Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 09:34:28 -0400
From: "Blanciforte, Marina" <Marina.Blanciforte%AT%dhs.gov>
Subject: RE: Got Feedback : Logan International Airport (BOS)
To: Phil Mocek
Cc: GotFeedback <Gotfeedback%AT%dhs.gov>
Hi Phillip:
"Bob" gave you correct information. However, the question you are asking is a legal one and I'm afraid we do not have the answer.
I can tell you that as a "tourist" there is no problem with taking pictures in the airport, except inside a security checkpoint. If you are interested in taking pictures or filming at the airport for commercial reasons, then you must contact the Port Authority, specifically their Public Affairs Office and go from there. Massport is the entity that can grant you permission.
Hope this helps.
Thanks,
Marina
Marina Blanciforte
Customer Support and Quality Improvement Manager
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 07:38:59 -0700
From: Phil Mocek
Subject: Re: Got Feedback : Logan International Airport (BOS)
To: Marina Blanciforte - TSA <Marina.Blanciforte%AT%dhs.gov>
Cc: GotFeedback <Gotfeedback%AT%dhs.gov>
Hi, Marina.
At this time, I'm concerned specifically with non-commercial photography and video recording.
Assuming that "checkpoint" and "screening location" are synonymous for the purpose of this discussion, Bob Burns at TSA specifically said that photography at a TSA checkpoint is allowed. You wrote that he gave correct information, then you provided conflicting information. Could you please reconcile the two statements?
--
Phil Mocek
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 11:08:25 -0400
From: "Blanciforte, Marina" <Marina.Blanciforte%AT%dhs.gov>
Subject: RE: Got Feedback : Logan International Airport (BOS)
To: Phil Mocek
Hi Phillip:
Outside of the security checkpoint is okay - inside can become a problem. A passenger may inadvertently take a photo of depictions on screening equipment and/or certain procedures.
Again, if your intent is to record a security checkpoint for whatever reason, other than being a tourist, I would recommend you inform Massport and TSA, first. I can almost guarantee that an attempt at video or photographing a security checkpoint at an airport will be a cause of concern by all present (including passengers), and a visit by Troopers, or other airport Law Enforcement almost inevitable.
If you'd like to pursue this matter further, you may want to contact TSA BOS's Public Affairs person, Ann Davis at 617-733-8437.
Marina Blanciforte
Customer Support and Quality Improvement Manager
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Transportation Security Administration
Logan International Airport
2 Service Road, Third Floor
Boston, MA 02128
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 08:47:34 -0700
From: Phil Mocek
Subject: Re: Got Feedback : Logan International Airport (BOS)
To: Marina Blanciforte - TSA <Marina.Blanciforte%AT%dhs.gov>
Cc: GotFeedback <Gotfeedback%AT%dhs.gov>
Hi, Marina.
What did you mean by, "inside [a checkpoint] can become a problem"? The information Bob Burns at TSA published on the TSA blog yesterday states that TSA does not prohibit any such photography. You confirmed Bob's information as being accurate, then suggested otherwise. I'm afraid I don't understand.
My intent is to ensure that anyone who wishes to photograph or video record anything he can see inside an airport (so long as he does not go places the public are prohibited from going), and does so without causing interruption of airport operations (I'm not talking about setting up a tripod or anything like that) he will not be hassled by airport or TSA staff for doing so.
You wrote that you suspect that an attempt to photograph or video record at a TSA airport security checkpoint would be cause for concern by all present. Given that TSA allows this, and given that there are thousands of people seeing and remembering the same things that someone would be photographing or video recording, do you suppose this would be cause for any concern besides irrational ones?
You also suggested that this lawful activity would likely result in the arrival of State Troopers or airport law enforcement staff. Why would that happen, and if it did, how would you suggest that I or anyone else explain that what he is doing is lawful and is no cause for concern?
Could you please provide an e-mail address for TSA BOS's Public Affairs person, Ann Davis? Information tends to be lost when people try to talk on the telephone and take notes at the same time, and an e-mail would allow Ms. Davis to respond at her convenience.
Thanks, again, for your continued assistance.
--
Phil Mocek
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 12:17:36 -0400
From: "Blanciforte, Marina" <Marina.Blanciforte%AT%dhs.gov>
Subject: RE: Got Feedback : Logan International Airport (BOS)
To: Phil Mocek
With all due respect, Phillip, I can't see where I am saying anything different than what is posted on the blog (see below).
