About seating at PIR

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Permalink Reply by Jay Thompson on December 12, 2014 at 3:09pm

good question....one I'd like to know as well. Do I pay extra for box seats? How about closest to the wet bar or bathrooms? Inquiring minds want to know.

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Permalink Reply by John Roberts on December 12, 2014 at 4:05pm

You can sit in either up or down all divisions both levels , they have signs where each division will stand and you choose if you want up top or bottom. We got in when opened today and sat in front row, however if your not in front I think upper deck is best. Sarges meet and greet the night before is excellent! If driving pay attention to short cuts from buckly road, don't sit in the line, we drove right in with no wait . Wonderful ceremony!

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Permalink Reply by Blake Owen on December 12, 2014 at 4:16pm

I think we may just sit on the top row of the bottom level (if we get there soon enough). I want to bring my Canon 5D with 70X200 lens so I can get some great shots. The maritime flags hang down on the bottom level and the hand rail is in the way on the top level.

We are going to be there at the crack of dawn so we should get good seats. I'm going to Sarge's the night before so I'll be well schooled on how to take all the short cuts.

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Permalink Reply by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on December 12, 2014 at 4:39pm

just some words from someone that has done two PIRs- did the same thing...took a million pics (lighting is tough and the bleachers have a low slope so heads are an issue).....now I wish I had concentrated more on the experience.   I have the DVDs- wish I had paid more attention to the event than worrying about getting the best shot..........

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Permalink Reply by Jay Thompson on December 12, 2014 at 5:06pm

70-200 is a seriously sweet lens at f2.8... even the f4 makes me jealous. Was looking at one myself until the wife saw the price tag. Thought maybe a refurbished, but haven't figured out a way to get it past the wife. Might just go with a 55-300 and hope for the best. I'm a Nikon man so prices might be different. I usually pick up refurbished bodies and lenses from Cameta Camera. Top notch service, price, and never been disappointed. Check out their site Blake. Although 2 weeks to Xmas they're usually out of stock on everything. Once past new years you can get some great deals.

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Permalink Reply by Blake Owen on December 12, 2014 at 5:28pm

I'm hoping that 3.5" lens and f2.8 will suck the light in. I won't need to take many shots. I'll get a few while they pass in review and a few when they form up by division. Then the lens cap is going back on. I don't want to spend the whole time looking through the lens. If heads get in the way that's okay. If I don't get any good shots that's okay too. I have watched every PIR for the last few weeks and I can't wait to see it in person!

Jim, I'm single so I only had to answer to my debit card. LoL

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Permalink Reply by NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary on December 13, 2014 at 12:02pm

The top rows mid way worked best for us just enough to see our Sailor's face and also the other DIVS. Key is to get there early enough to get your preferred spot. Of course the lower front rows is best if you know for a fact that your Sailor is gonna in the front row of his/her DIV..

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Permalink Reply by Paul Reeder on December 13, 2014 at 7:44pm

Just an FYI, I tried to get a few shots of the ceremony  ( not the best camera ) and some turned out ok, but most didn't. The best ones are afterwards up close and personal . But I happened to run across a bunch on the RTC facebook page you can share and save to your computer. They had about 60 from my son's PIR on the 5th. 

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