My buddy Jeremy, who I met years ago, I believe on an Air New Zealand delivery flight for their new 777-300, is a popular and talented aviation photographer. He recently tweeted something concerning, a risk which all travelers should know about.
“Honest question: can a crew member physically prevent me from getting off of the airplane until I showed them the contents of my phone (they wanted to see the last 3 photos) to verify that I did not take a photo that contained them in it.”
Honest question: can a crew member physically prevent me from getting off of the airplane until I showed them the contents of my phone (they wanted to see the last 3 photos) to verify that I did not take a photo that contained them in it. pic.twitter.com/d6m42a8ck4
— JDL (@photoJDL) October 28, 2022
The incident happened on October 28 on an American Airlines flight (AA 5510) operated by PSA between Charlotte and Asheville. Jeremy was tweeting back and forth with other avgeeks and included some disturbing details.
Jeremy writes: “I was off the plane and the FA had the captain prevent me from going further down the jetbridge and then brought me *back* onto the plane and took the phone out of my hands.”
“I had stepped into the jetbridge and the FA had what I think was the pilot or FO block me from going further. Then they brought me back on the plane and the FA demanded I open my phone and show them the last several photos and then took the phone out of my hands to inspect them.”
VIDEO: Drunk Passenger on American Airlines Throws Up on First-Class Seatmates
Jeremy is a smart man who understands airline policies. He went on to tweet: “I get that they may have a policy about not photographing staff without their permission. I get that and support that. Does suspecting a passenger violated that enable them to functionally detain someone and search a personal device?”
I’ve sent Jeremy a message asking for more information about what happened but he’s definitely not the first nor the last passenger to whom this has happened, which is the point of this article.
As Zach Honig, a very popular aviation blogger, who used to work for The Points Guy, wrote: “This is incredibly upsetting to hear. I can’t believe they thought for a moment that it’s acceptable to force you back onto the plane and demand to see your phone. Sorry this happened to you ?”
Zach has firsthand experience with this as he wrote a post in 2015 titled: “When Photography Gets You in Trouble at 35,000 Feet.”
Zach was on another American Airlines flight, a widebody to London with his girlfriend. “The purser was accusing her of taking pictures on the plane, which, apparently is forbidden. Except that it’s not — well, not exactly. The thing is, Sarah didn’t even have a camera — I was the one taking pictures. The purser went so far as to say “this could be trouble for the both of you,” which carried some pretty serious implications, especially given the current state of commercial air travel.”
Zach contacted American Airlines PR and they confirmed the policy to him with this statement: “American allows photography and video recording for personal use. For many customers, taking photos and sharing them on social networks has become part of their travel experience. When photographs and video are used for professional purposes, we do our best to notify flight crews so they are aware and prepared to offer some additional latitude with journalists and bloggers.”
Another AvGeek, Charles Ryan Teo, replied to Jeremy’s thread stating: “I had crew insisting on me deleting the photos but that was during the flight. I was on Transasia. No issue with other crew on this flight, only with this particular one. I was just taking photos of the cabin and nothing else.”
VIDEO: Shocking Video Shows Passenger Punch American Airlines Flight Attendant in Back of Head
@dubshn1028 from Ireland chimed in with: “It happens a lot of some European airlines where a warning is given not to photo crew or pax but they can photograph the outside of the plane I know some of the bloggers get away with it.”
Personally, I have also had a similar experience in 2006 while flying Newark to Porto, Portugal on TAP. I was on a government/airline-funded press trip and was shocked that within a minute of boarding the aircraft, I was scolded. I wrote on my blog: “I got off to a bad start with the flight attendant, because when I first sat down I took a picture. He came over and said, “no pictures allowed on the plane.” I thought he was joking, but he wasn’t. Have you ever heard of such a stupid thing? I reverted to sneaking pictures (not using a flash) so I could share my experiences with you.”
I can understand about not wanting me to take photos of the flight attendants and other passengers, which I almost never do without asking for their permission but not being able to take photos of the seat, the food and myself is ridiculous.
