Posted on 07/05/2011 8:21:27 AM PDT by camerongood210
A Miami photographer was escorted off a US Airways plane and deemed a “security risk” after she snapped a photo of an employee’s nametag at Philadelphia International Airport Friday.
Sandy DeWitt said the employee, whose name was Tonialla G., was being rude to several passengers in the boarding area of the flight to Miami.
So DeWitt snapped a photo of her nametag with her iPhone because she planned to complain about her in a letter to US Airways. But the photo didn’t come out because it was too dark.
However, once DeWitt was settled in her seat, preparing for take-off, Tonialla G. entered the plane and confronted her.
“She told me to delete the photo,” DeWitt said in an interview with Photography is Not a Crime Saturday morning.
DeWitt, who already had her phone turned off in preparation for take-off, turned the phone back on to show her that it didn’t come out, but deleted the photo anyway.
“I complied with her wishes but it’s not something I would normally do,” she said. “It just wasn’t usable.”
But Tonialla G. wouldn’t let the issue go. She then walked into the cockpit to inform the pilot that DeWitt was a “security risk.”
Next thing DeWitt knew, she was being escorted off the plane by two flight attendants. Her husband followed.
“I announced to the other passengers that I was being removed because I took a photo,” she said. “ I announced that photography is not a crime.”
By this time, she had Tonialla G.'s named memorized, so she didn't even need the photo anymore.
Off the plane, she spoke to a Michael Lofton, a US Airways manager at Philadelphia International Airport, who told her she would not be allowed back on the plane because she was a security risk.
But even though she was supposedly a security risk, Lofton directed her to American Airlines where they supposedly had a flight back to Miami leaving soon.
However, that flight had already departed and it was already after 7 p.m., so there were no other flights back to Miami until the following morning.
“We were expecting to spend the night at the airport,” she said.
They eventually boarded a Southwest Airlines flight to Fort Lauderdale at 11 p.m.
They landed at 1:15 a.m. and had to wake up a friend to drive them to Miami International Airport, about a 45 minute drive, where their car was parked.
“Southwest really stepped up to the plate for us,” she said. “I can’t say enough about them.”
DeWitt is a commercial photographer who graduated from the Rhode Island School of Photography.
Don't ask. Just do it.
Get back to us on their reaction.
He couldn't justify why his client could keep copies of the addresses he processed for nonprofit organizations, so they, and his client, had to end up paying massive deficiencies.
Most of the cr*p you're dropping in here depends on that one judgment. It stops at the front door of the terminal building. From that point on it is controlled space. That's why you don't find the Krishna crowd and the Moonies messing with people at the security entrances or on the concourses, or waiting areas.
I studied that ruling on the Krishna crowd very carefully over a long period of time ~ and found the flaws in his logic, the court's logic, and a variety of other items. Lots of fun. I used it on him.
You, we're just having a peaceful discussion and nothing is at stake. However, as a traveler my "privacy" may not be the most important element in the law, but I am entitled to go unmolested ~ you blink a flash in my eyes and I get to sue your pants off. If I were working there and you didn't get a release from my boss (since paying attention to your cr*p and nonsense might distract me from doing my job correctly) I can probably have my company back me up when I go after you (presumably legally).
Taking those pictures of an employee working IS a commercial transaction in and of itself.
You must learn that you have no right to bother the workers EVER in controlled space.
Oh my you really are funny....
stupid but very funny...
Idoit sez:
“Next time you see a group of rather tough looking guys sitting around out in public go over and take a picture.
Don’t ask. Just do it.
Get back to us on their reaction.”
Their ‘reaction’ is meaningless. They have no expectiaon of privavacy and I can photograph them at will.
They can’t sue me. They can’t take my camera or my images, at least legally.
They can’t do anything, at least not legally.
Of course if they did I would have legal grounds for filing criminal charges or suing
Funny how that works eh?
Again you lose but thanks for playing. You really are a glutton for punishment.
Idiot sez:
“You, we’re just having a peaceful discussion and nothing is at stake. However, as a traveler my “privacy” may not be the most important element in the law, but I am entitled to go unmolested ~ you blink a flash in my eyes and I get to sue your pants off.”
You lose again. You have the TRY and sue, no problem there. You just don’t get to win.
Like I said you lose again.
What a perfect governmental employee you are. Dumb as a box of rocks.
No wonder the USA is in such sad shape, we have mauwiyah working for us.
Thanks for playing. I think I’m done with you. Your carcass is bare.
I don't know BUBBA, sounds like she's from your neck of the woods!!!
LOL...could be
Who does she think she is?
TSA?
OK, that’s ridiculous on at least couple levels. You might want to re-read the story. Or actually read it, period.
You have no sense of humor.
You just screwed up big time “In public” does not mean “In a public place”.
If that was humor, you need new writers.
Wander around someday taking pictures of just ordinary people in an airport waiting lounge ~ watch what happens.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.