Not only is there no rule that prohibits photography from an aircraft (I can't speak to an airline specific rule that prohibits photography of their equipment while on their property), there is a law which specifically grants us the right to take photos of anything we want (unless its government or sensitive private property with a posted 'no photography' sign).

I have witnessed thuggish port authority cops telling people to stop taking photos while in the walkway of EWR T-C - if I see this, I just suggest the person walk down one of the piers where there are no cops and do their photos there, unless they want to get into a verbal spat with the cop.

As for this "FAM"...I doubt it's a FAM. No FAM with a brain would 'out' themselves for something like this, especially given there is no such rule from any government office that prevents inflight photography. If it was a LEO riding onboard, they have no authority and cannot prevent you from taking photos. In any case, you can demand to see their full identification and ask to speak to a LEO on the ground with an airline representative upon arrival to verify the person's identify and their understanding of your rights. I would not volunteer to show them my photos or erase anything they asked me too absent a court order.

Deleted

I assume you mean the 'interference' provision, which is actually 49 USC 46504 and does not appear in the FARs. Neither does anything about photography per se; so I believe any such proscription by the airline would have to be in their CofC. The same place where it says a camera may be carried into the cabin as hand baggage :D

I note that there is an obscure Federal Law which says that the President may designate any 'area' as sensitive and thereby prohibit photography, including from the air. Since OP was "over the Rockies", nothing of that sort comes to mind.

Heck, on Emirates the FAs actually come around to passengers with small children and snap a Polaroid and put it in a nifty holder as a momento. Yeah, better watch out for that baby in the Winnie-the-Pooh jumper. :rolleyes:

Could also be a contributor to a sherriff's campaign fund in California! :rolleyes:

As does Amtrak for their annual calendar. This when many rail fans are being harrassed and arrested by overzealous law enforcement.

OT, but does Spirit Airlines call their magazine "WN"? ;)

Even if there was a law against it, it would be pretty pointless. If someone is intent on doing harm and is conducting prep work, or whatever, they are not going to take a plainly visible camera and snap pictures.

I have seen a warning in AA's magazine "American Way" that states:

"Photography or video recording of airline personnel, equipment, or procedures is strictly prohibited."

But the website with the full text also says:

"You may use audio and video devices only with a headset. Use of still and video cameras, film or digital, is permitted only for recording personal events."

See: http://www.aa.com/content/travelInfo...chnology.jhtml

Which means the OP was not over Cheyenne Mountain, the only thing I can think of in the Rockies that might be designated sensitive. Though if that's the case I think the feds would have to arrest everyone at the Discovery Channel, The National Geographic Channel and PBS.

(Not to mention the Colorado Springs Torism board and the marketing department of the Broadmoor Resort, but that's something that should have been done long ago... :D )

Er, how personal?

It is not.

See:

http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm

and

http://www.kantor.com/blog/2005/12/l...ographers.html

That made me chuckle! :D ;)

No statutes necessarily directly prohibit photography inside of the aircraft (though airlines can get around this by citing the laws that require pax to adhere to crewmember instructions). However, there ARE laws in a variety of US jurisdictions that prohibit the photography of aircraft (and in particular, a/c registration numbers) - JAX comes to mind (though I am sure that there are others).

Can you please cite these specific laws?

I take pictures from airplanes all the time. I have even asked the pilots to take pictures and they always are happy to do so. There pictures have included incredible sunsets, scenery, and aproaches including the cockpit in the picture.

When I was in Tijuana in line to get back into the US I took a picture of a builiding and sign near customs. A customs officer was standing right next to but not in the picture. He called me over and told me to delete the picture. I showed him the picture and told him he was not in it. He replied that I could keep the picture.

Yup, yup...

BTW the only restricted transit agencies where you cannot take pictures are: Boston - you need a permit, and the PATH in NYC - need a private tour for pictures.

As for railroads, as long as the pix are taken from a public ROW, you're in the clear.

Never had problems taking pictures from a plane...
some Aerials over L.A. from last year