I did take a big chance, continuing to take pictures, which I wouldn’t do today. It was dumb, especially on a foreign airline as I could have ended up in jail. My advice includes a few basic and simple things:
1. Don’t take photos of the crew or other passengers without their permission.
2. If asked not to take photos, stop.
3. If asked to delete your photos, it’s best to comply or risk being banned from the airline, losing your status/miles or worse, being arrested (depending on the country).
Have you ever been yelled at or physically detained because you took photos on a plane? If yes, please share the details (airline, year, what happened) in the comments section.
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Think about how you might feel if someone came into your workplace and started taking pictures of you. Just because you are “allowed” to do something doesn’t make it right.
If they did this to me it would have been snag on them, since my phone instantly backs photos up to multiple services. And then I’d have anonymously published them as payback.
Taking pictures on a plane is inherently harmless. This is obviously a petty abuse of power which the airline employees appear to gleefully cling to, and which they stridently run with whenever the opportunity comes up
Basically they are self-righteous bullies
I guess you missed the part where he said he doesn’t take pictures of the crew unless he asks 1st.
I’ve only been asked once in my short experience. I said no. They said give me the phone. I said no. They said sir give me the phone so we know no inappropriate photos were taken. I said no.
There’s this thing about defamation and slander. I can easily assume they thought I did because I look a certain way. Tattoos etc. So you prove your not. Next question or am I free to leave. Goodbye sir. Bye bye
That’s a stupid comment Andrew. My workplace doesn’t involve mass transit where the service experience is a matter of public interest.
There are already too many jerks flying. You add another jerk to the list.
Depending on the jurisdiction, I suppose this could be unlawful detention or false imprisonment, and then if they moved you without consent, a kidnapping. More likely than a criminal case though, they may have created a tort. I guess you’d have to consult with a lawyer to decide whether the photographer should make a claim. The employees are not law enforcement officers, and have no legal authority. Even the pilot’s authority is about the safe operation of the aircraft, not stopping someone on a jet way who is departing.
Not knowing over which Country this occured, my best advice as a former CA. police officer is to file a complaint with the Federal authorities for False Imprisonment and if they physically restrained you then also for assault and battery as well as kidnapping since once you have been moved from one place to another, against your will constitutes kidnapping, (regardless of the distance involved, ! )
After that seek out and retain an attorney to handle your Civil suite against the Airline and each and every person directly involved with preventing your freedom to leave the aircraft.
If and when it is against Company policy to Not do anything against ESTABLISHED POLICY they are required to POST it in a clearly marked and accessable location.
What about taking pictures of TSA feeling up your own spouse or children? Never mind. That would never happen.
If the airline has a policy that does not allow a passenger to take photos of staff. How would they know that you violated that policy unless they detain you and ask to see the photos? It probably could have been handled better. Having been a flight attendant myself for 35yrs I personally wouldn’t care if someone took my photo. I am just glad I no longer work in an industry that has become insane and dangerous
Your phone is personal property and the drink servers have no right to ask to see your phone. They have no powers to detain or arrest. Talk to a Lawyer.
We are living in a very rude invasive
society now. It is unacceptable to take pictures of people without their
permission. 90% of people are now
narcissistic assholes who have no manners and a sense of decency.
I have no sympathy for the photographer.
Oh boo hoo, hoo. GO cry to your mommy.
Grow up and move on.
From what I understand it is illegal for you to take pictures/video without their consent. When I worked at the airport we were told for security reasons Noone is allowed to take pictures in or around the airport often had to stop them from doing that.
Most of you clearly don’t read the informational packets in your back seat pocket where it states that there is no recording or taking pictures inside of the aircraft and of the crew. Do you think that we want to become a meme or shared on your social media pages? Flying is a privilege, not a right. And flight attendants can ask you to delete the photos and go into the phones trash and delete them from there too. I have done so multiple times.
Wow, excusing this kind of behavior by airline staff with profane language Anita on public comments is not acceptable. Are you sure you aren’t referring to yourself? Anyway, stories like this one are why I haven’t flown in years. Airline staff believe that it’s ok to abuse passengers so this comes as no surprise that they also don’t respect your private property.
Yes they can. A plane is not a public place. It is private property so they get to set the rules. You are paying for the “privilege” to use the plane. So you can be offended all you want, but it ends poorly if you try to fight. Getting added to the no fly list is more than a hassle.
