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Home » Law In Travel » Passengers Threatened with Arrest for Taking Cell Phone Videos
Law In Travel

Passengers Threatened with Arrest for Taking Cell Phone Videos

Matthew Klint Posted onJanuary 10, 2018November 14, 2023 2 Comments

a large white airplane flying in the sky

Let’s start with the bottom line: when airline personnel threaten you with arrest for taking pictures or video, ignore them. It won’t happen.

It has been a cold week in the Northeast and that has led to many weather-related flight delays. One Porter flight from Boston to Toronto was delayed two hours then cancelled because the latch door to the luggage compartment was so frozen it could not be shut.

The PA system at the airport gate was also broken, so passengers were advised to form a single-file line and deal with airport staff one party at a time. As the minutes (and soon hours) ticked by, passengers became irritated at the delay coupled with lack of updates. Many whipped out their phones and began recording the situation.

That’s when a Porter staff member began yelling at passengers to stop recording, delete videos, and empty trash…otherwise they would be arrested.

Many complied, but one did not. You can watch a passenger interview here–

She was not arrested.

A Boston Logan Airport official stated–

No, there is no law or policy that prohibits filming inside Logan Airport, except in secure areas and of security procedures.

Even that is false information.

The TSA website states–

Can I film and take photos at a security checkpoint?

TSA does not prohibit photographing, videotaping or filming at security checkpoints, as long as the screening process is not interfered with or sensitive information is not revealed.

So film away. Just don’t take pictures of the TSA baggage screens.

Porter’s Long-Winded Apology

Porter has somewhat apologized. Brad Cicero, spokesperson for Porter Airlines, told Toronto-based Global News:

In this particular case, there was a misunderstanding by the team member involved that taking video at this particular airport beyond the security checkpoint was not permitted.

In fact, the prohibition applies to secure airport areas and security screening. He didn’t realize the distinction at the time, but we have advised the team members involved for future reference. While the request to stop filming or delete footage was incorrect, the intention was only to try and enforce what was believed to be an airport policy.

Here’s a thought: let the the airport enforce its own policy. Airline staff need not worry about it…

This seems to me much less of a gate agent misunderstanding and much more of a ruse to shield himself from scrutiny over his poor service.

CONCLUSION

Do note your power to take photos and video is not carte blanche.

Just because airline personnel cannot order your arrest for taking pictures and video does not mean they cannot make your life difficult. I got thrown off a United flight for taking a picture of my seat…an airline can always deny you boarding or escort you off a flight.

But in terms of your legal rights or in terms of the law…snap away. Film away.

image: Porter

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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2 Comments

  1. mike murphy Reply
    January 10, 2018 at 10:55 am

    filming ?

  2. JoEllen Reply
    January 20, 2018 at 3:32 pm

    These passengers make me laugh. What do they think they’re going to do with their film/recording in the first place? Sue for what ?????, weather delays? Everyone wants to be Walter Cronkite for their cheap-ass fares. If you fly some no-name airline that has no agreements with any other airline, has 1-2 flights a day, what do you expect ? Do your homework. Also, if you had any knowledge of that airline, their staff is outsourced/vendored – they are only a middle-man, not some “real” representative of the airline. Ignorance should be painful.

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