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.”
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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.”
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@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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Should have told them to fuck off. Not the police. Have no right to ask or block you from leacing for any reason.
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
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.
Holy cow, a news article with a comments section? I haven’t seen one of these in years
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
It’s absurd that one can take photos of a police officer but not a FA.
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!!