Not that I've *ever* heard of. According to the OP this was at CLE, though.

Not that I am aware of, as long as the door is open.

BTW, items that can be used at any time are:

1. Any medically prescribed physiological instrument.

2. One-way pagers (not Blackberrys).

3. Electronic watches.

I am not aware of any restrictions at any US airports.

This happened at CLE. I have in the past taken photos out the window at the gates at EWR.

Sorry, didn't read carefully enough...

Don't assume that all cameras are electronic. Only the light meter on my Nikon F uses any electricity (and talk about a small battery) and I don't need the meter on to shoot pictures.

Good Point, I could load my Pentax with film and bring it with me.

The law specifically permits a person to take a photograph of any public place and any person or thing found in a public venue - this includes airports.

Police, acting illegally and on their own, will sometimes forbid photography - I have witnessed a couple people being harassed by port authority cops who weren't busy stuffing donuts in their mouths in terminal C when they took pictures of the ramp. There are copies of the law you can download and printout, in case you get stopped - however, given the thug mentality of police these days "because of 9/11", you are risking arrest for disobeying, although you have grounds for a lawsuit after the fact.

As for the FA, if the use of electronic devices was permitted, then a polite "buzz off" would have been in order - she had neither the legal grounds or authority to forbid photography from the aircraft, whether on the ground or while airborne. I just took some awesome photos of Mt Rainier while on a flight to Honolulu - if I am carrying my camera on a trip and I see something interesting out the window, rest assured I will take out my Digital Rebel XT and start snapping away. Anyone who doesn't like it "in the name of security" can go smoke a slimjim.

You can read up on this issue by searching the Travel Safety forum - it has been discussed there in depth.

Crewmembers who make up silly nonsense and then blame it on security should be punished by getting re-assigned to ramp agent duty throwing bags for 30 days for each offense @:-)

IMHO this FA would not last 30 days on the ramp, even her speech on the PA was said in a condesending (sp?)(need to go to spell check) tone.

Deleted

No rules apply at EWR. On the other hand, there are always new rules at EWR..!

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While there are def no laws banning photography, I have had my share of problems with GA's and others (especially at EWR). This is not quite the same as the OP, as I have not had any problems while on an aircraft. However, in the terminal I have even volunteered to go get someone from TSA to tell them that there was no rule preventing it (always seems like in the terminal the agents like to "quote" some TSA rule), but they wouldn't have it. I have not had near the problems at any other airports. I guess it just shows that people can be very conscious these days of what is going on around them (whether legit or not), which I suppose can be a good thing...just not when it interferes with my hobby

dan

I fly in to/out of Cleveland frequently and I have not had a problem with using my Treo camera phone or digital camera when on a flight, even after the door has been closed.

Besides, (unless your in the "b" seats on a RJ) how can the flight attendant see you if she/he is strapped in for take off????

I know they're not very skilled on their policy, because I had my GPS receiver on, and had to show the FA page 124 of the inflight magazine with the GPS policy, so I wouldn't be surprised if she just didn't know the camera policy.

As for my GPS incident, the FA went to the cockpit and they text message the ops center for the policy on GPS .