Movie Theater Security by Shale August 7, 2015 Today, as usual on Friday movie release days I was at the Regal South Beach Stadium 18 to see a new movie. When I got to the ticket taker they asked to check my backpack, which I did not even have to ask why. I watch the news and knew that just this Wednesday, Aug. 5th a nutcase wearing a backpack that may have contained explosives attacked ppl in a Nashville movie theater. No one was seriously injured before the cops took him out, making the world a better place. This was on top of the Lafayette, Louisiana shooting just last month on July 23rd that killed 2 and injured 9. (The nutcase gunman killed himself, but I don't count asswipes with the dead victims.) And, it all started with the Aurora Colorado shooting in 2012 where that nutcase left 12 ppl dead and 70 injured. The big question here is why we cannot prevent KNOWN CRAZY PPL from getting firearms in America. So, a backpack check can be expected and even appreciated that there are some security measures before entering a dark auditorium. But, the theater manager whom I talked to mentioned that Regal was considering banning backpacks in the theater altogether. OH NO!! While it may seem slightly inconvenient to those who drive cars to leave their backpacks in the trunk (how many drivers even have backpacks) to those of us who walk or ride bicycles the backpack has become a necessity when going out either shopping or to an event. Shale on Bike with Backpack SoBe June 2015 I have carried a backpack for years, on buses, trains and planes while traveling and while walking about Washington D.C., Chicago, New Orleans, St. Louis and South Florida. I am used to having it X-Rayed or searched when going into large gathering places and government buildings. Shale in Chicago with Backpack 2007 (altho I did have to check it in the Art Institute) Shale in Wash. D.C. with Backpack 2007 I can understand the corporate logic in banning backpacks. While watching the news yesterday after the shooting in Nashville there was mention of what can be done and movie theaters cannot afford to set up the X-Ray and metal detectors and staffing to search all patrons like they do in government buildings. So, forbidding backpacks is the easy solution. EXCEPT, some of us do not want to bike five miles in rainy weather without our rain gear (poncho and umbrella in my pack). I also carry first aid bandages in mine, a cell fone, camera, medical information, bus fare in case of bike breakdown, hand sanitizer & wet-wipes and in winter a long sleeve shirt for those cold fronts that hit within hours. The rest is usually empty, reserved for small items I may purchase on my rides to SoBe. So, the guy who sees on average 60 movies each year spending an average of $500 dollars a year even with the matinee prices (Regal quit giving Senior Discounts on Fridays thru Sunday) may be barred from entering the theater because he needs to have a backpack while traveling by bike. I wonder if there will be a size limit on women's purses? Some purses would do as a backpack and I do have a beach bag that straps over one shoulder that I could load for a trip to the movies. I will wait to see what draconian easy methods the theater uses and try to get around it to continue seeing movies first run - otherwise just wait half a year and get the DVD. Just a heads up to any ppl who like my take on the movies in real time. I sincerely hope Regal Corporate finds a way to provide security without making us bikers give up our backpacks or shoulder bags. Shale and Backpack at Matinee - Regal Cinema 2007
terrorist dont necessarily need to enter a place to attack it. they can just sit outside and wait for people to exit. students here have to take clear backpacks to school. maybe thats something to consider. our stadiums have this rule. this is asinine, because you cant carry much, you would have to carry most other things like raincoat and blanket under arm. here's the entire policy http://heinzfield.com/guest-services/clear-bag-policy/ not only football games but concert held there as well.
You might want to see if they allow something smaller like a fanny pack. You could also carry the cell phone, $, and med. info in your pockets, and leave the camera at home. Other items you could leave in a plastic bag with your bike. Mofo's might try to steal it, but will probably realize it's not worth it.
Definitely anything left on my bike would be stolen and rain gear would be worth it for the homeless ppl who hang out here. My bike was stolen while I was in this theater and it was locked to a rail in a busy mall. I do not want to give up carrying the things like my camera - you never know when you will see something you want to preserve. Also, loading my pockets is not comfortable. I will fall-back to the smaller beach bag, which is not much larger than some women's purses and make an issue of that if they allow said purses. Otherwise, I will probably spend my time writing other things as a hobby and watch the movies on DVD half a year later.
I worked in a theater back in the 70s. Backpacks weren't very common, but huge purses were. Our manager was a real psycho about people bringing in outside food because concessions was where our payroll came from. Ticket sales only paid for film royalties and rent. I would call that a faulty business model that I would wager persists to this day. I'm guessing this latest string of horrific events is just a green light to be more oppressive to theater guests lest they sneak in a granola bar to compete with their foul greasy "buttered" popcorn. Another thing, never buy popcorn early, they recycle it from the previous night after storing it in trash bags. After the last showing of Saturday Night Fever on a weekend night we'd find beer and liquor containers all over the theater regardless of the manager's efforts.
Wait... are they saying you can't have the backpack, or are they just requesting to see what's in the backpack? I say if it's just a simple matter of showing them what's in the backpack, go along with it. If it's whether or not you can have one at all, then maybe you just watch movies at home now. I watch movies almost exclusively at home, but that's a personal preference. If you really wanted to you could plan a little bit and not bring your backpack those times when you'll be going to the theater.
I have had them check my backpack, like I mentioned they did yesterday. And, before all the shootings they would check for outside food. As for planning ahead, the weather reports already showed me what to plan for every day this week. A sunny hot bike ride to the theater and a deluge rainstorm on the bike ride home. So, I should leave my rain gear at home? I think if that is the case then I will just stay home with it.
If they ban backpacks they better ban purses. What is this? Will banning backpacks at theaters really stop shootings? Do they not know you can hide a gun in your waistband? Laws only effect the honest people.
I don't think you should leave your rain gear at home, and no I don't think you should be made to leave your backpack somewhere. If that is the case, what about purses? Maybe they could provide lockers or something. At any rate it's probably a good thing that they are at least a little concerned about security.
