NYCtransitfan Posted July 24, 2015 Share #1 Posted July 24, 2015 Hey guys, I'm kinda new to this forum so I'm not too sure where this could go, so here is the best place I could think of. Sorry if I'm wrong. Anyways, as most of you know LaGuardia just got the 2015 XD40's. So like any transit fan would I take pictures and videos if I see one. Since I need to take the Q69 home on some days, I saw one on there today, 7443. I took a photo of it and I got on and sat in the front seat on the right of the bus (bus was totally empty). The bus driver kept stopping at stops with no people and writing down something in a notebook. And about halfway to the last stop, he actually stopped his bus and took a photo of me. I know it's actually legal for him to do so if he pleases, but at the end of the line I confronted him about it. He said he's spotted me twice, taking photos of his bus. Which is true, he drove another XD40 a few days ago and I took a picture of that. He said that he took a class or something, and in it he learned possible terrorists take photos, and that taking pics of the inside is "suspicious", which implies that he thinks I'm a terrorist even though he said he didn't. He said the notebook was where he reports happenings on his route to the depot, and that he's had to write me down twice. I asked him if LGA is asking as to why I take photos if their bus, which would make me understand why he took the photo to an extent. He said no, so obviously if his superiors aren't asking for anything from me or even know I take photos, him taking a photo was sort of strange. He went on to say that "nobody takes pictures like that", and "MTA workers don't like it when people take pictures" Now, both of those claims are BS ( the second to one to a certain point, since there's other drivers with his same attitude out there I'm sure), because this is being posted on a forum for buses and trains where people take pictures of this stuff, and I have several bus driver friends who are cool with me taking photos and will initiate conversation when I get on about buses with me. I even know some out of LGA. Anyways I told him that, and I asked him to delete the photo he took in front of me, and he in turn asked me to get rid of the pics I took. Since I wanted to get out of there I just showed me deleting the photos (I use an iPhone, not the best camera, but they have a recently deleted section so I still have the pictures I took). And then he basically said that if I like buses, I should just take down the number, and the model of it and leave it be. I did get the run number and his name, so I reported it to the MTA. Not sure if it'll go far, but whatever. Just wanted to share it here too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MysteriousBtrain Posted July 24, 2015 Share #2 Posted July 24, 2015 I'll let you know right now it is PERFECTLY ok for you to take photos of buses. If I was in your situation, I either would have ignored it, or if he wanted to make a big deal out of it, called the cops because there was no way I was deleting ANYTHING from my phone. It's good you reported him. Something can actually be done. And like I said before, ignore it as best as you can and try to report any other driver to the MTA whenever possible. And don't worry, other members including me have been in your position before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peacemak3r Posted July 24, 2015 Share #3 Posted July 24, 2015 That was one difficult read, please incorporate paragraphs. Normally I would say he's probably following some procedure, but since I'm not an MTA employee, I can't confirm that. An MTA employee should settle this situation if anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GojiMet86 Posted July 24, 2015 Share #4 Posted July 24, 2015 I've been called a sniper before, so this doesn't surprise me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYCtransitfan Posted July 24, 2015 Author Share #5 Posted July 24, 2015 I'll let you know right now it is PERFECTLY ok for you to take photos of buses. If I was in your situation, I either would have ignored it, or if he wanted to make a big deal out of it, called the cops because there was no way I was deleting ANYTHING from my phone. It's good you reported him. Something can actually be done. And like I said before, ignore it as best as you can and try to report any other driver to the MTA whenever possible. And don't worry, other members including me have been in your position before. Kinda puts me at ease that I'm not the only one who's faced this problem. I didn't actually think of calling the cops, just because I wanted to hear the reason he took my photo since he didn't show any real signs of caring up until then. That was one difficult read, please incorporate paragraphs. Normally I would say he's probably following some procedure, but since I'm not an MTA employee, I can't confirm that. An MTA employee should settle this situation if anything. I'll keep that in mind. And as far as I know, the MTA has no rules against photography so I don't think it could've been a procedure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Garibaldi 8 Posted July 24, 2015 Share #6 Posted July 24, 2015 LOL! There are a lot of things that are LEGAL to do but that doesn't mean you should always do them. You already know that people in general DON'T like having photos taken of them so you taking photos at random, so you do so at your own risk. I don't see why you're complaining about him taking photos of you when you did the exact same thing to him, and then you turn around and ask him to delete the photos??? Why should he? Just like it's legal for you to take photos of him driving all day, it's legal for him to do so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CenSin Posted July 24, 2015 Share #7 Posted July 24, 2015 Ironic that you don't like having your pictures taken when you are a photographer. I don't mind having my pictures