Can I take photos in the aircraft?

[Pendragon]

Hello I am soon to go on my first overseas journey in a fair while. Is it possible nowerdays to take photos or shoot with a camcorder on flights to the USA [United Air, I think]? I want to make a video log of my journey and at the same time dont want to get my cameras confiscated or whatever.I believe that shooting footage at airports is forbidden? Except in 'family departure areas'? Thanks heaps for knowledgable answers.

 

[GoldCoastGuy]

At the airport, the only restriction would be Customs & Immigration areas (there's usually plenty of signs around advising you of this). You'd only get a polite tap on the shoulder and insistence that footage be deleted before they get to the confiscation stage (I'm sure there are plenty of naive tourists who do this). All other areas of the airport are fair game (unless you appear to be making a commercial production or annoying other pax).

On the plane, it is only the takeoff and landing where electronic items can't be used (although you could smuggle it back out after the FA has done their final check and taken their seats if you have a co-operative pax next to you..... but I'm not condoning that ;-))

Airline & airports realise that photos and videos are part of the holiday experience.


Evan :->

 

[NM]

It depends on the specific airline's policy. Qantas has recently changed their policy (at least for some aircraft types) to permit the use of digital still and motion cameras at any time. So check the web site of the airline you will be travelling and if in doubt, ask a flight attendant. Here is United's policy.

 

[Must...Fly!]

At the airport, the only restriction would be Customs & Immigration areas (there's usually plenty of signs around advising you of this). You'd only get a polite tap on the shoulder and insistence that footage be deleted before they get to the confiscation stage (I'm sure there are plenty of naive tourists who do this).

First time going through SYD immigration & customs in January on my way back from Wellington, saw the signs notifying they were filming border security, so I took a picture of said sign.

Got yelled at from halfway across the hall to not take photos.

They didn't ask me to delete it though

 

[blueflamenco]

It depends on the specific airline's policy. Qantas has recently changed their policy (at least for some aircraft types) to permit the use of digital still and motion cameras at any time. So check the web site of the airline you will be travelling and if in doubt, ask a flight attendant. Here is United's policy.

Not so on the Dash 8 I believe. A passenger was told off the other day for having the camera on during take off.

 

[blueflamenco]

First time going through SYD immigration & customs in January on my way back from Wellington, saw the signs notifying they were filming border security, so I took a picture of said sign.

Got yelled at from halfway across the hall to not take photos.

They didn't ask me to delete it though

Hehe. They seem to always be filming Border Security but I never see any action?!

 

[Must...Fly!]

Hehe. They seem to always be filming Border Security but I never see any action?!

There was nothing happening when I was there.

I declared the food I had anyway (6 bottles of store bought salad dressing...my father loves weight watchers honey mustard, but they only sell it in NZ now!)

 

[GoldCoastGuy]

Hehe. They seem to always be filming Border Security but I never see any action?!

I never see them either....seen the signs in both SYD and BNE... maybe I should pack copious amounts of dried fruit.... then I'll see them.... or perhaps undeclared cough ;-)

 

[markis10]

This blog from the TSA tries to answer your questions from a US context in terms of the screening areas, keep in mind individual airports have their own policies in addition to those published by law enforcement/government agencies, as do airlines, when in doubt ask!

The TSA Blog: Can I Take Photos at the Checkpoint and Airport?


Can I Take Photos at the Checkpoint and Airport?

Unfortunately, there isn't a cookie cutter answer that can be applied to all of our screening locations and airports. It’s important to note that we know there’s a difference between someone taking a casual photo and someone doing surveillance, but if you are taking pictures at or near the checkpoint, don’t be surprised if someone (TSA, airport police, or a curious passenger) asks you what you’re up to.

We don’t prohibit public, passengers or press from photographing, videotaping, or filming at screening locations. You can take pictures at our checkpoints as long as you’re not interfering with the screening process or slowing things down. We also ask that you do not film or take pictures of our monitors.

However… 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. Of course, if you’re a member of the press, you should contact the TSA Office of Public Affairs.

I’ve taken photographs in checkpoints, terminals, and on planes and I have never had an issue. I know some of you have and hopefully this information helps you a little.

 

[harvyk]

I've taken many photo's inside aircraft without problems... If you ask nicely sometimes the flight attendant's will even take the photo for you...

As others have said, usually there will be signs placed around the place at area's where you may not take photos.

Also whilst I can't confirm it, I expect that around immi \ customs \ aqis \ security area's the rule is there more so that they don't have 50% of people stopping and taking photos slowing the process down rather than because of an actual security concern. When I did some work at aqis Sydney airport they where more than happy for me to leave my phone on and take calls (work related), provided that if I was going to spend any time on the phone I went into one of the side rooms.

Let's face it, if there was a security concern they wouldn't allow shows like border security to be made.

