23 replies to this topic

[Ruciz]

I just got back from a local club (which was pretty packed), but before I got in the bouncer visually checked my photo ID and swiped it into a PDA (Thats all I know, no clue if the info was saved or what exactly it was scanned for), and then as soon as I got in I was being pat-searched, without notice, but my girlfriend who was with me didn't get searched at all (her ID was swiped into the PDA though). Just wondering if anyone else had a similar happening, or what you all think of this.

I had no notice at all of any of this, The bouncers never told me he was going to swipe my ID or search me (2 seperate bouncers) I just feel that a little bit of notice to the happenings would have been nice. I know they want to keep out underage drinkers and crazy drunks who want to go on a shooting rampage but I think this is gone a little far. what are your thoughts?

[Colin-uk]

ive never had my ID swiped before, but i always get asked for it

maybe there just doing it for statistics, just to see how many of what age of people come to the club
(if that made sense)

[XDViPeR]

cool
ive been only tto teen night clubs

[zivan56]

Most clubs usually only search guys...

[Adster]

Depending on which state you're from, your age is encoded into a magnetic strip on your ID. It make designing a Fake ID much harder when you not only have to make it visually correct, but also digitally.

[soLoredd]

I'm guessing it's either to track statistics so that the club ownership/administration can keep things fresh and up-to-date...but I'm willing to bet it's more for the club to keep a record of who is there.

The first thing I think of is those clubs that had fires and people died or got seriously injured. This way, the club can give the authorities a record of who is there at the time and possibly even notify families, if need be. As far as I know, when you scan an ID (if this is a driver's license), they will have all of your personal information (name, address, phone number, etc.), and this can only be done by legal authorities, and in this case, probably the police.

Or maybe they just want to send out a mailer

[soLoredd]

Adster, on Apr 3 2005, 00:21, said:

Depending on which state you're from, your age is encoded into a magnetic strip on your ID. It make designing a Fake ID much harder when you not only have to make it visually correct, but also digitally.

That makes alot more logical sense than my idea.

[Ruciz]

Quote

I'm guessing it's either to track statistics so that the club ownership/administration can keep things fresh and up-to-date...but I'm willing to bet it's more for the club to keep a record of who is there.

The first thing I think of is those clubs that had fires and people died or got seriously injured. This way, the club can give the authorities a record of who is there at the time and possibly even notify families, if need be. As far as I know, when you scan an ID (if this is a driver's license), they will have all of your personal information (name, address, phone number, etc.), and this can only be done by legal authorities, and in this case, probably the police.

Or maybe they just want to send out a mailer wink.gif

This could be true, but they don't scan you when you leave, meaning the data would be invalid on who was there at the time.

[nik louch]

Agreed that they only seem to search guys. But this ties in with the FACT that a lot of clubs operate a "We didn't see it" policy towards drugs. As long as the girls know the bouncers and sly them a freebie, they don't care.

Same with underage girls, ALWAYS full of em. Lads? No chance!

[redFX]

What kind of ID was this? drivers license?

Searching I don't mind since its usually rooteen stuff. But the swipping of your ID, I'm paranoid and I wouldn't like that. Are they tracking you or something? Where's that data going, who's going to see it, etc.

[+DrunkenMaster]

Just call the club manager and ask polietly. I'm sure they would be forthcoming with the information. Last thing, I'm sure they want is to have rumours about why they're doing it. Heck, just ask the bouncer next time.

If you're not happy with the answer, approach the BBB or inquire to the local police.

[kylejn]

I don't go to clubs, but if I did, I'd be pretty wary of having my ID swiped to get in. Maybe if there was a club-only ID (like a membership card), then that'd be OK, but swiping, say, my driver's license is just sorta Orwellian.

[Qumahlin]

redFX, on Oct 5 2005, 09:12, said:

What kind of ID was this? drivers license?

Searching I don't mind since its usually rooteen stuff.  But the swipping of your ID, I'm paranoid and I wouldn't like that. Are they tracking you or something?  Where's that data going, who's going to see it, etc.

All the information that you can read on the front of the license, is also encoded onto the magnetic strip.

It is 100% legal for them to scan the ID.

At some of the local bars here due to me living in a college town if your ID does not swipe you are not allowed entry. It doesn't matter if the ID won't swipe merely because it''s dirty, or got sat next to a magnet. No swipe = No entry.

[Chris Allen]

Big clubs (1000+ people) I'm always searched unless I'm going in with my DJ gear. Swiping the card happens sometimes but it's usually too long of a wait to get results to validate the card so they don't bother.

Pat downs are mandatory at major clubs. The majority of the time it's usually a girl though so I could care less. Just smile and be on your way. Many a time have I been groped but oh well, I just smile and say "Hey, this searching thing is fun. I should have tried this with my g'fs in high school... never got this far with them "

[endemic]

It's for age verification and demographic surveying. One hundred percent accurate and completely unobtrusive. No need to be staring at a "supposedly" fake idea for five minutes. Just grab, scan, and check. The search once you were in is kinda out of wack, though. As far as I know, no data is actually saved because that would be pretty pointless. It's not like the bouncers are gonna remember your face. The clun owners just want to know the ages and male:female ratio. Think nothing of it.