New York
During the U. S. Open, ushers who earn wages per hour guide the affluent attendees
Since fans often must wait until breaks between games to enter, employees in blue shirts have the dicey task of holding them back for several excruciating minutes until play is paused.
Updated 2024-Oct-02 04:34
A woman embraces an usher in a blue shirt at an entryway.
Kevin Roche who is the number 2 seat was seating fans in the Louis Armstrong Stadium s upper deck last week.
He mentioned that he preferred the smaller more intimate setting at Forest Hills. Daniel Murray who is 69 years old remembered that when he first started working at Forest Hills over fifty years ago fans would sit on wooden benches.
He remembered seeing Stan Smith and Jimmy Conners. I always say it s my final year but I keep coming back he said.
Female usher Bridget Hector No. 27 directed latecomers to their seats. Play is starting soon so please take your seat she mentioned.
You have to be firm at times but you can t be rude she added. Certain individuals will constantly debate but ultimately the ticket holds the upper hand.
Arriving late to Arthur Ashe Stadium four cocktail cradling fans waltzed toward their courtside U. S.Open seats like it was an extended happy hour. Then they ran into Edwin Westley. Mr. Westley 80 a veteran usher explained politely but firmly that no one gets to their place without showing their tickets.
And no one can walk up to a courtside seat in the middle of a game lest they distract the players. The four fans groused but everyone even the rich and famous follow the rules at Mr.Westley’s gate. Mr. Westley who has been working the Open for 20 years maneuvered them into their seats wiping them first with his green rag unperturbed at the fans’ grumblings.
It just rolls off your back he said pocketing the rag. A sense of humor works too. For two weeks a year a narrow slice of New York’s power structure is upended as fashionable and soignée fans tramp out to Queens where they fall under the direction of New Yorkers who are barely making minimum wage.
No one wants to get kicked out of a place they’re paying $1 000 a ticket to be in so most fans don’t want to escalate things said another usher Jason Ashby 36 from the Bronx.
He is one of several hundred people who work long hours directing and seating ticket holders in the lower sections of Ashe as well as Louis Armstrong Stadium and several smaller courts at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens.
The ushers are easily spotted in their blue polo shirts and white caps which bear a patch indicating their seniority.
With 20 years Mr. Westley is number 13 for example and Mr. Ashby with three years is number 52.
The tournament s heart and soul stated Mr. Ittleson leader of a charitable organization. Some ushers have been working since the tournament was held at Forest Hills until its relocation in 1978.Patrick Tarantino holds the highest seniority having met Arthur Ashe as a child when his father worked as an usher at Forest Hills.
Photo of Anthony Sparacino usher No. 12 is now a recognizable figure for dedicated fans. According to ImageNema Arnold the fans could potentially be in charge outside of the stadium.
However all individuals must adhere to the regulations internally. Tony Ittleson a frequent customer gave Mr.Westley a tip for seating him in his usual box near the court praising the Open for its ushers with deep knowledge of the sport and familiar faces.
She noticed a supporter showing a ticket on their phone.
