The reason for something like this has a lot to do with scalping. I live in NY and many major on sales are done this way. If it was first come, first serve at ticketmaster outlets, scalpers would have a field day. All they would have to do is recruit a bunch of people to stand on line and tie up all of the first spots. As is, they have many people in line, but with a random system, it makes it difficult for them.