Ms. Davis' email is: Ann.Davis%AT%dhs.gov
Thanks, Marina
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 09:33:19 -0700
From: Phil Mocek
Subject: Re: Got Feedback : Logan International Airport (BOS)
To: Marina Blanciforte - TSA <Marina.Blanciforte%AT%dhs.gov>
Cc: GotFeedback <Gotfeedback%AT%dhs.gov>
I mean no disrespect, either. In retrospect, I see less conflict between what Bob Burns at TSA published yesterday and what you have written today than I first thought I saw, but each of you seems to be providing inconsistent messages. I'll try to explain my question better.
Both you and Bob Burns stated that photography of publicly accessible areas of airports is not prohibited by TSA, but both of you have issued ominous warnings about likely negative repercussions of doing just that. TSA's airport checkpoints are publicly-accessible, so it would seem that people should be allowed to photograph anything they can see with their eyes there (given both your prior statement about lack of prohibition and the logical nature of allowing this, given that thousands of people also see and remember the same thing that would be photographed).
You wrote that you suspect that an attempt to photograph or video record at a TSA airport security checkpoint -- an activity that TSA does not prohibit -- would be "cause for concern by all present". Given that TSA allows such photography, and given that there are thousands of people seeing and remembering the same things that someone would be photographing or video recording, do you suppose this would be cause for any concern besides irrational ones? I have some empathy for those people with irrational concerns, but my empathy for those people ends where it hinders my ability to go about my business.
You also suggested that this lawful activity would likely result in the arrival of State Troopers or airport law enforcement staff. Why do you think that would that happen, and if it did, how do you suggest that I or anyone else explain that what I or he is doing is lawful and is no cause for concern?
Could you please provide an e-mail address for TSA BOS's Public Affairs person, Ann Davis? Information tends to be lost when people try to talk on the telephone and take notes at the same time, and an e-mail would allow Ms. Davis to respond at her convenience.
--
Phil Mocek
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 10:30:38 -0700
From: Phil Mocek
Subject: Re: Got Feedback : Logan International Airport (BOS)
To: Marina Blanciforte - TSA <Marina.Blanciforte%AT%dhs.gov>
Cc: GotFeedback <Gotfeedback%AT%dhs.gov>
Sorry -- I didn't notice that you already provided Ms. Davis' e-mail address. Thank you for that.
To summarize, you suggested I contact:
Ann Davis
BOS Airport Public Affairs Person
Transportation Security Administration
617-733-8437
ann.davis%AT%dhs.gov
I look forward to your answers to my questions about your stated belief that an attempt to photograph or video record at a TSA airport checkpoint would be cause for concern by all present and also about your stated belief that this lawful activity would result in involvement of State Troopers or airport law enforcement staff.
--
Phil Mocek
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 14:06:14 -0400
From: "Blanciforte, Marina" <Marina.Blanciforte%AT%dhs.gov>
Subject: RE: Got Feedback : Logan International Airport (BOS)
To: Phil Mocek
Phillip: Just to clarify Ann Davis is a TSA employee and represents BOS. In regards to your questions below - it really doesn't matter what I think would or would not happen........ However, I have taken the liberty of forwarding our exchange back to HQ and have been informed that your questions will be addressed in more detail. Have a good day! Marina
Marina Blanciforte
Customer Support and Quality Improvement Manager
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Transportation Security Administration
Logan International Airport
2 Service Road, Third Floor
Boston, MA 02128
Office: 617 561-2002 Fax: 617 561-5758
Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 11:31:39 -0700
From: Phil Mocek
Subject: Re: Got Feedback : Logan International Airport (BOS)
To: Marina Blanciforte - TSA <Marina.Blanciforte%AT%dhs.gov>
Cc: GotFeedback <Gotfeedback%AT%dhs.gov>
Got it. Thanks for the contact information, and thanks for taking the time to discuss this with me. This has been helpful.
I would very much appreciate knowing to whom at HQ you forwarded our exchange and by whom you were informed that these questions will be addressed in more detail. If this is not feasible, there's no need to respond.
I would expect that how you, as TSA's your Customer Support and Quality Improvement Manager at Logan International, understand the rules that TSA and the airport require "customers" to follow, would be indicative of how other TSA and airport staff are likely to understand those rules. If you suspect law enforcement would be called at your airport were someone to lawfully photograph certain activities that are visible to the public in the airport, I'll trust your opinion as being an expert one and understand that it is likely that this would be the case. That is a disturbing revelation, and one that I and others will surely want to explore further. In the United States, we're supposed to be able to go about our business without interference from our government if it has no reason to think we've done anything wrong, and photography in public of things that thousands of people are looking at is no reason to suspect wrongdoing.
Thanks again, and have a good day.
--
Phil Mocek