Camera and Phone Use - International

[Harpoon]

Couple of questions based on a recent experience.

I've seen the signs when arriving at an international terminal in Australia that mobile phone use is prohibited until you've passed through both immigration and customs. However it seems to me that these signs are largely ignored by passengers, and I've personally never witnessed anyone being 'told off' or fined by customs officials for using their phone, particularly when waiting to pass through customs.

So is this rule supposed to be enforced? Is it a federal thing or is it just an airport decision? And why? I'm not sure why mobile phone use is prohibited in this area, why is it restricted?

Reason I'm asking is because on Friday, some people waiting at the baggage carousel at BNE International were on their phone and another passenger 'sarcastically' pointed out to them that theres a $500 fine for using your phone. So it just got me thinking that most people ignore this rule.

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The other question I have is around using your camera in the airport, particular through immigration and customs. Say for example the line was huge and I wanted to take a happy snap of the queue just for kicks, is this against the rules? Are there any area's in the aiport I can't take photos? What about in the air-bridge? What about photos of the customs officials?

(Asking for the purpose of happy 'tourist' photos and trip reports)

[simongr]

I've seen the signs when arriving at an international terminal in Australia that mobile phone use is prohibited until you've passed through both immigration and customs. However it seems to me that these signs are largely ignored by passengers, and I've personally never witnessed anyone being 'told off' or fined by customs officials for using their phone, particularly when waiting to pass through customs.

In front of me going through quarantine a chick was on her phone constantly and was threatened with a $1000 fine by the AQIS official. I think was linked to the fact that they found a heap of new horse equipment (not used) that had not been declared and should have been - in the middle of the equine flu outbreak in NSW.

Personally I am always very conscious of these rules (it is in my nature as an auditor for a start) as the last thing I want is to pi55 off some official who has the power to make my life more difficult than it needs to be.

I wouldn't think that photos of long queues would be an issue (have you seen the Heathrow long queue on youtube?) but you might be more at risk if taking pics of the immigration/customs staff directly...

[Fluid-Flyer]

So it just got me thinking that most people ignore this rule.

Downright unAustralian not to ignore stupid rules!

[dot]

I concur with simongr - I have used my phone (not the camera though) at the baggage carousel - even when the customs dogs have been walking around - I have never been asked by the handler nor any other official to turn of the phone... I would not - however - try to use the phone or a camera while going through either customs or immigration control points.

[Febs]

However it seems to me that these signs are largely ignored by passengers, and I've personally never witnessed anyone being 'told off' or fined by customs officials for using their phone, particularly when waiting to pass through customs.

I hadn't witnessed it either, until last Tuesday when a Customs officer told a passenger (in no uncertain terms) that if he continued to use his mobile, he'd be fined $1,000.

He put it away then pulled it out about 5min later - we were stuck there for almost 2hrs waiting for our bags.

Cheers,
- Febs.

[Mal]

Yep, saw a passenger told off for using their mobile phone in Sydney departures customs area. Line was huge, but the pax was spotted and told to switch it of, and the sign pointed out.

While at Macau, also saw a passenger told off for taking photos of the huge queues waiting for immigration.

I don't mess with Customs or Immigration. If they have it in for you (eg spot you taking a photo and are annoyed), the many hours they can legally delay you for and invasive questioning they are legally allowed to do is not worth the hassle.

Leave the phones and cameras off. Wait until leaving the secure areas.

I believe the reason for no photos and mobile phones is so that a person can't communicate with a friend what to do to avoid customs scrutiny (eg there is a dog walking around - drop the drugs down the toilet), here's photos of the customs staff, techniques or scanning equipment, or to find other ways to defeat the system. However, it's effectiveness is limited -especially with shows like Border Security and people being able to switch phones back on as soon as they are out the door.

[Leumas]

I haven't seen anyone fined, but I've seen people warned while waiting for Immigration.

Are there signs at Luggage Area as well as the actual Customs X-ray area? I remember looking for the sign at the Luggage Area, but couldn't find any. I, of course, made a call while waiting for my bags...

As to why we have these rules, and after watching Border Security, smugglers can easily use mobiles to communicate with other 'passengers' or people outside.

[Hvr]

Interesting that there a couple of mentions of Border Security here, just who controls what they can and cannot broadcast? And why don't pax appear to have any rights about being stalked by these vultures?

Has anyone actually been filmed by this show? Be interested to hear what happened and your choices about the matter?

[Mal]

Interesting that there a couple of mentions of Border Security here, just who controls what they can and cannot broadcast? And why don't pax appear to have any rights about being stalked by these vultures?

When they are filming, a sign is placed in the arrivals hall (before Immigration) advising that the filming is taking place, and to advise a Customs (?) staff member if you do not wish to be filmed.

I believe, but am not totally sure, that if you are 'featured' on Border Security (as opposed to a group shot), you are asked to sign a waiver or similar. The reason why even stupid people who are flouting the law agree to be filmed is to show bravado or pretend that they aren't doing anything wrong.

I also believe that Customs Public Relations or some other part of the Customs/AQIS areas would get vetting rights over the content of the shows as part of the agreement. Some Customs/AQIS staff have their faces blurred for example, and there are many things in the Customs process that are glossed over.

[QF009]

Arriving into Oz on SQ the PA will remind about the ban on mobile phone use, along with a warning that fines will be imposed on people who use mobile phones before the arrivals hall. Can't recall hearing a similar announcement on other airlines though.