Tips for attending training camp

Tipping is geting out of hand. Pay with cash.

Bring something to get signed. It's HOT. You don't necessarily need to get there early, but (at least in years past) they make you park at Zephyr field and take a shuttle. You'll get a bleacher seat somewhere, and may actually be better to get there after start so you'll be there for autograph time if you don't think he'll make the whole thing.

Turn in for parking at Zephyr field (Shrine on Airline) off of Airline Dr. via Deputy James Clarius Drive and you will be quickly directed by signs and attendants to free parking in Lot B. Park and follow the signs to lot C for the shuttles or instead walk to the practice field if you want to get there early for a good seat. There are several busses to shuttle fans, but they sit there full for a long time before bringing a load to the gates every so often.

We got there today about 30 mins before the gates opened (8:15 am) and were in the 1st 2 busloads of fans shuttled to the gates. Once we realized that you could walk to the practice field after about 20+ minutes of sitting in the bus, we just decided to stay put and got there just after the gates opened. We walked back to our vehicle afterwards and beat all the busses lined up at the gates to shuttle back to the parking area. It takes about 10 minutes to walk at a leisurely pace and a good portion of the paved path is shaded with trees.

We sat in the smaller VIP bleacher section as there was no attendant checking passes or credentials for entry today and it was all general admission. That put us nearest to the middle of the practice field as possible. All the bleachers are covered with misting fans to cool off the crowd. The only thing edible/drinkable that they'll let enter the gates is a bottle of water. There are concessions stands with snacks and drinks at surprisingly affordable prices just after you enter the gates. I got two 20 oz. Gatorades and a bottle of water for just over $7. No cash accepted though, cards only.

If he wants to get a piece of memorabilia or item autographed, I recommend getting there early and sitting low so that when practice is over, you are first up to the fence to be as near the players as possible. The only bad thing you'll have to put up with if sitting on the front row is people walking in front of you and sometimes the support staff, police and press members blocking your view to the action on the field during the practice.

It's a crapshoot whose autograph you'll get in one specific area as the players spread out along the entire fence and only sign for a while before heading inside with their gear. Someone suggested that they would go nearest to where players walk off the field to go inside the Oschners Performance Center building and get more that way, but I didn't see them having any more luck today in that area than we had on the 50 yd line.

You could also sign your grandson up for a membership to the Saints kids club for $50 at the booth behind the bleachers along the Airline Dr. side of the practice field. After the practice those kids got to go out on the field and had easier access to more players for pictures, autographs etc.

I do not recommend getting there late on purpose unless you want to stand the entire time. You might also not get a spot under the covered area as well if you go that route. There seemed to be a good bit more fans today than bleacher seats available and they were crowded in the walkways between bleacher sections as police security did not allow them standing in front of the bleachers near the fence.

Some good info here in this article and here in another older article that describes a local family's experience. Lastly but not least, have fun and enjoy your time together and the memories made as you and your grandson join in the sure to happen "who dat say dey gonna beat dem saints!" chants.