Greg Packer

Gregory F. Packer
Born (1963-12-18) December 18, 1963 (age 60)
Huntington, New York
NationalityAmerican
OccupationHighway maintenance worker
Years active1995–present
Known forBeing quoted as a "man on the street"

Gregory F. Packer (born December 18, 1963), is a retired[1] American highway maintenance worker from Huntington, New York, best known for frequently being quoted as a "man on the street" in newspapers, magazines and television broadcasts from 1995 to the present. He has been quoted in hundreds of articles and television broadcasts as a member of the public (that is, a "man on the street" rather than a newsmaker or expert). Although he always gives his real name, he has admitted to making things up to get into the paper.[2][3]

Packer's status as a frequent interviewee is due to a number of factors, including seeking out members of the press and appearing friendly, although mostly it is due to his hobby of attending public appearances of celebrities and other media events and attempting to be first in line on such occasions. This has led to him being dubbed a professional line sitter.[4] It has also led to Packer's other claim to fame: being the first person in the world to buy an iPhone, on June 29, 2007 at Apple Fifth Avenue in New York City, after having camped out for five days in front of the store.[5][6] (He tried to similarly be the first to buy an iPad in 2010,[7] but was bumped from the first position in line due to not having a reservation.)[4] His efforts to be first in line have also allowed him to meet people including Mariah Carey, Garth Brooks, Dennis Rodman and Ringo Starr, as well as at least four presidents of the United States: Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush[2] and (before he became president) Donald Trump.[8]

  1. ^ Watson, Andrew David (2013-09-04). "The Most Quoted Man In News". The New Yorker.
  2. ^ a b "Greg Packer Is the 'Man on the Street'". Archived from the original on 2016-01-21. Retrieved 2023-09-16.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)|
  3. ^ Epstein, Reid J. (2002-07-07). "First in line guy: Obsession or art form?". Columbia News Service. Archived from the original on 2002-12-01. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  4. ^ a b Kahney, Leander (2010-04-03). "Professional Line Sitter Greg Packer Bumped From Front Of iPad Queue". Cult of Mac. Archived from the original on 2015-11-30. Retrieved 2015-11-30.
  5. ^ Blass, Evan (2007-06-28). "iLoser Retains Place in Line, Crisis Averted". Engadget. Retrieved 2008-12-08.
  6. ^ Hankin, Aaron (June 25, 2019). "Three Companies the iPhone Killed". Investopedia.
  7. ^ Frucci, Adam (2010-04-01). "Oh for God's Sake, Not Him Again". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2010-04-01.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Donald Trump escribe was invoked but never defined (see the help page).