COLLEGE STATION, Texas (KBTX) - Depending on who you ask, the ticket-pulling process for students to obtain tickets to the upcoming historic football matchup between rivals Texas A&M and the University of Texas was a not-so-pleasant experience.
On the first day, more than 30,000 tickets were distributed to students, marking a record, according to A&M officials. Along with that came complaints from students who declared the process 'unfair and unsafe.' Parents also expressed concerns over the long hours students camped outside. They camped and waited for hours, at times in stormy weather on Monday, to get their tickets.
Texas A&M EMS responded to 9 calls for service in the ticket pull area on Monday morning.
Three students were transported due to generally not feeling well.
"I was at ticket pull this morning and at least 4 ambulances came before noon. Multiple people ran out of water since they weren't expecting to be standing in a tightly packed crowd for 10+ hours. All the students were extremely upset and wanted to bring attention to the situation so the university could make a statement or move ticket pull online next year [sic]," explained another anonymous student.
Currents student Abby Johnson included, "As a student, I'm unimpressed and appalled at A&M's lack of communication. Every student I've talked to is upset. It's completely self-governing at this point and genuinely unsafe. If there were a medical emergency we would be in trouble."
"It's the large groups that are allowed to jump in line before the seniors that are the problem," Robin Douglass said on Facebook.
The complaints are reflected in a new survey from the Texas A&M Student Government Association taken this fall. It found most Sports Pass Holders prefer an online ticket pull system over the traditional in-person process
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The survey found that the ability to pull tickets with friends was the most important factor for Sports Pass Holders related to the current system, with 46% of Sports Pass Holders ranking it number one in terms of importance. Having a mobile-friendly design for the online system was the second most important factor to consider.
Texas A&M to review ticket pull process criticized by students as "unsafe"Literally almost got crushed. There were points I could not move my arms. You could not leave if you wanted to. If there was a medical emergency, there would have been no way to help that person and get them out safely in a timely manner. Ticket pull needs to change for the safety of the students. Also, to the dude who yelled "charge" at like noon where people were already cramped to death and made others continue to push, you need serious help.
I will be emailing and complaining to the 12th Man Foundation and Student Affairs, and I urge everyone to do the same if we want the system to change.
https://www.reddit.com/r/aggies/comments/1gufph1/ticket_pull_was_unsafe/