FRIAT 2024

[Harkins]

Aside from James, I've seen several people post that they have asked FRIAT/DBH about the FRIAT gate at blue and nobody is getting a response. And that really suggests to me that they either still don't know (which by this time doesn't bode well) or that it has gone and they don't have the gumption to tell us.

Having used it for years, I really am struggling to see in what way it is a problem for anyone in any way. Same car park, same entry/security tent, just a short single file queue to the side of the massive wide queue. They could even close it down after an hour and give it to general ticket entry as nearly all FRIAT ticket holders tend to get there early anyway.

The more I think about it, I am increasingly convinced it's the result of a grudge. You can see online the attitude towards it from some non FRIAT ticket holders, and I can just imagine someone with a general entry ticket complaining about a queue of people that appeared to be pushing in and the person they were complaining to saying, 'I'm in charge of security for next years show, just leave it to me'.

This is/was arguably the best feature of committing to FRIAT after the stand for Monday departures and thus to me is a significant issue.

[James Cutting]

Agreed. You should see some comments about people saying "what about the other enclosures they don't get early/dedicated access!" and it's like well no - it's an exclusive benefit to FRIAT. Ah well, let's see.

Seems it might well be the police dragging their feet.

[Harkins]

Yeah, I don't think people appreciate that committing to FRIAT isn't simply paying a bit extra for the ticket, but is about taking 6 or 7 days out from work and family, about paying for and enduring a weeks camping or taking out a second mortgage for a weeks bricks and mortar accommodation. And I fear it might not be as strong as it used to be, but the 'Friends' bit was also key. Things like queuing for your renewal form so you could commit to the next show before this one had finished. It's very different in my eyes to buying fast track tickets to a theme park to avoid queuing or paying to turn left when boarding an aeroplane.

[rebel14]

ENTRY TO THE FRIAT ENCLOSURE THURS - MON

As mentioned earlier in the year at the FRIAT Forum, we have new entry procedures due to the required 100% bag checks.

Entry into the showground will be completed in two phases. Visitors will go through our Security check point where all bags will be searched. If you have no bags with you, you will be fast-tracked and bypass bag search.

Once through Security you will wait for the showground to open in our ‘Departure Area’ with toilet facilities and catering before having your ticket scanned and entering the showground to make your way to the FRIAT enclosure.

Thursday – airfield gates will open to security at 7.00am. Enclosure access opens at 8.30am
Friday, Saturday, Sunday – airfield gates will open to security at 6.00am. Showground and Enclosure access opens at 7.30am
Monday – airfield gates will open to security at 6.00am. Enclosure access at 7.30am
Due to the required 100% bag search criteria, we are no longer able to offer a dedicated FRIAT entrance gate. However, we are confident that the new phased entry system at all customer entry gates, gives us up to 1hr 30mins head start on security checks than previous years, allowing visitors to enter in a timely manner. With that said, to make the process even smoother, we strongly recommend that you take advantage of the overnight secure storage facility in the FRIAT enclosure each day, as this will allow you to use the fast-track entrance at all entry gates to the show. On Thursday and Monday you can go to either Park & View or the FRIAT Enclosure. If you wish to access the enclosure please park in the Blue car park. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday please go to the designated car park for your approach route. Please be aware that it is not possible to walk through the showground from the FRIAT enclosure to Park & View. You will need to exit the showground through the Blue Customer Entry Point and drive to either Park & View East or West.

[James Cutting]

Well, that's disappointing. So, they are going to check our bags, and make us wait for an hour and a half? And then scan the tickets??

[Nnthusiast]

bonkers, but at least you can leave your expensive camera equipment in a cold , possibly damp envoronment overnight!

[James Cutting]

Yeah - No thanks!! In the day, yes. 2k equipment overnight 30 mins away, nope!!

[iainpeden]

So five days worth of cheese sandwiches deposited in the secure storage are going to be a bit high by Monday.

[Nnthusiast]

one of the main things i'm looking forward to is standing around in a queue, probably a long one,(standing up) to gain entry to security at 6am, then a 90 minute wait standing up, until 7.30 when we are released to enclosure and showground.