Back in 2008 when a little flight attendant’s ego got in her way, I decided I would never fly American Airlines again, and I never have. This story is another reason to show why I will not fly AA ever again.
Lexi, you have no business going through anyone’s phone but yours (or those of your biological minor children).
I would not have stopped going up the jetway and kept on my merry way. Sounds like the crew were on a power trip- which happens all too often. Pilots and FA’s love to act like they are God’s gifts to the airline- as if the company could function without any other work group but them.
Most of them are liars and cheats, always wanting more for doing less, and always playing the victim card as being abused by the company. Not that management are angels.
The only people I am required to hand my phone over to are relevant LEO’s and Customs & Immigration officers. Certainly not any airline employee. When I worked in the terminals and later on the ramp I always had a camera in hand to snap quick photos (US). A lot of workers do. What’s the difference between that and a passenger documenting their travels? None.
Don’t give people thaw latitude to suspect you of any suspicious behavior with your phone on board an aircraft. Turn it off, stow it away, read a good book. What were you doing with your “picture taking” that gave them suspicion to detain you. They’ve invited you into their home…misbehave and you may not be invited back. Get a grip and don’t be so SELF-ENTITLED! Oh , I’m soooo sorry, I forgot…IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU!! Buh-Bye!!!
If they grabbed him to escort him back into the Plane, That is Assault! By Preventing him from leaving is Unlawful Detainment (Possible Kidnapping?) By taking his Phone is Theft of Property!! All kinds of 1st & 4th Amendment violations here,He needs to file a Police Report, contact a Lawyer!!
Do you ever stop to think that perhaps there is a very legitimate reason a person would not want their picture posted (location obvious)? You have obviously never had a stalker. It’s scary and very dangerous.
A few years ago on Southwest Airlines I took a picture that I was going to text to the person picking me up at the other end of the flight so they knew we were finally taking off as the plane was late. Yes, the flight attendant was in the picture but otherwise was the back of the seats. In front of all the passengers she confronted me basically yelling and threatening me. I complied deleting the picture. I started flying less on Southwest and now is not an airline I choose because of that incident. Until I saw this article I really didn’t know this was such an airline policy even though I fly several times a year. I thought the particular flight attendant had a personal problem with it. She could have discreetly asked me to delete the picture but chose to make a big issue in front of everyone.
Wow! People are so angry!
Lexi , you ll be kissing ? my ass. ???
It was 2010 and American Airlines. I was attempting to take photos through the window as we were taking off. The flight attendant harshly instructed me to put my camera away. I was buckled in and the camera bag was just out of reach, so placed the camera in my lap. She began yelling at me. I very calmly told her I wouldn’t take any photos. On the plane were Service Men who were reporting for deployment to Afghanistan. One officer asked for my camera and told the fight attendant that he was going to take photos for me. She never said a word to him.
First of all, I am always videotaped in the course of my job. So it doesn’t bother me. All those FA’s are concerned about is if you have something incriminating tha tyou could use to lodge a complaint against them for…
I am a youtuber, and flying is part of many of my videos. I have never been told I can’t video or take pictures, but I HAVE been told that I can’t use the window mount, for a plethora of illegitimate reasons. Also, although you shouldn’t directly take photos of other pax, there’s nothing they can do if another passenger happens to appear in the photo when taking said photo of a different focal point entirely.
Pro Tip:
If you take photos and videos on board an aircraft, here’s a tip… Take a portable hard drive or a large capacity flash drive that you can use to transfer all your airplane photos without using a computer. COPY them to the drive and make sure you create a file maze with names only you’ll recognize so the photos don’t show up in a general quick search. Then hide the drive. If they confront you and ask you to delete, let them THINK they’re winning, and comply. What they won’t know is that they didn’t actually win.
This is a great idea. Thanks for sharing a way to thwart illegal search and annoy9ng seizure by annoying and obnoxious employees.
On the plane the Captain is god, on the jetway they’d need a court order….. that’s why they brought you back. It somehow seems that too many people pretend to be Tom Cruise on a Mission Impossible set. Everyone is going a little nutty it seems!
I can’t believe it is such a big deal to take pictures on a plane! As long as you are not directly taking someone’s picture that doesn’t want to be photographed, who cares? And yes, where I work we have clients taking pictures of us All The Time! We don’t physically take their phone away and delete the pictures! And it’s more of a private business where I work than in a plane in any given country.
