A passenger in Toronto films checked bags being handled roughly on arrival, and the interaction is fascinating – as well as the reactions on social media.
The passenger complains “all they do is throw shit” and he’s confronted, being told he’s not allowed to record “this is customs.” They argue. There’s ‘no signs’ saying no recording. “Do you ned me to call an customs?”
- It was posted by the @airport_ramplife account in Instagram, asking “Who’s in the wrong?”
- One of the top comments reads, “There is generally not allowed to record anything at the airport. This is for safety reason. Someone could record airport security and camera placement and it could be used for bad purposes.”
In Canada, there’s no law preventing photography or video recording in public places like airports. Oddly there are more restrictions on media than on the general public – for news or commercial purposes, you must register and obtain a Media Film Permit from the Greater Toronto Airports Authority.
However, the Canada Border Services Agency does not allow photography or video recording in customs-controlled areas. That’s pretty standard – recording is considered a security risk because it may reveal screening procedures or officer positions. Officers can order you to stop, delete footage, or seize recording equipment if they determine rules are being violated.
Both are similar to the U.S., where it’s even permissible to record at TSA security checkpoints as long as you don’t interfere with the screening process (e.g. blocking a lane), record monitors or secondary screening techniques. Airlines may have rules for their rented space inside the airport that differ.
In this case, the passenger wasn’t filming sensitive customs procedures, they were filming bad customer service. But a customs officer would still probably tell them that they couldn’t film. They person objecting was… not a customs officer.
Delta has now broken two suitcases. Both at (unless it happened at my home airport, which I doubt) BOS. I asked do they body slam the luggage on a post about it. It’s ridiculous.
Back in the day, and maybe still today, if the airline damaged your bag, you can (and should) claim it against them, and often can do so directly at their baggage office in each airport. Nowadays, I bet they tell you to pound sand and go online… *sigh*
It’s anecdotal and maybe I was just lucky this one time, but it happened to me after a Delta flight to SEA (in 2013); there was a huge gash in my hardshell checked bag, so I went to their office, and the agent provided a replacement on the spot.
In my opinion, that was far better than some unusable ‘credit,’ or deny/delay tactics, etc. Instead, the airline properly ‘owned’ a problem that they caused, and provided a practical, quick resolution on-the-spot.
Wish it could always be like that. Or, like, just don’t damage our bags, please.