I seldom go to movie theaters anymore and when I do it’s usually second-run theaters. Paying $15.00 or more to subject myself to sitting in a cramped, uncomfortable seat in a crowded theater fully of people playing with their brightly backlit smartphones for two hours doesn’t appeal to me. So Regel’s announcement that it will assume all paying customers are violent criminals doesn’t really impact me but you should probably know about it if you frequently go to theaters:
One of America’s largest cinema chains, Regal, is now searching bags of film-goers following several attacks on movie theatres across the US.
Regal’s updated policy says it wants customers and staff “to feel comfortable and safe” in its cinemas.
[…]
“Security issues have become a daily part of our lives in America,” Regal Entertainment Group’s admission policy now reads on the company’s website. The company has not yet commented publicly on the new regulations.
“To ensure the safety of our guests and employees, backpacks and bags of any kind are subject to inspection prior to admission,” it continues.
While this policy is being implemented under the guise of safety I think it has more to do with profits. Tickets aren’t the only thing expensive about going to a movie theater, the food and drink is also expensive. If you read Regel’s admittance policy you’ll see what is probably the real reason bag searches are now being performed:
Outside Food or Drink:
No outside food or drink is permitted in the theatre.
Because of the price of movie theater food and drinks a lot of people smuggle their own in. Accusing paying customers of smuggling in food and drinks probably won’t sit well but claiming the searches are for safety may sit well enough (after all, it works for sporting events).
Searching bags for weapons isn’t effective anyways. I (as well as most people I know) always carry my weapons on my person. My knives are in my pockets and my handgun is in a tuckable in-the-waistband holster. Carrying weapons in a bag that can be easily separated from my person is bad form.
So keep in mind if you’re going to go to a movie that Regel’s will treat you like a criminal in the hopes of making more money off of you.