USATODAY.com News [expanded by feedex.net]: Web ticket prices increase drastically for final launch

USATODAY.com News [expanded by feedex.net] USATODAY.com News Web ticket prices increase drastically for final launch 23 Jun 2011, 6:45 pm Web ticket prices increase drastically for final launch CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — John Milleker was so disheartened when he saw the prices listed on eBay for tickets to the last shuttle launch that he decided not to travel to Florida to watch the final liftoff. Rik Jesse, FLORIDA TODAY Spectators at Jetty Park in Port Canaveral line the shoreline to watch the May 14, 2010, launch of space shuttle Atlantis. Rik Jesse, FLORIDA TODAY Spectators at Jetty Park in Port Canaveral line the shoreline to watch the May 14, 2010, launch of space shuttle Atlantis. Packages of tickets are being offered for as high as $5,000 on certain websites. That dwarfs the $20 to $65 each that Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex sold them for. "Seeing how people were treating history put a bad taste in our mouth," said Milleker, an IT manager from Baltimore who became enamored with space flight after watching Atlantis launch last year during a NASA Tweetup event. While a shuttle launch can be seen for free at beaches and other spots around Kennedy Space Center, tickets for a closer view have been in high demand for the final flights. At one point, people trying to buy tickets from the Visitor Complex's website overwhelmed its servers -- and forced staffers to take a different approach. For the last four missions, tickets have been sold through a lottery system, spokeswoman Andrea Farmer said. Twice the number of people registered for the chance to buy tickets to the final launch of Atlantis on July 8, compared with the previous launch, Farmer said. She declined to say how many registered or the number of tickets sold. Almost instantly, purchased tickets were listed on eBay and other sites. "It's out of our hands," said Farmer, adding that it's not against Florida law. Karen Spitzer and her husband were among those who sold tickets online. The Parkland, Fla., couple sought tickets for the NASA Causeway, which is the closest viewing spot for the general public. But the only available tickets when she went online were for the Visitor's Complex. "We have three kids and they're young," Spitzer said. "To be in that mess of cars and people would be a nightmare. For the best viewing, we would do it. But since we didn't get that, we figured we would take our chances (and sell them)." Spitzer declined to say how much they sold the tickets for. Not all online sellers appear to be individuals who decided against using their own tickets, however. In response to a complaint on Twitter that one individual appeared to be selling at least 45 tickets online -- the maximum number anyone could purchase was six -- staff at the Visitor's Complex said there was nothing that prevents ticket holders from selling them. "It might be a ticket broker," the Visitor's Complex responded on Twitter. "From what we can tell, they are in contact with numerous individuals who have purchased tickets." Farmer warned anyone looking to buy tickets through a third party to make sure the package includes a vehicle placard, which is needed to pass security checkpoints. "It is frustrating," said Jeanne Sutton of Jacksonville. "You put in for the lottery because you want to go yourself, and there are people who win the lottery and they sell them for outrages prices." You are receiving this email because you subscribed to this feed at blogtrottr.com. If you no longer wish to receive these emails, you can unsubscribe from this feed.