Attention: You can't take your purse into Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC.

[raccoon]

Or any bag similar to a purse.

You have to put your stuff into a clear plastic bag. Which they hand out to you before you go in. You can put your wallet, phone, etc. in the bag.

I was there last night for a hockey game. Luckily I was with a group in a van, so as soon as we got out of the van, we were told about this.

But in some places, such as Charlotte's Spectrum Arena, where you park and then ride the Lynx to the Arena, this could be a real PITA if you didn't know about it ahead of time.

DU'ers, this could happen to you! Please post if you know of some arena or event venue where this policy is in place.

[Sancho]

1. Similar rules are in effect at public arenas and stadiums all over now...

we've seen it in the last year in Florida at football and soccer games.

Usually here people take "clear bags" designed for entry. As long as the contents are visible and there aren't prohibited items, you walk through a metal detector, show the bag, and you're inside.

[PJMcK]

2. Gosh, whatever could the security people be looking for?

Yet another way our country is fucked up.

By the way, how are such searches-- including at airports-- not Fourth Amendment violations?

[MineralMan]

4. If attendance is voluntary and the screenings are known about,

there's really no Fourth Amendment violation. Even at the airport, air travel is a voluntary thing and the security screening information is readily available.

It may be onerous and overdone, but it doesn't violate the Constitution. We just had the Super Bowl here in the Twin Cities, and there were security screenings everywhere. Again, though, nobody was required to attend any of the events or enter any of the places. The screenings were publicized, so anyone was free to avoid them.

I'm not attempting to justify such screenings, but they don't really violate the 4th Amendment.

One type of screening, however, might. If you go to a federal courthouse or some other federal buildings, you will be screened. If you are required to go to those places, a case could be made that your rights are being violated. However, I doubt a court case would go in anyone's favor with regard to those screenings.

I've learned to leave my pocket knife at home when going to many public events. I've lost a couple of them to the screening process, and they're pretty expensive.

[PJMcK]

10. Thanks for the information

I think I knew that already. I was just grumpy this morning!

I, too, have lost a couple of pocket knives to overly zealous screeners. It's an expensive lesson!

[MineralMan]

11. They are expensive, for sure.

I carry a three-bladed stockman's knife. I have since I was about 10 years old. If one of mine gets lost or I have to dump it for a security screening, even my Schrade Old-Timer 840T costs about $30 to replace. I have three of them. My daily carrying knife, and two back-ups for when I lose my daily carrier.

I even take it with me when I fly. But, I put it in my checked bag for the flight and retrieve it at my destination. I feel odd without one in my right front pocket. I use it two or three times a day, to open a box, clean my fingernails or for some other purpose. Often, it gets used to help someone else cut something that needs to be cut. It's a tool I always want to have on hand.

I have to think about it when I go somewhere these days. Will there be a security screening? If so, I'll leave it at home or in my locked car. I hate giving it up at a security screening.

[Codeine]

12. My wife works the door at a club

and constantly finds knives during entry patdowns. She offers to hold them for the guys until they leave, but sometimes they get too inebriated and don’t come collect their stuff, so we have accumulated a huge stack of pockets knives at the house.

The first thing I invariably have to do is use alcohol to clean the marijuana resin off the blades. Every damned time.

[MineralMan]

13. Hmm...none of that on my knife. I don't smoke it no more.

On another topic, quality pocket knives are good sellers on eBay. Just saying...

[titaniumsalute]

3. We were in Nashville last week

Went to the Ryman Theater for a show. My buddy has a nice cigar cutter, not cheap. HE couldn't bring it in as it was a "knife." Unless you are circumcising someone not sure how much damage you could do with a cigar cutter.

[Roland99]

5. Raymond James Stadium and Everbank Stadium are the same

Never knew til we were walking in and I saw lots of clear bags.

As a guy, I’ve never carried anything that doesn’t fit in my wallet or pocket. I know woman carry much more and oftentimes don’t have pockets

Is it more of a time saver for security or does it offer actual benefits?

I’m guessing the former.

[Iggo]

9. Fear mixed with Laziness.

Not America's best feature.

[Javaman]

6. this is nothing new...

growing up in NYC this was pretty common way before 9/11

[winstars]

7. All NFL stadiums do the clear bag thing, even when the event is a concert and not an actual game.

[CTyankee]

8. we had to go through security check and get wanded at the Harvard-Yale game at

the Yale Bowl but it may have had something to do with Malia Obama attending. Also Paul McCartney was there (grandson is a freshman at Yale) but I don't think the security presence was for him. There were rumors that Barack Obama was there but he wasn't and a cop there told me there was no way to adequately protect a former president in an open air arena.

But we knew something was up when wee saw of stream of New Haven police on motor cycles (with lights on) ..

[raccoon]

14. The Clear Bag policy is explained at their web site:

http://www.bonsecoursarena.com/info/clearbag