Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum: Replying To More Photography Issues - Amtrak Unlimited Discussion Forum

Ryan, on Mon, Feb 1, 2010, 05:41 PM, said:

Read the comments. You gotta love them.

As to the "excessive:" Vagueness is the joy of the power trippers. Who decides? Is excessive 2 pictures, or 20 pictures or 200 pictures. Is it a cell phone camera, a point and shoot, or having two camera or four cameras, carrying a tripod. This is way too vague.

If it si the terorist nonsense, and most of what is done under that guise is nonsense, then the smaller the camera, the more likely it is being worked by a true terrorist.

Then again, why go after CTA? Removal and repalcement of a lot of their facilities is exactly what they need. It is something like the very old joke from the Cold War days: The Soviets would never bomb Washington DC if they wanted to take over the US as that would remove much of the confusion and incompettence from the country.

GG-1, on Mon, Feb 1, 2010, 07:55 PM, said:

that went down the crapper with 9/11 cause sense then its illegal to take pictures of trains.

AlanB, on Sun, Jan 31, 2010, 05:20 PM, said:

I will most likely remedy that over the summer since I have 2 long layovers to kill in Chicago.

If not the "El" then some METRA riding

Ryan, on Mon, Feb 1, 2010, 02:41 PM, said:

Aloha

That is excessive, some guard will freak. What has happened to American ingenuity and intelligence.

I wonder if folks will get hassled for taking pictures of this (because it's going to garner a lot of attention!):

http://www.treehugge...nsit-system.php

And I'm sure they'll target the the ones with "big" cameras like my Nikon D80. It's not huge, but it's not a $15 target point and shoot either.
Until they start feeling around inside everyone's pants for 1/4" PCB cameras hidden behind belt-buckles, they're never going to be able to stop a "tewowist" from taking pics.
BTW-anyone else like how the last paragraph says "Photography is Not a Crime" the text of which links to Mr. Miller's site?

MrFSS, on Sun, Jan 31, 2010, 04:23 PM, said:

well gee everytime you turn around some rail fan is getting harassed including some of our own members here have had the luxury of being harassed for taking photos. does that mean there a liar.

Long Train Runnin', on Sun, Jan 31, 2010, 03:17 PM, said:

That's a shame.

It's not the best system in the world, but it's certainly not the worst. And there is definately some neat riding available on the EL.

MrFSS, on Sun, Jan 31, 2010, 04:23 PM, said:

While it's nice to hope that, my experience with WMATA leaves me jaded. An undefined "excessive" just allows employees the latitude to make up whatever definition they want to legally harass you.

I read the linked article several times. CTA isn't saying you can't take pictures of CTA trains. Only excessive amounts of pictures (I know, they don't define excessive).

If you take a few pictures, are not making a big deal about it, aren't toting a lot of equipment with you, I don't think anyone will say anything about it to you.

One person makes a big deal about the policy and everyone comes unglued. Moderation is the answer.