Identification Issues

[salazare]

Let me start off by saying that I searched and I searched, but I couldn't find the solution to my problem. So here comes the last resort: posting in the forums.

Now, I read that school IDs can't be used, etc., etc...blah blah blah...

The point is, can you go with a guardian and have them use their ID to pick up the badge? And, if so, do you have to go with them?

Here's the full story, for those of you who give a crap: I'm a gorgeous 16-year-old male who won't get his license until a few days after Fanimoo, and was too stupid to realize that he won't get that other kind of ID from the DMV until about 60 days after ordering. He also doesn't have a passport.

And now for the question again. Can my guardian go and pick it up for me, using their ID (or could they at least come with me and do the same?)?

I will really appreciate helpful answers. Thank you. :D

-salazare

[SOawesomeness]

Sounds like you need to e-mail reg about this! :0
Posting in the forums  = random people can answer with right/wrong answers, you never know. Better to get official answer... from the source.
(:

[FanFicGuru]

Let me start off by saying that I searched and I searched, but I couldn't find the solution to my problem. So here comes the last resort: posting in the forums.

Now, I read that school IDs can't be used, etc., etc...blah blah blah...

The point is, can you go with a guardian and have them use their ID to pick up the badge? And, if so, do you have to go with them?

Here's the full story, for those of you who give a crap: I'm a gorgeous 16-year-old male who won't get his license until a few days after Fanimoo, and was too stupid to realize that he won't get that other kind of ID from the DMV until about 60 days after ordering. He also doesn't have a passport.

And now for the question again. Can my guardian go and pick it up for me, using their ID (or could they at least come with me and do the same?)?

I will really appreciate helpful answers. Thank you. :D

-salazare

From the registration page:

Please note that it is not impossible to pickup your badge without a government ID, but the process is time consuming and will impact other members' wait in line.

Translation: Bring your school ID and your postcard and be prepared to answer questions based on what you put down when you pre-registered regarding address/phone number/etc.

^_^

[pockystix]

The whole purpose of the government ID thing is that they want the best source of identification to match you up with your badge. Since school IDs can be easily photoshop'd (and there is no standard school ID; all schools look different), it's better to use something more standardized, like a license/state ID or passport. I have heard that some reg staff DO let you slide, but it's inconvenient and takes more time, since you need to answer personal questions as opposed to staff taking a quick look at your gov. issued ID. Your guardian can come, but they can't save you.

Also, if anything happens, security and police need identification. Although, I'm not sure if this is a good reason, since people who reg w/ passports probably won't carry that around...

Bottom line is, you need proper ID. The closer to government issued IDs, the better. (Photocopies don't work, btw.)

Since there are a lot of minors that attend Fanime, I'm pretty sure your situation won't be uncommon, so if you can't bring a passport, at least bring your school ID. They'll probably growl and hiss at you, but at least you probably will get your badge.

[FanFicGuru]

Warning: Small tangent ahead-

In my opinion, there should be no growling or hissing at people who don't bring proper identification. In all reality, if the system is in place, it shouldn't take more than an extra 30 seconds to confirm their identification. (Address? Phone number? Ok.) You can talk about the benefits of having a state ID all you want to, but the fact of the matter remains (and will probably still remain years from now) that a majority of the teenagers attending this convention will not have a state ID or drivers license, nor will they feel the need to until it's time for them to get a job. If police need to find out who you are, well...they're police. They can find out who you are pretty easily regardless of whether or not you have a state ID.

As it is there are no refunds or transfers and I've made it clear before that I think it's kind of unsettling that Fanime gets our money and, whether or not we're satisfied with the convention as a whole, they get to keep it. Yeah, it's a convention run "By fans, for fans"...and those volunteers should know exactly what they're getting into. There will be people who bring school IDs. Probably, a lot of people. Does that mean they should negatively impact the start of that person's convention by being rude or asking them why they didn't bring a government ID? I don't think so.

In the end, don't try to scare people into thinking they really NEED this ID or they'll be forever shunned from Fanime. Every year tons and tons of people pay little to no attention to the identification rules, yet Fanime is almost inclined to give them their badge since they can't transfer their badge, nor can they receive a refund.

