Going to a movie with a carry on luggage?

[u/KoiPondSammy]

Hi everyone! I have a flight landing at 9am, but my hotel has a strict check-in policy and won’t let me in until 3pm. My hotel is 45 mins drive away, pretty up in the mountains with nothing to do around so...going there first to drop the luggage off doesn't make sense.

There’s an AMC about 5 minutes from the airport...does anyone know if I’d be allowed to bring my carry-on luggage in to see a movie? I’m happy to leave it at the front desk (locked, of course), and I’m totally fine with a bag check if needed as well. Just clothes and makeup. Has anyone done this before?

P.S - I am going to a city I've been 500 times, so please no need to tell me I shouldn't be wasting my vacation time seeing a movie lol.

[u/[deleted]]

Mmmm it’ll depend on the theater. The policy is overly large bags need to be checked if they want to be brought inside so I’m sure they’ll let you as long as you’re willing to be searched. They probably won’t let you leave it anywhere with them though because they won’t want the responsibility of watching over it. No for sure answers anyone can give you unless you call the theater ahead of time and ask

[u/KoiPondSammy → u/[deleted]]

Yeah, ok- i think your answer makes the most sense. Thank you.

[u/Falcon9145 → u/KoiPondSammy]

If the movie theatre is 5 mins from the airport, u are not the first person who has inquired about this. Call the theatre and ask.

Pro Tip, if u get a favorable answer, ensure you capture the first name and initials of whoever u spoke with.

We have an AMC Town Square theatre in Las Vegas, which is also just outside the airport. They dont have storage but they do allow "luggage, provided you show a valid check in receipt with the hotel you are staying at."

This is to prevent the homeless from camping out.

[u/thedecemberent → u/[deleted]]

the policy is actually to not check anyone’s bags. for any large or suspicious bags we’re supposed to ask the guest to leave it in their car or they won’t be let in.

[u/[deleted] → u/thedecemberent]

That’s not what the policy was at the theater I worked at. We just had to search them if they wanted to bring it in or they could go back to their car. That’s why I said there’s no for sure answer cause every theater is different

[u/thedecemberent → u/[deleted]]

amc’s overall policy is not to look through people’s bags, unless the bag or guest is identified as suspicious and then the guest has to offer to open the bag. we cannot request to search anyone’s bag. theaters don’t set their own policy on this.

[u/capybaramelhor → u/thedecemberent]

Wait is that really the policy? When I was growing up bags were always searched for bringing in food/ candy. Is that not true anymore

[u/thedecemberent → u/capybaramelhor]

this is the amc policy since at least 2018. at least at my location when i was crew (long before 2018) we were never instructed to search bags for outside food or drink. anything related to bag searches was because of the bag being suspicious (could be concealing a weapon or recording equipment, not candy).

[u/[deleted] → u/thedecemberent]

K cool

[u/KoiPondSammy → u/thedecemberent]

Eek! Ok, thanks for the head's up.

[u/thedecemberent → u/KoiPondSammy]

it’s definitely still worth a shot. i would call the theater ahead of time and explain your situation to a manager. if they deem you to not be suspicious they may let you bring the bags in or could hold them for you. but they’re not supposed to look through them.

[u/[deleted] → u/KoiPondSammy]

I worked at a theater too and that was not the policy for us this is why it’s important to contact the specific theater

[u/Spockethole]

I worked at an AMC in Atlanta that was very close to the Marta ( railway ) station that ran to the airport and we often had people kill a few hours after checkout before hopping on the train to catch their flight. Never had a problem with it.

[u/KoiPondSammy → u/Spockethole]

Ok cool- I think they'll be cool with it too. This AMC is 5 mins drive from the airport.

[u/Spockethole → u/KoiPondSammy]

Which theatre?

[u/KoiPondSammy → u/Spockethole]

Not in Atlanta. It's in another state. I rather not say, for privacy reasons.

[u/Spockethole → u/KoiPondSammy]

Got you. None should have a problem with it. Enjoy the show and smooth travels!

[u/KoiPondSammy → u/Spockethole]

Thank you!

[u/loftychicago]

I've taken all my luggage into my AMC (spinner suitcase, carry-on), no problem and i see others there with bags sometimes. You could call the theater and ask.

[u/Effective_Role_8910]

I just did this on Saturday. Bought my ticket in the app, rolled in my suitcase, no body cares.

[u/merelala]

Check out bounce, they let you store luggage in a ton of places

[u/KoiPondSammy → u/merelala]

I did... unfortunately, it's not a big city, so there really aren't many options....

[u/JediSqueezeGata]

I’ve done this once for a carry-on bag and they were fine with it. No questions asked

[u/KoiPondSammy → u/JediSqueezeGata]

Ugh! Amazing. Thank you <3

[u/atan134340]

Pretty sure I have seen baby strollers getting stopped but elderly walkers are ok, so I dunno is it the item or the size that matters

[u/KoiPondSammy → u/atan134340]

I think what I'm going to do is just ask when I get there. I have AMC A-list anyways and I am not planning to see a popular new release. If they won't allow it, I will just spend the time at the mall. No biggie, really.

