This will be my first year at Dragon*Con, and I was wondering if there are any tips to prevent any major breakages on my pack.
We’ve all worked very hard on our props and I’m curious how you prevent any prop shattering.
Thanks!
Haven’t made it to Dragon*con yet, sadly, but the conventions I have attended generally have pretty respectful people who understand the unwritten hands-off policy that comes with expensive props.
At the very least, traveling in groups and the occasional death glare will help, as well.
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only advice I can give is make sure all the stuff on your belt is secure. I had a guy at wondercon this year yank my trap off my belt, ripped the entire bottom clean off. Also watch your clearance with your pack. Sam (A member in our group) constantly knocks his N-filter off) on door jambs, walls, etc..
Yeah, the only trap I have is my Matty, and I am seriously thinking about leaving that at home
This wasn’t the Matty one thank god! one other thing you may want to consider doing is put together a small “repair” kit together to keep in your Car, Room, etc.. that way you can do minor repairs.
Definitely! Epoxy, paint and thread!
Be extremely careful, especially on Saturday. There are tons of close spaces in the D*C hotels that get VERY crowded and tight.
Thanks Brock! I actually thought of the question based on your podcast, since I listened to them all today 
Take your time when walking. Most of the time I’ve noticed when people smack into things is when they’re speed-walking or trying to hurry somewhere. Never try to “squeeze” through a crowd either. If you have to loudly said excuse me or tap them on the shoulder, giving a small hand gesture that you need a little more room (since the halls to get very, very loud).
When I had on someone elses pack for a while I made sure I leisurely strolled around, waiting for big enough openings through people before even trying to squeeze in.
The main way to prevent breakage is to make things sturdy in the first place. Quickie foam-and-cardboard props held together by tape and bubblegum probably won’t even make it to the con much less survive the crowd. I’m not saying you have to pour a solid steel pack and weld it to an alice frame but Murphy’s Law applies doubly to large crowds of drunk fan boys. A little common sense and caution should be all you need.
Awesome! Thanks for listening! Anything we can do to help make your D*C trip better, just let us know.
I’m just so looking forward to PKE surge I can’t control myself, very excited to know what’s gonna happen and the events!!
One thing we made a point of doing in crowds was carrying the wand in our hands. It gives you more clearance and prevents some of the scariest Con moments I’ve had. There have been a few times when someone walked up to me in a crowd and helped themselves to the wand. This usually happened when we were stopped waiting on people or talking to others in front of us. While looking at the pack they go to unholster the wand and try to pull it straight out from the pack instead of in the direction of the v-hook.
I usually keep Superglue, epoxy, and a tiny tool kit in my car at cons just in case. During the last con one of my l brackets stripped so my hex bolt fell out. Luckily I had superglue to put on the bolt, then I screwed it back in, it was a good quick fix. But yeah, just try and keep a little “oh crap!” bag filled with tools, that can fix any minor problems you might encounter.
I have two small camera bags attached to my kidney pad belt (part of the Alice frame). Inside them I carry a mini screw driver with a bunch of different head types and sizes, super glue, electrical tape, and my gerber multi-tool. This can usually cover any on the spot fixes.
The bags are small, and I know they take away from the accuracy of the uniform, but I tend to take a practical approach to some things.
I’m thinking of building a stunt trap to let the kiddies play with.. and by kiddies I mean adults that act like children..
“OH THATS KEWL ITS ONE OF THEM GHOST CATCHING THINGS… OH IT HAS SHINEYS ALL OVER.. I WANNA TOUCH IT..”
I mutter "I got a wand for ya right here… "
Then hand them the stunt trap and smile.
They don’t even announce when they want to touch it, usually. They just grab and pull.
innuendo intended
Story of my life 
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I agree with the previous statement of holding your gun while walking around.
It gives you something to do when taking pictures and it protrudes out enough that the hose gets caught on something ow the gun hits someone.
Be very aware of your surroundings and watch your friends’ back.
A good thing to do I be polite to people. People will be people in regards to grabbing at you and your props.
It really depends on how you want to come across. It’s easy to be a dick and tell people to get out of the way and “don’t touch me”
I’m more on the lines of rolling with it and tell people “whoa be careful with that. You might hurt yourself”
I got your back, bra!