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Originally Posted by SgtScott31
(Post 9832818)
Not that I think there is a big issue with photography, but since the checkpoints are located in an airport, which is private property, ceasing to take photographs when told can cause you to be removed from the airport, whether you are attempting to fly or not.
BWI, as mentioned in several threads in various forums on this website, has decided to post signage indicating that photography may be illegal pursuant to a regulation that specifically pertains to the Maryland Ports Administration and their jurisdiction, which does not include BWI. There is no state law listed in COMAR that prohibits photography at BWI; therefore, there is no jurisdiction for any Maryland-certified LEO to remove an individual from the airport for the simple reason of taking a picture. I realize that there is a federal issue possibly involved as well, since taking pictures of security operations is, we are told in some places, a violation of federal regulations. However, I have never been able to find anything in the CFR, USC or Federal Register that indicates this; admittedly, I have not searched every version of those documents and have not done so recently, so that information may now be in one of those document sources. |
Originally Posted by CPT Trips
(Post 9833106)
Complaint was discussed with staff and there will be retraining. In fact she made a mention of disciplinary action.
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Nope, not buying the bridge.
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In this particular case we are discussing Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, which is OWNED by the Maryland Aviation Administration, an Administration within the Maryland Department of Transportation, a Department of the Maryland state government. It is most definitely NOT private property. |
Originally Posted by CPT Trips
(Post 9832874)
I think you are stretching things a tad. "Told" to stop by whom? A representative of the owner? A tenent? Some one in uniform? Exactly what is the reason for police patrols in private property? And, aren't most airports under governmental or quasi-governmental ownership making them public?
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Originally Posted by CPT Trips
(Post 9833106)
TSA's PHL rep, Katrina Banks (FSD Robert.Ellis assistant) called just a few minutes ago. She indicated that in fact all the things I understood - keep shoes on, WTMD person should communicate to the "assist" person, comment form should be available, no ID to get the card - were correct understandings.
She clearly indicated that they were not disagreeing with my version of the events . . . I was tempted to ask whether they reviewed the tapes, but did not. Complaint was discussed with staff and there will be retraining. In fact she made a mention of disciplinary action. I don't recall the exact nature of Honeytoes conversation with TSA, but I'll bet is was very similar. I travel throught PHL alot, hope not to run into the same crew again. Thanks to all those who provided advice. |
Originally Posted by SgtScott31
(Post 9833971)
The mayor sits on our board of directors and selects the Airport president, but ultimately the Airport Authority and its property are private (although open to the public). You ask a good question, it has to be an agent of the airport to ask the person to stop taking photographs. That is normally accomplished when TSA makes us aware of someone taking photos. Not that they are prohibited, but taking photos of the screening process is a " no no" here. Any serious photography also has to be cleared through our Administrative folks (just as media on scene does).
If I am standing legally in a place, I can take pictures from that location so long as I am not interfering with the screening process or taking pictures of what is showing up on the x-ray machine monitor. Please let me know what statute I am violating if you believe otherwise. The First Amendment still does apply at the screening checkpoints. |
Name Those Tso's!
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Originally Posted by CPT Trips
(Post 9832874)
"Told" to stop by whom?
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Originally Posted by Cee
(Post 9836859)
I don't allow picture taking at my CP. If a passenger wants to take a picture of their friend being hand-wanded, I politely tell them "no pictures please".
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Originally Posted by doober
(Post 9837018)
If it is not against policy to take photos at a checkpoint, then it is not within your purview to forbid it. You may, however, ask someone to not take your picture individually.
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Originally Posted by Cee
(Post 9837075)
If it interferes with a screening process, or hinders the flow of traffic thru an already cramped/busy checkpoint, it is within my purview to forbid it.
I don't allow picture taking at my CP. If a passenger wants to take a picture of their friend being hand-wanded, I politely tell them "no pictures please". |
Originally Posted by Cee
(Post 9837075)
If it interferes with a screening process, or hinders the flow of traffic thru an already cramped/busy checkpoint, it is within my purview to forbid it.
If the photographer is not interfering then you cannot disallow pictures. |
Originally Posted by CPT Trips
(Post 9833106)
TSA's PHL rep, Katrina Banks (FSD Robert.Ellis assistant) called just a few minutes ago. She indicated that in fact all the things I understood - keep shoes on, WTMD person should communicate to the "assist" person, comment form should be available, no ID to get the card - were correct understandings.
She clearly indicated that they were not disagreeing with my version of the events . . . I was tempted to ask whether they reviewed the tapes, but did not. Complaint was discussed with staff and there will be retraining. In fact she made a mention of disciplinary action. I don't recall the exact nature of Honeytoes conversation with TSA, but I'll bet is was very similar. I travel throught PHL alot, hope not to run into the same crew again. Thanks to all those who provided advice. It depends what "re-training" means of course. Probably a memo or a reminder. Formal warnings about misconduct would be reasonable. The more the merrier for the bad apples. Only way their sups will know that an individual is causing problems are complaint letters. Attitude, in general, is endemic in this metro area. Everyone with some sort of badge thinks they're a mini Kim Jong-Il. Ever watch Parking Wars on A&E in the states? Yep, that's life in Philly for ya. Sad part is that I moved here from Southern Calif.... and I like it :eek: |
Originally Posted by Cee
(Post 9836859)
I don't allow picture taking at my CP. If a passenger wants to take a picture of their friend being hand-wanded, I politely tell them "no pictures please".
Originally Posted by Cee
(Post 9837075)
If it interferes with a screening process, or hinders the flow of traffic thru an already cramped/busy checkpoint, it is within my purview to forbid it.
Originally Posted by doober
(Post 9837096)
Tell us, please, how does taking a picture of someone being hand-wanded interfere with the screening process - unless the photographer asks you to repeat/slow down the process.
If the photographer is not interfering then you cannot disallow pictures. No blocking, no interference, then what basis do you have for stopping it? |
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