So many opinions of so little value. The law is clear and supercedes opinions, talk with an attorney!
I’ve been a photographer For 50 years. Since much of my work is street & city photography, I know what I can and cannot do. I carry pro gear, and & rarely use my iPhone for work related images.
First off, in the US, there are no restriction on photography in public spaces. But use common sense – no voyeur type photos. However, any aircraft is private property. You are allowed to make photos by following their rules & regs. If your friend was a savvy ‘pro’ he’d know to contact the airline press office to get clearance. If the pilot or chief purser says no photos other than snaps for your vacation, then no photos. I get the feeling all parties involved have short fuses. Lack of clear communication, crossed signals, etc.
These FA’s and pilots need to get over themselves! They don’t want their pictures taken because of their privacy but work in an environment where 100s of strangers see them daily! Was his phone their property? Nope, so they should of kept their hands off it! Police can’t even take your phone with out a warrant unless a crime was committed, ( A crime not a policy)! Under no circumstances can police access the content of your phone with out a warrant! So for all you ( don’t take my picture babies ) get over yourself and stop breaking the law!
Unless there’s a written policy that I’ve acknowledged, they’d have a difficult time getting my phone from me. I don’t in any way condone assaults against the FA. But is it right that they can surround, corner, intimidate and force you to hand over your personal items ? Would these same people do the same thing in a city park or restaurant if they suspected that their picture had been taken ? Would they let a passenger demand another passenger’s phone for the same reason ? No and no. Isn’t this abuse of authority ?
Sue for intentional infliction of emotional distress or false imprisonment. Slander is too hard to prove if no one else was around. Either way I get why airline inflight employees are on edge. But use common sense and for gosh sake don’t break the law.
There is no legitimate reason not to take photos. Private companies make their profits out of their customers/clients.
What harm can come from a photo of either the inside/outside of an aircraft or it’s employees? There is no expectation of privacy when traveling. There are cameras all over airports and as for what the inside/outside of a plane looks like, can find them anywhere on their webpages, magazines, news media and articles.
I’m more concerned that their true reason is because they have something to hide. We all see many videos which show unprofessional behavior by their employees. Or the lack of common courtesy, poor quality service and even refusing to make things right with their passengers when they couldn’t deliver on a service to begin with.
Not to mention, their corporate incompetent members that are driven by greed and when times get difficult, they reach out to government to bail them out.
Why should it matter unless your doing something you shouldn’t! With someone you shouldn’t be with! Photos are photos and unless your naked on the plane, It shouldn’t matter. Who cares. People today act to demoratic and make mountains out of molehills! Grow up!
You were on a flight that departed from a US airport and arrived at a US airport. The flag of the carrier is irrelevant. (For those who said foreign aircrews might have different legal authorities.)
You are in a place of business while on a flight. Any restrictions on camera use should have a sign posted alerting people to the policy. If there is no sign, there is no policy. I guarantee that if you took a video of a passenger battering an FA, the crew would be grateful to get a copy. Like any other place of business that is open to the public, people have no expectation of privacy. If someone prefers not to be in your pictures or videos, they need to ask you not to include them.
Once you deplaned, you were no longer under the flight crew’s authority. Even in midflight, the crew cannot take control of your property. They can ask you to place it in your carry-on bag, but snatching it from you is illegal. Forcing you to move from point A to point B against your will is kidnapping or perhaps false imprisonment.
As someone else noted, my photos upload to two cloud services immediately while connected to the network or Wi-Fi. As soon as I take my phone out of airplane mode, the pictures (and any other work) upload.
If my refusing to give them access to my phone means they ban me from the airline, I will fly with another. However, I will make the C-suite spend at least 20 hours responding to my communications and BBB complaints. The police at the arrival airport will waste more of the crew’s time because I will swear out warrants for kidnapping, theft, destruction of property, battery, and whatever else I believe fits the bill.
Practice saying “No,” with a smile on your face. You can add color, “I did not leave anything, thank you.” Or, “I decided I could hold it until I could get to the restroom in the terminal.” Perhaps, “Sorry, my ears clog up, and I can barely hear you. Did you say you wanted to give me free flight vouchers? If so, please email those to me. Thanks,” and keep walking.