taken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttcsubwayfan Posted July 24, 2015 Share #8 Posted July 24, 2015 LOL! There are a lot of things that are LEGAL to do but that doesn't mean you should always do them. You already know that people in general DON'T like having photos taken of them so you taking photos at random, so you do so at your own risk. I don't see why you're complaining about him taking photos of you when you did the exact same thing to him, and then you turn around and ask him to delete the photos??? Why should he? Just like it's legal for you to take photos of him driving all day, it's legal for him to do so. Ironic that you don't like having your pictures taken when you are a photographer. I don't mind having my pictures taken. As much as the two of you are correct that if you can take a picture in public, others are free to do the same to you, taking pictures of buses is quite different than taking pictures of someone "driving all day". In most bus photos, you can't even tell that there is someone behind the wheel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Garibaldi 8 Posted July 24, 2015 Share #9 Posted July 24, 2015 As much as the two of you are correct that if you can take a picture in public, others are free to do the same to you, taking pictures of buses is quite different than taking pictures of someone "driving all day". In most bus photos, you can't even tell that there is someone behind the wheel. Taking pictures of EMPTY buses is one thing. Taking pictures of buses whose drivers that may want to be in the picture is another thing. There are always consequences for what we do... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttcsubwayfan Posted July 24, 2015 Share #10 Posted July 24, 2015 Taking pictures of EMPTY buses is one thing. Taking pictures of buses whose drivers that may want to be in the picture is another thing. There are always consequences for what we do... I assume you're talking about interiors, then. I'm not. There is often a lot of glare coming off the windshield, or it's too dark. The chances of the driver being identifiable in a photo beyond "dude wearing a green shirt" is very low. At best, you may note some vague facial features, but unless the photo is absolutely perfect with lighting, angle, etc. there's no way you'll see the photo and think, "Hey, I know who that is!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Garibaldi 8 Posted July 24, 2015 Share #11 Posted July 24, 2015 I assume you're talking about interiors, then. I'm not. There is often a lot of glare coming off the windshield, or it's too dark. The chances of the driver being identifiable in a photo beyond "dude wearing a green shirt" is very low. At best, you may note some vague facial features, but unless the photo is absolutely perfect with lighting, angle, etc. there's no way you'll see the photo and think, "Hey, I know who that is!" Doesn't matter. A B/O is not going to be thinking about all of that. All he or she is knows is some random person is taking a photo of them that they don't want to be in, regardless of the quality, lighting, etc., etc., etc. (ad nauseam). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttcsubwayfan Posted July 24, 2015 Share #12 Posted July 24, 2015 Then that's just too bad. If they are so insistent on staying out of the public eye, they should find a job that doesn't involve being out in public, such as a dispatching job. It's New York, you can't drive a bus and complain about having someone take a photo of it. That being said, the OP was hypocritical to complain about the driver taking his photo. Not that it's a big deal - I had a driver do that to me a few years back and nothing happened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MysteriousBtrain Posted July 24, 2015 Share #13 Posted July 24, 2015 Doesn't matter. A B/O is not going to be thinking about all of that. All he or she is knows is some random person is taking a photo of them that they don't want to be in, regardless of the quality, lighting, etc., etc., etc. (ad nauseam).You know, I remember that one time you criticized me for taking the photos I did when I was in Pelham Bay and I did something similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Garibaldi 8 Posted July 24, 2015 Share #14 Posted July 24, 2015 You know, I remember that one time you criticized me for taking the photos I did when I was in Pelham Bay and I did something similar. Yep... Look at the photos that I've posted on here taken in Riverdale and you will notice a popular theme, with the exception of one shot I took while relaxing in Wave Hill... http://www.nyctransitforums.com/forums/topic/43074-relaxing-at-home-in-the-dale-riverdale/?hl=%2Bday+%2Bthe+%2Bdale Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MysteriousBtrain Posted July 24, 2015 Share #15 Posted July 24, 2015 Yep... Look at the photos that I've posted on here taken in Riverdale and you will notice a popular theme, with the exception of one shot I took while relaxing in Wave Hill... http://www.nyctransitforums.com/forums/topic/43074-relaxing-at-home-in-the-dale-riverdale/?hl=%2Bday+%2Bthe+%2Bdale Sure, I give you props for your pictures, but I really don't see any (express) bus pictures there so I don't see what this has to do with the bus driver situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q113 LTD Posted July 24, 2015 Share #16 Posted July 24, 2015 Some people are like that, it makes them feel unconformable and curious to why that person is taking pictures or filming. Some of them don't like it and some don't mine or just don't care. