quote:

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Backpacks/Packages/Bags:

Security issues have become a daily part of our lives in America. Regal Entertainment Group wants our customers and staff to feel comfortable and safe when visiting or working in our theatres. To ensure the safety of our guests and employees, backpacks and bags of any kind are subject to inspection prior to admission. We acknowledge that this procedure can cause some inconvenience and that it is not without flaws, but hope these are minor in comparison to increased safety.

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Everyone on social media, of course, is posting a lifetime boycott of Regal declaration from their cell phones while being anal raped by the TSA.

I, for one, will never go to a Regal Cinemas again with a bag.*

(*=I've never ever gone to any cinema with a bag.)
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 08-20-2015, 12:34 PM:
 
Maybe a "no-bag-discount" line would encourage people to leave all their useless crap in the car. All you need is a credit card or a pocket with a bit of cash in it to go to the movies anyway.

Cinemas in a "mall" environment could install a free locker setup out front.

You might say, "what about baby bags?" I say, don't bring babies to the movies.
 

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Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 08-20-2015, 12:36 PM:
 
Put the babies in the locker

Locker's would be a great place to put a bomb, which is why they no longer have them in airports. Now we have to haul or luggage around during our interminable layovers.
 

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Posted by Mitchell Dvoskin (Member # 751) on 08-20-2015, 01:01 PM:
 
I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand I would certainly feel safer, but on the other hand I would generally be equally happy to wait for the Bluray and watch it at home rather than be subject to a search. Further, I think putting everyone thru metal detectors would be better than a search. It would be less bothersome and intrusive.

Of course, partial security opens a legal can of worms. This would not have stopped the Colorado shooter, who entered the theatre with nothing, and propped open an emergency exit door to go out and get his weapons. By acknowledging some known potential danger point (the entrance) while ignoring others (emergency exits), any lawyer would have a fairly easy time of nailing Regal should something happen. On the other hand, doing nothing now that this is known to be a problem will also cause liability.
 

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Posted by Justin Hamaker (Member # 2165) on 08-20-2015, 01:45 PM:
 

quote: Mitchell Dvoskin

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On the other hand, doing nothing now that this is known to be a problem will also cause liability.

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Is there really a problem. A couple instances spread out over a period of time is hardly indicative of a widespread concern over safety and security at theatres. You might be able to suggest a problem at an individual location if there were multiple incidences within a period of time. But a handful at different theatres in different parts of the country does not indicate a huge problem.

While a bag check policy might provide some with the illusion of security, it will also provide some with the illusion of a threat to safety.
 

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Posted by Louis Bornwasser (Member # 3063) on 08-20-2015, 02:01 PM:
 
We've been through this already at Sunrise Cinemas, Valley Steam NY. This is just below the landing Kennedy Airport traffic. (Parking light lamp poles get shorter near the runway.)

Irate customer murders another in a "theatre rage" accident. (Like road rage,) Metal detectors installed. Business never fully recovered. Think 25+ years ago.
 

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Posted by Jonathan Goeldner (Member # 4854) on 08-20-2015, 03:39 PM:
 
having a 'no-bag' policy in a mall that is an urban setting that has folk using mass transit is a major hassle - what? where in the hell do you expect to put my bag - I don't have a car to put it in... ??
 

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Posted by Jack Ondracek (Member # 1466) on 08-20-2015, 05:17 PM:
 
Aside from bruising a few egos, I don't get why this should be such a huge imposition.

Try getting into a major league football or baseball game without getting your stuff searched. Over here, even the University of Washington checks bags for their Huskies games. Will you stomp off in utter disgust when you get to the search line?

When I arrived at the stadiums on gameday to do engineering or production duties for the radio broadcasts, anything I brought in with me was searched... tool boxes, flight cases... even the metal briefcase my laptop is in.

I think these searches are a bit of a joke, in that I doubt any of those contract folks would have recognized something sinister in my toolbox. I guess they might spot a gun though, so maybe a bit of usefulness there.

Given the seeming attractiveness of movie theatres to kooks with guns, I'm sort of surprised the chains didn't start something like this earlier.
 

