Resident gate rain policy
 

This is not a big deal but it can be annoying when it's raining (especially a downpour) and I have to lower my window to scan my gate card. Then, as the contents of my door pocket get soaked, the attendant opens the visitor side and waves at the car passing through . The Morse gate attendants almost always open it for you as you approach but the Sunset Pointe gate attendants almost never do (at least during the afternoon hours). Before I call to request a courtesy policy of raising the gates during a rain for each car after we first stop at the gate, does anyone know if there is any such policy in place?

Without trying to sound like a wise guy, I would, and do, use the visitors gate.

I don't know about policies. Most of the time the gate attendants in Hillsborough open the gates when it is raining. Although I find this a courteous act and very much appreciate the attendant going out of his/her way, someone on TOTV will complain the attendants don't do enough or shouldn't do it for security reasons. Pretty much can't win for losing.

this would be on page 36 of the list of improvements needed in TV.

Its on page 58

There is no reason to not use the visitor gate. If fact, when traffic builds up in the residents lane and it's not raining it's still OK to use the visitors lane. Just be careful when pulling through the gate. If the other gate is also open pay attention to the car in that lane and the golf carts too. It's not a race.

Some, not all, of the gates will read your card from inside the car. I know the one at Belevedere does. The one at St. James doesn't.

What she says. But ya hafta snuggle up.

I am with You on this.

Lived in Villages dang near six years and ALWAYS use the Visitor Gate,
EVERY time I go thru a manned gate. ( Yes, I have a Gate Card )

Do not like opening my window and then having to merge back
into the main lane to use the Resident Gates.

HOWEVER, coming from Colony North on Morse,
when going into the First ODell gate, the Dark haired
male (from noon to 6 PM) will MAKE the VISITOR lane
WAIT until ALL of RESIDENT line up is thru and even make
Visitor wait IF a Resident is just coming around the corner from Morse.

He must think Residents have special privileges on these PUBLIC ROADS.

I agree with Bonanza. You would think that The Villages would at least be state of the art on something like this. They cut corners on quality and a myriad of other things, but this would be a quality of life item they could brag about, which is something they savor.

??????Boy Howdy!!!

Please list all of the things that they cut corners on in quality.


Maybe we can meet at the Eisenhower center and you can point some things out.

Plus, when have you ever heard THEM bragging about anything?? A SALES PRESENTATION isn't supposed to be negative and that's just business.

They gave me a 3 button remote at closing. The middle one opens by big garage door, and the one on the right opens my smaller garage door. It would be cool if the one on the left opened the gate to my village. But that's a first world problem so I won't worry about it.

:loco:The other day I mistakenly thought I was at one of the gates that you didn't have to wave your magic card at and went past the magic card box. When I tried to go back there were a few cars behind me. Sooo not wanting to hold up traffic further to get out of my car and walk back to the box, I waved my magic card to the attendant in the Magic castle and thought she'd see it and open the gate. She didn't, so in a sweet apologizing tone I asked "can you open the gate", but the Magic Card Kingdom Queen held up not only my lane but the other one, which is now backing up as well. With her stop sign in one hand and her other hand on the button. She decided to take the time to tell me that I needed to use my card at the magic box. Yes, I said, can you open the gate? "You need to know what you did wrong" shouts the all powerful Queen. Seeing where this was going and the traffic back up is getting dangerously close to the roundabout, Smiling I looked at her and said in a sweet tone "can you open the gate"? Finally the gate opened and I was allowed enter the kingdom and advance to the next level of roundabouts and gates and continue my adventure. I can't wait to see what happens here when the percentage of us who are destined to lose our wit reach that stage. Why wait, I'm going to start practicing now.:D

I found that by just lowering the window enough to stick the card out the window seems to work.

There's one of those nasty women at the Morse northbound gate at 466. Thick northeastern accent and nasty!!! Not a typical Villager working at the gates. Most are nice.

I read you post all the way through and it appears that you forgot the magic word - "please"!

