Originally Posted by FWAAA
Nice try, Amtrak.
You just want the names and addresses of all the potential terrorists who take pictures of trains. And what better way than to sponsor a "contest."
Police departments around the country are sure to copy this technique (especially those with subway systems).
That's preposterous. This contest is in its third year already. The foremost respected rail photographers enter it each time. Not one has experienced harrassment as a result. In fact, many see Amtrak's endorsement of photography as a beacon of hope amidst the photography bans of New Jersey Transit, AA, and other transport entities. Many transit agencies have also subjected railfans to terrible persecution. One cannot say the same about Amtrak Police.
Amtrak already gives passenger consists to the FBI for drug sweeps and to CBP for inspecting trains near borders. I certainly hope nobody at Amtrak or any law enforcement agency would find the list of photographer-contestants useful for finding terrorists, especially considering that most Amtrak employees are also eligible for this contest.