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Posted by Buck Wilson (Member # 5885) on 08-20-2015, 07:25 PM:
 
1) All bags get 'checked', no exceptions. Customers will be redirected to the box office for a refund if they choose not to comply. this includes conceal and carry permit holders.

2) Usher does the bag 'checks'. No additional staff unless the manager can spare a few minutes to help get the line down. Which means no 'no bag express line' Safety is important, but not important enough for an increase in payroll! Lets not get crazy now!

3) 'Checks' consist of the usher asking the patron to open their bag, and the usher shining a flashlight into it. Usher may ask patron to move stuff around. Usher may not touch bag at any time.

4) Ushers are specifically instructed to "keep with your normal level of scrutiny concerning outside food and drink". Around here, it's zero fucks given and patrons are told before the search that we are not looking for outside snacks.

One comment I found on their facebook page brought up an interesting point- Husband and wife came in, both CCP carrying. Only the wife got checked because she had a 'bag'. Couple brought up the point of this system being far from perfect. Regal said something like "We know the system isn't perfect but feel it's worth the extra safety" WTF if you can still get a gun in what's the point?!
 

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Posted by Pravin Ratnam (Member # 1417) on 08-20-2015, 08:15 PM:
 
Security theater. It's a hassle to go to NFL games too. We couldn't even take open bags. Terrorism has won if we have to change life so much to make things inconvenient. Torture by a 1000 cuts.

I would rather be reactive. Just put better CCTV and have a centralized security area that can be monitored remotely. There is nothing stopping a terrorist from just planting a bomb outside the theater as moviegoers crowd the box office for a popular movie. You saw what happened in Boston and Bangkok.

There is nothing stopping a terrorist (local or foreign) or a madman from just shooting into a crowd OUTSIDE the theater. A guy can take out 20-30 people if he really chooses to in any setting.

Let's be thankful terrorists are generally dumb people who overcomplicate an easy but distasteful mission.

What I didn't realize is that this is supposed to be new. Didn't theaters always check bags for food that is snuck in? I remember a thread a while ago about a customer who compliai9ned about that.
 

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Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 08-20-2015, 08:27 PM:
 
Nothing to laugh about, but when the 2012 Batman midnight show thing happened in Colorado and we at REGAL began the bag checks, we found 7 firearms in women's carry bags.

We never touch the bag but ask them to open the bag so we could see inside. We asked them to return the bag to the car and have it off the premises.

Yet, we would disclose the reason why with the comments stating that for security reasons is why we must look inside the bag.

Backpacks were verboten totally on location.

-Monte
 

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Posted by Buck Wilson (Member # 5885) on 11-19-2015, 12:53 AM:
 
Policy has, within the last 6 weeks, changed from "100% all bags checked" to "bags MAY be checked".

Ushers are encouraged to look into bigger bags, use discretion on who to probe.
 

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Posted by Jesse Skeen (Member # 586) on 11-25-2015, 05:41 AM:
 
I've seen LOTS of negative comments on Yelp about this locally, as well as how the ushers have to walk through the theater with that light-saber thing and distract the audience during the movie. Why did I EVER stop working for Regal?
 

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Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 11-25-2015, 09:11 AM:
 

quote: Buck Wilson

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use discretion on who to probe.

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That never ends well.
 

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Posted by Buck Wilson (Member # 5885) on 11-25-2015, 05:16 PM:
 
Jesse- Tell me about it. Regal literally requires each presentation to be ruined not once, but TWICE with the flashlights! What a ridiculous policy.

Martin- Exactly. Which is why I don't search ANY bags. Unless of course the paranoid old lady practically begs me to. "What, you aren't searching bags anymore?! What a shame! *Shoves purse into my face*"
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 11-25-2015, 11:18 PM:
 
What is the point of walking around with a flashlight that's TURNED ON? That's gotta be the dumbest movie theater policy ever.

Ushers should be as invisible as possible. Aside from not being a distraction, it's also easier to spot misbehavior if you're not calling attention to yourself with a lighted flashlight.

Who are the executives who think up this nonsense? Grade school dropouts?!
 

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Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 11-25-2015, 11:44 PM:
 
Maybe it is "for your safety".

