Posted on 12/18/2005 7:27:25 AM PST by Kjobs
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 17 (UPI) -- The National Association of Theater Owners wants the Federal Communications Commission to allow the blocking of cell phone signals in theaters.
John Fithian, the president of the trade organization, told the Los Angeles Times theater owners "have to block rude behavior" as the industry tries to come up with ways to bring people back to the cinemas.
Fithian said his group would petition the FCC for permission to block cell phone signals within movie theaters.
Some theaters already have no cell phone policies and ask moviegoers to check their phones at the door, Fithian said.
The Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association -- a Washington-based cell phone lobby that is also known as CTIA-the Wireless Association -- said it would fight any move to block cell phone signals.
(Excerpt) Read more at upi.com ...
You raise an excellent point. If businesses can run jammers without fear of prosecution, they will almost certainly post a sign that says "cell phones jammed during show times" or some such. That way you actually realize it's happening. Under the current system, more and more people carry personal jammers, and you never know when you'll suddenly find yourself in a dead spot.
"I'm on call 24x7 as a requirement of employment. I'd love to sleep through the night every night, but I cannot. A lot of you will see a simple solution -- change jobs! It's Freeper Myopia run rampant."
It could be Freeper common sense, rearing its "ugly" head.
If you are being run into the ground by an employer, you SHOULD get another job.
If on the other hand you are being compensated grandly for your infinite availability, I guess it's okay. Merry Christmas...oh, wait, you won't be getting that day off, will you? Sorry, I guess that was cruel. Well, you can celebrate Christmas later, on your vacation...oh, wait, you couldn't get vacations, because you have to always be on call....
You know, brain surgeons take breaks now and then. I hear the president of the US even does once in a while.....
Not at all. These jammers don't block the signal, they transmit a signal in the moblie spectrum reserved for control signals between the phone and base tower. The phone just displays a "no signal" message. They also enable configuration of "live spots" in certain areas in the dead zones, allowing professionals that have to have communication access to mobiles.
That can land you in a whole heap of trouble.
(www.fcc.gov/eb/Public_Notices/DA-05-1776A1.html), the FCC warns, “The Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and the FCC rules prohibit the manufacture, importation, marketing, sale or operation of these devices within the United States . . . .” Penalties for a first offense of this law can range up to an $11,000 fine or a year in prison.
Maybe you have $11,000 to toss around, but I sure don't.
I'm afraid that is the answer: if you don't like being on call 24x7, then you need to change jobs. If you like being on call at all times, then realize that your big important self isn't thereby privileged to annoy others with your big important phone calls. In particular, you don't have a "right" to bring wireless devices into establishments that don't allow them. If that's an intolerable hardship, change jobs. If it isn't, then shut up and go where your annoying devices are welcome.
Instead of making a knee-jerk anti-free market post, why not just read the article and discover that the theaters are asking the government to remove the government barrier to them running the business the way they see fit?
You are a very negative person. I've never complained about my job or my employer. I'm paid well and I enjoy the challenge. I would like to be permitted to enjoy a movie in a theater while using the tools I need for my job responsibly.
I misread it. I think sometimes I have "we don't need the government stepping in" on autoreply. Lol
Just a note: nobody has been prosecuted yet for using a personal jammer. Of course caveat emptor; there's always a first time.
Most theaters today will take no action, especially if your device is on vibrate. If you would like to be permitted to use your device in theaters that have rules against them, then too bad. Surely you comprehend this?
Since MineralMan is posting according to FR guidelines, you have two options:
Never read FR again.
Start your own forum in the spirit of FR.
Yes they sure are...;) Another useful gizmo is the super small universal remote that hangs on a keychain. It has only one function.....off.....in 45 different TV codes.
I'm not provided communication. I have to be reachable. Which means I use my own cell phone.
You've never been on-call have you? At most places it's not all at all like you describe... it's usually reserved for genuine emergencies, emergencies that would impact revenues; otherwise, it wouldn't be cost effective to wake someone up at 3 AM. It can be quite rewarding.
Just take a look around. How many things do you depend on running 24/7? Your cable TV? Phone service? Ambulances? Medical services (surgeons, vets)? Plumbing? (Your broken shower may wait till Monday, but not the hospital's.) Towing? Or, how about just about every large website in existence? Databases? Ad nauseum.
All these industries you depend on running 24/7, that you take for granted, require on-call support.
Think about it in terms of the topic at hand. MineralMan's posting does not bother me in the least. He can do what he wants to, same with cell phones or whatever in the theater.
Wait 2 months and rent the movie for $1. Issue solved.
Why don't they just have a cell-phone and non-cell-phone theater. They might even let you smoke in the cell-phone theater.
The "live" zones allow you to use your own moblie, you just would have to sit in a area designated as such....
Even if it includes erecting private barriers to incoming communications to paying customers. If the customers are warned of this prior to purchasing a ticket, fine.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.