[/end]

[Tony]

In all reality, if the system is in place, it shouldn't take more than an extra 30 seconds to confirm their identification.

Unfortunately that 30 seconds doesn't scale well. Say this only happened for 10% of attendees. 10% ~= 1,200 = 36,000s = 10hr extra processing time. I'm hand-waving some details, but with ~12,000 people to process, every second counts.

[FanFicGuru]

In all reality, if the system is in place, it shouldn't take more than an extra 30 seconds to confirm their identification.

Unfortunately that 30 seconds doesn't scale well. Say this only happened for 10% of attendees. 10% ~= 1,200 = 36,000s = 10hr extra processing time. I'm hand-waving some details, but with ~12,000 people to process, every second counts.

Keeping in mind that those 10 hours are spread over Friday, Saturday and Sunday...it wouldn't be that bad.

PROCESS FASTAR!!! lol

Maybe you should make a "government ID" line vs. a "Non-government ID" line. Mebbe...

[Steve.Young]

In all reality, if the system is in place, it shouldn't take more than an extra 30 seconds to confirm their identification.

Unfortunately that 30 seconds doesn't scale well. Say this only happened for 10% of attendees. 10% ~= 1,200 = 36,000s = 10hr extra processing time. I'm hand-waving some details, but with ~12,000 people to process, every second counts.

Keeping in mind that those 10 hours are spread over Friday, Saturday and Sunday...it wouldn't be that bad.

PROCESS FASTAR!!! lol

Maybe you should make a "government ID" line vs. a "Non-government ID" line. Mebbe...

While that could work, you would probably need more staff though, as they are understaffed for a convention this big =P

[ewu]

I've said it before. If you want to make it better or faster, stop complaining and staff!:)

[Tony]

In all reality, if the system is in place, it shouldn't take more than an extra 30 seconds to confirm their identification.

Unfortunately that 30 seconds doesn't scale well. Say this only happened for 10% of attendees. 10% ~= 1,200 = 36,000s = 10hr extra processing time. I'm hand-waving some details, but with ~12,000 people to process, every second counts.

Keeping in mind that those 10 hours are spread over Friday, Saturday and Sunday...it wouldn't be that bad.

... Keeping in mind that it would likely be focused and compounded on specific times, and 10% is a very, very kind estimate.  ;D

Speed, convenience, or price - pick two.  :-\

[FanFicGuru]

I've said it before. If you want to make it better or faster, stop complaining and staff!:)

I highly doubt that a new volunteer staff member would have very much input as far as how registration is processed.

Maybe it's just me, but for the sake of organization I wouldn't just allow any new volunteer to come in and say "Alright you guys suck let's do it my way."

Besides, the suggestions I've brought up could probably be answered with a "Yes, that's possible" or a "No, probably can't happen because of X,Y and Z." I don't see much point in throwing a lot of energy and time towards an endeavor that may be doomed from the start never to work the way I imagined it.

I'm hopeful for this year though, as Tony tells me that registration has evolved into a higher species during these last 365 days...lol.

btw...I'm not bashing on you Eric, or any registration staff. It's just the way I see it. Seems odd that one volunteer staff member could completely overhaul the way registration is done. Perhaps I've grown too cynical in my (young) age.

[SOawesomeness]

I think Eric just meant we'd have more man-power so it'd go faster.
And... awesome people * more people = better people. (:

Hehe...

Next year, I expect more staff! (: Join staff next year, make it awesome and cool and better and, and and... awesome... like me! :D

[bluayu]

Warning: Small tangent ahead-

In my opinion, there should be no growling or hissing at people who don't bring proper identification. In all reality, if the system is in place, it shouldn't take more than an extra 30 seconds to confirm their identification. (Address? Phone number? Ok.) You can talk about the benefits of having a state ID all you want to, but the fact of the matter remains (and will probably still remain years from now) that a majority of the teenagers attending this convention will not have a state ID or drivers license, nor will they feel the need to until it's time for them to get a job. If police need to find out who you are, well...they're police. They can find out who you are pretty easily regardless of whether or not you have a state ID.