We encourage people to act in an unacceptable manner when we allow them to treat us that way. If some sheep wish to surrender their freedoms to a self-officious crew member, that is their right. My right is to abide by my policies. I printed them in 0.25-point font on the page where I entered my address on my receipt when I purchased the ticket. If they chose not to read the 600,000 characters, that is not my problem.
How would I like it if someone came into my place of business and took pictures that included me with my knowledge? How would I know since they did it without my knowledge? That is an inane question. If I am in a place where other people can be, I do not expect privacy. On the other hand, if you took pictures of what work I was doing, you would go to prison for unauthorized access to classified materials. I will let you know how I feel after your sentencing hearing. I suspect I will be smiling.
Be the shepherd, not the sheep.
Am I missing something? What about all of the videos that make it to Twitter, Snapchat, etc. that include other passengers or FA?
Next time take Greyhound.
I absolutely want people to take videos if there is any abuse on the plane by workers (or by passengers). Sometimes that’s the only evidence that makes the difference, especially when passengers are violently removed and then blamed falsely by staff. Remember the guy that was dragged off a United Airlines overbooked flight a few years ago to make room for staff?
Have we become so bored that this is big news? Who really cares?
The worst airline I ever worked for.
Robert, What if my workplace is a stadium? People who bought tickets to sit in a seat there shouldn’t take photos of my workplace? There may be legit reasons, but yours isn’t one of them.
Lexi, You’re feeding into the untrue stereotype that all flight attendants are on power trips and can do whatever they want to passengers, like confiscate their phones and delete any files they don’t like, as you state you have proudly done “multiple times.”? As a global million miler on AA, Delta, UA, etc. all FAs are NOT nasty to customers in the manner you claim you were, it’s just a few bad apples. Were you by chance fired?
Lexi , you ll be kissing ? my ass. ???
Nice one JESSICAT I love it ?? ?
Since when is it illegal to take pictures of people? Audio recording someone varies state to state, but taking a picture, even accidentally of someone is generally legal, unless that person sues you and the court deems otherwise.
I would think that you have a legal case, if anyone does here. For illegal detainment without probable cause of a crime, there’s really no need for the airline staff to have detained you or prevented you from going about your business.
I could be wrong, and I don’t know all of the details, but the scenario you were put in just seems ethically and legally wrong.
Who know if you are a perv taking upskirt pic. Great that they kust ask you to delete the pic and not arrest your sorry behind. On plane or ship, captain is king, you got no rights. What’s so good about taking a cabin picture for a sick fetish.
If you are an American and you are in a flight in America, I can almost 100% guarantee that any court in our land would find that your rights were violated and that you could easily sue and receive damages.Regardless of signage, by the way. Signage is quite often there to play upon your feelings. Laws matter. Policies are what people would like to have us all behave. Further, it doesn’t sound like you have any signage in your story so this is in your favor in the eyes of the court in terms of your innocent intentions.
First, air transportation is governed by the federal government. These are not private entities with privileges like going into someone’s home or even a private business as the photographs were presumably taken in the areas accessible by the general passenger group. Areas governed as public areas have the following caveats to everyone who does anything in public. That is, there is no expectation of privacy in public. Period. If you do not wish to be photographed or depicted in public you should obscure yourself or avoid the public. Period. Cops all wear cameras, almost all businesses have cameras recording you.
Next, a “policy” doesn’t mean anything as compared to violating your constitutional rights, your right to avoid unlawful detainment and to move about freely. Since a flight attendant has been granted powers as they relate to air safety you might consider them authorized to do something like this, but this has nothing to do with that.
Further contributing factors, you were at the least, defamed, embarrassed and coerced into handing over your property.
Since your damages were the pictures lost, I can imagine this being just a way of further proving this person was being a tyrant in the eyes of a judge.
If you have any doubts, simply type in “first amendment audit” into YouTube.
I’d be very surprised if you got less than $10,000 in a quick settlement. FornAA to avoid embarrassing themselves, the flight attendant is an idiot.
