Let's talk about cell phones at York

Well, since this issue has been debated for years and the ruling still stands, I'd guess that the rules are not a big deal to those in the Eastern Division territory.

Gee, look at the hornet's nest I stirred up just by citing Lou Palumbo's recent CTT column which I was surprised and delighted to find in line with my thinking regarding the use of cell phones at York or other train shows or meets.

Just a couple of editorial opinions expressed in a couple of toy train magazines, and the sun will still rise in a couple of hours.  Best of all, some 10,000+ train nuts will gather at York a few weeks from now and virtually every one of them will have an absolutely great time.  I and my iPhone will be among them, the Good Lord willing!  

And G_d said, "let there be light". But the ED hasn't seen it yet.

Gerry

quote:

 Best of all, some 10,000+ train nuts will gather at York a few weeks from now and virtually every one of them will have an absolutely great time.

But there are a handful of people who don't attend because of all those awful rules. Just think of how many people there would be without those rules!

Works both ways. If strollers were allowed, I would probably attend Thurs only, and not bother with the Red, White, Blue, and Silver Halls. Then I would wait to hear those of you who promote "Kids are the future of the hobby" wailing about the strollers.

Given the fact that this is in the York-only section, I would guess it would have stayed. BTW, I'm not quick to follow Lou's thinking. He's put his foot in his mouth a few times (ask the "S" guys).

Sure!  Why not?  It's in the appropriate place/sub-forum and if you'll take the time to read my initial post, you'll find that it is an item worth commenting on.  And I haven't seen anyone get particularly nasty with their responses.  This IS a discussion forum, is it not...so long as the discussion remains civil and on-topic?

It's all about power and control. NO where does a simular rule exsit. In any show do we have such rules. I find it insane that the TCA who wants to promote the hobby has all these rules to hand cuff it!

Change is not all bad folks, its time to end it!

You're likely correct about that, Traindiesel, But I'd still like hearing clarification on my otherr point. Why is the Eastern Division so disproportionately larger than its neighboring divisions? When the Atlantic Division was formed, Why didn't TCA move more of the Eastern Division territory into that new Atlantic Division? Seems like it would have made more sense since some of the metropolitan areas that the Eastern Division kept are both geographically and demographically more likely aligned with the more urban Atlantic Division than the rural Eastern Division.

BTW, Traindiesel, given the geographic area listed in your profile, is your current TCA membership with the Eastern Division? 

Maybe we should have a demonstration.  At a certain time on a certain day we will all use our cell phones.  It would be madness! 

Are people who cannot disconnect from their cell phones for a few hours really going to spend more time with their kids because they were able to use those phones at York?

My kids started attending train shows from the time they could be safely carried in a backpack. They were at York before the stroller ban took place. We deemed it unsafe and unwise to bring a stroller into the trading halls (the ban ensued shortly thereafter). When they were too small to walk, they were carried in the halls. When they were old enough to walk, they walked, holding either my wife or my hand.

I see a few people doing the same at each York show.

If one simply must use a stroller, there are plenty of other shows to attend.

Agreed. I read with interest the TCA members that are running for National Office and always wanting to promote the hobby to younger people and families. Just a "suggestion" how about having a day in which the general public can attend.  This might generate more membership for the Eastern Division and the TCA. I see this as a bigger issue that potentially might affect the TCA long term.

Still haven't gotten to the 4th page here, but wouldn't Said govenrment funding be better spent on acquisition of more trains?!

BTW- Hi, I'm Bob and have been a horder/runner of trains since 1975...

I can't phathom why no-one would allow the use of cell phones...what if your there and spy something a fellow member has been looking for....he's not able to attend{not that I could go - but follow along anyway} I call....ACE...or Gunrunnerjohn and say hey, I found this, do you want it?! This simple action is two fold for sales...gets me whatever I'm looking to buy since I'm there and a sales for a friend....2 for 1! Same said smart phone can check prices to find a good deal or a good laugh. Last I knew...and what do I know....the main object was to "sell" train stuff there and anything that could promote that should be allowed. I'd bet there's some folks selling there who used a smart phone with a paypal or propay card reader on it to take payments...   

BINGO! Right there, in a concise and well-written statement is the biggest reason to do away with the rule

Oooo...  A cell phone flash mob!

Rusty

Times change; things change and evolve. My guess is this restriction will go away sooner than later.

Remember all the angst over the two-signature rule?  There were many who said that it would never be eliminated.

With all respect, you are viewing the issue very narrowly, intentionally.  The point is about the Eastern Division of TCA -- and the largest train show in the country -- serving as a good ambassador for the hobby.  Right now, as numerous posts in this discussion indicate, the current rules reinforce the idea that this is a hobby for grumpy old men. 

Let’s not bash the TCA.  As has been posted many times on here before, the York meet is hosted by the Eastern Division of TCA.  The Eastern Division makes the rules for their meets and the no-cell phone rule is an Eastern Division rule.  Cell phones are allowed at all other TCA meets that I have ever attended.  Any criticism of this or any other York meet rules should be directed at the Eastern Division, not the TCA.

Bill

As others have also noted the issue is not entirely about cell phones or strollers, it is about the perception of event. Are women, children or new folks welcomed - actually welcomed not just accepted as a necessary evil - by the organizers.

