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.
Just look at Chicago’s murder rate over the weekend!/s
Should be good for a five figure settlement, stockholders should be upset.
I would not choose to fly US Air, except that my company has its HQ in Philly and they’ve got an ultra-low corporate rate deal. Otherwise I would opt for Southwest, with which I have had far more pleasant experiences - even in PHL, which might just be the worst-managed airport in the nation.
Bet money ms T G, be one of holders people.
My two favorites, customer service wise, are Alaska and Frontier.
Sounds like “Tonallia” isn’t a flight attendant, but rather a gate agent. I’m guessing that Tonallia has a chip on her shoulder the size of a cow pie. I’d be willing to bet that there’s plenty of other abuses of power she’s pulled... but remember that the airline is probably powerless to discipline her in any way. Odds are pretty good that she’s in a “protected class”— maybe two or three.
The photography of a name tag is of course no big deal. The only possible thing I can think of is that they might forbid close-up photos of their security credential card that hangs around their neck. A close up photo would be a natural first step to creating a counterfeit credential, and it’s perhaps reasonable to prevent that. But if it’s just a name tag... not so much.
LOL! Fly United and it would be "Old Miss".
note to all,,,if someone demands that you delete a photo, cheerfully do it. Until you rewrite that spot with another photo,,,it can be recovered.
Not to mention,,,with a smartphone, by the time you are in your seat, it should be uploaded somewhere else!
There'd be nothing polite about that. First, a tip to the airline regarding the individual's suspicious behavior ~ "and I saw a book there ~ 'Osama Bin Laden ~ LIVES". Oh, yes.
So, the lesson is ALWAYS OFFER MONEY FIRST.
Turns out this ol'gal IS, in fact, a professional photographer. She didn't pull out a release to sign, nor offer money to her targets. I don't think she'll get far if this goes to court ~ and as far as the airline goes, I doubt they'll side with a professional photographer under any circumstances.
The lady is a decent commercial photographer.
Next time engage your brain before you engage your mouth....
ive heard of the standard hippie receptions. How did the American stews treat you?
So, the passenger really wasn't engaged in a lawful action ~ she was cheating and violating copyright laws.
Just so we can all thank her for the job she's doing, protecting us all from terrorists.
Unless the photographer uses the photo in a commercial context, no release is needed.
Again unless the photo is used fro commerce, she was well within her rights to photograph in a public place.
She will have no problems with this part in a court of law.
US Airways traditionally gets the worst ratings each year by Consumer Reports and JD Power.
Dead last.
Consumer Reports 2011
Southwest
Jetblue
Alaska
Frontier
Airtran
Continental
American
Delta
United
US Airways
http://www.jdpower.com/travel/ratings/airline-ratings/traditional/
My USAirways story:
Suckered into buying their points to redeem for an international flight to Mexico in first class. $500 coach fare, $700 first class effective cost, worth the minor premium. Until I learn after buying the non-refundable points that there is another $200 “tax and fees” on top of the ticket cost, so my premium for first class is double what was expected.
Then, the flight. No meal on either leg for over 4 hours of flying. I envied those in coach who could drink $5 cocktails, and enjoy an actual meal they brought on board.
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