What is the strategy where Mall Police and Apple stores do not allow lines for the iPhone to form till 4 AM. What should I do? get there how long before?
OK, serious answer. If the mall was semi-organized, they'll have a single entrance designated as the line-up entrance. A line will be marked and security will monitor the line for issues. At a specific time, the line will be let in and escorted to the Apple Store inside the mall.
There are way too many opportunities for litigation for the mall to let it be a free-for-all (like WalMart a few years ago with the Black Friday stampede).
My recommendation is to drive to the mall a few hours before the designated time. If mall security lets you park, fine. If not, circle the parking lot and avoid the rent-a-cops. They may even have the entrances to the parking lot blocked, so circle the neighborhood like lions stalking a wounded gazelle.
Move fast, don't be afraid to elbow your way in front of people, bribe your largest scariest looking friend (better if they look like an angry biker) to be your "muscle".
I usually am always the largest scariest looking friend....
I usually am always the largest scariest looking friend....
I usually am always the largest scariest looking friend....