As it is there are no refunds or transfers and I've made it clear before that I think it's kind of unsettling that Fanime gets our money and, whether or not we're satisfied with the convention as a whole, they get to keep it. Yeah, it's a convention run "By fans, for fans"...and those volunteers should know exactly what they're getting into. There will be people who bring school IDs. Probably, a lot of people. Does that mean they should negatively impact the start of that person's convention by being rude or asking them why they didn't bring a government ID? I don't think so.

In the end, don't try to scare people into thinking they really NEED this ID or they'll be forever shunned from Fanime. Every year tons and tons of people pay little to no attention to the identification rules, yet Fanime is almost inclined to give them their badge since they can't transfer their badge, nor can they receive a refund.

[/end]




First off can I say I love you? XD So many people without IDs have gotten "hissed" at as you say... So I'm glad to have someone defending the minors. Job wise-there's even summer and during school work permits too so what's the use of an ID card when there's work permits and school IDs which are usually valid for anything? I mean we eventually do get one but when you're high school...I know nobody at my school who actually had a valid form of government ID unless they drive or travel.

Fanime is going to be my first con and I was totally unaware of the whole ID card process until later on-I had already preregistered in October and didn't figure out until March. T_T;; Proves how often I check the site huh? So I flipped and was thinking, "I've done tons and tons of odd jobs all year long to make this work... how am I going to afford ID much less get someone to take me there?" Yesh lazy parent. No I don't drive or even take bus since yeah..it's just me.

But I got my whole problem resolved about the ID issure after I e-mailed. So e-mailing the registration staff helps a lot if you're unsure. That's the best place to go. They're very helpful!

-nods- I'm really looking forward to Fanime. I admire people who can go to three or four cons a year or so...it takes so much effort and money-especially for those of you that are in highschool and college! Uwa! I feel like it's my 'right-of-passage' so to speak. So thanks for defending the minors on this one! ^_^ I smiled at this reply!

[ewu]

FanFic:

I guess I was a little short, sorries:)

To qualify what I said: we often get a lot of suggestions and ideas. Unfortunately these discussions often become very aggressive when the feasibility is questioned. Most of the suggestions have already been brought up but ruled out due to one thing or another. Joining staff would allow these good ideas to be better adapted to the situations and better applied, or at the least it will be clearer why certain options cannot be implemented.

We have staffers that have started at the very bottom and because they showed clear interest and dedication to improving the system have moved up to senior staffer positions. People's contributions to staff are very valued and the metamorphosis of reg is evident of that.

thanks:)

I've said it before. If you want to make it better or faster, stop complaining and staff!:)

I highly doubt that a new volunteer staff member would have very much input as far as how registration is processed.

Maybe it's just me, but for the sake of organization I wouldn't just allow any new volunteer to come in and say "Alright you guys suck let's do it my way."

Besides, the suggestions I've brought up could probably be answered with a "Yes, that's possible" or a "No, probably can't happen because of X,Y and Z." I don't see much point in throwing a lot of energy and time towards an endeavor that may be doomed from the start never to work the way I imagined it.

I'm hopeful for this year though, as Tony tells me that registration has evolved into a higher species during these last 365 days...lol.

btw...I'm not bashing on you Eric, or any registration staff. It's just the way I see it. Seems odd that one volunteer staff member could completely overhaul the way registration is done. Perhaps I've grown too cynical in my (young) age.

[Mana_riot]

seems to me that if the ID thing is so important that you should make it big and well known? Make a list of things you 'MUST' have and make a huge point of it? Just a suggestion. I didn't find out about ID until um...quite literally, today. If I'd known just a month earlier I would have had enough time to call the DMV, stand in line, and get a valid state identification. It takes six weeks to process just about everything I need that I only found out about so recently.Oh well, I guess it doesn't matter since no one minds that just assuming 10 percent of people don't have proper ID,it'll take 10hrs.