In response to some queries above. You can always photograph TSA at checkpoints provided you aren’t interfering with the movement of travelers or recording the screens of the devices that are searching (in other words, stating on your side of the cordoned off areas)
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/can-i-film-and-take-photos-security-checkpoint
If for travel magazines, I understand. But legally, the attendant is criminal and needs a new job. Write the airlines before notifying the embassy. On the job one has no privacy rights regardless of comments here that are emotionally based and not rational founded.
Next time, ask the head stewardess just out of courtesy.
The trick is to power off the phone. You are not required to give LE your passcode but they can force the use of your fingerprints.
If LE can’t get your pass code then the airline can’t either. BTW look at all the videos posted when there is an unruly passenger, so how can the airline say you can’t take pictures?
I would be more than happy to have them try to force me back in an enclosed space that I had already left. They have zero legal recourse and I would ask for the names of the pilot and flight attendant so I can file a claim with the FAA and American Airlines.
I thought it was illegal for a passenger to re enter the plane once he disembarked it. Maybe the FAA should investigate.
Amazing number of snivelling boot lockers that agree with illegal detainment.
As an AA flight crew member my response would have been to “kick rocks”. Once deplaned you aren’t even allowed back on. Maybe Jeremy should pass that little security tidbit along to AA.
FAs don’t just randomly approach/stop passengers like that. Makes me wonder what the guy was *really* doing/vibes he gave off that made the flight crew uncomfortable.
No criticisms of people here, and no ideologies. Just a simple fact: mass transit is legally considered as “public” as a street corner or sidewalk in the US. Yes, even on the inside of a plane. There is no law prohibiting the photography of a plane or an employee. If it is a company policy, it must be posted and/or made known to customers. Period. No airline employee has a right to detain you. None of them.
First, I’m amazed at the comments from people who clearly did not read his article in its entirety and then call him names. He merely reported what happened, not whining about it as some suggest. Second, I agree with one commenter that I would have continued up the jetway and into the concourse. They would then need to contact security or airline superiors to investigate. The FAs are off duty once the doors are open and you exit.
I had a similar encounter with a very rude flaming gay male flight attendant on United 10 -12 years ago . We were not seated together with my family and had asked other passengers if we could switch seats and everyone was ok with the rearrangement. But this arrogant SOB had to make some smerk remarks and refused to share his name for me to file a complaint so I took a picture of him and later was approached by his supervisor to delete the photos , but i got his name and he got fired after the investigation at United.
AA used to have a prohibition against photographs in its terms of carriage.
Ok, seriously, Did we all forgot 9/11?! Most of us (crew) are still VERY alert to what you are recording or photographing. Is it a safety procedure? Is it location of security equipment? You might have forgotten or maybe you are just entitled BUT we haven’t. Specially those of us who lost friends. YES! Im just a private citizen at work, I would very much appreciate if you ask for permission before taking my photo, and there are legal ways for me if you took a photo without authorization and published it (and I know how to go about it) There are so many reasons why to be careful with this topic, and the entitlement of many of you is the least important!!
It’s absurd that one can take photos of a police officer but not a FA.
Pilot was a criminal and FA was a bitch.
Wow. Why do humans need to photograph everything? Just relax and enjoy the flight and get it over with asap. These phones and social media have turned us into vapid shallow clowns.
Take Camera Cell Or Camera Pictures Are Violation Of FCC Rules Boarding,I Have Scene A Photographer On A Plane Take Photos Of A Woman Breast Feeding Her Child.They Made Sure The Stewards Where In First Class When Pictures Snapped.One Flight Had A Couple In Bathroom With A Peeping Tom Android To Photograph Camera Of Them Having Body Contact.
Next thing you know, you’ll be prevented from taking photos of you family at the nearby shopping mall food court because some taco maker objects. This and the airplane are both open to the public (with a ticket) and there is no expectation of privacy.
Flight Stewards Or Stewardess Are Not A Title They Would Perfer Not To Be Addressed.They Are Called Flight Attendants.Usually Board Plan With 1 Carry On Bag.Do Not Rely On Attention Given For Help Storing Your Bag.Some Flights Are Delayed Because Of Carry On Baggage.Secure And Have Your Own Bag Safely Near Your Seat.
If an airline has a “No Crew Photos“ rule it should be posted in the aircraft, just like “No Smoking” is posted.
