Posted on 08/23/2015 12:59:30 AM PDT by Enlightened1
from the more-hassle,-same-safety dept
Thanks to a string of theater-related tragedies, going to the theater is about to become as enjoyable as going to the airport.
Following two recent deadly incidents at movie theatres in the US, the Regal Entertainment Group – the nation’s largest movie theater chain – this week added a bag and purse check policy as a security measure in some of the 569 theaters it operates.
“Security issues have become a daily part of our lives in America. Regal Entertainment Group wants our customers and staff to feel comfortable and safe when visiting or working in our theatres,” the chain said in a statement.
This may sound like a harmless bit of "doing something" in response to a few tragic incidents, but there's nothing really harmless about it.
First off, it subjects everyone to the same level of scrutiny -- provided they're carrying a bag of some sort. If you have a purse or backpack or (god forbid) a fanny pack, you're a potential threat. Everyone else? Free to go. Weapons tucked into waistbands or shoved into pockets will go undetected.
And, like the TSA its emulating, the security measures will be easily thwarted and ultimately useless. For every weapon the TSA brags about seizing, many more end up on planes. A recent audit of the TSA's security efforts found it missed 95% of smuggled weapons and explosives. Anyone thinking Regal's security force is going to be better trained and more thorough than the TSA is kidding themselves.
Like the TSA's efforts, this will give moviegoers the illusion of safety, rather than actual safety. An illusion might be comforting enough for most moviegoers and it's all Regal can actually offer. This move is more about PR than reality.
(Excerpt) Read more at techdirt.com ...
If you want to see a massive drop off in the movie goers, then this is a great way to do it.
What exactly were you expecting the Regal Entertainment Group to do about the border?
Who still pays $50 to drive to a movie theatre when most homes have a 40 inch or bigger television in the living room?
I like staying right here in my house watching movies just fine.
I got popcorn, soda, and my heat sittin’ right over there in case any one wants to get stupid in my crib.
Wait till Hollywood screams when their bottom line takes a hit and they want this stopped.
This is a bit of a non-issue for me and my family. Except for IMAX, and that only about once a year, we don’t go to the theaters. Home is so much better.
I thought this was already done in “Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2”?
In the early 1990s, I was stationed out in Tucson....where they still had a drive-in theater in full operation (probably attracting 500 cars on a typical Friday night). For three years, we’d go at least once a month to the drive-in with a pizza and it was the best experience you can imagine with lawn chairs laid out. In today’s environment and the likely cost of $60 for two people with popcorn and sodas involved....why would you go?
Since the first indication of wisdom is how much another person agrees with your perspective, the author is obviously wise in the ways of the world as I’ve been using the term “security theater” about TSA for years. I’ve recently found myself going to the theater less in recent months. Not so much as a security issue but I’m finding less on the screen I want to spend those $$$ to see. Wait a while and spend less to see it at home.
My usual choice of movie house is an AMC that is “posted” but concealed is concealed, as all good FReepers know. If they went full on TSA/courthouse, I’m done with ever returning for the widescreen, Dolby Surround Sound experience.
As a control, they should compare results (number of mass shootings) in theaters where they REQUIRE all customers carry.
And if they find my M&Ms will they ignore them?
I don’t think so.
So what are they really looking for?
Re: in case any one wants to get stupid in my crib.
Only a matter of time. After all, you have 50 inch privilege. (Doesn’t exist you say.....give them time)
They claim inflation adjusted prices are the same as in the better attended past. That’s true. But more people are unemployed, under-employed or simply not earning enough of the new play money to pay the price. We as a society are sinking into poverty. The first thing to go as you get poor are irrelevant expenses like movies.
That’s just one problem. I have a problem with the actual product. They stuff the dialog with propaganda like global warming, pro-gay, and the occasional political jab against conservatives or Christians. While those are hugely popular with liberals it turns off at least 50% of the potential audience. That 50% has been conditioned to stay away. Lots of luck bringing them back.
The new generation of stupid proles are scared little rabbits begging the government for protection via the TSA.
What they don’t know is that their protectors will soon become their keepers and slaughter them one day in the future in the name of SAFETY.
To demonstrate the absolute stupidity of their thinking I believe that the worst theater shooting was done from entry of the back door and not front door of the theater.
How stupid can our timid new generation be? The right to carry and to protect yourself is the only way to ensure your own safety. Don’t prepare yourself to protect yourself...well...poo poo on you.
Right its about safety... So you think everyone is that stupid. Not one of the evil people were women so why the purse check? If a guy wear a conceal holster a bag check is not going to work on him. But I will bet you are going to find a lot of food and candy during these checks. Hum.. Might that be the goal in the first place?
Exactly. All this is going to end up doing is finding all the smuggled snacks and drinks! Why else do you bring a back pack to the movies?
Well, let’s see what the market decides. Are there enough armed citizens and second amendment advocates who will boycott Regal Cinemas and take their business to the competition? I’ll be one.
They’re just doing this to keep people from sneaking snacks into the show.
Actually, I avoid any place where the management feels I should be searched. That includes airports.
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