Readers Say

Readers are not happy with TD Garden’s new bag policy

"What’s the point of having a bag if it’s too small to fit anything in it?"

The security check stations at TD Garden. Jim Davis/Boston Globe

February 23, 2024

5 minutes to read

A new bag policy implemented by TD Garden over the weekend has sparked backlash from social media users and Boston.com readers.

The policy states that only bags smaller than 6 inches x 4 inches x 1.5 inches will be allowed into the arena and that these bags do not need to be clear. The new policy was created to “ensure safety and a swifter entry process,” according to a press release.

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Bags that come with purchases from Boston ProShop are the only other bags allowed inside, according to the policy.

“We are re-enforcing the NHL and NBA’s ‘no bag policy’, but as always, allow exceptions to this policy for diaper bags, medical bags and breast pumps/bags,” TD Garden said in an email statement.

Non-compliant bags can be stored in a mobile locker onsite for $15, according to the TD Garden website.

We asked readers about their thoughts on the restrictions and, of the 429 who voted, 89% said that the new bag policy is “ridiculous.”

“Given the technology available now, this seems like overkill,” said reader Neil from Uxbridge. “If you need to screen someone because they have too much stuff, just screen them. Most people understand.”

What do you think about the new bag policy at TD Garden?

I agree with the change.

It's ridiculous.

90%

403

It doesn't really matter to me.

Some readers, like Anna S., say that the new policies reflect the need for safety protocols in the space.

“There is a valid reason for such strict measures,” she said. “People should be grateful they are being kept safe.”

Others say that it’s not the policy that’s the problem, but the lack of publicity about it, with Laura M. from Waltham saying that “being caught off guard with no warning is more the issue than the size of the bag.”

Still, those who said that the new bag policy is ridiculous were specifically worried about how it will affect women, disabled individuals, and people who take medication. Read on to see how readers responded.

Some quotes have been edited for length and clarity.

‘A rule that disproportionately impacts women’

“A ‘bag’ with those dimensions won’t even hold my phone, let alone other things I would need to carry (including menstrual products, an inhaler, keys, etc.). And it’s not like women’s clothing contains enough functional pockets to carry these necessary items either. I get wanting to limit bag size, but those dimensions are ridiculous.” — A Boston.com reader

“This policy penalizes women for carrying in personal items that can’t be put into the teeny tiny pockets that clothing companies put into women’s clothes (if they include any pockets at all).” — Monica E., Wakefield

“Clear bags should be allowed. Women do not have pants pockets, either at all of big enough to hold a phone, keys/fob, credit card and feminine hygiene products. $15 to hold a bag is a scam. Some venues have size limits unless the bag is clear.” — Stephanie, Braintree

“People who make bag policies should be forced to explain to a teenage girl how she can discreetly carry tampons, panty liners, inhaler, and epipen along with keys, money, cell phone, chapstick. Also, have you seen girls’ clothes? None of the pockets are big enough for any of this, let alone all of it. Clearly the policymakers are middle-aged men with ZERO health problems, moms, sisters, daughters etc.” — CC, Lowell

‘What about kids or adults that need to bring medications?’

“My son has the need to carry emergency medicine that could fit in the requested bag – but nothing else would! The medicine doesn’t come in its own bag, so we’re not permitted a larger bag. How can I choose between his seizure medication and my phone/wallet when only one of these fits? Should he, a 5 year old, be responsible for his own bag and emergency medicine so I can have a second for our other essentials? This is the same choice forced on anyone with similarly sized medication like an epi-pen. Ridiculous.” — Jess, Melrose

“As a female, disabled woman who usually has to take medication during these events: this is horrifying. In a bag that small, how am I supposed to pack an Always pad, 2,000mg of seizure medications and a large screen phone used for adaptability? What if I need to have my sublingual medication with me as well? Am I supposed to use the next-to-non-existant pockets in my jeans? We haven’t even gotten to debit cards, cash, or IDs.” — Elizabeth, Worcester

“What about kids or adults that need to bring medications to take? You want to require everyone to announce medical issues or check tampons or medication into a locker, which I have to leave my seat and go to a dark place before going to the bathroom? So you want no women, no people with medical needs and no kids who parents have to bring things for. Really, TD, discriminate much?” — CM, Georgetown

“My kiddos need inhalers with a chamber and both DO NOT FIT!!! I agree with a comment stating you can bring a carry-on to your airplane but a SIMPLE belt bag/fanny pack is too large? And $15?! This is disgraceful. I work at Gillette and their bag policy allows a clear belt bag that fits our needs…#whatthebeep!” — Sally, Wrentham

‘Obvious money grab’

“It disproportionately effects women and extorts $15 from them. People are already paying WAY TOO MUCH just to enter the door for events (for example, my family of three would have had to pay no less than $375 for nose bleed seats at Monday’s B’s game) and I don’t see any reasonable rationale for this extreme restriction other than extorting money from fans.” — Brianna S., Newburyport

“It is bad enough that the ticket prices just to get into see most Garden events are outrageous. Add parking fees and now this? I see this as one more way for TD Garden to make money, especially if you are charging $15.00 for a locker.” I also see this policy as totally against women — the majority of the population that carry purses and totes into the Garden. Very sexist.” — Colleen M., Marlborough

“Money grab, lazy and pointless policy with the tech they have already.” — Owen K., Lowell

“This seems like a convenient and obvious money grab: Arbitrarily make bag sizes so small so as to essentially require most attendees to pay an extra $15 for the luxury of renting a locker, when the ticket prices are already high enough. My wife has a very small crossbody bag which barely can hold a phone and that is now too big. This seems like an easy way to profit off the ticket-paying public, by nickel-and-diming them because they have more than a de minimis size bag. The mobile lockers should be free or have a minimal rental fee, if this is truly being done to protect the public.” — Brandon, Boston

Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.