 

[FlyboyAl]

I've taken over 3000 pics in planes (almost all QF) over the last 18 months for a photographic book I am putting together. I've never had an issue during taxi or takeoff, but I have always asked and have never been told no.
The only dirty look I got a while back was when I took one of a FA doing the safety demo. She was a very pretty lady, but she got dark when I pointed the camera at her. I apologised later for upsetting her, and got a bottle of champagne given to me!!!!!!
I was in cattle class at the time.
I only use a canon S90 so its not a big imposing looking SLR which I think makes it easier for them to say yes.

 

[Must...Fly!]

The only dirty look I got a while back was when I took one of a FA doing the safety demo. She was a very pretty lady, but she got dark when I pointed the camera at her. I apologised later for upsetting her, and got a bottle of champagne given to me!!!!!!

I'd say that FA was having an identity crisis...half Virgin Blue, half Qantas!!!

 

[Jaycee_au]

I have taken many photo's on planes and never had any problems, never even tried in the security area's as It's always too manic anyways, lounges are ok if the other passengers dont mind.

Just be carefull in the USA Railway Stations thought - I tried to take a pic of a train in a station in Chicago and they come running from everywhere screaming lol.
But this wasnt long after 911 so I suppose they could have been a bit sensitive

JC

 

[chanteuse]

Please just don't use the flash while cabin lights are dimmed and the people around you are trying to sleep

 

[Andyzx]

Hope you get some good frames, maybe even something that you can put on u tube like the Aussie fighting on a JAL flight.

As said flashes during sleep time is not good. also taking very general shots of the cabin seem to be ok but if you look like your taking pics of people, e.g. females, you will get dirty looks or comments or thrown out at 30,000 ft.:-|

Take a few of the food, seat and other interesting things and post them here :mrgreen:

Whilst you are still at the gate, see if you can take them of the flight deck, these can be very cool but you wont get the opportunity in flight for some unknown reason

have a good flight

 

[blueflamenco]

Hope you get some good frames, maybe even something that you can put on u tube like the Aussie fighting on a JAL flight.

As said flashes during sleep time is not good. also taking very general shots of the cabin seem to be ok but if you look like your taking pics of people, e.g. females, you will get dirty looks or comments or thrown out at 30,000 ft.:-|

Take a few of the food, seat and other interesting things and post them here :mrgreen:

Whilst you are still at the gate, see if you can take them of the flight deck, these can be very cool but you wont get the opportunity in flight for some unknown reason

have a good flight

Sounds like your speaking from experience there ...

 

[harvyk]

I have taken many photo's on planes and never had any problems, never even tried in the security area's as It's always too manic anyways, lounges are ok if the other passengers dont mind.

Just be carefull in the USA Railway Stations thought - I tried to take a pic of a train in a station in Chicago and they come running from everywhere screaming lol.
But this wasnt long after 911 so I suppose they could have been a bit sensitive

JC

They are still hyper-sensitive. I was on the above ground train in Miami last year (a tourist attraction, not really good for commuting) and I watch a tourist (taking obviously touristy snaps) get an absolute dressing down from a transit security guard.

The real joke was the security guard had no problem with me talking on my phone which has a camera attached to it... Who was to say I was actually talking on a phone? I could have been using the phones video recording capability to get loads of pictures and intel about the train.

 

[Jaycee_au]

@Harvyk
Sorry I dont know how to do that quote thingy.

I have not been all over the US but found the Rail System in Chicago quite funny, as you say not much for commuting lol. I was quite amazed at the Trains thay were soooo huge yet could hardly hold any passengers due to the poor design inside.
And its true people talking on mobile phones all over the place lol and they dont seem to mind.
But just to be fair, beaurocracy can be the same here in Oz as I had a similar problem at Erina Fair Shopping Centre, whilst taking a picture, nearly got thrown out of the shopping centre, as I was told I was not allowed to take pictures of the "unique design" lollll and again mobile phones all over he place, Go figure.

Regards JC

 

[harvyk]

@Harvyk
Sorry I dont know how to do that quote thingy.

Click on reply with quote down at the bottom right of the post you wish to quote, and delete any text which is not relevant to your reply...

But just to be fair, beaurocracy can be the same here in Oz as I had a similar problem at Erina Fair Shopping Centre, whilst taking a picture, nearly got thrown out of the shopping centre, as I was told I was not allowed to take pictures of the "unique design" lollll and again mobile phones all over he place, Go figure.

Regards JC

Well I think the equipment you use plays an important part there... Pull out a camera and a tripod with a half meter lens and they may assume you are a professional photographer and thus could be stealing their design...

Pull out a small digital camera, which is only really good for snap shots, and usually places don't mind.

I expect it would be the same on planes... Pull out professional equipment and FA's may start asking questions as to if the photos are commercial in nature (and thus not allowed without written authorisation)

 

[GoldCoastGuy]

I had the same issue at Eurovision in Helsinki in 2007.

Ticket said no cameras allowed at all.

Go to the checkpoint and a big sign said "Commercial type" cameras were not allowed (meaning small cameras were ok.... and everyone else had cameras)

Had to jump in a taxi back to the hotel to grab my camera.