Photography Inside Airport Terminals

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mw_uio

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For those who are road warriors and travel domestic in the USA, and international from the USA, what is the policy on photography inside an airport. If you do take photos, are they from the airside, looking out to the tramac of the jets taking off. I mean what is the policy, and what have you encountered and experienced?

MArk
Quito, EC
 
I've had no problems in Canadian airports.
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Stanfield Airport, Halifax
 
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No problems at Australian Airports - Sydney or Darwin. Must admit I didn't see too many other cameras. Mine was a rangefinder. Perhaps the 'family man' look helped. Or terrorists don't use old looking cameras.

This is my daughter signing the green form for entering the USA while her brothers look on. Even though it was just to get fuel in Hawaii enroute to Vancouver.

For those that have never filled one in, it asks things like have you have ever committed genocide? Probably not a great idea to admit to it, if you had 🙂

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taken with a R3A and 40mm Nokton HP5.

John
 
I don't know if there is an official, consistent policy, but I was once questioned by TSA security for taking a photo of the air traffic control tower. Well, not questioned like "interrogated", just some mild inquiries and a warning "you can't do that". No waterboarding or anything.
 
I've taken casual shots in LAS, DEN, and OMA, all within plain sight of the Powers That Be and never been confronted.

They tell me (the ubiquitous "they") that if you start shooting the security checkpoints, they will not be very happy. 🙂
 
They are very clear about no photographing (or even cellphone use) in the immigration and customs areas. In the normal passenger areas, it's less clear. If you're taking photos of family members or friends as a souvenier of your trip, it's very unlikely anyone wil say anything. But if you are traveling alone and pull out a camera with a huge telephoto to photograph the planes or the gates, I'd guarantee someone will "talk" to you. DON'T photograph the security areas.....
 
I like to snap pictures of the airplanes through the terminal windows. No problems in St. Louis or Houston, even though they saw me.
 

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Saw the topic and couldn't resist replying. I have no idea what the rules are, but I have never been told to not take a picture. I wouldn't try taking one near security, though. Taken with a hi-matic e.

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You can do it and I do it all the time: towers, planes, runways, etc.

retnull said:
I don't know if there is an official, consistent policy, but I was once questioned by TSA security for taking a photo of the air traffic control tower. Well, not questioned like "interrogated", just some mild inquiries and a warning "you can't do that". No waterboarding or anything.
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I went through security a few days ago at LAX with Tommy Lee in front of me and the paparazzi's were all over him cranking off shot after shot on fancy Canon DLSRs with long lenses aimed right at the security check point. They were just at the perimeter where one cues up to go in. No one touched them although since they didn't have plane tickets they couldn't go through with him. They were tough and unafraid I'll tell you (I admire them!). I had a loaded Bessa R + Nokton in my backpack, but like an idiot I totally forgot it was with me.
 
I beleive all US airports are owned by the local authorities and as such have rules specific to their location. For example, I live in Seattle and Sea-Tac airport is owned by the Port of Seattle. I have been escorted off a Port of Seattle site by security because the POS does not allow photography on it's properties. That just has to be crap as I found no reference to that restriction on their website and people are snapping pictures all over Sea-Tac.

If you are really concerned look up the website for the airport and see if any restrictions are posted. My guess is that you are ok.

Good luck.

Bob
 
rpsawin said:
I beleive all US airports are owned by the local authorities and as such have rules specific to their location. For example, I live in Seattle and Sea-Tac airport is owned by the Port of Seattle. I have been escorted off a Port of Seattle site by security because the POS does not allow photography on it's properties. That just has to be crap as I found no reference to that restriction on their website and people are snapping pictures all over Sea-Tac.

If you are really concerned look up the website for the airport and see if any restrictions are posted. My guess is that you are ok.

Good luck.

Bob
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There are very few large private passenger airports in the US. Most are owned by municipalities or their transportation authorities and these as such are public places heavily supported by tax dollars. If you were escorted off such a property your civil rights were probably violated.
 
David Murphy said:
There are very few large private passenger airports in the US. Most are owned by municipalities or their transportation authorities and these as such are public places heavily supported by tax dollars. If you were escorted off such a property your civil rights were probably violated.
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David,

You are right. And to prove the point I have returned to the "crime scene" several times since and have not drawn any attention.

Bob
 
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