Spotting inside LGA

[george]

I'll be flying out of LGA on Monday on Southwest. I was going to try and take some pictures while waiting for our flight. Any one have any recent issues at LGA, I'm wondering if its worth it to even try or should I just sit and play with my iPad while waiting.

[PhilDernerJr]

It may be worth TRYING, but Port does have a rule that prohibits photos of planes on their property. So if seen, you'll be stopped.

[george]

It may be worth TRYING, but Port does have a rule that prohibits photos of planes on their property. So if seen, you'll be stopped.

Good thing I asked... the camera will be staying inside the camera bag then!

[eric8669]

It may be worth TRYING, but Port does have a rule that prohibits photos of planes on their property. So if seen, you'll be stopped.

I thought you are able to shoot from inside the terminals. I have not done it in awhile, but you used be able to use one of the courtesy phones, call the PA Police, tell them that you were there and they usually let you stay. sometimes an officer would come down and check you out.

[nssd70]

I took a few pictures last year when I was there and didn't have any problems. Maybe I was just lucky though.

Doug

[PhilDernerJr]

It may be worth TRYING, but Port does have a rule that prohibits photos of planes on their property. So if seen, you'll be stopped.

I thought you are able to shoot from inside the terminals. I have not done it in awhile, but you used be able to use one of the courtesy phones, call the PA Police, tell them that you were there and they usually let you stay. sometimes an officer would come down and check you out.

Last time I did that, police showed up to the escalator in the terminal and kicked us out....and they didn't understand why we "called the cops on our selves".

Port also has a rule prohibiting photography on their property.

[george]

I'm just gonna play it safe and not take any pictures...

The last thing I need is to get stopped and hear about it the rest of the trip from my wife! Lol :lol:

[Tom_Turner]

Phil, this is (sort of) "new" isn't it? The "rule" that is...

A few short years ago, any sort of formal communication (for lack of a better term) with relevant Port officials would result in the acknowlgment that there is *no* rule against photography on their property (albeit in "public" areas, areas not designated for no photography by TSA, etc.). Usually followed by the caveat that officers will exercise their discretion to stop you as needed (for reasons not having to do with any "no photography" rule per se).

I always gave Port Authority credit (from a strategic point of view) on that. Not having an actual no photography rule really helps evade winding up on the short end of a legal ruling (like NJ Transit, MTA etc.) and in the short and medium term at least probably helps them prevent photography if that is their desire. And, this would seem to be backed up by lack of "No Photography" signage - After all, if it is forbidden, then just put up signs, write out tickets to violators etc...

Now this appears different if there *is* a no photography rule. I am not doubting you at all Phil, but this is very interesting.

Rules that are not made up out of thin air, by definition just about, need to be written down someplace. Do you have any sources for this? If so, this could prove very helpful in the long run.

Thanks,
Tom

[PhilDernerJr]

A couple years ago, I was specifically told by Port Authority officials, face-to-face and by email, that they do not allow photography on their property.

I do have some "interesting" emails, but nothing I'm allowed to share in public at this time, sorry to say.

[NLovis]

Rats. There goes my plan when I depart T8 in July. Oh well I shouldnt have problems at the other airports though :borat: This must be really recent like within the last month. I never saw any type of signage in T7 stating no photography allowed. And T7 is a really nice shot from the departure level for 13L arrivals. I never tried from inside the terminal (but i risked it outside) :mrgreen: but this sounds interesting. I guess i'll have to scour T7 one day soon and try to confirm this.

[Tom_Turner]

No problem Phil, and Thank You. Again, I 100% believe you.

Tom

[Mayi757]

Common sense in America wasn't always this bad was it? Being stopped from taking photos of PLANES from inside the terminal looking out??? Sounds like a good-for-nothing rule straight out of Cuba, Soviet Union, or North Korea.

There's many people who don't care or know anything about planes but still want to have a memory of their trip starting w/ a photo of the plane.

Totally ok if PD comes over and asks a question or two just in case but "STOPPING" someone like telling them to put the camera away? That makes zero sense.

[Metal484]

I will be flying out of LGA on Monday 5/17 at 6:30am, and I was planning to take some shots from inside the terminal. Last year on 9/1/2009 I was flying to Europe from JFK and I took a lot of shot's from inside terminal 8 and was never approached or noticed any dirty looks from anyone. If I do get stopped will it just be a verbal warning to stop, or will they confiscate my memory card, because I kind of need that memory card since its a vacation trip. Any ideas?

[NLovis]

I will be flying out of LGA on Monday 5/17 at 6:30am, and I was planning to take some shots from inside the terminal. Last year on 9/1/2009 I was flying to Europe from JFK and I took a lot of shot's from inside terminal 8 and was never approached or noticed any dirty looks from anyone. If I do get stopped will it just be a verbal warning to stop, or will they confiscate my memory card, because I kind of need that memory card since its a vacation trip. Any ideas?
Well if you want to try to take some a disposable would be a good test bed. If they take that its no big deal and you still have your memory card for the trip. If they dont take it then its all good and you at least have something.

[Metal484]

I will be flying out of LGA on Monday 5/17 at 6:30am, and I was planning to take some shots from inside the terminal. Last year on 9/1/2009 I was flying to Europe from JFK and I took a lot of shot's from inside terminal 8 and was never approached or noticed any dirty looks from anyone. If I do get stopped will it just be a verbal warning to stop, or will they confiscate my memory card, because I kind of need that memory card since its a vacation trip. Any ideas?
Well if you want to try to take some a disposable would be a good test bed. If they take that its no big deal and you still have your memory card for the trip. If they dont take it then its all good and you at least have something.
No go for the disposal, aside from bad quality photo's I want to also record some vid's which I can do on the Canon SX10 IS. I think I will just purchase another memory card just in case.

[moose135]

Without a court order, a police officer may not confiscate your memory card or force you to delete the images on it.

[Delta777LR]

Moose that is totaly true, Ive been through this problem before, first of all they cannot confiscate your memory card if youre not doing anything wrong.. Yes inside the terminals they may not be no signs posted that says photography is not allowed but it is what it is.. I got my memory card taken away by PAPD at EWR this past Jan, mainly they wanted to make sure that the truth was told that I was only taking pictures of the planes and nothing else.. But seriously they cant remove your property if youre not commiting a crime and all, For another part, I used to take pictures at the terminals all the time including in the parking garages, its not worth getting hassled at the terminals.. Even there ive been told by airport staff that photographers can go to jail or get summons for taking pictures, which I can see true and partly not true...

[emshighway]

There isn't a TSA policy on prohibiting photography. Persons taking photos/video are specifically asked not to take photos of any monitors as they show images, software.

LGA has a media area on the departure level of the Central Terminal Building near the West Food Court in front of the American ticket counters.

Phil, I think you have a photo of a "No Photography" sign at the Delta checkpoint. :wink:

[hiss srq]

Shoot to your hears desire.... I've done it with and without credentials on me and have never ever been harassed.. If PAPD comes up to you and gives explicit reasoning for not shooting that is a diffrent story but untill they do... Fire that shutter away.

[Metal484]

I'll just get an extra memory card to be on the safe side, because knowing my luck if I do get approached by PAPD it will be one of those that doesn't know the rules and will ask for my memory card, but I have never been stopped in terminal's so hopefully that streak will continue for me. I'll let you guys knows if something does happen.