What time will people start showing up for the Steve Jobs Keynote

[Chad Barraford]

First timer this year, does anyone know what time people start lining up for the keynote, I want to make sure I get a good seat.

[Shawn King]

What kind of Conference Badge do you have?

[Chad Barraford]

I went all the way and got a Platinum pass, with priority keynote. (i didn't want to miss anything).

[Shawn King]

Good for you! With that Pass, a lineup time of about 5am should ensure you get a good seat. It may be early but I'd rather recommend you get there early than recommend a later time and you perhaps not get in at all. :(

[Chad Barraford]

5 am sounds, good. I'll prob show up a little earlier just to make sure. Thanks for the info

[Shawn King]

Happy to help fellow Mac Users wallow in the Keynote Goodness!

[Peter Villevoye]

Doesn't Platinum offer you guaranteed seating ?

[Chad Barraford]

Maybe, I have no idea, but I not going to gamble it. :)

[Shawn King]

It's *supposed* to but would you really want to roll up at 8am and find that there are 3 thousand other Platinum Pass folks ahead of you and, oops, they ran out of seats for that section?

Without knowing how many seats there are for Conference Pass Holders and how many Conference Pass Holders plan on attending the Keynote, you really can't judge what a good time to get in line would be. All you an do is make a educated guess.

There have been Expos in the past where everyone who wanted a seat got one in the main hall (even Exhibit Hall Pass folks - but those days are long gone) and other Expos where even some of the press couldn't get seats in the hall.

I always say, get there as early as you can stand it, bring coffee and make friends with those around you in line. :)

Even better? Become an "Apple VIP" - they are guaranteed seats in the "front row" or be a Speaker at one of the Conference Sessions. They are guaranteed to get in too. :)

[John Pastor]

What time should conference attendees get in line? I've heard mixed results, either 4:30am all the way to 5 or 6am. I want to make sure I get into the actual room, since I didn't spend $229 on getting in an overflow room!

[Shawn King]

As we've said, people are going to be lined up at all hours - the earlier you line up, the greater your chances of being in the "main room". But, keep in mind, even if you're in the main room, you'll be so far back you'll be watching most of the action on the big screens - just like those in the overflow room.

As to making sure about getting in the room, as I said, the only way to *guarantee* you're in the main room is to be an Apple VIP, a Conference Speaker or Jobs himself.

[John Pastor]

I guess you have a good point there, what's the whole point of getting in the same room as Steve Jobs for a conference attendee, if he or she is going to be watching on the screens anyway? I guess it just depends on how big of an Apple fanboy/girl you are. :-)

The last time I was in the overflow room was in 2005, and it wasn't that bad as many people have described it as.

[Snook]

Ever since priority seating started, the line has been split in 2. The priority pass holders get to line up inside the Moscone center first. After the VIPs and Special Guest are seated, the Priority line is queued up, then the general admittance line is last.

So if you have a priority seating (Super, Platinum) you will be let in first. Its not guaranteed seating. Don't show up at 0859 and expect to be ushered right in. But if you get in line by 0800 you will be seated ahead of general seating.

As a SuperPass holder I usually get there between 0700-0730. I get a seat close to the front of the second section in the main hall. Right near the first row of screens to watch the graphics but still close enough to see Steve in person.

If you do not have Priority seating you need to get there as early as you can stand to get there.

"First in Line" will be there the day before. I used to get there about 0500 and be far back in line (but back then it was the only line) and still got a good seat.

And for everyones sake please do not try to run up the escalators and push past everyone as you get close to the main hall. If you got that far there will be a seat for you. They cut the line off well before that.