I've only been at 2 GA's, my first U2 concert experience in 1993 the Stockhom stadium in which after waiting all day in the pouring rain got right by the rail on the left hand side of the catwalk and the Slane gig in 2001 which was all 'GA' but my friend and I decided to stay well back.
This time I got 3 GA for Berlin and have evey intention of getting into 'shape' and on the rail!
The one tip I can give is bring plastic disposible raincoats with you, the kind that fit in your pocket, don't bother with umbrellas, coz as a few have already pointed out, they get taken away from you, even if your're in the seating section! And bring as many as you can, 5-6 to share with anyone around you who might be in need.
If you're like me and have a bit of a weak bladder keep, keep your liquid intake to as little as possible. Bring drink that's in easy to dispose of containers.
Where ever possible, go to the loo before you get into the venue.
But if that's not possible, make sure you secure your spot first, and if you're with friends, have them save your position whilst you go is search of a loo and vice versa.
Bring only the amount of food that you know you'll be able to eat before getting in and wrap it in a paper bag, or eco friendly plastic bag. Also make sure the food isn't anything that melts, wilts or goes off easily, sandwiches with butter, lettuce etc. Meatpasties are good also fruits such as oranges and apples are the best, especially if you peel and cut them up ready. Again bring enough to share.
A few others have mentioned this, but I'll repeat bring something to sit on, the best being a small plastic bag containing a thin but warm coat to wear after the gig, coz it might be hot summers day or even if it's been raining, but after you've been surrounded by thousands of people and their body heat, you'll be feeling the cold of the evening air!
Also if you choose to wear sandles, take some socks to put on after the gig. It may not be cool to wear socks with sandles but at least you'll have warm feet!
And finally bring two small bags, one a small purse that you can either wear over your head and arm or around your waist for all your important stuff like tickets, money, cellphone/camera pastport etc. and a small backpack containing all the other stuff I mentioned above.
How much does it affect where you'll be? I think I could convince them to get there really early, but I would have to know that it does make the difference.
except that SUCKS!!! You also sometimes risk escalating things to the level where bad security throws you out too. Ugh.
