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 ...
LOL! Silliness. They don't have the nerve to ask disruptive people to leave, so they want the government to Do Something.
What about kids under 6?
In this case I'm supportive: they're begging for the right to do what they should be free to do anyway on their property.
That's a very good point.
It's not all the leftwing politics, the porn or the stupid plots and remakes--it's also the lousy movie experience that is going to drive theatres out of business. The worn-out projectors (I though my view of Harry Potter was film noir, it was so shadowed and darkened--but it wasn't style, it was the projector).
But, most of all, it's the rude audience . I'm going to see Narnia--I hope it won't get wrecked...
Ever look at the product you offer?
The FCC is in control of what a 'right' is when it comes to RF.
Block my BlackBerry when it is in vibrate mode and there will be discussions. It's 2006. I cannot be out of touch with the rest of the world for 2.5 hours.
Where is this a big problem? I go to the theater maybe once a month, maybe a little less. Anyway, I've yet to hear a cell phone in the theater.
Would you like a fingerprint, DNA, and urine sample to go with that sir?
Many people are on call 24 hours and must have a beeper or cell phone . You can put it on vibration but they will loose customers by blocking.
Which is very wrong.
Block my BlackBerry when it is in vibrate mode and there will be discussions. It's 2006. I cannot be out of touch with the rest of the world for 2.5 hours.
Then go to a different theater. If enough people agree with you, then I'll lose business and change my policy. If not, too bad for you.
Man no.1 : Hey baby, how about a little tongue action, huh?
Man no.2 : Yeah, stick your tongue down his throat!
( They kick G and Victoria's seats )
Victoria : What are we gonna do? Shall we just move?
George : That won't be necessary.
( G gets up and turns towards the two men )
George : Shut your traps and stop kicking the seats! We're trying to watch the movie! And if I have to tell you again, we're gonna take it outside and I'm gonna show you what it's like! You understand me? Now, shut your mouths or I'll shut'em for ya, and if you think I'm kidding, just try me. Try me. Because I would love it!
Jam the local area signals, then charge customers for access in text only.
The next step is selective blocking - only those who pay the property owner a fee have the right to use a cell phone on the premises. If you want to use a phone do it on your own property or public property, but wait local governments will start charging for the ability to make calls from public property. Allowing the blockage of the signals, may not be so clever after all.
I have never once been bothered by a cell phone in a theater. It's the people who think the theater is their livingroom and talk up a storm who are the most disruptive in my experience. And parents who bring their little kids/babies to non-kid movies and see nothing wrong with letting them run around or scream the entire time.
We don't need the government stepping in, but it sure would be nice if people learned some manners.
It ain't "rude behavior" in the theaters keeping me away; it's the "rude behavior" on the screens -- think "Bareback Mounting"...
Boy are you right on the mark Tax-chick.
I attended a Theater Organ concert last week and a group of, shall we say diminished IQs, spent the entire concert uttering all sorts of non-verbal sreaching sounds at maximum volume. Their caregiver made little effort to shut them up.
The group running the concert did not want to risk a discrimination lawsuit so they refused to show this group the door.
The other people who came to hear the artist were less than pleased.
I don't care if it is a cell phone or retarded people, common sense should prevail. shhhhhhhhh!
The problem are the jerks who think they can talk it up like they're sitting in their living rooms.
The last time I went to a movie was a couple years ago. Up until I stopped, my experiences there became progressively worse and worse until I'd lost all pleasure in going.
Over the next 20 years or so, the theatre industry is going to see some serious culling.
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