There don't seem to be many obvious pedestrian routes to the hotels, presumably to get you using the expensive taxis.
Sounds like a case of someone making the rules up as they go along, how can photographing aircraft from the station platform be a security risk when it is ok to photograph them at the airport?Bottom line and it is still under investigation by Southern, there seems to be a total ban on photography at Gatwick on the platforms as it is considered a security risk as the aircraft flight paths are directly over the railway boundary and even photos of trains are limited to being restricted - note the ban "has" been put in place by airport management according to railway staff.
I was once told off for taking photos at Orpington because "the Olympic rules" were still in place in November 2012 and that it's because it's a big station! So take it with a pinch of salt is my advice until you hear something official.Was at Gatwick earlier as I wanted to try some photos of the aircraft landing as the flight path is directly over the railway boundary and also grab a quick pic of my train I traveled in on - BIG MISTAKE, got reported for being "suspicious" this is despite fact I was not using flash, kept well back from platform edge and didn't interfere with staff working not to mention it was painfully obviously I was more interested in the aircraft then the trains.
Bottom line and it is still under investigation by Southern, there seems to be a total ban on photography at Gatwick on the platforms as it is considered a security risk as the aircraft flight paths are directly over the railway boundary and even photos of trains are limited to being restricted - note the ban "has" been put in place by airport management according to railway staff.
Sounds like a case of someone making the rules up as they go along, how can photographing aircraft from the station platform be a security risk when it is ok to photograph them at the airport?
Also said because of the increased security risk you may not be able to photo trains there too which is in direct confliction with Southern's policy >
Photography at Southern stations
As a general rule members of the public are free to take photos of our trains and the stations we manage and are welcome to do so. If any of our employees are likely to feature in your pictures we'd appreciate you asking for their permission whenever possible.
It was managed by Network Rail until 2012 when it passed to Southern. I don't think it's passed back since.Gatwick is a Network Rail managed station now isn't it? Not a Southern one?
As a general rule members of the public are free to take photos of our trains and the stations we manage and are welcome to do so. If any of our employees are likely to feature in your pictures we'd appreciate you asking for their permission whenever possible.
I notice it says-
It doesnt say you are permitted to take pictures of the planes!
Ask them to show you evidence of the ban?
I took several pictures inside the North Terminal at Gatwick the other day and had no problems at all - this included airside pictures from the terminal building. Sounds like the issue is with the station staff getting their knickers in a twist...
Perhaps there should be a Railway Enthusiast ID scheme in co-operation with the British Transport Police... might help alleviate those security concerns some very civic-minded staff seem to have.Also mentions the popular Aviation Enthusiast ID scheme too.
Seems Southern are at fault here as it is a training issue with their staff there misunderstanding the guidelines :roll:
Official reply from the Airport confirms NO such ban is in place and you ARE welcome to photo trains or aircraft from the platforms provided you first advise the Duty Manager or the Duty Customer Experience Manager.
It also says photography is NOT allowed within the airport terminals without express permission of Gatwick Airport Limited for which they issue a media pass and a escort from the press team.
Also mentions the popular Aviation Enthusiast ID scheme too.
As result have kindly suggested to Southern via Twitter that they ensure their staff are briefed accordly
Perhaps there should be a Railway Enthusiast ID scheme in co-operation with the British Transport Police... might help alleviate those security concerns some very civic-minded staff seem to have.
I often wonder if these officials know why they can ask/demand that photography/video be stopped, whether they misguidedly think that they should do it or whether they just feel the uniform gives their ego some sort of authority to boss the public around.
...The worst, in my experience, at community support officers. They have little understanding of the law, but still think they do and therefore make things up because they assume they can bluff their way through the job.
Naturally, when any of these people encounter someone that doesn't just say 'sorry, sir' and takes things further, they end up looking very stupid and it must really hurt their ego too. After all, they wanted to abuse their power so it obviously meant a lot to them.
Ah, the 'plastic police'. What everybody should know is that PCSOs do not have the power of arrest, above that of a citizen, so if you know that you are in the right and they just won't climb down, you can just walk away. They can, of course call a real PC, which should be encouraged, because if they do it too often, they will be taken aside and 'seriously educated'.
the only issue i've had is at piccadilly. had both Network Rail and BTP staff questioning me and then asking me to leave
this has happened on several occasions
pre COVID. happens pretty much every time I spend a long period of time in one spot on the station.When was this? I did photos there last month in full view of staff and with no issues.