Movie Theater Owners Want To Jam Cell Phones
Mar 15, 2006 by Vic HoltremanAt the ShoWest conference in Las Vegas, John Fithian (president of the National Association of Theater Owners) stated that they will be trying a number of approaches to getting people to stop talking on their cell phones during movies. He stated that they have not ruled out petitioning the FCC to allow movie theaters to block cell phone signals.
Personally, I’m all for it. I’m amazed and astounded not only at the fact that some people won’t turn off their phones during a movie, but that if it rings they actually take the call!
If public service announcements before a movie or even funny little anti-cell-phone-during-movie commercials beforehand won’t do it, then I say block away. Some people are too bloody dense and/or rude to have it left up to them to be considerate.
Of course blocking signals won’t be easy considering that at least in the U.S. Federal law and the FCC prohibit the use of cell phone jammers. Still, I hope they find a loophole.
All that will be left after that is figuring out how to get people to shut the heck up during movies and also not bring 7 year olds to R-rated films.
Source: Yahoo News
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Enforcement of the existing rules would be a better way to go, but given the “I’m not paid enough to care” attitude of most theater employees, something more drastic would seem to be necessary. I have to agree that most moviegoers are extremely oblivious and/or inconsiderate.
Brian
It would be great if the theaters had enough income to post an usher in every “room” to police the audience members.
We were in the critical (and emotional) climax of “The Cronicles of Narnia” when, not only did a cell phone ring, but the guy answered and proceeded to carry on a conversation at normal speaking volume. (I could hear the person on the other end, too!)
When I made a comment (politely), he had the nerve to get angry at me and tried to start something.
He appologized after the movie, but it the experience had already been interrupted for everyone else.
And this is becoming not so unusual. So, yes, something must be done.
I saw Batman Begins last summer and some guy about a dozen rows in front had his cellphone out text messaging. It was quiet, but the light on the little screen was a LOT brighter than the theatre screen. I almost threw my Skittles at him, but I wouldn’t waste precious Skittles on an idiot.
Cell phone jamming? Only if it’s down someone’s throat…
As far as I know there are two types of jamming, active and passive. Active jamming involves interferring with the transmission or reception of radio signals and as such it is illegal. Passive jamming (more appropriatly referred to as shielding) prevents the signals from passing through the theatre wall and is legal as far as I know. I think that theatres are more concerned with the liability issues should your sitter or doctor be unable to reach you. Personally I think they should shield the theatres and post as much in the lobby. If self policing worked, we’d all drive 65 on the freeway.
Randy, thanks for clarifying that… I *thought* that it was legal to block via passive jamming.
Vic