FFS, you get to keep your fucking snacks.
Regal Cinemas starts checking bags ...
- Thread starter MC Safety
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BronsonLee
Member
In Regal's defense, they're just trying to save you from terrible food
I love green tea though, the bastards
PixelatedBookake
Junior Member
Looks like sneaking candy into Regals is about get a little more challenging.
Discotheque
Banned
a fig bar and tea? were you going in to watch the best exotic marigold hotel?
Hari Seldon
Member
This is a lawsuit waiting to happen my god. These are entry level teenage employees working a temp job doing these checks. Honestly it is probably better to accept the less-than-bolt-of-lightning odds that there is going to be a shooting than to let barely trained teenagers check women's purses.
I suppose so, but yeah, as you say, this is a band-aid attempt at intervention more than anything actually useful.
It was a joke. A bad one I'll admit.
I feel like I'm on Sanjuro's side here.
First of all that kid entered the movie half an hour late.
He also went to the movies with a backpack.
And he wanted to leave his backpack unattended.
So best case scenario he's now ruined the movie for everyone else because he's just done something really sketchy so they have to leave and inform management so they don't get blown up and they call a bomb squad and then the place is evacuated and then all the other theaters movies are ruined too.
Or they ignore it and run the risk of being blown up.
People leaving backpacks is the stereotypical "call the police" activity, and with movie theater violence becoming a trend, what Sanjuro did doesn't seem like the craziest thing in the world.
Sketchy backpack leaving kid's emotional wounds will heal once he realizes doing that shit is not OK out in public. I've had to call security for unattended backpacks before, ignoring it isn't worth the risk when lives are at stake.
First of all that kid entered the movie half an hour late.
He also went to the movies with a backpack.
And he wanted to leave his backpack unattended.
So best case scenario he's now ruined the movie for everyone else because he's just done something really sketchy so they have to leave and inform management so they don't get blown up and they call a bomb squad and then the place is evacuated and then all the other theaters movies are ruined too.
Or they ignore it and run the risk of being blown up.
People leaving backpacks is the stereotypical "call the police" activity, and with movie theater violence becoming a trend, what Sanjuro did doesn't seem like the craziest thing in the world.
Sketchy backpack leaving kid's emotional wounds will heal once he realizes doing that shit is not OK out in public. I've had to call security for unattended backpacks before, ignoring it isn't worth the risk when lives are at stake.
It's possible. The people patting me down and checking bags at sporting events aren't much older.
It wasn't that big of a deal to be honest. The point was really about having the back pack left there in context to this thread. If I did the suspicious backpack thing to him, he probably would be having a MUCH worse time after the fact, instead of just being some dumb drugged out kid being looked for by security.
Vincent Grayson
Member
Yeah, when I went to see a movie with my wife last week, they had to check her bag, but kept saying she had to literally hold it open for them, as they weren't allowed to touch anything.
It's a bullshit and meaningless measure, and makes me not want to patronize their theaters anymore.
But, Regal is the only theater within a reasonable distance of me, so principles be damned, because I'm not going to stop watching movies over it.
If it means that, once past that point, I feel safe enough to enjoy myself and the movie... then yeah, security checkpoints are fine.
I've never been to a Regal theater. I mostly go to AMC theaters, and they seem fine with us bringing food in.
evilromero
Member
I usually take a huge water bottle and coffee in with me. It's already challenging just getting those in under my shirt as I masterfully position myself behind my wife at a 45 degree angle so the ticket person doesn't see my bulge.
The Lamonster
Member
It was. Lots of theaters increased security for Compton across the US since the movie "promoted gang violence".
I'd hoped we could discuss the issues of safety and privacy when you go to the movies.
But, yes, it's a tragedy you'll have to get creative sneaking your candy into the movies.
I'm glad you're willing to toss the Bill of Rights. Some of us would prefer to keep our democracy intact.
Now let's get back to important matter at hand: Complaining about the candy you might not be able to sneak in to the movie theaters.
evilromero
Member
Most theaters haven't allowed outside food or drinks for decades now. We've had to be creative that entire time. Now it'll be even harder.
My heart bleeds. Meanwhile, stuffing candy into a bag isn't creative.
old manatee
Banned
Regal Cinemas is in the position to address this country's obsession with guns? What do you propose they do?
I'm all for bag checks. Not sure why anyone would be against them.
Is there data available suggesting they are?
