Unfortunately for you - probably not.

"First come, first serve" is not the same as what you are talking about. You feel as if you should be able to make it in every session possible just because you put in the time to wait in line? (I am assuming that is what you mean) VMware doesn't feel the same way in my opinion based on past VMworld experience ... they would rather see as many people as possible making 2 lab sessions. IF there are open spots that go unfilled by people not using their 2 lab sessions, only then would someone getting their 3rd (or more) lab in get a spot in the class.

Let me paint the picture as if you have never been to VMworld and never seen how they do it:

For every lab, there will be two lines:

(1) People who are signed up for the lab.
(2) People who are not signed up and are waiting for an open spot.

When the lab opens, the people who are signed up will be scanned in to the classroom. (handheld RF scanners will scan your badge and record your attendance) If you are not really signed up for the class, they will ask you to get in the other line or they will ask you to stand to the side.

The people in the second line will continue to stand there while people trickle into class. Only signed-up people will be allowed in until the very end.

When it is time for class to begin, they count the empty seats. Lets say there are 5 empty seats. They will start scanning the folks in the second line and if you have not been in 2 labs already, you will be let in and this will count towards your 2 labs quota. If you have already been to 2 labs, they will ask you to stand to the side until they get everyone in who has NOT been to two labs. So, you see that if you have been to two labs already, you are at the very end of the pecking order for classroom labs.

This is the way they have done it the last 2 years and I don't know why they would change now? I'm not saying I agree with it but I'm just saying this is how it is done. I made it to 4 labs last year and I was turned away from one because there was not enough seats.

In addition to all of the seats where labs are conducted, they usually have a row or two of "audit" seats ... 10-12 seats? These seats do not get manuals or lab materials and they only sit and listen but it is better than nothing. I saw SRM last year this way. (I think?)

Anyway, just wanted to let you know that "first come first serve" does not really give you an accurate description of what you will see while waiting to get in the line in labs.

Best of luck ... these labs are wildly popular and there will be a lot of people waiting. As the conference comes to a close on Thursday you will see more people blowing out of there early and goofing off and less people waiting in lines. Also the first labs on day 2 and 3 seem to be a little lighter. I waited in line just about every possible moment I was able to. Grab a coffee, bring a book, iPod ir laptop and start camping. See you there!

Rob