I read Brad's concern as the slightly increased tension from the film running through the cleaner building up through multiple projectors. My opinion is that since each projector is pulling the film through using sprockets, the cleaner's tension only affects the projector immediately following it, and doesn't cascade through the system.

Either type of film cleaner should be satisfactory, although I would not run a media cleaner in the "dry" mode, since abrasive dirt can get caught in the media and scratch the film. (This is especially a risk around new construction, where abrasive cement and plaster dust are plentiful). In a really dirty situation, PTRs will "load up" and become less effective, but the risk of scratching is low as long as they turn freely.

Properly done, I don't think it's much worse than what is already being done (with platters.)

Any theater that wants to run interlock should have rollers permanently mounted to the walls, ceiling, etc. to lessen the possibility of scratching. I never did care for those free-standing roller poles. I tell people to either hold up the end of the film as it runs out of each projector, or splice on a trailer, to keep the end cleaner. Also to check their threading carefully!

We were all shitting little green apples for the first few days until we got the hang of it. After that it was a pretty routine operation.

Even then we double checked and triple checked those projectors before every show and we doubled up on the check-ups of those houses.