Whenever I went to a Mets game at Citi Field and they check your backpack, they only check the main compartment. They don't check the secondary pouches or compartments where you could easily store contraband.
Christopher
Member
It's only being done to make people feel good about the movies and that they are safe....I actually went yesterday and they were doing this and people had no problem.
Don't go to the movies if you don't want your bag checked the movies aren't a right - furthermore why are you bringing a bag to the movies outside of a purse?
Don't go to the movies if you don't want your bag checked the movies aren't a right - furthermore why are you bringing a bag to the movies outside of a purse?
evilromero
Member
lol. Yes security officer MC Safety. You're right. Will develop a better sneaking plan asap.
Fenway is kind of the same. They also have metal detectors and have you raise your arms checking if you gave anything on you.
Sounds strange, but it just kind of feels normal at this point to be honest.
I'll just go to AMC, where they don't check your bags.
Ninja Scooter
Member
Those employees were not following procedure with regards to this new policy then.
How effective is the TSA, a more invasive monitoring system? How does this prevent someone from actually carrying out a mass shooting? I'm sure there is data, but it's not difficult to understand why basically telling people you're not allowed to bring automatic weapons and shoot people won't stop the people who intend on doing that. It could possibly stop someone bringing in a pressure cooker, but that wasn't done in a theatre.
Vincent Grayson
Member
Yeah, this is where I am with all this. I'm dubious that any of these efforts are anything more than a token gesture to make panicky people feel better when in fact it will do nothing to change theater shootings.
If a person has a gun and wants to walk into a theater and shoot people, why the fuck would a bag check stop them?
I would 100% stop going to the cinema if the risk of being murdered there was so high that bag checks became mandatory in Australia.
Kinda hope America deals with the risk of being murdered part instead of all businesses installing metal detectors, hiring security, or making carrying a gun mandatory so that everyone can 'protect' themselves.
Kinda hope America deals with the risk of being murdered part instead of all businesses installing metal detectors, hiring security, or making carrying a gun mandatory so that everyone can 'protect' themselves.
Ninja Scooter
Member
The risk of being murdered isn't high, the problem is that our media likes to fear monger and scare the shit out of people in the name of ratings which leads to the general public needing bag checks at movie theaters to feel "comfortable". It's all just for appearances and to appease paranoid people who buy into the mass hysteria.
I'd gather TSA is pretty effective despite flaws, but that is a separate issue.
Why does it matter that the pressure cooker wasn't done in a cinema? What about people entering cinemas with weapons without the intent on shooting the place up?
I feel like people are disregarding at least some safety measures in opposition of...opening up a bag you are carrying into a theater, for some reason, for only a moment. Don't get it.
clearacell
Member
They do that before you get into disneyland, I don't see what's wrong with doing that at a theater.
I worked at JFK for a while. I dealt with TSA, some were okay people just doing their job. One person in particular abused his position to sometimes harass and intimidate people or at the very least check the passports of pretty girls. It'll take me a sec, but there was something fairly recent that the TSA didn't find inspectors trying to carry weapons passed security. I don't doubt that they can be effective, but how effective?
I conceded they'd probably find the pressure cooker, but how often has this taken place? I know hits close to home, but you have to think if that is a real threat.
And what about the people with concealed weapons that are not supposed to have them in the theatre in the first place, but they do? Is the bag check finding them? Not that I necessarily feel comfortable around guns, but I don't believe a bag check is preventing people from carrying them.
AgentOtaku
Member
REALLY doubt that, cmon now
LostCaress
Member
I wouldn't let a random person check my bags. Luckily I can go to whatever shop and refuse to be searched and still enter. I'll cooperate with real authority though (police officers and the like).
Toy Soldier
Member
Carmike considered this; they even put the policy into place - only to retract it a mere few hours later. They did not deem it worth the trouble or potential backlash.
It's also worth noting that the memorandum sent to general managers did not involve removing (or even checking for) outside food / candy.
So, again, it bears repeating: they aren't taking your candy away. Honestly, do you think the staff even WOULD give a shit if they saw your Twix? These are mostly kids being paid minimum wage. They're told to upsell to you at the concession stand, but are not going to go on a power trip over outside candy - those kids deal with enough assholes every day (food service + retail in one building, I'm not brave enough, I'll admit) to want to deal with someone flipping out because the Constitution entitles him to his fucking Jujubes.
