Rail Scanning & Terrorism concerns in TIME Magazine

[NESN]

This is a little off topic, but, this weeks TIME magazine has an article about rail scanning buffs and transit police, post 9/11. Many rail buffs have been stopped and questioned repeatedly and had their scanners, cameras & binoculars checked by transit , local police departments and even Immigration & the FBI. Some have resorted to carrying ID Cards from local rail buff organizations in an attempt to clear up any safety concerns.The article also mentions airplane buffs who like to park near airports and scan aero frequencies. Life in a post 9/11 world. The article mainly dealt with Philadelphia, but concerns are up all over the country. So, be concious of your location and appearance and how it may look to law enforcement. Try to stress ,as always, the postive aspects of scanning by the public to law enforcement to allay their suspicions or fears.
Go to: www.time.com look for "Hobbyist or Terrorist?"

 

[mciupa]

Considering the recent bombing of a train( in Madrid, Spain ) ,I can
see why the authorities are leery of unauthorized individuals.

Your advise is good. Everyone should use discretion and common sense.

 

[Aircargo]

i agree NESN...i agree

 

[mr_hankey]

ah, discretion and common sense could have helped here:

"Local attorney Brandon Mayfield blasted the federal government Monday for jailing him for two weeks without charges and labeling him a terrorist on the basis of a misidentified fingerprint.

Mayfield, a Kansas-born convert to Islam who runs a small family law practice in Beaverton, was arrested May 6 and detained as a material witness in the investigation of the Madrid, Spain, train bombing that killed 191 people and injured more than 2,000."

from the news article at:

http://www.portlandtribune.com/archview.cgi?id=24535

 

[K2KOH]

This on the heels of the NYC Transit Authority prohibiting photography in the subway system. NY's subway is the most photographed of any railroad in the USA...well, so much for that!