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-kZX9OHvg7H8dwkTtl8npw https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLv6_JXKd25pMOKUqjxQq_g Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Garibaldi 8 Posted July 24, 2015 Share #17 Posted July 24, 2015 Sure, I give you props for your pictures, but I really don't see any (express) bus pictures there so I don't see what this has to do with the bus driver situation. That wasn't the point... No people in them except for one, and that's not a coincidence... I have taken photos of express buses in Riverdale while walking to the BxM1 or BxM2 at night along the Henry Hudson Parkway, but the B/O is never visible and it's never obvious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MysteriousBtrain Posted July 24, 2015 Share #18 Posted July 24, 2015 That wasn't the point... No people in them except for one, and that's not a coincidence... I have taken photos of express buses in Riverdale while walking to the BxM1 or BxM2 at night along the Henry Hudson Parkway, but the B/O is never visible and it's never obvious.Who even cares about the bus driver? 1. No one even cares about taking photos of drivers like that and 2. There is almost no picture I have ever seen where the bus driver is visible from the exterior of a bus.Obvious or not you are taking pictures, it if fine to take your photos, unless you are using it to ruin someone's life or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Garibaldi 8 Posted July 24, 2015 Share #19 Posted July 24, 2015 Who even cares about the bus driver? 1. No one even cares about taking photos of drivers like that and 2. There is almost no picture I have ever seen where the bus driver is visible from the exterior of a bus. Obvious or not you are taking pictures, it if fine to take your photos, unless you are using it to ruin someone's life or so. I think the whole message is being missed.... You are free to take photos, but you can't tell others how they should feel if they don't want to be in the photo, nor can you control their response, nor expect them to delete the photos that they take of you in retaliation for them being photographed against their will if you're not willing to do the same. It's a total double standard. Some B/Os care that they are being photographed. It should be understood. They are HUMANS with feelings, not robots, so while some won't mind, some will. Take it in stride and keep it in mind when taking photos. Some B/Os consider their buses to be their home if you will, and even though it's all out in the public, they feel disrespected when people take photos of them without their approval. It's an invasion of their personal space, even though it's public space. Many of you would not like it if you stepped outside of your residence and some random person just ran up and started snapping photos of you. That's the closest analogy that I can use. It's like being ambushed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttcsubwayfan Posted July 24, 2015 Share #20 Posted July 24, 2015 One wonders how these people go to touristy areas! Do they come up to tourists and demand that they not take pictures of them* either? It boggles the mind. * Even though no one's actually taking their goddamn photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orion VII 4 Life Posted July 24, 2015 Share #21 Posted July 24, 2015 You think it's bad here? Try the suburbs or better yet outside the NY area. I've had drivers stop short to get out and talk to me, deputy sheriffs show up, all kinds of sh*t outside the city. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BM5 via Woodhaven Posted July 25, 2015 Share #22 Posted July 25, 2015 A bus driver means working in a public setting. If you do not like people taking pics of the bus, then don't take the job. You should be well aware what you're stepping into. God help you if you are a BO that drives in Manhattan. To the OP: taking pics is legal and don't be frowned upon it. I had that happen to me in Hicksville on the n22. This was LIB days. I got on the bus after taking a quick pic, and the BO asks me "Were you the one taking a picture of me?" and I replied No. Technically I was right, because you couldn't even see him in the pic nor was it my intention at all. There's a video that explains my post better from a point of view of a cop (which I think was posted here too), but since I'm on mobile, I'm not gonna bother. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Via Garibaldi 8 Posted July 25, 2015 Share #23 Posted July 25, 2015 A bus driver means working in a public setting. If you do not like people taking pics of the bus, then don't take the job. You should be well aware what you're stepping into. God help you if you are a BO that drives in Manhattan. To the OP: taking pics is legal and don't be frowned upon it. I had that happen to me in Hicksville on the n22. This was LIB days. I got on the bus after taking a quick pic, and the BO asks me "Were you the one taking a picture of me?" and I replied No. Technically I was right, because you couldn't even see him in the pic nor was it my intention at all. There's a video that explains my post better from a point of view of a cop (which I think was posted here too), but since I'm on mobile, I'm not gonna bother. If you feel so confident about invading other people's personal space then why lie? What's with the "technically" you weren't crappola? The justifications kill me. Be man enough to say that it's legal but you're invading people's personal space which is why some get up in arms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ttcsubwayfan Posted July 25, 2015 Share #24 Posted July 25, 2015 But you're not invading anyone's space when taking pictures of buses, not any more than if you went to a touristy location and started taking photos there. Invading a driver's personal space would be if you actually went in the bus, shoved the camera directly in his face, and started taping him as he does his job, potentially trying to catch him slipping up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46Dover Posted July 25, 2015 Share #25 Posted July 25, 2015 I've had guys shooting me driving past. I was even put on YouTube https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XKlv2H58dB8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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