Without the posted rule airline crew should be prepared to have their photo taken, just like any other professional who interfaces with the public. We all see pics and videos from fast food workers to fire and police; airline employees are no different.
Absurd that they can do that, makes me wanna go take pictures on a plane lol
Pro tip, planes have free internet so you could always backup your photos somewhere other than your phone before getting on/off the plane. Obviously don’t go taking photos of people without their permission, but violating rights isn’t cool.
Holy cow, a news article with a comments section? I haven’t seen one of these in years
Just because an airline makes certain policy does not make it a law and all they may do is to ban violator from future flying while any physical stopping from leaving the aircraft is a clear case of kidnapping or assault. For the same reason an automated car wash posting a notice of ‘entering at your own risk’ is not automatically immune of responsibility for vehicle damage, any corporate policy especially in industry catering to public should be viewed simply as recommendation and not a law to be enforced by airline employees. And if airline believes otherwise, all they should do it to call in law enforcement officers, which hopefully would tell them that the right of taking pictures on public street or commercial aircraft is guaranteed by 1st amendment.
Not only would I have gotten very violent at that point but I would be laughing after the lawsuit that payed me to thrash these goons
Should have told them to fuck off. Not the police. Have no right to ask or block you from leacing for any reason.
As a Delta Diamond and an Alaska MVP 100K, I have not had many issues with taking photos. However, there was a Skywest flight I was on where the Captain was a total jerk. I asked the Flight Attendant if I could look at the cockpit as we deplaned. The FA said I could, and I proceeded to the flight deck. I introduced myself to the captain and asked to take a photo of the cockpit. He became furious and demanded I leave his cockpit. He then followed me to the door and asked me, “Who the f#@k are you, and who do you think you are?” I proceeded to tell him I was sorry, and that I was just getting a photo for my son who is an aviation fan. He continued, “I don’t give a damn if your kid is the President, you don’t ever do that!” He was turning red and obviously very angry. Even the poor Flight Attendant chimed in and said, “Captain, I told him he could!” He just kept ranting and began going off on the flight attendant. I turned around and started my journey up the jetbridge. I turned around after a few steps and told the Captain, “I feel bad for your crew, you are a total arsehole!”
Anyways, that was my one and only terrible experience. I wrote to Skywest and never got a response back. Can’t blame them, because that is just unacceptable.
Everybody wants privileges turned into rights. It will come back and bite you and you will regret the turn towards self. Respect other people’s wishes when in their house. When locked up in a tube house at 30k feet there add better be rules. Example: you can profane all you want and no one will ask you to stop until you do it in front of their kids. Do it in a commercial flight, Level 1 threat. Off the plane don’t come back if they wish.
Lexi,
You are correct. cabin crew can ASK. they can NOT force. 1. Once the door opens the flight crew’s legal authority is zip. they can order a pizza, but nothing else. 2. forcibly accomplishing this during the flight or after would be anything from battery to kidnapping. hope you are ready to get a pair of stainless steel bracelets and a felony record and or a black eye from someone lawfully defending themselves from you.
Public photography is not a crime. It is a 1st Amendment protected activity. If you are in a public place, anything you can see, you can record. Basically, there is no expectation of privacy in public. The supreme court has upheld this. That being said, in the plane is private property, so if there is a policy against photography, that can be enforced. They cannot legally detain you for something that is against policy versus against a law. They cannot search you without a warrant. Both are civil rights violations.
As a 42 year career FA, I have know for years that a passenger taking pictures, or videos, of the crew is a no no. Think outside your personal box…it’s a huge security issue. Duh! End of story.
As a Flight Attendant with a major carrier, what the FA and the pilots did was actually illegal.
First off, a company policy is not law. Crews can’t violate individual rights (illegal search and seizure, 4th Amendment) anymore that a law enforcement officer can violate rights.
Second, the airline policy has to do with professional commercial photography, not individuals taking pictures on their personal travels.
Air travel is public transportation. There is no expectation of privacy in public. Whether you’re on a train, subway, bus, amusement park ride, people are taking pictures and you may be in the picture intentionally or unintentionally.
Lynne above is mistaken, even with her 42 years.
