No, I never claimed that one operator/screen is what made or broke this industry of anything. My claim is that taking away the "show" and the enterainment and turning it into it's most basic form...we are in business to charge as much as possible and give you, the customer, the least possible is what we are striving towards nowadays.

Entertainment can never survive long-term on that premise...sure the business has to make money to survive but the customer has feel they are getting value. Even Disney is finding that out at their theme parks...they charge more, give less...sooner or later people figure out the value isn't there. I do say that this industry did and could survive on one operator/screen. Best bang for the buck, probably not but, in my opinion, ideal. Increasing floor staff to properly monitor the theatres, you bet. Ya know, once upon a time you were the top if you were a Roxy usher. Now you can't find one. There is no money on the showmanship, the theatre experience...it is all on the concession stand. Now we have ads and slides. Slides that are often dimly lit and not even made to look like they are part of the show...just merely clicking away and thown up on the screen. Hey you want to run slides? No problem...do it right though...Keep the grand drape closed on the main screen. For the slide pre-show...have your roll down screens drop down or slide curtains pull up and have slide screens sized and masked like they were ment to be there...it will make the ads even look better and sharper but make a show out of it. A customer should be entertained and enticed all the way from the newspaper ad to the theatre and left with a desire to return.

Steve

To keep a "real" projectionist interested in his job, (I feel) the job must be at least a little interesting, and the operator paid a wage consistant with a career, not a low-level job. In the general New York City area (where I live), I think $40,000 a year is the *minimum*.

There is no way a 6-plex could afford six $40,000 operators. I do think many theaters are too cheap on employee pay, but $240,000? No way. Imagine a 24-plex. Even if there were one operator for every two screens that's almost a half millon dollars payroll. You thought ticket prices were high now!

Many years ago, New York did away with projectionist licensing. So if theaters are less safe (because less operators are allowed, and those are not tested), it was at the specific approval of the state government.

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As far as those who have CWP's and carry a weapon, I do not support that ban. The people who have CWP's are not a danger, as they have had some form of stiff screening to qualify for the permit. The ones who carry a weapon without a CWP could be the real danger.

I do carry mine at times if my job suggests that I do. That happens mostly if I have to go out of town and perform some work in remote areas.

Since I am totally responsible for that weapon, it stays with me and not in the car if I elect to see a movie while I am out of town. I am certainly not willing to hand it over to some Ding-A-Ling theater manager who is off his rocker to begin with.

I don't know about some of the other states, but there are more people that are legally "packing heat" up here that you might want to know. And, check our status. People feel very safe up here as compared to other locations throughout the US.

Jim, you may not want to believe this, but there is no conspiracy against you. This was explained on page 2 of the thread "my picture" in the Yak forum 2 weeks ago, long before you voiced your opinion regarding a manager's absolute totalitarian power of everything in the theater including customer's rights in the state of either Kansas or Missouri (you failed to specify, and in this discussion that could mean a BIG difference). I don't have any beef with you regarding your feelings on customers and handguns, yet you seem to think that I do. The only beef I've got with you is your accusations that I suddenly went to all of the trouble to create you a sketch since you are unwilling to send in a picture and your smart ass comments in general. Lighten up, Jim. It's just a discussion of what management can and can not do per the law. I've never said you are incorrect in your statements regarding your particular state (because I do not have that knowledge and am assuming you are correct), but when you don't have a location in your profile to see where the comments are coming from...well, surely you're smart enough to figure it out from there.

Paul, what are Washington's laws regarding proper signage for entry into a private business that does not have the correct signs posted? Are they similar to the Texas laws that I mentioned earlier? Like I said, I only know the law as it pertains to concealed handguns in Texas. I'm sure every state differs. I'm also surprised our resident Link Master has not yet provided us with a link. (Just kidding John. )

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Ask and ye shall receive:
Texas Weapons Law
http://www.haynesboone.com/leading/pistol.htm

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

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Two chlorine gas bombs were set off during the 7:00 round on Friday, Aug 20, 1999. The first one was placed in a trashcan at a "T" junction of tow hallways. When it went off it started a fire in the trashcan and quickly filled both hallways with smoke and chlorine gas. The second was placed next to the fixe exit in our largest auditorium, which was packed at the time. Luckily, that auditorium was evacuated before the device went off, or there would have been signifigant injuries. Since we had been previously warned of the possibility of such an attack, the staff was prepared to deal with it shoudl it occur. The theatre was evacuated with no injuries to customers, and only minor injuries (inhalation) to theatre staff.

Private business can post a sign prohibiting CW's on the premisis if they so desire, but I never saw any. However, I have seen signs on county court houses, jails, etc.

I just spoke with the County Sheriff on this issue, and some places would provide a safe place to "check in" your weapon upon entering the premisis.

It was told to me that if a theater or any other private business posted a sign prohibiting CW's, they should at least have a facility to check in the weapon for safe keeping, but it is not required for them to provide that courtesy. (Besides, I would not trust them anyway). Basically, you would have three options:

1. Lock it up in your car. (which I would not do)
2. Go to another theater to watch a movie.
(I hate movies anyway, so why do I want to do that?)
3. Carry it in anyway. (but that is sleezy, and if you got caught, you could lose your permit).

It is also my understanding that if a private business does not allow CW's, it has to be posted in plain view.

I think you will find that almost 100% of the CWP holders would honor the posted signs.

The ones who do not hold a CWP probably will not honor the signs anyway. So, what's the difference? Why even post it? The ones who are intent on shooting someone are going to carry one in come hell or high water, and you are going to stop them with a sign or anything else short of a "BCS", and that might even fail.

There is one important thing I should add here to this post. If a friend knows that I am carrying a CW, and that friend tells me that a weapon like I might be carrying is not allowed on their property or in their house, I feel is is my moral obligation and responsibility to honor their request and keep it off their property and out of their home if I am invited in.

I don't carry a CW outside of Washington State. This state does not honor out-of-state CWP's, and we don't honor theirs.