? "

If they felt disenfranchised like you say they would have wanted representation to be more important, surely.

How big is the sample size? How representative is it of the 30k plus fan base?

Sorry not been around for a while.

Can't remember the exact sample size - it was nowhere near 30K of course but it was a lot larger sample than any of us can claim to have discussed it with. It could be more representative I'm sure but it is better than an opinion based on friends/acquaintances.

I had a similar conversation with the senior management about hoops on the kit. They admitted that although it is possible that some prefer a plain back we KNOW that a large percentage want hoops. As an aside it is those who don't like not seeing the numbers who complain whereas those wanting hoops do not so it may be worthwhile adding to the numbers by letting the club know by complaining about the lack of hoops

[Ian Royal]

not asking for an exact figure on sample size, but a ball park would be nice, so we know what credibility to assign to it. If you've got less than 300 it's just not really worth a lot. Over 3000 and it's pretty meaningful.

100? 500? 1000? 5000? 10000?

[melonhead]

It's easier to search everyone with a bag, because then everyone is treated equally and you can't argue you're being discriminated against or there's no reason to search the bag.

Outrage for the sake of outrage from RL IMO.

surely what alquaida shows us is that, profiling only leads to them recruiting people who dont fit the profile.
and so we must apply teh utmost rigour to all elements of society