Wichita Theaters to Crack Down on Cell Phone Use

[1979Shocker]

Anybody had problems with people using cell phones during a movies?

A Wichita movie theater chain is cracking down on cell phone use during movies. Starting Friday, Warren Theatres will introduce a "Zero Tolerance" policy on cellphone use at all of its theaters.

Anyone using a cell phone during the on-screen presentation, whether it's for a call or text messaging, will be asked to leave without a refund.

http://www.kwch.com/Global/story.asp?S=9035634&nav=menu486_2_2

[Hotel Paper]

he's also building a theater in Manhattan.

[Shirley Schmidt]

Anyone using a cell phone during the on-screen presentation, whether it's for a call or text messaging, will be asked to leave without a refund.

They should, no one is that important that they cannot wait till they get out of the show to talk or text.

[Snapshot9]

Teenagers and young 20's are the biggest violaters.

[SubGod22]

How does texting hurt or distract anyone if it's on vibrate? I could see where someone may need to be in contact with another while they happen to be in a movie. I have no problem with making someone leave for talking during the movie although I've never seen anyone talking on the phone during the presentation. I have noticed a few people text and it didn't bother me or anyone else in the least.

[RoyalShock]

How does texting hurt or distract anyone if it's on vibrate? I could see where someone may need to be in contact with another while they happen to be in a movie. I have no problem with making someone leave for talking during the movie although I've never seen anyone talking on the phone during the presentation. I have noticed a few people text and it didn't bother me or anyone else in the least.

The light from the phone is very distracting, for me, at least. And not everyone turns the "key beeps" off.

If you really need to be in contact with someone, you probably shouldn't be at the movie.

Some may not realize this, but there was a day when people went to movies before the introduction of cell phones.

[jazztrane]

^ Yep I'd agree, we don't go to too many movies but when we do I've seen people texting and the light is distracting, and you can hear them punching in letters. I'm glad they're doing it, but does it take someone going out and reporting an "abuser" or will the theatre staff be monitoring it? Even though it bothers me I doubt I'd get up and go out and report it unless it was ongoing.

Personally I just don't get the whole texting thing, and it annoys me because people will do it while they're talking to you. You wouldn't just answer the phone in the middle of a conversation and start talking w/o saying excuse me or something but I see people talking to someone else just whip their cell phone out and start reading and typing while the other person is still talking!

But back on the movie topic, not too long ago we could go all day "out of contact" before cell phones, but now it seems people can't go to a movie, attend a meeting, or even walk in a store without having to talk on their cell phone. I don't believe there are that many "emergencies" or important things going on that you can't go 2 hours without taking a call! But that's just me. ;)

[Indy23]

What is more distracting: someone quietly texting something on his or her phone, or someone getting out of their seat, shuffling down the aisle and out of the theater, only to return in 30 seconds. People don't need cellphones to be distracting. Are you going to kick them out, too?

Obviously there are some folks who are over the line with their talking or texting during movies, and they should be booted. But the folks that have their buttons on silent that are simply handling their business quickly and quietly are getting screwed with this rule.

I'm sure there are some old people that would love nothing more than to ruin some young kid's date because he made the mistake of texting his mom to tell her where he is.

[RampageWSU]

ya know....there are "jamming" devices that cut the reception to zero for cell phones. I know Wichita North and Heights have used them before.

[RoyalShock]

What is more distracting: someone quietly texting something on his or her phone, or someone getting out of their seat, shuffling down the aisle and out of the theater, only to return in 30 seconds. People don't need cellphones to be distracting. Are you going to kick them out, too?

Obviously there are some folks who are over the line with their talking or texting during movies, and they should be booted. But the folks that have their buttons on silent that are simply handling their business quickly and quietly are getting screwed with this rule.

I'm sure there are some old people that would love nothing more than to ruin some young kid's date because he made the mistake of texting his mom to tell her where he is.

1. If they are getting up and coming back multiple times, then yes, it's a distraction and they should either stop or leave.

2. If you don't draw the line at "none", you can't draw one. Excessive is in the eye of the individual. Silent or not, the light is distracting, especially if it's the person right in front of you, and even more so if the current scene is dark. It's almost as bad as someone standing up in front of you and staying there.

3. If a kid doesn't want his date ruined, he can think ahead or leave the theater to make the call/text.

I don't think the rule is at all unreasonable. Most of us over the age of 30 went to movies all the time, incommunicado. I still maintain, if you are concerned about not getting an important communicae, you probably shouldn't be at a movie.

[SB Shock]

Obviously there are some folks who are over the line with their talking or texting during movies, and they should be booted. But the folks that have their buttons on silent that are simply handling their business quickly and quietly are getting screwed with this rule..

I guess maybe you should thank those who were not as mature as you and didn't have respect for others and runined it all for you.

[Indy23]

I understand the rule, I just think that it's meant for the smaller fraction of folks who really abuse it. The vast majority of "offenders" aren't any more of a distraction than someone leaving to visit the concession stand, imo. At the downtown Warren the attendants come by with their bright screens for you to sign the checks. Obviously their not going to get booted. Seems like a "punish the many to target the few" kind of thing. But Warren can run their theaters as they see fit, nobody's being forced to go there.

[RoyalShock]

I understand the rule, I just think that it's meant for the smaller fraction of folks who really abuse it.

And there lies the problem. Your definition of abuse and my definition of abuse, in this case, are clearly very different.

I think talking/texting on a phone for any reason other than an emergency (as in "someone call 911!") in a theater during a movie is abuse.

[Indy23]

I understand the rule, I just think that it's meant for the smaller fraction of folks who really abuse it.

And there lies the problem. Your definition of abuse and my definition of abuse, in this case, are clearly very different.

I think talking/texting on a phone for any reason other than an emergency (as in "someone call 911!") in a theater during a movie is abuse.

Hopefully common sense prevails for everyone.

But no doubt this rule will make movie-going nicer for the true movie fans, and that's what the theaters should be trying to do.

[Shirley Schmidt]

What was I thinking?

I forgot about having to check in with your mom to let you know where you are!

I guess if you are too stupid to let her know before you walk into the theatre it is a legitimate excuse.

That ought to be the only exception to the no text / phone rule though.