• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
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

Get Daily Updates

Join our mailing list for a daily summary of posts! We never sell your info.

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Previous Article Review: Finnair A320 Business Class Berlin to Helsinki
Next Article United Airlines Adds Eight New Domestic Routes

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.

Related Posts

  • airlines selling passenger data

    Airlines Sold Passenger Data To Border Patrol, Then Tried To Hide It

    June 11, 2025
  • American Airlines Fake Flight Attendant

    American Airlines Employee Flew 120 Times For Free By Pretending To Be A Flight Attendant—Now He’s Going To Jail

    June 11, 2025
  • Singapore Airport Shoplifters

    Singapore Doesn’t Play: Airport Shoplifters Busted Within The Hour

    June 10, 2025

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.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Hot Deals for June

Note: Please see my Advertiser Disclosure

Capital One Venture X Business Card
Earn 150,000 Miles Sign Up Bonus
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Earn 100,000 Points
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles!
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Earn 75,000 Miles
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Earn $750 Cash Back
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Earn 120,000 Membership Reward® Points

Recent Posts

  • Air India Crash Survivor
    The Miracle Of 11A: Sole Survivor Of Air India Crash Shares His Story June 12, 2025
  • Air India 787 Crash
    Over 200 Killed In Air India 787 Crash In Ahmedabad June 12, 2025
  • Cathay Pacific The Deck Lounge Review
    Review: Cathay Pacific The Deck Lounge Hong Kong (HKG) June 11, 2025
  • airlines selling passenger data
    Airlines Sold Passenger Data To Border Patrol, Then Tried To Hide It June 11, 2025

Categories

Popular Posts

  • Qatar Airways Economy Class Breakfast
    Economy Class Breakfast On Qatar Airways June 7, 2025
  • Aegean Airlines Feast
    A Feast Fit For A King On Aegean Airlines May 23, 2025
  • Israel Flight Cancellations
    Major Carriers Extend Flight Cancellations To Israel: Here’s The List June 6, 2025
  • a group of people in blue uniforms
    United Airlines’ Uniforms Get A Facelift—And A Political Filter May 28, 2025

Archives

June 2025
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
30  
« May    

As seen on:

facebook twitter instagram rss
Privacy Policy © Live and Let's Fly All Rights Reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Live and Let's Fly with appropriate and specific directions to the original content.