SDF_Traveler

Had an interesting experience at SNA this morning.

I arrive at SNA and notice there isn't a large queue for security, but I did happen to SPOT two TSO's "observing" passengers and pax as they would enter the queue. They didn't seem to have any other job or serve any other purpose, as such I figured they were BDO's.

As I had time and there was no significant wait for security, I decided I'd have a walk around the airport and take some photos. I first start taking photos of of the "hanging planes" and then decide to go downstairs to shoot from below.

I happened to notice this TSO started watching me as I was taking photos. I then go downstairs to take photos from another angle, TSO follows me downstairs.

At this point it it was obvious he was following me - doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the bloody obvious. In light of this, I took my time taking photos.

Instead of staying downstairs and going to the John Wayne statue to get some pics, I go back upstairs to get some photos from above of the statue, US Flag, and trees around the statue. Sure enough, TSO follows me back upstairs, observing me from a distance.

After a few photos upstairs, I decide to go back down and take photos of the statue & US flag as I had planned. Same TSO follows me back downstairs -- as I start taking photos of the statue he then goes outside and starts observing me by looking through the glass back in at me.

I finally decide to go upstairs to clear security, expecting a hassle.

TSO then comes in from outside and follows me upstairs again and continues following me to the security checkpoint. He then walks into the checkpoint and proceeds to observe me as I go through security.

I had a feeling he was going to stop me and pull the BDO "questioning" crap which I've read about, but thankfully that was not the case.

I don't think it was just coincidence that he had to go downstairs/upstairs when I did; it was too obvious I had attracted his attention and was being followed / observed.

Small airport syndrome? (SNA isn't small per se, but it certainly isn't a large airport).

Is taking photographs of artwork in an airport terminal now considered suspicious activity? If anything, the way I was followed around was just creepy

AngryMiller

This might have been a good time to 'report all suspicious behavior' to the airport police, then sit back and watch the fireworks.

camerawork

Waste of time & manpower. All it did was irritate you and took him from more "important" tasks. If you were shooting the keypads on gate doors then I might be suspicious but give it a rest. And that airport has more and more traffic every year. I like to fly in and out of there vs LAX but security can get very slow because they seem to have a small airport mentality. Given all of the commerce in the industrial park across the street, and the state they are located in, one would think they would be used to photographers and film crews.

GUWonder

Reporting the creepy stalker would be a good course of action.

fly-yul

I hope you took a picture of your stalker.

FliesWay2Much

This would be funny if it weren't so pathetic.

It sure took him a long time to "detect" your "behavior."

Boggie Dog

Should have contacted a uniformed LEO and told them you thought someone was stalking you and you were in fear of your safety.

spotnik

*knowing snicker*

Photography of artwork in an airport terminal is what I would term "normal tourist activity."

Can't comment on the rest, no matter how much I really, really, really want to. Sorry.

bocastephen

+1

I would have followed him around and taken his picture repeatedly, then uploaded each photo to Facebook with the tag "my airport stalker"

N830MH

You should have to stay away from TSO/BDO. I do not appreciate it for TSA behaviors at SNA today. You should have to get file complaints against of TSO behaviors who is trying to harassed you during shooting the pictures. This is inappropriate behaviors for TSO/BDO on their job. You should have to talk with TSA supervisor to find out any investigate against BDO is trying to followed you around. Next time you should tell them to stop trying to following you around at airport. Besides, you should stay inside at the gate instead of going to outside at the terminals.

doober

I would have gone up to him and confronted him about his actions, told him to stop following me or I would call the police - and that if he were a BDO, he was a pretty poor one to be so obvious.

AngryMiller

The folks over at Fark may have appreciated it even more, especially once the pictures were Photoshopped.

Boggie Dog

Perhaps a new activity for people who travel.

Photograph suspected BDO's and dump the pictures on the internet.

Extra points for funniest photo.

coachrowsey

What a great idea. It is just unreal here how they waste so much of the taxpayers (ours) dollars.

Boggie Dog

Perhaps TK would be willing to create and host a forum for this. Heck, he has one for screeners to bad mouth travelers.

TK?