Over the Top

chuxn2005 · Post by **chuxn2005** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 7:32 pm

Whilst on a recent photting trip in London, I went to Ealing Broadway ( pics - http://ah-trains.fotopic.net/c1068852.html ) Where I stood on Platform 2 (Up Fast) happly behind the yellow line, when a secuirty bloke comes up and me takes me to the station managers office, where I have to "sign in" fill in two form's and sign them and then get this little pass thing. This took over 5 minutes when All I wanted to do was take some pics for about an hour, despite doing all this I was that I was only aload to Phot from platform 4?
I understand that these measuers are done for our security but that was way over the top and achieved nothing (apart from missing a 66)
Just wondered what you guys views were on this?

yj03ppv · Post by **yj03ppv** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 7:53 pm

Odd, a few months ago I went to Ealing Broadway and was able to take photos for about 20 minutes before my HC train came in, plus some videos before we went to find the M&S.

Dunno what platform it is but I took one from the far platform (where HE/FGW trains go rushing through) and the rest from the slow platforms where the up HC trains stop (opposite the Central Line platforms).

John

chuxn2005 · Post by **chuxn2005** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:11 pm

yeh they moved me to the slow lines

But that little Pass they gave me, got me First Class for free

alexnick · Post by **alexnick** » Wed Aug 30, 2006 8:58 pm

If it was the bank holiday weekend, I'm sure security was generally edgy around London, what with all the extra visitors and the carnival. That said, I spent Saturday in town, and hardly saw any police officers around at all. There wasn't anything funny moving through Ealing Broadway was there? - the police were very edgy at Guildford when the Royal Train came through about a year ago - scores of them on the platform. Sometimes I think they just won't take any chances whatsoever (though I'm not entirely sure what the danger is here).

Nick

buffy500 · Post by **buffy500** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 8:16 am

Damn them and thier private property.

danielw2599 · Post by **danielw2599** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 8:20 am

Whats 5 minutes out your life to ensure secruity and let staff know you are there? If you want to take pictures then you will have to abide by the rules that are in place. As Buffy says, its private property, so the owners are entitled to do what they feel is nesscersary.

metromuppet · Post by **metromuppet** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 9:12 am

At certain underground stations, the police where scanning both bags and people. stations included oxford circus and kings cross.

Anonymizeruk · Post by **Anonymizeruk** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 9:42 am

I actually think it's quite good that you were given the chance to fill in forms and get a pass. I've had several experiences where I have simply been told to put the camera away and leave the station.

Yeah, its a bit of a pain in the bum if you miss a photo, but its far better than being booted off the station alltogether

Cheers

Gaz

buffy500 · Post by **buffy500** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 9:51 am

Once you've got your pass you are probably less likely to be kicked off unless you've done something someone thinks is stupid.

Bottom line is that a station IS private property, and you do what the agent for the owner reasonably requests if you want to be allowed to take photos.

chuxn2005 · Post by **chuxn2005** » Thu Aug 31, 2006 3:12 pm

Yeh as I said, I Understand why it was done, but I just think a quick word on the platform would have been easier, and quicker.
No, there wasn't anything Special or I doubt it becasue there was only one other spotter there.

It was the Day after the Bank Holiday so I dont see why there would have been any extra fuss, but on the Monday I did see trouble at Baker Street where there was a Large Police Presence.
Thanks for sharing your views guys

Andy