Line management suggestions?

[legendsofthefog]

we are setting up our midway and we are trying to figure out how to set up our line, is there a rule of thumb for calculating people per square feet? Once we get our midway in place, we won't have a lot of room to make last minute changes.

Last year, on our biggest night, we had to go out and add 7-8 rows of line roping to fit everyone... we are trying to avoid that this season.

any suggestions?

[legendsofthefog]

Answering my own question...

(I'm just updating old posts that I've asked questions on... and found answers the hard way) We pulled an average of square feet/person for our lines. Our rows are 4' wide, and people stand in bunches. I think we could do better line management if people are in a single file line at 2, or 2.5' wide. But we figure that each guest will take approx 8 square feet. Sounds high... but do the math.

[Jim Warfield]

When Figuring

Did you allow for that personal space zone where people feel comfortable being around , but not mushed together?
Then there are the clearances allowed for gas passing, spitting chewing tobbacco, bending over to tie one's shoes(looking up a skirt while you're down there?)
"Take him away officer!" Now there's more room in the line!
Do you have any overhead protection at all incase of rain?
I usually put up a 20 by 10 tent and build solid side walls for it, this holds just enough bodies who are waiting for the next time the door opens. I build the walls using solid pallets all screwed together since this all is in a parking lot. Maybe it gives some better protection from wreckless driving?