Volunteering as a CAT

[darth haggis]

Evening all, as the d-day for the release of the lineup and tickets draws near, I have had to make a hard decision based on a number of different factors ie. rumoured bands, ticket prices, friends' plans, being a poor student etc.

This has lead me to consider the prospect of volunteering as a CAT, in order to atleast attend one festival this summer.

I know the basic idea of the scheme - 3x8 hour shifts (atleast 1 night), camping in separate camp, refundable deposit etc.

But what I would like to know is if anybody on here has done this before? If so, what are their experiences of being a CAT, pros/cons? (note: this would be my 5th reading, so have a fairly good idea of what to expect of the basic festival)

Cheers in advance, haggis

[kingjamma]

I've done the last two Readings as a CAT and to be honest I don't think I'll ever go as a punter again and will only work it with the CATs from now on. Both times I've done it I've had a great time and in the process have met quite a few cool people, some of whom I keep in contact with now and see every now and then. Another thing that I like is the fact that the campsite is secure, better toilets and showers and the fact that you can use the entrance that's next to the lock-up/merch stand next to it which is only for workers so that you don't have to go through the main one with the punters.

When you turn up to sign in it'll be a first come first served on the shift patterns available and once a shift has filled no one can sign up to it. Shift A is usually the first to go (and the one I always go for) as you only miss the bands up until 5pm on the Friday and see everyone else should you wish.

Working in the campsites can really vary as each one is different and you will always have different scenarios throughout your time. I always work in Yellow as I like the craziness of it at times and like to be in the middle of it due to my army background, but should you work in say White, it's a lot quieter as well as a long walk there and back at the start and end of your shift.

Also with the deposit you pay you can sign up to work Latitude and Big Chill as well.

[Vacant0]

When do the CAT positions tend to get filled up? Seeing this thread just reminded me that its probably the only way I'd be able to go the festival this year considering theres next to no way I'll have the money for ticket day.

Out of interest, do they do bag searches on the way into the site? Have worked at Glasto previously and they just waved all workers through the gate, which I found a bit surprising really.

Edited February 25, 2011 by Vacant0

[kingjamma]

Applications go live sometime in the next few weeks so keep an eye out on the website. Spaces usually tend to fill up by the end of April-middle of May depending on the line-up I believe.

The only way to secure your spot though is by paying the deposit asap. You can apply for a spot and not pay your deposit till you have the money, but you wont actually have a guaranteed spot meaning that should you come to pay your deposit and they have already filled all the spots with people who have already paid their deposits, you lose your space. First com first served with who pays basically.

[harderfaster]

One of the biggest pros is that you get a separate entrance to the arena - it's just one man at a gate, and they tend not to check your bags. Cue bags full of beer = more money saved. We were taking tesco bags of 7/8 cans in at a time and they didn't question a thing.

[Davis_89]

Need to sort out my application so its ready for when they go live. You definitely doing it again this year Jack? I think the only way i'll be able to persuade any of my friends to do it with me is if the lineup is surprisingly strong which it won't be so I expect I'll be doing it on my todd.

Any of you thinking of stewarding at any other fests?

[harderfaster]

Need to sort out my application so its ready for when they go live. You definitely doing it again this year Jack? I think the only way i'll be able to persuade any of my friends to do it with me is if the lineup is surprisingly strong which it won't be so I expect I'll be doing it on my todd.

Any of you thinking of stewarding at any other fests?

[j-j-j-j-joe!]

I've heard it's cool for cats...

[Davis_89]

Fiend.

Bestival clashes with my holiday in portulol. But i may try and do t in the park and a couple of smaller ones.

[Dave The Hedgehog]

Cats are those those people that see tents on fire and then poke them with sticks, aren't they? There's 3 or 4 of them doing it, and then they shrug their shoulders, only to speak into the walkie talkie, call in another 3 or 4 who also proceed to stand around and shrug their shoulders at the flaming tent in front of them.

Resourceful bunch of people.

[rexclark]

Cats are those those people that see tents on fire and then poke them with sticks, aren't they? There's 3 or 4 of them doing it, and then they shrug their shoulders, only to speak into the walkie talkie, call in another 3 or 4 who also proceed to stand around and shrug their shoulders at the flaming tent in front of them.

Resourceful bunch of people.

[Bisque]

My girlfriend did this. She said she enjoyed doing Latitude but Reading wasn't so fun. I don't think she was treated very badly by one of the stewards higher up the pecking order so the GF told her to do one.

I sometimes have a natter with the CATS if I get lost or go for a late night wonder. Met a couple doing it last year & they said they were enjoying themselves but were very very tired the whole time.

Edited February 25, 2011 by zerocouch

[Jailbreak]

I think I might try doing this this year... cant really afford a ticket, and it always looks like it could be quite fun

[OKB]

is it possible to do one, turn up get a wristband then do one?

[jump]

is it possible to do one, turn up get a wristband then do one?

[Bisque]

is it possible to do one, turn up get a wristband then do one?

[harderfaster]

just did this for a friend, may be useful to some of you considering it. i did it with oxfam but most of it's applicable to CATS:

3x8 hour shifts (roughly speaking one morning, one afternoon, one evening/night), ~£200 deposit which has to be paid in march (or whenever you sign up) which covers any festivals you do, you have to attend a 4/5 hour training session in april/may but there are loads of dates/locations to choose from

cons: not particularly well organised (but it's easy to just get on with it), there's the risk of your shifts clashing with the band you want to see most and there's not a lot you can do in the way of shift swapping (if you want to swap shifts you have to swap all three and obviously it's hard to find somebody who wants to do that), when you're on shift you can't help but think the work you're doing is pointless cos it's mostly just standing around and quite boring (but i guess i'd rather that than hard work!), you have to arrive on tuesday

pros: free entry, make loads of friends, your own entrance to the arena (where they're less strict about checking for alcohol), quieter campsite (i guess that could be a pro or con!), toilets that are used by fewer people so slightly cleaner for slightly longer, showers (but there's a f**koff huge queue at peak times), if you wear your jacket to the food stalls and ask for a 'volunteer discount' they might knock 1 or 2 quid off (i made that one up myself ), there's a canteen in the stewards' campsite and you get 3 free meal vouchers for the weekend

basically i know i'd feel pretty mugged off if i'd spent 200 on a ticket for last year but stewarding had a really good vibe about it. i'd recommend it!

[OKB]

What happened to your mate leeting you in for free?

In anycase no, I think they ask for a deposit in case you try it and get it back after the fest.

[purplehaze81]

How do they know you're working where you should be?

[kingjamma]

is it possible to do one, turn up get a wristband then do one?

[rexclark]

I still intend to use my mate.

[OKB]

I bet you do.

[darth haggis]

So, anybody on here end up applying to be a CAT for Reading this year? I paid my deposit a month or so ago - looking forward to it muchos!!!

[glasto-worker]

Well anyone who has not applied for Reading is stuffed

Going by

http://www.hotboxevents.com/

We've already filled up for festival volunteering positions at the 2011 Reading Festival but we do have a few positions still available at the 2011 Leeds Festival, Latitude Festival and Big Chill Festival!

Currently we have just 22 festival volunteering positions left at the Big Chill Festival, 32 festival volunteering positions left at Latitude Festival and 78 festival volunteering positions left at Leeds Festival!