That line seems to work for the TSA.
 

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Posted by Martin McCaffery (Member # 37) on 11-26-2015, 08:30 AM:
 

quote: Mike Blakesley

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What is the point of walking around with a flashlight that's TURNED ON?

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quote: Randy Stankey

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Theater staff are NOT security guards

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quote: Randy Stankey

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I can't imagine an intelligent executive of any company who serves the public like Regal would make such a stupid decision.

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I've thought that way about most of Regal's decisions- stupid decisions are what they're all about!
 

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Posted by Randy Stankey (Member # 64) on 11-29-2015, 09:19 PM:
 
I sat in class where the professor literally pounded his fist on the table and yelled at students, "You can't do things like that!"

I remember discussing one case where a security guard in a retail store merely stood in front of a customer, pointed his finger and yelled "Stop!" That was enough for the store to get sued for false arrest and wrongful incrimination. When the guard took the customer to the back office for questioning, a charge of false imprisonment got tacked on. The store had to pay a settlement of several thousand dollars in order to avoid a multi-million dollar lawsuit.

I know that this is an egregious example. An extreme case. However, a movie exhibitor invites the public into its theaters in the same way a retailer invites the public into its stores. Once a business, theater, retailer or otherwise, invites the public onto its property, they bear the responsibility if they violate a person's civil rights.

This was an undergraduate level course. Basic stuff. I have a hard time understanding how corporate lawyers with advanced, legal degrees could be so stupid.

Regal must hire its lawyers out of the "DUI Defense" ads on the back cover of the phone book!
 

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Posted by Terry Monohan (Member # 8285) on 12-01-2015, 07:56 PM:
 
The Regal flashlight with red wand extension needs to be changed to dark Blue. It's just to much, in Santa Cruz CA they come down the side aisle a few times per movie and pretend to look at the A/C temp panel on the side wall. It is very distracting when watching a film. I guess this gives the candy people something to do before the next movie starts before they have to clean the auditorium. I want a Blue flashlight wand so I can walk around my home theatre and look like we have extra security. Who sells these clip color rod flashlights, very 1950's?
 

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Posted by Rusty Gordon (Member # 2210) on 12-09-2015, 01:35 PM:
 
Been to two Regal sites in Nashville since they instituted this bag check policy (Green Hills and 100 Oaks). Both times Metropolitan Police Officers in uniform conducted bag checks at the door. Multiple officers were in the area where the customers' tickets are accepted and torn by theater staff.
 

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Posted by Frank Cox (Member # 6258) on 12-09-2015, 02:56 PM:
 
Those flashlights are called Traffic Wands, and can be purchased from the police and security equipment stores or websites.
 

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Posted by Terry Monohan (Member # 8285) on 12-19-2015, 01:06 PM:
 
Thanks Frank for the ordering information. I'll buy one in red and the other in blue to check patrons bags coming into my home theatre. I'll also bring one hidden in a umbrella bag and bring to a Regal Theatre so I don't fall on sticky floors going to the bathroom.
 

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 12-19-2015, 01:41 PM:
 

quote: Mitchell Dvoskin

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I would generally be equally happy to wait for the Bluray and watch it at home rather than be subject to a search.

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Don't worry, the day is coming when you'll have to go thru a metal detector to get into any shopping mall or a Wal Mart, so you might just as well stay home all the time and have everything delivered. That'll be real fun.

They just installed metal detectors at all of Disney World's parks. (in the USA at least.)

Another thing about metal detectors -- virtually everyone is going to "beep" due to their ever present cell phone, car keys, belts, hats, etc. unless the venue is going to provide a bunch of pass-around baskets like they do at airports.

The terrorists HAVE won, it seems.
 

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Posted by Steve Matz (Member # 1890) on 12-19-2015, 07:08 PM:
 
If Theaters had used this Checking Policy back in the 50's 60's and early 70's on Car Trunks at Drive-ins. There seasonal revenue would probably have increased by 25% or more from all the kids(and even Adults) hiding to avoid buying a ticket. I don't ever remember any Drive-in in MT. ever having a Sign saying "Mandatory Trunk Check"


 

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