Here’s how ridiculous it is for crew to think it’s a “no, no”. Crews walk through the airport while people are taking pictures. Or standing out front of the terminal. Or in hotel lobbies. Is it a “no, no” for people to capture a pic of the crew members in their pictures?
If someone really wanted pictures of crew members there are ample opportunities off the aircraft and even on the aircraft. And realistically, what good does it do for someone to have a picture of me? What do they gain that somehow is a security issue? What do they gain with a picture of aircraft interior? Interior pictures are available in all sorts of publications and films available to the public! It’s not a secret!
If you don’t want your picture taken in public then cover your face. Don’t ask or demand people delete their pictures because of some false or mistaken idea about policies.
We are one wacky society!
EWH
They should prohibit to take pictures and videos Police ?♀️. Look what happened with the Black guy died becuase I can’t breathe. The BLM were so angry that destroy all nation cities.
They should prohibit the social media and journalists pictures/ videotape police also.
They should prohibit to take pictures/ videos inside the airport where are employees and airlines out there also because people are complaining about their damage luggage ? and put it social media without permission and this cost pain to the airlines employees or companies industry.
If you Cuba ??, Russia ?? and China ?? prohibited: Why not us America ?????
Lexi, et al, how lucky you were during your obviously illustrious career not to be sued.
Company policies can not and do not supersede the law.
On this occasion the flight deck employee and the cabin attendant have very obviously acted illegally. Sue them personally (as well as their employer) and this sort of overbearing and illegal behaviour will be greatly minimised (it’ll never be wiped out – people are people!).
I love shooting photos and videos, I love flying and I love mid-altitude photos. For several years, the only prohibition I faced was against powering on any battery operated device. I bought entirely mechanical cameras so I could shoot photos during takeoff and landing. One flight, though, was unlike all the others. It was a Delta flight from Texas to Virginia, I think, about 2016. It started well enough. The flight crew was smiling and laughing as I shot photos of them and the inside of the cockpit. Soon after the jet’s passenger door closed, though, as I stopped video recording the inside of the jet, a FA approached me and asked if I had captured her in my camera. I supposed there was a chance, though I wasn’t trying to get her. She demanded that I erase those photos. I refused. She warned me that I must comply with her instructions. I refused. She left and another FA sat next to me. After takeoff, she turned to me and said that she was the FA supervisor and she wanted me to delete my photos. She warned me that I would face legal prosecution if I did not comply. I refused. She told me that I would be arrested when we landed; then, she left me. I felt absolutely horrible–I hate confrontation–but I was certain that they had no right to view or delete my photos against my consent. Another FA offered me an extra can of beverage (I chose Sprite). I told myself that, after all, I had done nothing wrong, and I began feeling better. When we landed, I was apprehended by several men, who escorted me in front of all the other passengers so abruptly that I actually tripped over a bag a child was pulling behind her. I was taken to a small office off to the side of the passenger area, where a security officer, a detective, the FA who made the original complaint and maybe a few other people all gathered. I was asked several questions, which I answered as best I could, but I repeatedly refused to let anyone view or delete my photos. When it looked like I might be winning my argument, the FA would voice angry objections, including suggesting that it was suspicious that I had stopped recording and quickly put my camera away just as she walked up to me. Eventually, the FA left the meeting. After the detective said that he would let me go, and we all agreed that I was within my legal rights, he asked to see the contents of my camera. I shrugged and agreed. At one point, we did, indeed, catch a glimpse of the FA, and the security officer pointed and said, “Right there!” But they also saw photos of the flight crew smiling into my camera, and, after all, I had done nothing wrong. The detective warned me that the Dallas office likely would not be so understanding as he had been. So, I was released and continued on to my next flight.
Several weeks later, I was on a business trip on the same route. I really didn’t want to fly that airline, but that wasn’t my choice to make. Not too surprisingly, the same FA crossed paths with me. You should have seen her face! That glare could have killed!
I think this is the danger of making the instructions of air crew absolute and unquestionable. They get the idea that they can do anything, give any order, violate any right… sort of like a lot of government bureaucratic agencies behave.
Everyone, including some airline employees, confuse the prohibition on taking photos that demonstrate security procedures and the common practice of not taking someone’s photo without permission. I work for an airline and often find this misunderstanding.