In the past 10 years cell phones have become virtually omnipresent throughout our culture, to have a posted rule which says “The use of cell phones is prohibited” in nice big bold lettering, gives people pause and seems out of place / touch with a modern lifestyle.

Like others, I would much prefer to take a stroller for my youngest one to ride in as needed. This is compounded with the no large backpacks rule which also then rules out the backpack carrier. I understand the overriding issue here as well, but I get back to are families and children welcome, the rules express that they are not.

"No strollers, no large backpacks, no cameras, no cell phones, no xxxx, no xxxx", sure sounds like someplace I want to run right out and go to, yes those in the know will go, but those not in the know, those how are new or more casual enthusiast, don't we want them also, is the entire hobby not all the better by having as many people as possible participating?

We are in a competitive environment for time and attention with nearly limitless distractions, our tent should be as big and welcoming as possible.

too bad your not a member.

there is a lot of benefits and I have made a lot of great 3-rail friends , who have helped me a lot with my layout and locomotives.

Allan, I can't believe you started this thread. You started it because you & Rich don't like York the way it is.. Why don't you end it right here. This happen's every 6 months. It's all Bull ****. Half the people responding are not even TCA members, or have never been to York.

I have seen stated that it is a eastern div. rule not the TCA's. Well maybe it is about time the national gets off their *** and do something about it. They are the head of the TCA are they not? 

It is about time we lose the stupid rules to attend York. No cells, no photos, no strollers, give me a break. 

I have had more people run into me with the power carts then anything else. Time marches on people and if we hesitate all will be lost.

At 12 noon on Friday I suggest we all pull out our cell phones and make a call even if it's to nobody. Maybe the grumpy old men will get a clue. Of course in their eyes it's 1955 so don't hope for too much.

I was actually gonna suggest a similar action... but we wouldn't need to even make a call.  Just USE your smartphone to do SOMETHING.  Could you imagine the "cell phone police" attempting to usher EVERYONE out of the halls simultaneously??? 

David

No, Eddie, I started it because I saw that Lou, in his published column, pretty much feels the same way I do about a restriction that he and I, among others, feel has outlived its usefulness.  Eliminate the rule and eliminate any contention about the rule.  Pretty simple!

You've seen me at York.  Have you ever seen me not having a great time at York?  I will enjoy the York Meet with or without that rule (or several others I could mention).  I don't take any of this stuff too seriously.  I don't take the hobby too seriously.  Fo me it's just a hobby and even though it's the way I make my living, I still don't take any of it too seriously.  Nor should you!  

Think your constant harping on the EASTERN TCA rules says something different.

Wondering what your real problem is

Are you suggesting that government funding for something be "diverted" for other purposes?

Jerrt

THA#13-0001

I am and I have. Please cool your jets. We can jack-jaw all we want here, but nothing can change until it goes through the Rules Committee. IF there's a proposed change, you're free to vote against it if you wish.

Gilly

quote:

The question to be raised is why are half the people who responded not members of the TCA? They are clearly interested in trains, care enough to join this forum, and to post on this topic, they are not members for a reason, listening to their non-member views is important if their is a desire to get them into membership.

TCA national dropped the initiation fee and the two signature requirement. How many people joined who otherwise would not have? (I don't know how one could tell, was there a spike in new members after the signature rule drop?)

There are probably a handful of people who actually do not join the TCA because of cell phone, photography, or stroller rules at the York train show. The rest of the non-members are commenting because they like to kibbitz. It doesn't cost them anything.

There are plenty of train enthusiasts who have neither the time or the money to make the York show, big as it is.

Seems a little backwards.  Doesn't it normally go:

1) have interest in hobby

2) join group(s) that include others with shared interest in hobby

3) once in group(s), raise your activity level with group including running for office of group to promote change.

By suggesting the TCA needs to worry about why people aren't joining it's skipping steps 2 and 3 and immediately saying you won't pursue 2 until something that could fall under 3 is accomplished.

-Dave

What they gonna do when people start showing up with Google Glasses?

Rusty

I'm one of those forum members who has been around a while.   I'm not a TCA member nor have I ever attended York which is only 45 min. away.  I see no need to join any org. to continue or enhance my love for trains.  To me more than 3 is a crowd so no need to attend York either.  Perhaps other folks have their reasons and wish to respond. 

too bad your not a member.

there is a lot of benefits and I have made a lot of great 3-rail friends , who have helped me a lot with my layout and locomotives.

They do it all the time, and, that money is for our group that admits we are train nuts...horders...collectors...so, yeah!{lol}

A side step here to help lighten things up...

A) I am admitedly "not" a york participant nor a registered TCA member{not that I wouldn't be either}, but the thread was/is about the rules that are active and how we fell about that..do I have to be any kind of a member to voice my opinion as to how I feel about it?...I wouldn't think so, but there are those who feel otherwise and for them I apologize for my thoughts/input.

B) We are all here viewing this since we are all active model train enthusiasts thru any means of said term{collector/horder/occasional purchaser...carpet or full on layout}....we can collectively agree or agree to dissagree about the rules....perhaps it will change someday, maybe not. Can't we get along alittle better?

C) ....I'm wondering if this thread will get as big as the recent "happy Birthday" thread... ...for someon who shall remain nameless at this moment in time. BTW, who packed the hornets nest presant?...it's now opened it up. I'm now going back to job searching, playing with trains...and ducking...not readily in that order.