Hello,
I am Carola from Austria. I am writing this on behalf of my friends and me: Saskia, Fleur, Inge, Katrin, Rebekka & Wieteke. The last tour we – along with others - have helped out with organising the Fanclub waiting line before concerts. On the dutch board there were a couple of people that had comments and remarks on the way this organization was done. We thought that the best way to make waiting in line (the fanclubline if there is one upcoming tour) as comfortable as possible but also as clear as possible for everybody, we had to discuss this with you directly on the boards.
One of the things pointed out to us from the dutch forum-members was that it’s not clear what the ‘rules’ are. So I made a list of guidelines that are already in use or should be in use according to the people on the dutch forum. This list is just a starting point for discussion. If you have constructive ideas that can help the waiting in line, the numbersystem, or anything else, please feel free to discuss it here with us. I am not trying to be the one telling everybody what to do before the concert, but just one of the girls that organized it in the past and tries to improve the system… with your help I hope. Please know that during the 2001 tour this system was started in Europe. In 2003 it worked amazingly good. There were so many shows (especially later on in the tour when everybody knew what was gonna happen) where we could just walk into the pit! And please believe us, its not that easy and there is no egoism involved from us. We have to be on our legs hours and hours and have to be calm if the same questions accrue over and over again.
So here it goes:
GUIDELINES
 The number system is a system done by fans. It’s their initiative
 Cooperation from security is arranged as soon as possible. The rules they make are rules we have to follow. We try to explain, who we are, what we got promised from the FC (sometimes they don't know about us) and how we can work together without to much troubles. Sometimes we have to talk for hours until they understand and help!
 You can only get a number if you collect it yourself. There’s no way you can save a spot for somebody else. It’s also not possible that you get your number, leave and come back hours later.
 You can collect your number at the end of the waiting line, which will be your spot in line then. We’ll try and make it as clear as possible who’s handing out the numbers, why this is done and how the system works.
 The people helping to organize the line will try there best to keep everything in order. They’ll try and make sure – together with the rest of the fans – everybody keeps their good manners (when it comes to waiting in line) and follow the guidelines we agreed on together. But remember: we can only do that with everyone’s help.
 Leaving your spot in the queue for half an hour is ok if you need to get food or go to the bathroom. Leaving for 3 hours (for example) is not allowed, and not fair.
 The people helping to organize try to be as open as possible if you have comments or remarks that can help improve this system. They also try and be as polite as possible during the waiting before a concert. Shouting without any reason, should be avoided. On the other hand: if lines should be reorganized for example (because security asks for it) it is possible people will shout to let everybody know about it. It’s also possible people will shout when announcements are being passed to the people waiting in line. Don’t see this as an insult against any of you waiting in line, but as a way to get the news to spread as fast as possible. We always shall try to keep everybody informed in a more personal way.
 The people who help organize the fanlcubline are also just fans. They do the best they can. Try and help them out if you can. The system only works, if you work with it. They can’t see everything. If you notice a person jumping the queue, you can tell this to the organization. They’ll try and get security to prevent this.
 Two hours before the doors open, everybody get’s to their spot in line. This way the queue can be reorganized so people who don’t belong there can be escorted to their own spot. This way the entrance will go a lot smoother as well. A quick run to the bathroom is allowed of course. Talking to your friends in front of you in the queue before this time is also allowed of course.
 Rules about entering the venue is up to the security of Backstage and the security of the venue. These rules will be made public on the day of the show. This is usually in the afternoon. Remember: they know the organizers of the lines, will let them know and they will let you know immediately.
 Before the start of the tour these guidelines will be made public on as many Bon Jovi forums as possible. This way as many people as possible will know what happens in the fanclubline! So please pass this on to everybody you know is a FC member and is going to a show somewhere in Europe!

Those were the guidelines so far on the dutch board. There was also a comment that we should try and make sure non-fanclub-members were not waiting in the fanclub-line. This could be done by checking everybody’s membershipcard as soon as they signed up for the queue, or we arrange big signs for it!
Maybe some people over here have good ideas to improve this whole system we’ve been using the past years as well. If so, please let us know and we will see what we can do!
Thank you to all of you, who helped, understood and worked with us the last tour and thank you ahead for your trust for the upcoming tour!!!!

Carola