The Navel of Narcissus

On my recent trip back from India on British Airways, I was inspired by Julieanne Kost's recent book, Window Seat (not to be confused with another book of the same title by Dicum) to snap some landscape photos at 35000 feet. I think we were over Iran at the time. After taking several shots, imagine my surprise when one of the BA attendants closed the window shade and informed me that it was against British Airways policy for passengers to take such photos for security reasons. I thought she was kidding, but the head attendant confirmed what I had been told. And that it had nothing to do with where we were flying.

Here are some photos for your enjoyment. I was actually trying to shoot hyperstereo pairs--if that works out, I'll post those as well. For now, a few flat images.

Comments:

I know that some airlines have arrangements with some countries such that in exchange for allowing the flight to travel in their airspace, they will prevent passengers from taking pictures, but this is the first I have heard of a general ban. What could possibly be gained by such a ban, I wonder?

Posted by Brian Utterback on August 20, 2006 at 09:20 AM EDT #

They'll be after me for using Google Earth next I expect. I've never had problems on BA flights, but I haven't used them for a few months, so things might have changed now.

Posted by Tim Caynes on August 20, 2006 at 01:09 PM EDT #

Brian, the key word is "Security."

Once that word is uttered, you have an obligation to immediately cease any questioning or speculation as to the reason for it. It may make no sense to you, but it should be sufficient to have faith that Someone In Authority has made that decision, possibly based on information that must necessarily remain confidential, for a good reason that must necessarily remain secret.

So when anyone with an official uniform or badge utters the word "Security," our duty is to immediately shut the window shade, put the camera away, and say "Thank you for keeping us safe." We will never have Victory in this terrible War without putting complete, unquestioning faith and trust in Authorities who are doing everything they can to protect us.

Asking questions or publicly speculating on the rationale for what the Authorities ask of us always aids the enemy. Unquestioning obedience helps the Authorities defeat the enemy. That is the reality in the Global War on Terrorism.

With the faith, trust, and unquestioning obedience of all citizens we will win this War. And once Victory is ours, the Authorities will gradually restore selected rights and liberties as they deem appropriate.

Posted by George on August 20, 2006 at 01:14 PM EDT #

[Trackback] Aerial Photography Considered Harmful (tags: security aerialphotography photography) mandolux An Old Favorite (tags: wallpaper desktop art)...

Posted by Full Speed on August 21, 2006 at 11:04 AM EDT #

That's extraordinary. I've been snapping shots like that from every flight. Many airlines even offer a 'Downward camera' for your 'inflight entertainment' (Some of my snaps from Emirates over Iran.)

Posted by Timo on August 21, 2006 at 02:58 PM EDT #

[Trackback] Sun employee Josh Simons reports that he was asked to stop taking aerial photos whilst on a recent BA flight. “Security Reasons” and “BA Policy” were cited as the reasons - much to Josh’s surprise. He may have been flying ...

Posted by Ambersail Infosec Roundup on August 21, 2006 at 06:01 PM EDT #

Right on, George. Moo!

Posted by Scott C. on August 21, 2006 at 10:18 PM EDT #

Please - do- post the hyperstereo pairs - anxiously waiting to examine them.

Posted by Search Engines WEB on August 22, 2006 at 02:12 AM EDT #

Another victory for the terrorists. They are unable to tackle the Western military, but they regularly and frequently succeed in destroying landmarks of Western freedom.

Posted by David Byrden on August 22, 2006 at 03:16 AM EDT #

You may wish to consider nominating this incident for Privacy International's competition, the 2006 Stupid Security Awards

Posted by Watching Them, Watching Us on August 22, 2006 at 07:54 AM EDT #

Wow, George, you trust "Authorities" a whole lot more than you should. It wasn't until I reached the end of your comment that I realized you weren't writing with sarcasm. It's both funny and sad to read such a naive remark.

Posted by Mike on August 22, 2006 at 09:11 AM EDT #

Mike, I think you give George way to little credit. By my reading it was sarcasm through and through (including the end).

Posted by Fred Tote on August 22, 2006 at 06:37 PM EDT #

Hi there

I forwarded this to the BA cabin crew on the UK's PPRUNe bulletin board. They said that although there are some restrictions on taking photographs during take-off and landing, in general there are no restrictions about snapping away in the cruise. Nobody there knows why the CC said what they said, as reported here, and it's not company policy.

More here.

Rupert

Posted by Rupert Goodwins on August 23, 2006 at 06:48 AM EDT #

George: A smiley face would have tipped us off that it was sarcasm! :-)

Posted by Brad Fuller on August 23, 2006 at 11:41 AM EDT #

It's most disconcerting that smilies are now required to distinguish what I would classify as great satire. Especially note George's use of selective capitalisation and the tongue-in-cheek phrases.

Brian, perhaps it would be prudent to contact BA about the crew's misinformation on this issue -- not for reprimanding, but for re-educating.

Posted by kftgr on August 23, 2006 at 05:00 PM EDT #

And here I was, not only picking up on the sarcasm, but assuming that George was a pseudonymous reference to Mr. Orwell.

Posted by Andy on August 23, 2006 at 07:57 PM EDT #

Agree with Brad's comment. This whole paranoia is spreading so large that George's obvious parody could pass for a genuine remark. Where are we ? And what is happening to us ?

Posted by Bert on August 24, 2006 at 08:46 AM EDT #

Where are we? We have always been part of Oceania!
What is happening to us? Liberation!

Posted by President Leechman on August 24, 2006 at 07:17 PM EDT #

I enjoyed George's comment and thought the satire was so obvious that when I saw Mike's comment, I thought Mike must be playing at some other game that I didn't understand.

We're being treated as cows in a herd. I don't fly very often but it's irritating when I do and I'm asked to take off my tennis shoes. (Not that cows typically wear shoes or are expected to take them off on demand.)

We're expected to quail before our security masters and be grateful that they're "keeping us safe." David Brin is right. People didn't panic on 9/11. They coped just fine. It's our professional protector class that panicked when they saw people could take care of themselves when needed.

But maybe I'm reading too much in to it.

(And what's with the math tax on comments in this blog? That's discriminatory!)

Posted by Scott C. on August 24, 2006 at 08:42 PM EDT #

In August I was in first class on an Alitalia flight and was prevented taking pictures of my son by the airline steward. When I queried why I could use my laptop but not a digital camera it was explained as something to do with my camera being digital and something to do with lasers(!) - therefore using the DVD drive in the laptop was banned. The steward clearly didn't notice the iSight camera built into the top of the laptop...

Posted by RichB on September 06, 2006 at 03:51 PM EDT #