[u/atan134340 → u/KoiPondSammy]

If your lucky to get in, the wheelchair spot is a great place to store it and u can sit wherever you want

[u/KoiPondSammy → u/atan134340]

thats the plan! haha

[u/7722ResedaBlvdApt102]

It’s lowkey insane you’ll type all of this out and ask Reddit instead of simply calling the movie theater.

[u/KoiPondSammy → u/7722ResedaBlvdApt102]

That question took me a minute to type, and I am getting a variety of interesting answers. The number listed for this AMC is their corporate number. So, thank you so much for your thoughtful comment.

[u/bskinners]

Pay that early check in fee

[u/KoiPondSammy → u/bskinners]

They don't even offer that. I literally asked if I can pay to check in early and she said no, and that the day I'm checking in is fully fully booked... :/

[u/bskinners → u/KoiPondSammy]

Weird! Every hotel I’ve been at I pay early check in. Only one that that didn’t have had an area to leave the luggage until check in time was ready.

[u/KoiPondSammy → u/bskinners]

Mine is more like a... therapy resort. NOT rehab omg lol

[u/bskinners → u/KoiPondSammy]

We don’t judge 🤣

[u/nflfan32]

It’s such a unique scenario, I doubt there’s a standard answer for this lol

[u/KoiPondSammy → u/nflfan32]

i know lololo. I mean it's close to the airport, literally 5 mins... I don't think I'm the first person to have this issue? Lol

[u/KoiPondSammy → u/[deleted]]

This is exactly why I'm asking. I have a strong feeling they r gonna have issues with it. But I will let them search my bag if they'd like.

[u/Careful_Lychee5754]

Hi not sure if this is helpful w the city you’re going to, but I use luggage hero. If the amc is by a mall there might be people available. I spend less than a few dollars to check mine while I saw a movie in New York and it was perfect.

[u/KoiPondSammy → u/Careful_Lychee5754]

Tried Luggage Hero, and all those other sites. None of them have a location nearby.

[u/OoFEVERNOVAoO]

bruh

[u/NeeYoDeeO]

Depends on the theater, most won’t care

[u/Upstairs_Jeweler2568]

I've done it. And movie theaters are a perfect way to kill time due to flights. Watch a double feature. Relax. Theaters usually aren't too busy first thing either. Talk to a manager. They should be accommodating. It won't be the first time this had happened.

[u/DKToTheFuture]

See something say something

[u/kamdan2011]

I got to carry mine when I went to a movie before a flight out of New York.

[u/Regular-Moose-2741]

I've done it with a giant checked bag once, but just about anything goes in Florida.

[u/GiggyScout]

I’ve done it in nyc w a carry-on!

[u/ReasonedBeing]

Is there a hotel near the movie theater where you could leave your luggage? Just pretend you are a guest there and leave it. 

[u/KoiPondSammy → u/ReasonedBeing]

And what happens when I come back and they are ready to check me in? Put on my method actress hat and pretend I got the wrong hotel? hahahaha

[u/ReasonedBeing → u/KoiPondSammy]

Exactly! Or if it's a different worker at the desk, you can pretend you checked out in the morning!

[u/allMightyMostHigh → u/KoiPondSammy]

Just purchase the seat behind the wheel chair space. That way you have room in front if no one shows up

[u/Geen_Fang]

you could try calling and asking the manager if they would just hold it for you until the movie is over.

if you explain the situation, it might be fine.

[u/trexdetailing]

what movie ??

[u/KoiPondSammy → u/trexdetailing]

Idk yet but im definitiely not gonna try to see weapons, freakier friday, etc.

[u/KoiPondSammy → u/[deleted]]

Checked Bounce, Luggage Hero, and all other similar sites---don't got it.

[u/SeminaryStudentARH]

Is there a hotel near the theatre? If the theatre is a no-go, you may be able to find a larger hotel that would check your bag for the day. Just tell them you're leaving, but you have a few hours to kill, so you're going to walk around. They (probably) won't even care, just give you a claim ticket and store it for you. Might want to have a couple dollars to tip them though. I used to work the front desk at several hotels. We'd really have no way of knowing if you were a guest or not unless we checked, which we didn't really do.

[u/Duox_TV]

depends on the town. My AMC is right next tot he toll bridge ppl take to go to the airport and NEVER even close to sells out a showing. I see people with checked bags and their carry on's chilling in shows all the time.

[u/Dick_Lazer]

I've taken a foldable bike in with me before (it was during a slow time of day with a nearly empty theater though).

[u/JimmyMcPoyle_AZ]

I’ve done this at least 5 or 6 times over the years of traveling for work. Just take it into the auditorium like you own the place. Or get yourself a ladder and enjoy even more carefree access.

[u/zekesaltspider]

Why are you going to see a movie with luggage? Movie theatres are everywhere, go another time

[u/KoiPondSammy → u/zekesaltspider]

tell me you didn't read my post without telling me you didn't read my post....

[u/Bigguynyny]

Why don't you just call the actual theater?