I Hate the TSA

Some cool california images:

I Hate the TSA

Image by Caveman Chuck Coker
I had to go to the Ontario International (ONT) in Ontario, California to drop someone off this morning. This extremely rude Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Officer told me I'm not allowed to take photos at the airport. He didn't speak very clearly either so I had to ask him to repeat himself several times. I wish now that I would have snapped off about a dozen more of him. This isn't even a very good photo—I'm just posting it on the Internet because I can. TSA employees like him make me angry.

————————————————————————————————————————

I usually consider myself a better-than-average researcher. I'm really good at finding things.

I have not been able to find any laws prohibiting photography at an airport, or anywhere else for that matter. Some businesses have signs at their entrances that say "no photography," but that is the business's decision—it is not the law. And when someone politely asks for there to be no photography, it usually shows good form to comply with their wishes.

After spending a lot of time on the TSA's website, the only photography-related info I could find is 1) that "primary lithium batteries" are often used in cameras, and 2) on a blog page someone said that "TSA asks people not to photograph the monitors," although no specific law citation accompanies the claim. I was unable to determine if these were "official" statements or not, but the blog was on the official TSA website.

I did find a few interesting Photography and the Law websites:

• Frequently Asked Questions about the United States Transportation
    Security Administration [Unfortunately there aren't many answers to the frequently
    asked questions.]
• Photography is Not a Crime, by Carlos Miller
• War On Photography
• Article: Do You Own a Computer, Cellphone, Car, Camera or Backpack? Then you
    may be a terrorist
• 2008 Counter-Terrorism advertising campaign launched, Metropolitan Police in
    the United Kingdom
• Poster: Thousands of People Take Photos Every Day, report it to the Metropolitan
    Police. PDF file.
• Metro Police Parody: If you suspect it - report it, by Adriana Lukas
• Metro Police Parody: Don’t Rely On Others. If You Suspect It, Report It, by Abu Eesa
• Article: Photography & TSA Airport Security Checkpoints…Its OK!

————————————————————————————————————————

I found this little gem on the Internet (source) and I corrected a couple of misspelled words:

Live from the Honolulu International Airport, I bring you the following conversation I shared with the Transport Security Administration about the photography of their checkpoint.

Me: Is there any specific written TSA regulation prohibiting photography?

TSA Captain: Yes there is. Photography is not allowed.

Me: Can I see this in writing?

TSA Captain: I can’t let you see that.

Me: Then how do I know it exists?

TSA Captain: I just told you.

————————————————————————————————————————

Some TSA Rules
With sources. All italics and bold are mine, except where noted.

"Breast milk [is] allowed in reasonable quantities exceeding three ounces and [is] not required to be in the zip-top bag."
Source: TSA website

"There is no restriction on the amount of baby formula, breast milk, or medicines you can bring, but they must be declared and presented for inspection at the checkpoint."
Source: TSA website
Is "reasonable quantities" (item 1 above) the same thing as "no restriction"? Do you have to present your breast milk containers for inspection?

"You are required to remove your shoes before you enter the walk-through metal detector. . . . Disposable booties or slippers may be worn through the checkpoint to help protect your feet, but they must be disposed of prior to leaving the screening area."
Source: TSA website

"As of January 1, 2008, the Department of Transportation (DOT) through the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) no longer allows loose [TSA's emphasis] lithium batteries in checked baggage."
Source: TSA website

"Our highly trained transportation security officers . . ."
Source: TSA website
Comedy!

"Our current policies and procedures focus on ensuring that all passengers, regardless of their personal situations and needs, are treated equally and with the dignity, respect, and courtesy they deserve."
Source: TSA website
More comedy!

"Gel shoe inserts are not permitted, . . ."
Source: TSA website

You are permitted to carry "scissors - metal with pointed tips and blades shorter than four inches" and "screwdrivers (seven inches or less in length)" on the plane with you.
Source: TSA website

"Lithium-ion batteries, often found in laptop computers, differ from primary lithium batteries, which are often used in cameras. Some newer AA-size batteries are also primary lithium. While there is no explosion hazard associated with either kind of battery, . . ."
Source: TSA website

"Knitting needles are permitted in your carry-on baggage or checked baggage [TSA's emphasis]. . . . In case a Security Officer does not allow your knitting tools through security . . ."
Source: TSA website
You are just not allowed to knit an Afghan!

"You may bring skydiving rigs [parachutes] with and without Automatic Activation Devices (AAD) as carry-on or checked luggage. . . . If security officers need to further search your bag, they will make every effort search it without out opening the chute."
Source: TSA website

"The equipment used to screen checked baggage will damage undeveloped film. Pack your undeveloped film in your carry-on bag. High speed and specialty film should be hand inspected at the security checkpoint. To facilitate hand-inspection, remove your undeveloped film from the canister and pack in a clear plastic bag."
Source: TSA website

"TSA has worked with several companies to develop [baggage] locks that can be opened by security officers using universal "master" keys so that the locks may not have to be cut."
Source: TSA website

"NEVER leave babies in an infant carrier while it goes through the X-ray machine."
Source: TSA website
Okay, this is a good one.

"Buy batteries from reputable sources and only use batteries approved for your device – avoid counterfeits! A counterfeit battery is more likely to cause a fire in your equipment – costing you more in the long run, and compromising safety."
Source: TSA website

————————————————————————————————————————

20090421_0008-1a1_600x800

Sea Lions Say Cheez

Image by Nick Chill Photography
California Sea Lions always seem to have their own personalities written all over their faces.
View On Black

20090130-466

Follow me on facebook and twitter!

Fox Theater

Image by Caveman Chuck Coker
Banning, California, USA

Update: This venerable house opened as the Banning Theatre on May 23, 1928, and only later became part of the Fox-West Coast circuit. The opening of the Banning Theatre was featured in an article in Exhibitor's Herald & Moving Picture World issue of June 9, 1928. Equipped with a stage and fly tower, the house could host Vaudeville and other live theatrical events in addition to showing movies. According to local Banning history buff Kenneth Holzclaw, it once hosted a live broadcast of Bob Hope's radio show.
— by Joe Vogel
You can find more info on this theater here.

20080904_0063a1_800x600