Besides, having a good friend who works as a theater GM, outside food has NEVER been an issue as long as it is not disruptive (loud packaging, smelly, whatever). Popcorn and soda are the big margin items anyway, and most movie-goers buy both, especially with theaters bringing in Coke Freestyle machines and self-service popcorn to make the experience a bit more enticing. The few folks "sneaking" in candy don't really impact the bottom line any more today than they ever have.
Regal's idea isn't a true deterrent or solution, as many of you have said, so I roll my eyes at them presenting it as such...but, hell, if it makes someone feel safe, or maybe DOES prevent one psycho from trying the "next big thing" in theater destruction, then some kid glancing in my girlfriend's purse for literally a second before moving to the next person does not bother me.
It's also worth noting that the memorandum sent to general managers did not involve removing (or even checking for) outside food / candy.
So, again, it bears repeating: they aren't taking your candy away. Honestly, do you think the staff even WOULD give a shit if they saw your Twix? These are mostly kids being paid minimum wage. They're told to upsell to you at the concession stand, but are not going to go on a power trip over outside candy - those kids deal with enough assholes every day (food service + retail in one building, I'm not brave enough, I'll admit) to want to deal with someone flipping out because the Constitution entitles him to his fucking Jujubes.
Besides, having a good friend who works as a theater GM, outside food has NEVER been an issue as long as it is not disruptive (loud packaging, smelly, whatever). Popcorn and soda are the big margin items anyway, and most movie-goers buy both, especially with theaters bringing in Coke Freestyle machines and self-service popcorn to make the experience a bit more enticing. The few folks "sneaking" in candy don't really impact the bottom line any more today than they ever have.
Regal's idea isn't a true deterrent or solution, as many of you have said, so I roll my eyes at them presenting it as such...but, hell, if it makes someone feel safe, or maybe DOES prevent one psycho from trying the "next big thing" in theater destruction, then some kid glancing in my girlfriend's purse for literally a second before moving to the next person does not bother me.
WTF? I've been to some crappier theaters but never thought "gee this place needs more security". If people feel like that in their local theaters they must live in some really rough parts. Sad.
Second this. They searched my bag and wouldn't allow entry until I threw away my Coca-Cola or finished it. This was a month ago.
Eh, I'm of the thinking that why would you need to bring a bag to a 2 hour movie in the first place, but that's just me.
EDIT: But I will add that if this is to be the common practice from now on, they better have a separate line for those of us that don't have bags so I don't have to wait on those that decide to carry a bag for whatever reason. Otherwise it will become an inconvenience to me.
EDIT: But I will add that if this is to be the common practice from now on, they better have a separate line for those of us that don't have bags so I don't have to wait on those that decide to carry a bag for whatever reason. Otherwise it will become an inconvenience to me.
old manatee
Banned
Yeah I don't carry a bag so I have nothing to hide.
Necromanti
Member
Well, sometimes, I'm already doing something beforehand or might meet someone and need my laptop, so I don't want to have to take the bus all the way home and then back to just watch a movie.
Count Dookkake
Member
Brutal.
Acerac
Banned
People who are cool with this in the name of safety, you understand how many theatres there are compared to shootings, right? You understand the absurd odds against any given theatre being dangerous, correct? You understand just how many millions of ways we could make humanity safer more efficiently than this, right?
*Shrug*
You'd be safer if you wore a football helmet everywhere you went. Doesn't make such a thing reasonable to do.
...
Actually now that I spell it out, this totally seems like the mindset of somebody who needs a gun on them at all times for self defense.
Shit.
*Shrug*
You'd be safer if you wore a football helmet everywhere you went. Doesn't make such a thing reasonable to do.
...
Actually now that I spell it out, this totally seems like the mindset of somebody who needs a gun on them at all times for self defense.
Shit.
backflip10019
Member
Right, this action does nothing to address the underlying issue. They don't have the capability to address it. That's all I'm saying.
Do you really think that this tactic will dissuade a mentally ill gun nut from going aggro in a public place?
Do you know that it won't? This whole "won't work" mentality is fundamentally flawed by lack of evidence.
backflip10019
Member
I think that it will do more harm (i.e., nuisance to movie-goers, increasing costs, dissuading people from going to the theater) than good (deterring an actual attack).
What would a bag-checker even do if he found a duffel bag with an AK-47 in it? Say "sorry sir, you can't bring this in here?"
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