[quote=Pointer;934379]:loco:The other day I mistakenly thought I was at one of the gates that you didn't have to wave your magic card at and went past the magic card box. When I tried to go back there were a few cars behind me. Sooo not wanting to hold up traffic further to get out of my car and walk back to the box, I waved my magic card to the attendant in the Magic castle and thought she'd see it and open the gate. She didn't, so in a sweet apologizing tone I asked "can you open the gate", but the Magic Card Kingdom Queen held up not only my lane but the other one, which is now backing up as well. With her stop sign in one hand and her other hand on the button. She decided to take the time to tell me that I needed to use my card at the magic box. Yes, I said, can you open the gate? "You need to know what you did wrong" shouts the all powerful Queen. Seeing where this was going and the traffic back up is getting dangerously close to the roundabout, Smiling I looked at her and said in a sweet tone "can you open the gate"? Finally the gate opened and I was allowed enter the kingdom and advance to the next level of roundabouts and gates and continue my adventure. I can't wait to see what happens here when the percentage of us who are destined to lose our wit reach that stage. Why wait, I'm going to start practicing now.:D[


We have all done this. All of us. It would have been faster to put the car in park, get out scan the card and continue on.

"Open the Pod Bay Door Hal". I'm sorry Dave that would jepordize the mission and I'm afraid I can't let that happen.

I'm sorry for your inconvenience but I have another concern. My concern is when the gates are left up during rainstorms us folks that are in our golf carts are at risk.You see the primary reason for these gates is for golf carts & cars to coexist in this community with the decreased chance for an accident.I know cars have the advantage and carts should always yield but when the gates are left up especially in the rain visibility decreases & the probability of a tragic accident increases.

I absolutely agree Bonanza!!!

:mademyday:....love it!!!

In my Miata I go under it:loco:

Excellent point. I say keep the gates closed. My sister has a transducer that she puts on her visor and when she approaches the gate the gates open. That would be the smart way to avoid having to open your window every time you need to get through a resident gate.

how much more per month are residents willing to pay to not have to lower the window........while non residents just push the button and go for free?

My vote....none! In fact I would be looking to automate as much of the system as possible to reduce current operations and maintenance.

This will become a more real decision as TV builds out and expenses continue to mount and amenity fees will have to be raised.....because the developer will no longer be in the equation to subsidize operations as they do today.

Wattayawant....it's only money!!

I found this thread interesting.....I have been here in The Villages for 3 years, and have never thought too much about using my gate card in the rain. After all, there are MANY gates without a person at the gatehouse, so you have to use your cart for entry (or push the red button to speak to an attendant).

So what if our arm gets wet? It's rain! It's ok! You will dry off sooner or later!
:wave:

Amen, cquick! Years ago invested in a set of rain guards on all car windows - best investment ever - have put them on all cars since the first one! Keeps me and the car interior dry when it's raining and I can still enjoy fresh air with the window open someshat.

It would be nice if SunPass ran the gates - without the fee.

Does window tinting make a difference? I could* sit there like a nitwit waving my card from behind the window and getting bupkas, but the same gate works for my brother-in-law in his car.

* And have!

OMG! Please, really?

I thought that was why they have a resident gate and visitor gate.....those in the visitor lane should wait for the resident line considering those public roads go through the dome which is where we choose to live and pay. There should be some consideration for residents, even if it is this small. I also agree we could get rid of the stupid card....the technology for a bar code reader has been around a long time and most communities with gates have them.

Funny, Halibut. I've never thought of that. Our cars are from up north, and they don't allow tinting of front door windows in MI.

Oh brother....
 

Another person who can't handle a little power, being a gate guard. Sorry that happened to you.:police:

Why do I not run into nasty people like this gate keeper?

Hmmmm

Pointer waved his card, no result, He yelled Can you open the gate...more time. He waited , she yelled at him, more time the gate was opened. If he got out and scanned it himself it would have been faster.

I have a witness who will verify what she shouted and that she was annoyed.

The point is Gracie that I obviously already knew that I blew it, was embarrassed, showed her my card and asked nicely, not once but three times before the gate was opened. I didn't need to be chastised and the other cars didn't need to be held up while she made her point to further humiliate me.

"Just open the pod bay doors Hal" My goodness can't one make a mistake without being publicly chastised. You'll note that I didn't say which gate it was or what time. I wouldn't do that to her.

You are right JoMar!!....this is the answer to this entire thread....at least IMHO!!!

Gracie what is your problem? You weren't there and you are reading an awful lot into it. She had her finger on the button, it was an exchange of words who is to say which would have taken longer, I had no idea there would be a problem pushing a button, and rather then accepting what I thought was a funny posting you have decided to make me feel like I need to defend myself for it. Really has no one ever had a cranky day with you? I wasn't being cranky, or unpleasant, found the humor in it and posted to join in the conversation. So lighten up. PLEASE? :loco: