Screwdrivers were out in full force yesterday as fans scrambled to install Jets plates on their vehicles.

“I would guess about six to seven people were there waiting to come in,” said Lee Huys, a supervisor at MIG Insurance on Portage Avenue.

MIG Insurance, like all agents in Winnipeg, were issued 50 plates. Agents in outlying areas of the city got 40, and rural agents only 10.

Huys said they were sold out by 11 a.m., but not before Jim Rutledge got his hands on a set.

“Over a month ago I saw it on the news and circled my calendar and here I am,” he said as he replaced Bomber plates with his shiny new $70 purchase.

John Jupin was not so lucky. “I guess I could try other Autopac agents,” said Jupin, who tried and failed to get Jets season tickets. “I got to get the plate and support them that way at least.”

About 100 reorder requests from agents were called in by 3 p.m., MPI spokesperson Brian Smiley said.

He said half of the 20,000 plates were sent to agents before the launch, and more could be made, depending on demand.

Step up to the plate ‘just don’t steal it

Wild tales of Winnipeg Blue Bomber plates being stolen on a regular basis turn out to be just that ‘ wild tales.

A Freedom of Information request shows that of 8,100 Bomber plates issued, only 11 replacement requests were made to MPI as of Nov. 28. Of those, only three complainants said the plates were stolen.

Nevertheless, Bud Bibeau, who works in the automotive department at Canadian Tire on St. James Street, said the store has been selling so many anti-theft bolts that a basket of them was placed next to each till.

“Everyone is scared somebody’s going to steal their plate,” Bibeau said.