Photography Ban

SBS3688Y SG

Extracted from Straits Times 24/8/07, Forum Page, H16:

Why ban photo-taking at Budget Terminal?

"I am an aviation huff and have taken photos of aircraft at airports all ove rthe world, including Singapore's Changi Airport.
Even in post-911 US, I have taken photos of aircraft freely.
The only place I used to not be able to take pictures was in Indian airports, but even India has removed the restriction on photography since 2004.
So imagine my surprise when I was prevented from taking photographs at Changi's Budget Terminal when my family and I flew Tiger Airways to Hrabu earlier this month.
I didn't see any signs prohibiting photography but when I tried to take a picture of my family at the gate with the Tiger Airways aircraft as the backdrop, the ground agents, employed by Swissport, told me photography was not allowed.
When I asked them when the prohibition came into effect, as I have taken pictures freely at Terminal 1 and 2 over the years, they told me to speak to the security officer standing nearby. When I asked the security officer which rule I was breaking, he told me to write to the Head of Police to find out.
Could the CAAS clarify whether it is true that one cannot take photos of aircraft at Changi anymore?"

Same goes for Bus Fans in Singapore as well.
In Singapore, this type of kiasi attitude appears throughout. Just cut it short - say its banned. Full-Stop.
But look at HK and Australia - they adopt a much more flexible culture (Bus and railway fans in this instance) and are much way higher than Singapore.
If I were an investor, I'd rather give Spore a miss. Sad

jetabt767400 SG

All these ban might sound like bad but that is the truth. In fact NYC Subway had once brought down a rule that photography is not allowed in trains and stations of its control, but protests from the railfans made them withdraw the rule.
Here in Sg, its hard to ask for the accurate pronounciation of rules. Say that there are rules, maybe don't have. You know that anyone who is suspected of crime is a suspect until proven innocent? Here it is so!
Hence i think its not good to go against the authorities, but find a way out with them. No point spending time behind bars.

megatron SG

wise words.
In prison ,photography is also banned. and no broad-"ban"..cannot access sgforums.
Laughing

105090 SG

those security people at budget terminal all very paranoid and kookoo.

remember a few months back, a family was turned away when the mother said "bomb" twice. end up the security company gota compensate the family and some public outcry

SBS3688Y SG

what to do? we singapore bus/railway/aviation fans lan lan got to accept such damned stupid restrictions lo! our govt kept say they going to improve and be more flexible - but look...

Many organisations and authorities in Singapore are still very rigid and not flexible enough. for eg HDB - if downstairs residents complain their toilet ceiling leak, HDB officers will pressure you to accept their HDB repair method style and demand you to demolish all your toilet fittings and floor and re-waterproof; whereas there are several other available methods of leak repair without "open-surgery" method. hence dragging the dispute cases for ages! coz these people lacks confident and "kiasi", die die stick to their rigid and outdated policies and never improve!

Look at Australia - the authorities recognise and respect the presence of railway fans but also do not compromise the need for security. Hence, railway fans got to apply for photography permit and also inform the station staff before and after photography. They are able to met the needs of railway fans and are still confident of providing ample security for their country. However, photography ban in Spore gives me the impression our authorities are weak not confident enough of providing ample security to safeguard us from terrorist threats as yet.

For Singapore - they just chop it off and close topic and that's it! Have the authorities ever wondered why and how bus photography can be a security threat before simply slapping a ban? I believe terrorists won't be that stupid to use cameras photograph sensitive things anymore. Even if they want, i think they rather use those spy cams used by PIs rather than those used by us bus fans. I also believe they can now do away with the need to photograph and just plan where to hide the bomb and strike liao. I believe those bombings in Bali, Jarkata, Philippines, etc - terrorists don't need to photograph before striking la!

BUT - what is important for security safeguard is to look out for suspicious behaviours and people leaving their baggage behind, suspicious haversacks, bags, and improve police intelligence. **THAT IS REAL POTENTIAL DANGER!** Bus photography is banned - but I can see pax on eg svc 858 buses placing luggages at the standing area and go to the rear to sit. Policemen come up the bus - look at the bags and alight. MAY I ASK WHICH IS REAL POTENTIAL DANGER?

jetabt767400 SG

Oh, regarding the bags on services going into the airport compound, there are many times, in fact majority, that the policeman would ask whose bag it is, and sometimes people would just raise hands like primary school.
Flexibility, Sg is much like by-the-book, you won't crash, yes, but you would not know how to deal with a situation that does not appear in the book. What if there is a fire outside of the building? It is different from fire within the building, no evacuation unless there are back doors, and its would be best to execute sealed protection until help arrives. Are security guards/management knowledgble to deal with such special cases? Some building I visited does not apply such rules, and many have their fire escape blocked as well!
About HDB houses, they gave excuses like 'living together harmonously' and 'interaction between neighbours during emergencies' as the main reason to help and follow their way of doing things. No reason also can help, but provide a practical one lah...

SBS3688Y SG

i think its stupid, isn't it? lets say the bag contains bomb indeed, by then when the policemen ask "whose bag is it?" Guess what happens? remote control is activated and goes "BONGGGGGGG!!!!!!" Shocked

SBS3688Y SG

[quote]Originally posted by SBS3688Y:
Extracted from Straits Times 24/8/07, Forum Page, H16:

Why ban photo-taking at Budget Terminal?

"I am an aviation huff and have taken photos of aircraft at airports all over the world, including Singapore's Changi Airport.
Even in post-911 US, I have taken photos of aircraft freely.
The only place I used to not be able to take pictures was in Indian airports, but even India has removed the restriction on photography since 2004.
So imagine my surprise when I was prevented from taking photographs at Changi's Budget Terminal when my family and I flew Tiger Airways to Hrabu earlier this month.
I didn't see any signs prohibiting photography but when I tried to take a picture of my family at the gate with the Tiger Airways aircraft as the backdrop, the ground agents, employed by Swissport, told me photography was not allowed.
When I asked them when the prohibition came into effect, as I have taken pictures freely at Terminal 1 and 2 over the years, they told me to speak to the security officer standing nearby. When I asked the security officer which rule I was breaking, he told me to write to the Head of Police to find out.
Could the CAAS clarify whether it is true that one cannot take photos of aircraft at Changi anymore?"

[b]Reply from SPF:
Straits Times Forum 4 Sep 07:
"I would like to inform Ms Upasna Kapoor ("Why ban photo-taking at Budget Terminal"; ST, Aug 24) that certain operational areas of Changi Airport are gazetted as protected places under the Protected Areas and Protected Places Act. Unauthorised photo-taking of these areas, which include aircraft parking bays and airfield roadways at the tarmac area of the Budget Terminal, is prohibited for security reasons.
In addition, for the safety of passengers, they should not linger at the tarmac area where airport operations are under way. We thank Ms Upasna for her feedback and will consider installing signs at the Budget Terminal to increase awareness among passengers.
Toh Boon Ngee
Assistant Director Media Relations (covering)
Singapore Police Force"

SBS3688Y SG

Aviation fans; pls take note:

from Straits Times Forum page (10 Sep 07),

"Rude End to aircraft spotting trip"
"RECENTLY, a group of us aviation enthusiasts went to spot aircraft at the pedestrian bridge beside South Cross, a bridge for planes to cross over Airport Boulevard. But our trip was cut short by two airport security officers, who questioned us and told us to "get lost".
Are we not allowed to watch aircraft taxiing past at the pedestrian bridge? Even so, the security officers were unnecessary rude. - Fung Yu Hang"

I guess loitering around the aircraft bridge or along road leading to Changi Airport is prohibited; not to mention photo-taking. I guess it also applies to the stretch of Changi Coast Rd where can see planes taking off or landing.

I wonder is that why so many stretches of Changi Airport's viewing gallery were removed due to security reasons? (eg T1 viewing gallery next to former Swensens where can see planes take off and landing)

Vigelic SG

nt really.. it's just that all the vehicles that go there always park in front of the emergency gates - where it's double yellow zig-zag lines (no parking, waiting, stopping allowed at all times)

if u're blocking an emergency gate (especially the one in front of the fire station), it's quite obvious u're not allowed to be there?

havent tried going there on bicycle and stopping at the side of the fence though.. why dont u try that and tell us..

SBS3688Y SG

Originally posted by SBS3688Y:
[b]Aviation fans; pls take note:

from Straits Times Forum page (10 Sep 07),

"Rude End to aircraft spotting trip"
"RECENTLY, a group of us aviation enthusiasts went to spot aircraft at the pedestrian bridge beside South Cross, a bridge for planes to cross over Airport Boulevard. But our trip was cut short by two airport security officers, who questioned us and told us to "get lost".
Are we not allowed to watch aircraft taxiing past at the pedestrian bridge? Even so, the security officers were unnecessary rude. - Fung Yu Hang"

[/b]

Reply in Straits Times Forum page 21/9/07:
"Police officers will be firm but tactful.
POLICE have contacted Mr Fung Yu Hang ("Rude end to aircraft spotting trip";ST, Sept 10) regarding his encounter with our officers.
The runways and taxiways are restricted areas of the airport and any possible security threats are taken very seriously. In the current security climate, our officers will vigilantly check on persons conducting observations around the airport to verify their purposes.
If members of the public come across persons conducting observations at the airport, they should contact the police for prompt follow-up.
In response to Mr Fung's feedback, we have reminded our officers to be firm but tactful when carrying out their duties.
Audry Ang (Ms)
Assistant Director, Media Relations
Singapore Police Force."

Too bad, the current global security threat against terrorists have also affected aviation and bus fans. Quite demoralising for us isn't it? Sad

^tamago^ SG

It’s all got to do with the “kiasi” attitude. If anything happens and for some reason photography has led to it, their rice bowl will be gone. So they’ll rather just have an all-out ban so can cover backside.

SBS3688Y SG

i think its more got to do with the capture of JI terrorists who filmed Yishun MRT station. hence photography and videos are banned and the TS and police are so paranoid of people photographing at MRT stations and bus interchanges. but come to think of it; will the banning of photography effectively prevent terrorist threats from happening? I guess not! Terrorists can always monitor, watch and familarise themselves their targets without any photography too!

And what about people and tourists photographing in busy streets? If photography is also a terrorist threat, wouldn't the authorities be afraid if they photograph and then use the photos to prepare for an attack?

The most important thing our security forces got to tackle are:
- monitoring and controlling substances or ingredients that causes terrorist attacks and making sure they do not fall into the wrong hands (classified under Controlled Items and be accounted for).
- Only allow companies that got adequate safeguards and protective measures to handle such items for non-evil intentions
- beef up intelligence against suspected terrorists
- training the public to look out for suspicious bags or articles