Only had one pin that was tight to get in on our new Croyde last weekend and the Cross method worked a treat.
They were hellish tight to get out though, found the best method (after loosening all the tension straps first!) is to push the pole inwards slightly to relieve the tension a bit, the pin then comes out quite easily!
------------- May 2015 - Arrow Bank 4 nights
July 2015 - Manorafon 4 nights
August 2015 - Piccadilly Caravan park 3 nights
August 2015 - Wheal Rodney 11 nights
I kind of tried it with fibreglass ones this weekend just gone.
Didn't really work. But I didn't try very hard because I was scared of breaking something.
When me and hubby are doing it together, I do my side first, so it's easy, then he does his side. That seems to work pretty well.
(What works even better is him doing nothing, and my five year old son helping me - that's the fastest I've ever put it up, but don't tell him that!)
When I take down a tunnel style tent I usually remove all the guys and pegs first, except perhaps the 4 corners if it is a windy day, and let the tent poles collapse like a pram hood. The pins should then come out of the poles with ease but always be careful when releasing fibreglass poles as they can suddenly spring straight and may cause injury...stand on the inner side of the curve so they spring away from you.