[Scan-DC] Amtrak Corporate Guidelines on Photography and VideoRecording

Sun Mar 15 16:10:38 EDT 2009

One of the best places to record video and take pics is at the Halethorpe MARC Station. It has an elevated staircase which and a LONG parking lot that gives you a very long line of sight along the tracks without being anywhere near them. 

David
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-----Original Message-----
From: Sean Hoyden <sean.hoyden at gmail.com>

Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2009 16:06:33 
To: Larry Sampas<larry at larrysampas.com>
Cc: <Scan-DC at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Scan-DC] Amtrak Corporate Guidelines on Photography and Video
	Recording

I'm still not entirely sure just how they'll enforce this policy.  There's
ALOT of stations out there that are unmanned, and too far away from a
responsive AMTRAK police presence.  On top of that, I know SEVERAL stations
where the platforms are actually conjoined with public sidewalks.

Some local examples that immediately come to mind are:

Manassas, VA - right in the heart of old towne Manassas, with a public
pavillion directly across the street from the station.
Alexandria, VA - railfans gather on the station platforms frequently to
watch and photograph trains
Ashland, VA - Station is a "historic site" and has several markers and even
a visitors center within.
Harpers Ferry, WV - Another historic site, although i think the station is
technically owned by the US Park Service
Martinsburg, WV - Museum and historic site

I'm inclined to think this new policy serves two major purposes:

1) A 'cover your ass' maneuver that helps mitigate AMTRAK's liability in the
event someone gets injured by moving equipment.

2) Better control access to platform areas where space is at a premium, and
foot and support equipment traffic (i.e. luggage carts) is fairly high.  I
think this is intended more to keep people OFF the platforms, unless they
have a good reason to be there.  (Employee, ticketed passenger, etc.)

I DO however agree that the wording is left vague (and probably
intentionally) so they have more flexibility in just how to enforce the
policy.

Personally, I don't get too much thrill in photographing inside a station or
terminal like that.  Generally, I'm well away from the station and even more
likely to be out on a mainline somewhere where it's a fairly wide-open view.

Nevertheless, I get a bit more discouraged everyday as we continue our
decline into a police-state mentality.  It further supports my belief that
the terrorists are winning the mental part of the war.

On Sun, Mar 15, 2009 at 3:38 PM, Larry Sampas <larry at larrysampas.com> wrote:

> The policy makes it clear that you can exercise your fourth amendment
> rights to take pictures from public, unrestricted areas of public
> things and still be arrested if the Amtrak police consider you
> "suspicious." While section IV.2 of the policy says photography in and
> of itself isn't suspicious, officers are given discretion to arrest by
> any additional factor. Got a scanner and a camera? Very suspicious.
> Certainly, you'd be able to contest it in court, but only after arrest
> and hiring a lawyer. By the time you got to court, Amtrak would define
> anywhere you were as restricted.
>
> In general, these are the same guidelines they have for the Moscow
> subway, and most public areas of the People's Republic of China. They
> can arrest anyone they want to protect state security.
>
> Despite being funded by the taxpayers, they attempt to retain
> commercial rights to images of trains. If you take a great picture of
> an Amtrak train and sell it to a stock agency, they can come after you
> for a cut.
>
>
>
> On Sun, Mar 15, 2009 at 11:21 AM,  <b_thom at juno.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> > On Sun, 15 Mar 2009 00:59:55 -0400 "Alan Henney" <alan at henney.com>
> > writes:
> >>
> >> http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Copy/Si
> >> mple_Copy_Page&c=am2Copy&cid=1178294272520&ssid=11134
> >>
> >> Amtrak Corporate Guidelines on Photography and Video Recording
> > ....
> >
> >> Photography and video recording within restricted areas are
> >> prohibited. Individuals found in a restricted area will be subject
> >> to
> >> investigation and possible arrest and seizure of photography and/or
> >> video recording equipment may occur pursuant to the arrest.
> > ....
> >
> >> Restricted areas include but are not limited to the following:
> >>
> >> Platforms (ticketed passengers are exempt)
> >> Crew and Employee Work Areas
> >> Maintenance Facilities
> >> Unoccupied Trains and Engines
> >> Office Areas
> >> Employee Elevators
> >> Baggage/Delivery Areas
> >> Commissaries
> >> Right of Way and Track Areas
> >> In service train cars
> > ....
> >
> > Platforms and "track areas," which can mean just about anything, are
> > restricted areas. Good luck with that. My picture should be on the wall
> > of the Post Office along with that of Osama bin Laden.
> > ____________________________________________________________
> > Digital Photography - Click Now.
> >
> http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2141/fc/BLSrjpTDvmQhFvR85F2gYqJLcqk6WSmexzIB0yksAUSzIl7eywx0A3sTkRK/
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-- 
Sean Hoyden
703.899.8893

"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety,
deserve neither liberty nor safety."  -- Benjamin Franklin
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