Security Line Insanity

I am all for security and am even one of those type A people that tries to have less in their pockets when I know I'm going to an event and there's metal detectors.

That said, the lines going into theatres the last couple of weeks have felt painfully slow. Is it because it's Spring Break?

Magic2Do said: "I am all for security and am even one of those type A people that tries to have less in their pockets when I know I'm going to an event and there's metal detectors.

That said, the lines going into theatres the last couple of weeks have felt painfully slow. Is it because it's Spring Break?"

Get to the theater early. We are in crazy times now.

When I was at Jellicle Ball, the line was past the Shubert when I got there, but once we started moving it was pretty brisk, within 5 minutes.



bwaylyric said: "Would be nice if they actually confiscated some outside food, especially potato chip bags."

So they can sell you some once you get inside?

Get to the theatre by half-hour. It’s not that hard.

They send out pre-show emails warning people about the security check and yet people get huffy when the 7:55pm time they used to show up now becomes ill-advised and you’re left scrambling to get to your seat by curtain.

Also, shows in previews may open doors slightly earlier or later based on the theatre and if they’ve finished all technical checks and calls by half hour

The only time in recent months that I’ve found a line to be especially slow was for Liberation, but it’s entirely reasonable for that line to take longer because they were putting everyone’s phones in Yondr pouches. And even with that happening, they were still quite efficient with it. They kept it moving and it only took a small bit longer than a typical line.

Nuisance does not equal insanity.

My experiences with the security lines over the past few days. The line for Lost Boys was insanely long, all the way to 6th Ave. However once things started moving, they moved quite fast. The line for Schmigadoon was more than half the block, which is on par with other shows at The Nederlander. Again, it moved fast once they started.

I've noticed they now have scanners that allow you to walk through without having to empty your pockets of keys, phones, and other common items. This is a big improvement.

jazzicat said: "I didn’t have to get my purse checked the other day.. is this why? I was actually very worried because I was completely wearing a bag and no one looked at it.
Now I know I am a 40-something invisible woman and my purse was very nice… but you never know."

Correct. Your bag was screened as you walked through the poles.

I go to many arenas, concert venues and theaters, and it's very interesting to see how the security screening technology is improving. The trend is shifting towards weapon detectors, vs more old-fashioned metal detectors.

I've chatted with some security guards when waiting for doors to open. The two gray poles you walk through (which are not connected at the top) are scanning for heavy density of metal on a person. This is why you can walk through with "everyday" objects still in your possession. The metal in your phone, keys, wallet, belt buckle, coins, etc. is not heavy enough to be detected as a weapon. In my experience, they can give a false-flag detection if you have your everyday objects grouped together in the same pocket or on the same side of your body. Generally you walk right through without any issue, but when I do see them alert, it's usually someone carrying a bag or purse. While they are designed for you to carry everything through, I do see some venues still opting to have purses or bags inspected vs carried through the poles. Live Nation venues and a lot of theaters are using these "Opengate" poles, designed by CEIA.

There is also a more sophisticated system called EVOLV which is used at all NFL stadiums (and some other venues - Pittsburgh Cultural Trust actually invested in these in 2019 in their performing arts venues). They are flat vertical panels you walk through. These have security personnel standing nearby with a tablet, and the screen displays which area of the body an item is detected on. They also scan you with facial recognition software as you walk through, preventing people who are banned from a venue from attempting to enter.

Updated On: 4/8/26 at 02:19 AM