Photography in airports: Hello all. My wife and I are taking a trip to Jamaica soon. I was wondering what are the general rules are for taking photos inside the airport , plane, etc...

K_Duncan Loc: Whiteville, NC

Hello all. My wife and I are taking a trip to Jamaica soon. I was wondering what are the general rules are for taking photos inside the airport , plane, etc... I haven't traveled too much lately. Don't want to look like a terrorist. :|

tramsey Loc: Texas

I have shot many pictures in JFK of landings and take offs, not a problem. I don't know about any place else. I was there just a couple of months ago.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

K_Duncan wrote:

Hello all. My wife and I are taking a trip to Jamaica soon. I was wondering what are the general rules are for taking photos inside the airport , plane, etc... I haven't traveled too much lately. Don't want to look like a terrorist. :|

:) :) :) The important issue here is to not ACT like a terrorist. You might try being open and available in all aspects of your shooting. Do not assume that because signs do not prohibit picture taking that it is permissible. By all mean ASK a TSA agent if certain areas were open or off limits to photography. Plan your movements and be sure you are not treading on anyone's toes. Do not act suspicious. If challenged do not resist! Most importantly, remember you are an American in America. The TSA folks are also Americans in America. Make you intentions known. GL, and enjoy your trip.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

K_Duncan wrote:

Hello all. My wife and I are taking a trip to Jamaica soon. I was wondering what are the general rules are for taking photos inside the airport , plane, etc... I haven't traveled too much lately. Don't want to look like a terrorist. :|

In the US:

Taking Pictures at the Checkpoint -
http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/taking-pictures-checkpoint

Within the airport -
Post 9/11 it is basically a security risk and airport security may stop you. They will remove you if they feel it necessary.

On the airplane -
Most airlines have rules against photography while on the plane which are found in their inflight magazine and or on their website.

Blake Loc: Alfred NY

K_Duncan wrote:

Hello all. My wife and I are taking a trip to Jamaica soon. I was wondering what are the general rules are for taking photos inside the airport , plane, etc... I haven't traveled too much lately. Don't want to look like a terrorist. :|

Hello, Duncan,

I was at Newark airport a year ago taking pics of the freedom tower and planes landing. I had no issues. I also was at Toronto's Pearson international and took pictures of the group that I traveled with again there were no issues

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

K_Duncan wrote:

Hello all. My wife and I are taking a trip to Jamaica soon. I was wondering what are the general rules are for taking photos inside the airport , plane, etc... I haven't traveled too much lately. Don't want to look like a terrorist. :|

:) :) :) The important issue here is to not ACT like a terrorist. You might try being open and available in all aspects of your shooting. Do not assume that because signs do not prohibit picture taking that it is permissible. By all mean ASK a TSA agent if certain areas were open or off limits to photography. Plan your movements and be sure you are not treading on anyone's toes. Do not act suspicious. If challenged do not resist! Most importantly, remember you are an American in America. The TSA folks are also Americans in America. Make you intentions known. GL, and enjoy your trip.

K_Duncan Loc: Whiteville, NC

Thanks to all for the info. I suppose it will depend on the circumstances. :thumbup:

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

K_Duncan wrote:

Thanks to all for the info. I suppose it will depend on the circumstances. :thumbup:

Ask. Be Polite. Have fun!

K_Duncan Loc: Whiteville, NC

St3v3M wrote:

Ask. Be Polite. Have fun!

Will do. Thanks.

Merlin1300 Loc: New England, But Now & Forever SoTX

When traveling, I have ALWAYS taken my cameras and equipment along as carry-on baggage.
I don't trust the luggage monkeys with my valuable cameras or glass - -
I've not had any problems shooting stuff in the airport - -
Attached are a couple of shots from O'Hare Airport taken with a 7D and some reasonably nice glass - Tokina 12-24.
But if you start taking photos of stuff that might be considered suspicious - -
Like an employee opening a security door - - then you might be setting yourself up for an inquisition.

Butch O'Hare - F-15 #1

Butch O'Hare - F-15 #2

Butch O'Hare - Medal of Honor

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Merlin1300 wrote:

When traveling, I have ALWAYS taken my cameras and... (show quote)

What happens to your luggage http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPzRPga6uDg

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Just take pictures. As far as not acting like a terrorist, I hope this was just a joke. How does one of those act? Don't wear a turban and yell "Allah Akbar" after every shot.

I have taken photos in airports a lot. Nobody cares.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

CaptainC wrote:

Just take pictures. As far as not acting like a terrorist, I hope this was just a joke. How does one of those act? Don't wear a turban and yell "Allah Akbar" after every shot.

There goes my "Photographic Style"....

Underwaterant

K_Duncan wrote:

Hello all. My wife and I are taking a trip to Jamaica soon. I was wondering what are the general rules are for taking photos inside the airport , plane, etc... I haven't traveled too much lately. Don't want to look like a terrorist. :|

You shouldn't ask here for pure legalities.
You would be well advised to call the
authority concerned for the airports.
In Australia it's the
Australian Federal Police. And ask to be
transferred to the authority at the airport.

Plymouth34 Loc: Pacific Northwest

K_Duncan wrote:

Hello all. My wife and I are taking a trip to Jamaica soon. I was wondering what are the general rules are for taking photos inside the airport , plane, etc... I haven't traveled too much lately. Don't want to look like a terrorist. :|

I would assume you will take your camera gear on as carry on luggage. The last thing you want is having it thrown around. Once you pass security you are home free. Take as many pictures as you want. So here is my trip to China story. Recently my wife and I visited China. Four hours out of Beijing the pilot informs us that the toilets are backed up. "We will have to divert to Sapporo, Japan for repairs". Well as you may know China and Japan are not on the most friendliest of terms right now. So when we landed a Japanese soldier with a video camera took pictures of everyone on board. While he was doing that several Chinese passengers took picture of the Japanese soldier. So I figured I'd get into the act and I took pictures of the Chinese passengers (more than one) taking pictures of the Japanese soldier filming passengers. Cameras were not confiscated and we stayed out of jail. I have to admit my heart was pounding just a bit when we landed in Japan. Enjoy your trip to Jamaica.

Vancouver B.C. to China