ErictheRed wrote on 06/09/14 at 01:03:58:
I admit that in Europe things might be different, as many more people would use public transportation, but I'd guess that 99% of Americans would either leave it in their hotel room or lock the phone in their car. No players would be inconvenienced.
In fact, most nicer hotels or conference centers (where many tournaments are held) have safes that you can check valuables into for free, anyway.
99% sounds very high to me. I don't have a car, and I frequently choose some other, less expensive accomodation a bit further from the playing hall; that way I can often afford two tournaments "for the price of one".
Sure, many tournaments are played in nice hotels, but sports halls, town halls, and schools are also commonly used in Europe.
If safe storage proves too difficult or costly for organizers, maybe they could at least provide a phone for players to use after their game has finished, to get in touch with family or friends and schedule dinner, analysis sessions etc. Payphones are mostly a thing of the past.
This would still be inconvenient for someone coming straight from work and going home after the game using public transport, walking or cycling; a fairly typical club chess situation. But I guess clubs could be less strict on the no phones-policy than bigger tournaments.