Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:45:55 -0700
From: Phil Mocek
To: Robert Mauldin - CMH Public Safety Manager <RMauldin%AT%ColumbusAirports.com>
Cc: John Dipaola - TSA Stakeholder-Customer Support Manager at CMH <John.Dipaola%AT%dhs.gov>,
        GotFeedback <Gotfeedback%AT%dhs.gov>,
        Richard Morgan <RMorgan%AT%ColumbusAirports.com>
Subject: Re: Got Feedback : Port Columbus International (CMH)

Mr. Mauldin and Mr. DiPaola:

In April, 2009, you reported to me that the only restriction on
photography at Port Columbus International Airport concerned such
action at security-related areas and items.

Three days ago, a passenger who flew out of CMH reported the
following:
<http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-safety-security/1099444-using-cameras-airport.html>
> A few weeks ago, I was about to get on an early flight out of
> Concourse B at CMH. I had my camera with me, so I was taking a few
> pictures of the planes just to pass the time. One of the baggage
> handlers on the ground saw me taking pictures and waved his arm at
> me. I didn't think anything of it, and I sat down to do some work.
>
> A few minutes later, the baggage handler came through a door into
> the terminal from outside. He walked directly over to me and
> started questioning me. "Why are you taking pictures? You can't do
> that. Will you show me the pictures that you took?" The terminal
> was mostly empty at that hour, and I had chosen a pretty secluded
> corner of the Terminal to hang out. Maybe that's what alarmed this
> guy. In any case, I told him I was taking pictures of the planes
> in the morning light. Not satisfied with that response, the guy
> began asking about my flight details and from which gate I was
> departing.

Have your photography policies changed since April 14, 2009?

[long quotation of previous correspondence omitted]

Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:56:15 +0000
From: Robert Mauldin <RMauldin%AT%ColumbusAirports.com>
To: Phil Mocek
CC: John Dipaola - TSA Stakeholder-Customer Support Manager at CMH <John.Dipaola%AT%dhs.gov>,
        GotFeedback <Gotfeedback%AT%dhs.gov>,
        Richard Morgan <RMorgan%AT%ColumbusAirports.com>
Subject: RE: Got Feedback : Port Columbus International (CMH)

Mr. Mocek:  The policy is still the same.  I'm not sure what occurred in this
incident, but all of us in aviation security are keenly interested in providing
a safe environment for air travel, not in stifling interest in aviation.  Once
again, so long as there is no evidence of an attempt to compromise safety or
security, you should have no problem.

Hope this helps.

Bob Mauldin
Public Safety Manager
Columbus Regional Airport Authority

[long quotation of previous correspondence omitted]

Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 09:16:26 -0700
From: Phil Mocek
To: Robert Mauldin <RMauldin%AT%ColumbusAirports.com>
Cc: John Dipaola - TSA Stakeholder - Customer Support Manager 
    at CMH <John.Dipaola%AT%dhs.gov>, GotFeedback <Gotfeedback%AT%dhs.gov>,
    Richard Morgan <RMorgan%AT%ColumbusAirports.com>
Subject: Re: Got Feedback : Port Columbus International (CMH)

On Mon, Jun 28, 2010 at 03:56:15PM +0000, Robert Mauldin wrote:
> The policy is still the same.  I'm not sure what occurred in this incident,
> but all of us in aviation security are keenly interested in providing a safe
> environment for air travel, not in stifling interest in aviation.  Once
> again, so long as there is no evidence of an attempt to compromise safety or
> security, you should have no problem.

Thanks.  What action do you recommend someone take when faced with airport
staff who assert that photography is prohibited in a circumstance in which it
is not, in fact, prohibited?

--
Phil Mocek

Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:08:24 +0000
From: Robert Mauldin <RMauldin%AT%ColumbusAirports.com>
To: Phil Mocek
CC: John Dipaola - TSA Stakeholder - Customer Support Manager 
    at CMH <John.Dipaola%AT%dhs.gov>, GotFeedback <Gotfeedback%AT%dhs.gov>,
    John Rockwell <jrockwell%AT%ColumbusAirports.com>
Subject: RE: Got Feedback : Port Columbus International (CMH)

Actually, we do not encourage non-law enforcement people from confronting what
they may think is a security risk, but rather to report it to the police.
Conversely, if someone feels threatened or if they think they are being
challenged unjustly, I would suggest calling the police responsible for the
facility/area to straighten out the matter.

[quotation of previous correspondence omitted]