PV Alert: Can I Take Photos at the Checkpoint and Airport?
Apr 20, 2009, 3:57 am
#106
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 1,439
TSA re: airport photography policies: Orlando International (MCO)
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 10:41:18 -0400
From: "Kretchik, William" <WILLIAM.Kretchik%AT%dhs.gov>
Subject: RE: Got Feedback : Orlando International (MCO)
To: Phil Mocek
Dear Mr. Mocek,
Photography is fine throughout most of Orlando International Airport. If there are concerns, signs will usually be posted in those areas. People take pictures all of the time here.
The areas of concern that TSA has is photographing specific equipment or operations. You may be asked not to take pictures of those areas. If you wish to photograph our Officers, you may ask them for permission. Many times it's not security issues, but camera-shyness.
The traveling public takes pictures around, before, inside and after the Security Checkpoints on a daily basis. I do not believe you will have any problems.
Thank you,
William A. Kretchik
Program Assistant
TSA Orlando (MCO) Customer Support
Phone: 407-563-4074
From: "Kretchik, William" <WILLIAM.Kretchik%AT%dhs.gov>
Subject: RE: Got Feedback : Orlando International (MCO)
To: Phil Mocek
Dear Mr. Mocek,
Photography is fine throughout most of Orlando International Airport. If there are concerns, signs will usually be posted in those areas. People take pictures all of the time here.
The areas of concern that TSA has is photographing specific equipment or operations. You may be asked not to take pictures of those areas. If you wish to photograph our Officers, you may ask them for permission. Many times it's not security issues, but camera-shyness.
The traveling public takes pictures around, before, inside and after the Security Checkpoints on a daily basis. I do not believe you will have any problems.
Thank you,
William A. Kretchik
Program Assistant
TSA Orlando (MCO) Customer Support
Phone: 407-563-4074
Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 07:57:33 -0700
From: Phil Mocek
Subject: Re: Got Feedback : Orlando International (MCO)
To: William Kretchik - TSA <WILLIAM.Kretchik%AT%dhs.gov>
Cc: GotFeedback <Gotfeedback%AT%dhs.gov>
Thank you for your response, Mr. Kretchik.
I'm not particularly interested in whether there will be "concerns", I'm interested in the law. I understand that at any time I *may* be asked to do anything, but I'm interested in what I *will* be asked to do, and more specifically, in what I am *required* to do. I need to know what the law requires of me so that I can ensure my compliance.
Bob Burns at TSA has published on March 31, 2009, that TSA places no restriction on photography or video recording in airports unless the activity interferes with TSA operations [1]. On that date, he also wrote that TSA discourages (but does not prohibit) photography of computer monitors at TSA search stations. Additionally, he wrote, "while the TSA does not prohibit photographs at screening locations, local laws, state statutes, or local ordinances might. Your best bet is to call ahead and see what that specific airport's policy is. I suggest you use the Got Feedback program to directly contact the Customer Support Manager at the airport you're going to be traveling through. They will have an answer for you and if they don't, they can connect you with somebody who does."
I took his suggestion and contacted TSA via the TSA "Got Feedback?" form. You replied via e-mail. You did not refute Mr. Burns' claim (in fact, you confirmed that TSA simply *asks* people not to photograph certain equipment), and you did not mention any applicable laws, statutes, or local ordinances.
Do you have any local TSA policies at Orlando International which supersede those described by Mr. Burns? Are you aware of any applicable local laws, state statutes, or local ordinances?
Thank you for your continued assistance.
References:
[1]: <http://www.tsa.gov/blog/2009/03/can-i-take-photos-at-checkpoint-and.html>
--
Phil Mocek
From: Phil Mocek
Subject: Re: Got Feedback : Orlando International (MCO)
To: William Kretchik - TSA <WILLIAM.Kretchik%AT%dhs.gov>
Cc: GotFeedback <Gotfeedback%AT%dhs.gov>
Thank you for your response, Mr. Kretchik.
I'm not particularly interested in whether there will be "concerns", I'm interested in the law. I understand that at any time I *may* be asked to do anything, but I'm interested in what I *will* be asked to do, and more specifically, in what I am *required* to do. I need to know what the law requires of me so that I can ensure my compliance.
Bob Burns at TSA has published on March 31, 2009, that TSA places no restriction on photography or video recording in airports unless the activity interferes with TSA operations [1]. On that date, he also wrote that TSA discourages (but does not prohibit) photography of computer monitors at TSA search stations. Additionally, he wrote, "while the TSA does not prohibit photographs at screening locations, local laws, state statutes, or local ordinances might. Your best bet is to call ahead and see what that specific airport's policy is. I suggest you use the Got Feedback program to directly contact the Customer Support Manager at the airport you're going to be traveling through. They will have an answer for you and if they don't, they can connect you with somebody who does."
I took his suggestion and contacted TSA via the TSA "Got Feedback?" form. You replied via e-mail. You did not refute Mr. Burns' claim (in fact, you confirmed that TSA simply *asks* people not to photograph certain equipment), and you did not mention any applicable laws, statutes, or local ordinances.
Do you have any local TSA policies at Orlando International which supersede those described by Mr. Burns? Are you aware of any applicable local laws, state statutes, or local ordinances?
Thank you for your continued assistance.