To me, the identification should  have been a main main MAIN piece of information if its going to have that big of an impact, maybe even bigger then the fact that you have to register. I feel like it wasn't advertised at all, and now I'm going to get spit at by some volunteer snob at the registration line after I spent hundreds of dollars on trans,hotel,cosplay,came halfway across the country and spent 3-4 hours in line? on top of that, i'm taking a GAMBLE here. who knows if i'll even enjoy the convention, and as someone else stated before, I won't get my money back either way. I don't want a disrespectful attitude from someone who simply decided to volunteer and then decided it wasn't as fun as they thought it would be.Don't get me wrong, Its an honorable thing to be volunteering for something as huge as this and i give all the kudos in the world to you, but really its not acceptable for the volunteer, in other words, someone who doesn't even have to be THERE,  to treat a paying customer like crap.

"but the fact of the matter remains (and will probably still remain years from now) that a majority of the teenagers attending this convention will not have a state ID or drivers license, nor will they feel the need to until it's time for them to get a job."

I would have gotten a state ID if I knew about it. teenagers will 'feel the need' if its practically required upon registration to fanime. All a person has to do to get a state ID is 24 dollars, birth cert,soc security, and 6 weeks to get it processed. if people were informed that it was mandatory, i'm sure it would barely be an issue. I just don't understand why it wasn't advertised more. make a button in the main page that says ' MUST BRING' or something like that. for example, you advertise the registration and the hotel beautifully, theres a main button and whoever came up with the idea for the hotels is genius but My God, I can't believe I didn't know about ID.  I KNOW you guys don't advertise that because i don't see why else it would be a problem. If you guys KNOW that a huge percentage of your customers are teenagers with "no need" to have a goverment ID, then thats all the more reason to advertise it to the best of your ability.

[Tony]

To me, the identification should  have been a main main MAIN piece of information if its going to have that big of an impact, maybe even bigger then the fact that you have to register. I feel like it wasn't advertised at all, and now I'm going to get spit at by some volunteer snob at the registration line after I spent hundreds of dollars on trans,hotel,cosplay,came halfway across the country and spent 3-4 hours in line?

It's certainly not policy for staff to spit or hiss at people without ID. I suggest that if you get any response other than something polite, like "Oh, no ID? Can you verify your identity?", that you complain.

[Jerry]

It's certainly not policy for staff to spit or hiss at people without ID. I suggest that if you get any response other than something polite, like "Oh, no ID? Can you verify your identity?", that you complain.

Quoted for Emphasis - I definately agree with Tony here.

We like to think that our staff and volunteers, have been thoroughly informed and we have a zero tolerance for anyone - Con-goers or staff/volunteers for harrassment/physical or verbal abusive behavior will not stay on Convention site for very long. Fanime has the right to revoke, pull the badge and/or get SJPD involved with removing anyone not promoting a fun, safe, family-orientated environment.

We're here for everyone's fun and safety. Please let us know if you experience any problems and we'll do our best to resolve the issue as reasonably possible.

[o0Mutsu0o]

So this is what i'd like to know...


Regardless of reasons, or of what's right or wrong...

If i show up, with only my school ID. Will they allow me into the con?

aparently i'll be questioned, that's not a problem. I know my own personal infromation ( I am me of course..)


But, all i have to ask. is if i show up without a VALID form of ID, will they let me in? after questioning, etc... Or will i be back handed and kicked off to the side? not allowed into the con?

[FanFicGuru]

So this is what i'd like to know...


Regardless of reasons, or of what's right or wrong...

If i show up, with only my school ID. Will they allow me into the con?

aparently i'll be questioned, that's not a problem. I know my own personal infromation ( I am me of course..)


But, all i have to ask. is if i show up without a VALID form of ID, will they let me in? after questioning, etc... Or will i be back handed and kicked off to the side? not allowed into the con?

Yes, they will.

They will probably ask you for info like your address, etc, to confirm your identity...but yes, they WILL let you in.

[SOawesomeness]

Note: Regardless of what type of ID you bring, please bring with you your electronic postcard. D: