TSA Official Rules And Local Interpretations Don't Always Match

A confrontation between an amateur videographer using a mobile phone and about a half-dozen TSA and law enforcement personnel at JFK Airport in New York is making the rounds on the internet, and provides an interesting look into how TSA procedures may be inconsistent between the public version and internal policies for agency personnel.

On pixiq.com, Mark Lyon claims he went to see if JFK was using full-body scanners, and pulled out his smartphone to capture video of TSA employees "lounging" near a checkpoint. He says two different TSA officials attempted to forcibly take the phone from him, says he was detained for two hours, and alleges he was "assaulted."

The confrontation escalates during the video, with Lyon heard yelling, "Don't touch me!" Local police are eventually involved, and threaten to arrest Lyon. While Lyon can be heard telling his adversaries he is deleting the video from his phone, he later posted it online. During the recording, Lyon insists the TSA states on its own website that it does not prohibit photos or videos, while a TSA supervisor is heard telling him that the agency has instructed its personnel not to allow it.

The story changes when another security agent tells Lyon that while TSA allows video, the private company managing the terminal does not. Lyon is also told that only accredited members of the media are allowed to use cameras at a checkpoint.

The TSA website says, "TSA does not prohibit photographs at screening locations; however, local laws, state statutes, or local ordinances may...TSA may ask a photographer to stop if they are interfering with the screening process or taking photos of X-ray monitor screens in a checkpoint. The same guidelines apply to media."

But the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, in its local policy, advises, "Videotaping and photographing at security checkpoint areas operated by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration is prohibited without the consent of the TSA." So TSA doesn't prohibit it as a general rule, but has to approve your request to do it at JFK.

It appears that if you speak to three different TSA or law enforcement representatives at an airport, it may be reasonable to expect three different stories, none of which may match the TSA's official policy.

FMI: Lyon's Videos ; TSA Policy ; Port Authority Policy