References:
[1]: <http://www.tsa.gov/blog/2009/03/can-i-take-photos-at-checkpoint-and.html>
--
Phil Mocek
Date: Tue, 14 Apr 2009 09:13:23 -0700
From: Phil Mocek
Subject: Re: Got Feedback : Orlando International (MCO)
To: William Kretchik - TSA <WILLIAM.Kretchik%AT%dhs.gov>
Cc: GotFeedback <Gotfeedback%AT%dhs.gov>
I have received no further contact from you. Are you able to provide the information I have requested?
--
Phil Mocek
From: Phil Mocek
Subject: Re: Got Feedback : Orlando International (MCO)
To: William Kretchik - TSA <WILLIAM.Kretchik%AT%dhs.gov>
Cc: GotFeedback <Gotfeedback%AT%dhs.gov>
I have received no further contact from you. Are you able to provide the information I have requested?
--
Phil Mocek
Apr 27, 2009, 8:36 pm
#107
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Houston
Posts: 8,956
While waiting at AUS yesterday, I decided to shoot some pictures outside of the checkpoint. I am happy report that no one approached me about taking pictures, but it nevertheless became a strange experience. From where I was standing, one of the x-ray monitors was completely visible and the other was partially visible. I specifically decided at that point to not have the monitors visible in any shots.
I then noticed two TSO's walk up to the visible monitor and place themselves between me and the monitor. Eventually one left, but the other had a piece of cardboard to try to block the view (which was rather funny as it was totally ineffective). At one point they tried to put a three sided screen on the monitor, but failed in that endeavor. So for the rest of the time I was standing there, we had one TSO doing nothing but trying to block my view with her body and a piece of cardboard. Your tax dollars at work.
Lest you think that the TSA fixed the situation, this evening I went by the checkpoint and the monitor was there in full view for all to see.
BTW, while I was standing there, three TSO's walked directly through and past the checkpoint with backpacks on without being screened in the least.
I then noticed two TSO's walk up to the visible monitor and place themselves between me and the monitor. Eventually one left, but the other had a piece of cardboard to try to block the view (which was rather funny as it was totally ineffective). At one point they tried to put a three sided screen on the monitor, but failed in that endeavor. So for the rest of the time I was standing there, we had one TSO doing nothing but trying to block my view with her body and a piece of cardboard. Your tax dollars at work.
Lest you think that the TSA fixed the situation, this evening I went by the checkpoint and the monitor was there in full view for all to see.
BTW, while I was standing there, three TSO's walked directly through and past the checkpoint with backpacks on without being screened in the least.
Apr 27, 2009, 9:14 pm
#108
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,006
Apr 27, 2009, 9:53 pm
#110
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,006
Post them, if you need a space let me know.
Maybe I need to make a "photos from the field" page on my blog. All of my traveling friends could post photos of various checkpoints with a little blurb about how they were treated and what silliness they saw.
What do you think?
Maybe I need to make a "photos from the field" page on my blog. All of my traveling friends could post photos of various checkpoints with a little blurb about how they were treated and what silliness they saw.
What do you think?
Apr 27, 2009, 10:17 pm
#111
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: Marriott Plat
Posts: 946
This is truly pathetic. One would think that if TSA is going to tell people to use Get Feedback, that they would prepare the CSQIMs for the question.
And what's with the 50% response rate? I'm tempted to file a FOIA request for stats on this.
And what's with the 50% response rate? I'm tempted to file a FOIA request for stats on this.
Apr 27, 2009, 10:37 pm
#112
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,006
Good luck with that. I am still waiting on two FOIA request from Sept. One was to find out what happened with a complaint I filed over the summer. Heck I even gave them thier own control number for the complaint.
Apr 28, 2009, 9:45 am
#113
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Orange County, CA, USA
Programs: AA (Life Plat), Marriott (Life Titanium) and every other US program
Posts: 6,411
At several airports (SNA and SFO come to mind) the people carrying firearms (pilots, FAMs, etc.) present themselves at entrances which are immediately adjacent to the screening and which are 100% viewable by the public. I suspect that if you stood there and took pictures of the people arriving through those entrances (at which there is no TSA equipment other than an "officer") you would draw quick attention.
May 6, 2009, 6:10 pm
#115
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Marriott or Hilton hot tub with a big drink <glub> Beverage: To-Go Bag™ DYKWIA: SSSS /rolleyes ☈ Date Night: Costco
Programs: Sea Shell Lounge Platinum, TSA Pre✓ Refusnik Diamond, PWP Gold, FT subset of the subset
Posts: 12,509
May 6, 2009, 6:57 pm
#116
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
I was just on DenverPost.com a few moments ago looking at a story. That LEO is playing one of the online games at that site.
May 6, 2009, 7:44 pm
#118
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,006
May 11, 2009, 4:34 pm
#120
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Louisville, KY, US
Programs: QF Plat - OW EMD | DL Gold / Starwood Gold
Posts: 6,106
ISP
Was at ISP earlier today.
Large signs at the checkpoint: No Photography.
New York State Law? County Law? Voodoo Law/Policy?
I don't recall seeing those signs at JFK (was there just a few days ago), or LGA.
Large signs at the checkpoint: No Photography.
New York State Law? County Law? Voodoo Law/Policy?
I don't recall seeing those signs at JFK (was there just a few days ago), or LGA.