Are cell phones now allowed at York?

During the April York meet they did make a announcement that cell phones could now be used. But taking photos is still not allowed. But we did see people taking photos and we did tell some of these people (near our tables) that taking photos were not allowed.

Yes... the archaic cell phone prohibition was thankfully revoked -- effective with the April 2013 York I believe.  Photography inside the halls is still banned.  But hopefully, smarter heads will prevail in time, so that rule can be laid to rest -- as well it should.  Nowadays, just about every cell phone is also a "smart phone" with all kinds of capabilities, including built-in cameras.  And you don't even need flash to capture good images, so photos can easily be taken quite discretely.

Bottom line... the "meet" is now becoming a "show"... whether TCA execs admit it or not.  There are several times I would have liked to capture a photo of something on display IN A VENDOR'S BOOTH.  There's nothing secretive going on behind these doors.

With all due respects... I could give a crap about photographing members possessions -- which is why the original photography ban was set in place way back when.   So if the Eastern Division TCA directors really want to bring their meet into the 21st century, they should move the "member tables" out of the Orange Hall and make it an exclusive dealers/display layout hall, where photography could be allowed.  They currently have dealers in the Purple, Brown and Orange Halls.  It would be MUCH more optimal to consolidate all dealers into the Orange Hall, and make the Purple and Brown Halls "member halls" for those member tables currently taking up space in the Orange Hall.

I suppose it'll probably happen anyway.  It'll just take another 5-10 years. 

David

talking on cell phones, yes

pictures, no

.........With all due respects... I could give a crap about photographing members possessions -- which is why the original photography ban was set in place way back when.   So if the Eastern Division TCA directors really want to bring their meet into the 21st century, they should move the "member tables" out of the Orange Hall and make it an exclusive dealers/display layout hall, .......

Some people with tables (myself included if I ever get one) would not want pictures taken of the inventory, so even though you and others don't care, that rule should stay.

(At the least, it should stay for member halls, but that revisits the whole issue of trying to have different rules based on hall color - too hard to keep track of and attempt to enforce, which is probably why the Black hall is included in the no pictures rule.)

As to members in the Orange Hall, I am pretty sure you are 100% mistaken.  The narrower aisles in the front half are all still businesses, they just ended up (either by choice or by availability - I have no idea how all that worked when they 1st opened this hall, but I'm pretty sure a string of tables is cheaper than a booth) with the traditional table set up rather than the booth setup in the rear half of the hall.

-Dave

By definition all the folks with tables or booths in the dealer halls, such as the Orange Hall, are dealers. They must have a PA tax number, and do the required submissions.

What is it that makes David think the meet is becoming a show?

What's the difference anyway?

Dave, you may be correct regarding businesses vs. "members" in the narrower aisles of the Orange Hall.  In any event, I'm just suggesting that the Orange Hall offer booth space only, if at all possible, to dealers who ante up for that kind of space.  Smaller outfits wanting just a table or two should move over to the Purple and Brown Halls.

I just know that it's nice to photograph something as a means of helping to remember a product I may want to include in my layout planning or whatever.  When the vendors had larger display layouts, I also would have liked to photograph them... but we weren't "allowed".  I even recall OGR wanting to photograph either the big MTH or Lionel display layouts one year to help promote the hobby, but they weren't allowed.

What a bunch of horse rubbish!  These guys can't even smell what they're shoveling, for gosh sakes.  And then they worry about the future of the hobby?    

I'd propose that photography be allowed in the dealer halls.  And if folks continue to harp that it would be difficult to police photographing by hall color, then photography should be allowed throughout.  If sellers are worried about something being photographed, then they shouldn't be there selling.  This ain't the 1950's.

David

It is a meet and not a show.  I have explained the distinction many times in the past, and do not have the time or the inclination to do it again.

Yes, my feeling also is that photography should be permitted.  No compelling reason today not to allow it, and the benefits definitely could outweigh any possible negative impacts.  The additional exposure might be just what the Eastern Div. and the TCA need to spark a bit more interest in the event.

But let me make it clear that it is a decision for the Eastern Div. officers and their members to make.  It is their meet, and they can conduct it in any way they see fit.

I guess the Train Station (NJ), George Tebolt, Miniature Lamp Works, and L & L Model Train Restoration (Len Carparelli) don't belong in the Orange Hall. They are only a very small sample of dealers that use the tables section.

Folks can skip the tables section if they wish.

What possible harm could come from taking pictures?

I guess that's my question as well.  As far as someone taking pictures of your inventory, that's absurd IMO. 

One issue might be the people standing around trying to get a good shot and causing congestion, I suppose that's a real possibility.

I don't understand the rule, but I didn't take any pictures, except at the off-site gatherings.

It's not difficult to take pics at York.  Just don't be obvious about it, and don't come here or any train forum and post them.

Just tap your screen to "video taking mode".  Now your not breaking the photography rule!

(ok, that's just a loophole.)

The there are a few stated reasons

1) Privacy, but then again of you are that concerned about anyone knowing what you have, then I don't think you would be showing them off at a event like York

2) Congestion. Worried about people stand with bulky camera equipment in the middle of the aisle trying to pose and light everything "Just Right" and  stopping traffic. Not much of an issue because for the most part the buildings are less congested these days and the vast majority of people are shooting with their phones.

3) Roving gangs of thieves. Apparently there are roving gangs of thieve at York who photograph the items and then using the TCA member directory hunt the sellers down and rob their houses. Apparently these thieves are not smart enough to write a few notes on paper and then do their research

quote:

One issue might be the people standing around trying to get a good shot and causing congestion, I suppose that's a real possibility.

That would be my primary concern. Some folks like to make snide remarks about the arrows, but congestion is a real issue in the member halls. If some folks have not run into heavy congestion in those halls, then they are living right

"roving gangs of thieves" yea, everyone looked like they were there to steal your trains and"hunt you down". i about fell out of the chair in amusment after reading this.-jim

Agreed, that a few of the member halls are still nasty, I was thinking more of the Orange, purple, brown and black halls. Red and White can still be a bit over crowded. Silver and Blue are hit and miss.

I wonder if they are eventually going to have to ban Google Glass, once it becomes more widely available.

I wondered the same thing, there is already a movement among strip clubs and bars to ban them.  Eventually technology will make the rule impossible to enforce.

I have a thought that might be science fiction, but it crossed my mind anyway.

I'd like to believe that the Eastern Division authorities are well aware of a cell phone's ability to take pictures.  Do you think that by allowing cell phone use in the halls is a test to see if taking pictures causes any problems before they lift the ban on photography?

Yes times are changing.

When I was growing up nearly all the Amish made their living on a farm.

Liked to watch the six mule team hay baler working out in the fields.

Yes some lived in town like the Amish carriage maker.

Now it is less than half make a living by farming.