Bet theres no chairs or cover if its raining in security etc?

Feels like this is going to be gruelling , if not hurting over 3 show days and 3 arrival/departure days.

[James Cutting]

Trying to keep positive and open minded about it, but I'm not. You sell a package and pull out one of the main selling points 2 weeks from showtime. Then you blame 100% bag searches which were in place last year! Make it make sense.

[Harkins]

I can't figure out how this actually works. So people now arrive at the car park at 4:30am and join a queue of a few hundred people that got there even earlier. Then after queuing for a couple of hours to have your bag searched you are then held in some sort of holding area for 90 minutes. Is this another queue or is this a free for all like a Hajj pilgrimage? They tell us we can get food (aka a mechanically recovered CJD burger for £8.95) and have a wee, but how do 90 minutes worth of people then make orderly progress through the ticket check?

And the idea that after day one FRIAT members leave their bags and return every other day in just flip flops, shorts and a vest to avoid a bag search. I doubt more than 0.0001% of people attend the Air Tattoo without a bag of any description. A handbag, a small rucksack with a waterproof, some sun cream, a sausage roll and a cheese sandwich, never mind recharged batteries, fresh memory cards...

I think that there are about 1700 seats in the FRIAT stand. That's a lot of people dropping off their bag, collecting it the next morning and dropping it off again at the end of the day and then collecting again the next morning.... and so on. They absolutely haven't thought any of this through or they simply don't care and love having a huge loyal and captive audience to treat how they like.

My gear cost me good money, but it's old and was second hand to start with, but for some, a new mirrorless full frame camera and a 500mm prime lens left with 1700 other bags in a shipping container? Does insurance cover that?

This new entry thing actually goes beyond annoying FRIAT members, but sounds a nightmare for all ticket holders. A 90 minute holding area followed by the ticket check? Much pushing and shoving?

[Gary]

You can bag check a lot of people in an hour and half. The map doesn't really show where this holding areas are going to be. I just hope it's not crap weather. Or there will be a lot of grumpy people with no cover and bring penned in

One day I'll be leaving the camera in the hotel.

[James Cutting]

So, the car park opens at 6am, as does security...Brilliant!

I think that there are about 1700 seats in the FRIAT stand. That's a lot of people dropping off their bag, collecting it the next morning and dropping it off again at the end of the day and then collecting again the next morning.... and so on. They absolutely haven't thought any of this through or they simply don't care and love having a huge loyal and captive audience to treat how they like.

This is what I mean - no forward thinking at all! It would take longer to find the stuff than it would to queue and be searched! The Cadets are great, but they are just kids, and it did take them a little while to find our bag during a quiet lull in the day last year

[The Cat]

I could write a longer post but
RIDICULOUS
no fun at 78 for me to have to hang around !
Why change a system that has worked very well for years.

[Nnthusiast]

nor me with recently injured knee and cartelige torn!

[Flightline UK]

Why change a system that has worked very well for years.

Sadly because the local police forces and military security have required it. RAFCTE would not want to drastically change things like this, no event organiser would. RIAT are all too aware of what happens when security arrangements are forcibly changed on them after 2002.

[James Cutting]

Maybe they ought to clarify that then in their communication, because the way they word it, it's as if they changed it - not the police. Clear communication goes a long way.

[Flightline UK]

They did in the FRIAT forum write-up

The Manchester Arena Terror Attack, and subsequent Inquiry and report has changed public safety at events forever. Paul says events are scrutinised now more than ever. Last year we introduced a 100% bag search regime, which was at the behest of Gloucestershire Constabulary.

https://www.airtattoo.com/media/wpsfxah ... 2024-1.pdf

But this is a national issue and coming is as a result of Martyn's Law. The General Election has slowed the passing of the law, but as it had cross-party support it will happen. it will affect every significant event (and visitor attraction) soon.

[seven]

Yet at Cosford you could drive on base and park your car/van load of explosives/weapons without check...

[Flightline UK]

Indeed. There is massive inconsistency across the UK in how police forces/safety advisory groups etc work with event organisers.