They have one simple job; rip your ticket and tell you what screen the film is playing in. Why can't they just get rid of the ticket takers and merge the job to the cashier who sells the tickets??? That's one less person to pay and can then reduce cost to concession stands or put money into other parts of the theater.

The ticket taker's job isn't solely to take tickets. He is an usher just like everyone else, and will be moved around the theater to wherever he needs to be. Sometimes they do have the cashier also rip the tickets. But when it's really busy, it makes sense to have a dedicated person for the tickets.

Heh. The Carmike in town did away with the box office, so you have to buy tickets at the concession stand. Not eating, and late for the movie? Doesn't matter, your waiting in line.

The ticket taker also should be checking that people do in fact have tickets, the tickets are for the right date, that people aren't bringing in outside food, etc.

Because if the cashiers ripped the tickets, people would just walk past them and into whatever movie they wanted without paying. I know this because a theater in my sisters neigborhood does this, and she never pays when she goes there.

I agree with the above post.

By far the most passionate complaints I got at the theater were people who were told they couldn't bring in their outside food.

To ensure that those who are 88 years old can still have a job.

So you somehow think that a theatre (most likely a chain owned by a corporation) would eliminate a position company wide, and would want to pass the savings on to the customer?

Bwhahahahahahaha!!!!

mhg83 apparently enjoys the thought of other people getting fired...

This is what I was thinking.

So just install pressure sensitive seats with attached mini ticket scanners. That ways they can be notified of whose not in a movie legally.

Dumb and done!

They could really get rid of all of them if they wanted to. An electronic ticket machine that takes cash and have the ticket be like a metrocard where you need to swipe to get into the right theater. This way I wouldn't have any pimply faced 16 year olds judging me for seeing the Justin Beiber movie by myself.

If that's the case, he REALLY needs to come down to Texas to become a Republican state rep!

I always avoid the lines at the BO and buy my tixs at the ticket kiosk. I need the ticket taker to give me my 3D glasses. Plus it's always nice to have someone tell me "enjoy the movie!"

Well there are now a whole bunch of non-pimply faced adults on this board judging you for seeing the Justin Bieber movie by yourself.

I made that mistake once. Grabbed a lemonade from Chick-fil-A on the way to the theater because I didn't feel like drinking that piss known as pink lemonade that the theater offered. I thought I would enjoy it with some concession popcorn and damned if that usher* wouldn't let it slide. 9:30pm on a weeknight and not a fucking soul in the lobby except for him and I. Still wouldn't budge. Tossed a drink I had a single sip of.

Ultimately, fine-whatever, it's the policy and I tried to blatantly break it but what I don't get is what is there to gain from this situation on his end? It's not like I'm going to walk over to the concession stand and drop a five on one of their drinks after making me toss the one I just bought. Instead, this move effectively works against him. So not only did they not get a soda sale, they lost a popcorn sale and now the only time I visit that place is when I have a free pass.

I know I was technically in the wrong, but there's also the human condition. Look around, make a judgement call. Hell, tell me he'll let it slide if I buy something at the concession stand... and boom, he has a sale. It's not like I was trying to sneak in booze & a footlong sub from Subway in front of a crowded lobby. Hell, that was two years ago and it still pisses me off, all over a $2 drink.

So, uh yeah... passionate.

*it was an old (upper 40s) guy, not a young punk either

I've seen people "sneak in" big KFC buckets, and then leave chicken bones on the floor for the staff to clean up.

I've seen things you people wouldn't believe.

I've seen everything!

:raises hand: Ex-theater usher here. I've found dirty diapers left behind while cleaning the aisles.



















Not sure why anyone would eat out of that for!

We have become a culture of adherence to the corporate masters. Unless it's some little mom and pop establishment, there is no longer room for managerial decisions anymore, even by managers. The protocols must be followed lest the system be upset. I actually had this argument over a ONE PENNY charge with a Best Buy MANAGER. He was unwilling to make the one cent adjustment, because he didn't want to offend "the system". These people are so brainwashed by policy that they simply cannot see the advantages of altering a policy for a particular instance. It's pretty frightening when you think about it.

Thank you. I was a "ticket taker" during college in L.A. back in 1984. I was also an usher and helped with concessions and tickets when needed.

One of the coolest customers was Ms. P.J. Soles!

Me too. Kid's movies were the worst. Dirty diapers, half eaten happy meals, etc.

I guess it all evened out in the end. On many occasions, I found cash and joints!

That's what a Walmart greeter is for.