[Nomex undies and firesuit on in preparation for the flames]
When I was in the military, there was a saying: "There's always that 10 percent that doesn't get the word." At SW, it was more like 50 percent. It was a major aggravation. Out of frustration, I started getting shots of the more blatant "impolite" people. (Impolite is like calling Atilla the Hun a fun-loving guy on a horse.)
SCTA provided a "Spectators' Triangle" that was supposed to allow non-credentialed photogs to get a chance to place themselves in such a way as to get a decent shot of the cars/trucks/bikes leaving the line. Only one problem. After the first half of the first day (more or less) it was largely ignored. There were several of us who tried to herd the sheeple (particularly those without vests) back behind the line, but with very little success. I've attached a photo of one of the more blatant examples. In that shot is a woman kneeling down to get the what in her mind must be the only photo of the Speed Demon as it started an aborted record return...there was that little problem with that pesky cockpit hatch cover latch and the run was aborted before the 2. Anyway, I (along with others) tried to shoo people back where they belonged, but her reply was very blonde-like (she must dye her hair): "It's ok. I know the driver."
The second attached photo shows a guy who took particular exception to my efforts to get him back to the 45 degree line. He asked if I was in charge of all the photographers in a tone of voice that suggested that I'd insulted his royal personage by a mere commoner requesting one of the royal family to scrub a toilet. That one really pissed me off, so I showed Jim Jensen and Ron Jolliffe the shot of him and the female videographer within 10 feet of the car on either side. At first, Jim didn't believe me...but his eyebrows raised significantly when he saw the image on the LCD of the camera.
In spite of all our efforts, there was zero crowd control...except for the Turbinator's last run. And after the official had moved all the vested photogs back, the amateurs moved in. The reason we were moved back was to keep us out of the danger of the turbine exhaust. Too bad none of the amateurs' hair got toasted off.
Several of the more experienced photographers have discussed the possibility of a 2-tier credentialing format. Those who have been around for a while and know what to do and what not to do could, after approval, act as assistant course officials to help SCTA with the situation with newbies and tourists, etc. I hope it gets some momentum and goes somewhere. Tony and Chick Huntimer have offered to do what they can to start the ball rolling. If possible, let's stand behind 'em (at a 45 degree angle, of course) and see if we can offer a solution rather than just complaining.
Last thing. I just put my photos from SW on my server and added a section to illustrate the point:
http://www.chevyasylum.com/lsr/bsf2013/01-sw/03-badmanners/Welcome.html I realize that some of the photos in that group are possibly marginal as far as violations of media guidelines...but they serve the purpose of demonstrating that no one was trying to do anything about it...except for a few of us.