Paulinbna From United States of America, joined Feb 2003, 1114 posts, RR: 5 Posted (8 years 2 months 2 days 7 hours ago) and read 873 times:
I am starting a new post about this because I want every one to see it. I got a letter back from MEM today and this what is said in abbreviation.
"Officers were wrong in telling us that it was illegal and they have made a policy change to that effect. And they realize that it is a hobby especially in Europe but we where taking from is a restricted area, so that is why we got run off from there."
He also suggested, "Though not legally bound to do so is to call them before hand to tell them I am coming. They many times will even let us know where we can go to get the best pictures."
He also said "That we should expect to be approached but that is all"
At least cooler heads prevailed and some one got it right.
Canon 50D user; 100-400 MM L IS 10-22 MM, 60MM Macro
AdamWright From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 1, posted (8 years 2 months 2 days 6 hours ago) and read 865 times:
Sounds good Paul.
I had a similar situation in Roanoke, Virginia and they advised me to call/contact the Airport Commision / Police each time before I head out to take photos around the airport.
Glad they realized their fault and have taken steps to correct it for future photographers!
CallMeCapt From Australia, joined Jan 2005, 496 posts, RR: 8 Reply 2, posted (8 years 2 months 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 843 times:
Now you have to print that letter off and carry it with you whenever you go photographing. If rent-a-cop Captain Fantastic shows up, give him that letter and tell him to piss off.
Sorry, I lost my head a bit there.
Regards
Goran
Without struggle, there is no progress. (Frederick Douglass)
Elcableguy77 From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 523 posts, RR: 5 Reply 3, posted (8 years 2 months 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 817 times:
Quoting AdamWright (Reply 1): I had a similar situation in Roanoke, Virginia and they advised me to call/contact the Airport Commision / Police each time before I head out to take photos around the airport.
I think I may have to do the same thing at Norfolk, as I have had a run-in of sorts with their airport police.
-Gavin
Former ZW F/A | "Wisconsin 72A, contact departure, see ya."
StealthZ From Australia, joined Feb 2005, 5434 posts, RR: 49 Reply 4, posted (8 years 2 months 1 day 12 hours ago) and read 777 times:
Quoting AdamWright (Reply 1): I had a similar situation in Roanoke, Virginia and they advised me to call/contact the Airport Commision / Police each time before I head out to take photos around the airport.
I can see how this courtesy could help in some instances.. but I am wary of it becoming standard practise.
Major airports may start getting hundreds of calls.. then they would need to dedicate resources to handle those calls.. then the beancounters would step in! Decide that it was a non essential activity and take those resources away.. but they could then decide because "we are no longer Authorising photographers" we'll ban it altogether!
I understand the sentiment, but it could be a slippery slope towards control.
Regards
Chris
If your camera sends text messages, that could explain why your photos are rubbish!
F4wso From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 974 posts, RR: 13 Reply 5, posted (8 years 2 months 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 766 times:
This is positive news. It never hurts to emphasize that photographers can be proactive in airport security in identifying suspicious activity. We can even take a picture if need be. We know what is hobby activity. We should be forthcoming in making new friends when we see someone with similar interests.
Gary
Cottage Grove, MN, USA
Seeking an honest week's pay for an honest day's work
Paulinbna From United States of America, joined Feb 2003, 1114 posts, RR: 5 Reply 6, posted (8 years 2 months 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 748 times:
Quoting StealthZ (Reply 4): but I am wary of it becoming standard practise.
Major airports may start getting hundreds of calls.
I don't think so, even major airports here in this country like ATL still don't have hardly any people that take pictures, like the ones in Europe and Australia. The exemption might be LAX, but most airports here only have 2 maybe 3 photographers that take pictures at that airport consistently.
Canon 50D user; 100-400 MM L IS 10-22 MM, 60MM Macro
A340Spotter From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 1973 posts, RR: 26 Reply 7, posted (8 years 2 months 1 day 2 hours ago) and read 729 times:
Paul,
Good to hear that things got cleared up there. At IAH, there's enough of us around (a good 8-10 in fact) that call into Airport Security of late that it's now just a common phone call for their dispatchers. No questions asked, just thank yous for the heads-up.
One thing that everyone should know is that the FAA has restrictions on the airport authorities ability to allow recreational activities near or on airport grounds. It's something we're trying to work with at IAH to become "airport rangers" of sorts, but right now their hands are tied due to this (they also have a ballpark on the grounds that they can't use for family functions within the HAS Houston Airport System family)...
Jeffrey
"Irregardless, it's a Cat III airplane, we don't need an alternate!"
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