Comments on: The Photos That Got Me Banned From Excalibur Las Vegas (You Know, ‘Homeland Security’!)

By: eric hochevar

eric hochevar — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 04:04:17 +0000

That is absolutely rediculous! Im gona have to agree with Dave. A typical case of power in the wrong hands. I have found myself in your same position many times with a scrawny, under educated, social outcast with the “power of the badge”! Its amaizing how something so little (a badge) can make the insecure feel so omnipotent. Well, sounds like you did your best to resolve the issue without turning your camera into a weapon that everyone involved with “homeland security” would all be terrified of!! haha ;)

By: BlogWorld Las Vegas Photowalk â€“ 7:30 pm Friday Oct 15, 2010 | One Man's Blog

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 08:49:09 +0000

[...] strip, stopping to capture all sorts of interesting photos! Heck, maybe we’ll even reenact the photos that got me banned from Excalibur just for fun! Things I’d highly recommend you bring on our photo [...]

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 02:44:28 +0000

A friend of mine recently was a patron at the Encore in Las Vegas. When he was checking in they made him take his luggage back out side because it wasn’t acceptable. Then he was dared to jump into a pool from the top of a waterfall in the hotel next door so he took all his clothes off except a an under shirt and boxers and took the leap among other things. When he returned to Encore they informed him he had 20 minutes to get his things and that he would be banned forever and if he returned he would be arrested. I feel that this is excessive and unnecessary actions by Encore. Obvious common practice in Las Vegas. I haven’t been but I’m thinking it isn’t worth it.

By: BeeeJay

BeeeJay — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:44:15 +0000

My buddy took this at Excal 2 weeks ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_msVi4PKTyQ

By: Scott Lovingood

Scott Lovingood — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 04:09:22 +0000

Amazing that a city that lives off good will and good publicity takes such a view of photographers. I don’t blame you to wait for a formal apology. There are too many places to stay in Vegas without taking even a small chance at ending up in jail.

It is sad that we have traded so much freedom and liberty for so little real security. Just look at airline security. It has been shown to be full of holes yet we still endure the small bottles of shampoo, plastic baggies, etc. Eventually people will just stay home….. I wonder what happens to the Vegas economy when that happens?

By: matt

matt — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:30:49 +0000

“I agree with your approach, but why the hate for Luxor, sounds like they helped you out? ”

They’re all owned by the same MGM/Mirage. I totally agree, unless they issue a formal apology, shun all of their properties. There’s plenty of places to stay and gamble. I’m sure the management will be pissed. A lot of big money gamblers look just like anybody else, those security guards could have cost them a LOT of money with this stunt.

By: Lo destacado de la semana en otros blogs # 12 | GeeksRoom

Lo destacado de la semana en otros blogs # 12 | GeeksRoom — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:49:52 +0000

[...] John Pazadzides de One Man’s BlogÂ nos comenta una historia graciosa enÂ The Photos That Got Me Banned From Excalibur Las Vegas (You Know, â€˜Homeland Securityâ€™!) [...]

By: Seat 21D

Seat 21D — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 18:25:10 +0000

Absolutely nuts. Don’t forget that these 3 hotels and about 1/2 of the strip is owned by MGM-Mirage.

By: eh

eh — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 20:00:34 +0000

You don’t have to stop for the Fry’s search. You don’t have to stop for any “leaving the store” search (Best Buy, etc.). Just walk past them, they can’t/won’t do anything.

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 23:51:15 +0000

And yet you keep returning….

By: Rob-L

Rob-L — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 20:58:46 +0000

This is clearly the case of a guard who needs more training. It’s bad press for the Excalibur for sure, hopefully they’ll make it right for you. It’s too bad one rouge security guard can give a place a bad name.

By: Tammy

Tammy — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 15:30:00 +0000

This is a classic! How many thousands of shots have been made of the Excalibur exterior? Normally they get the uppety more when they think someone’s taking pictures inside.

By: Richard Bitting

Richard Bitting — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 11:52:49 +0000

Well I just learned that many places require you to obtain a “tripod permit” to shoot pictures or video. For example Capitol Hill in D.C. or the National Parks (all of them). In fact, there are a LOT of misinformed police who think it is illegal to take pictures of buildings from public land. Yes you can argue with them as they cart you off to jail and eventually you’ll be freed, but most will just pack up and move along. Sad but true. I was told by the police I couldn’t sit in my parked car from across the street from my house. No lights, windows down, engine off, no stereo, I was waiting while potential buyers toured my house with the Realtor. I was told that my behavior was reported by a neighbor as “suspicious”. It was sunny and 5:00 P.M. in the afternoon. Yes this is not the America we used to know. It died a long time ago.

By: Scott Roeben

Scott Roeben — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:37:25 +0000

Thanks for sharing this experience. Thankfully, mine have been much more positive with the casinos, with some actually being find with photos on-property, like Harrah’s Las Vegas, for example. The security guard issue is always a tough one. They have good intentions, but they’re just not real clear on the laws, nor are they often clear about the policies of their own employers! Of course these resorts want people to take and share photos. Oy!

By: Victor Cajiao

Victor Cajiao — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:40:51 +0000

I can’t believe yet another story like this. More more photography is becoming a crime and it’s just crazy. Thank you for sharing this. I will be in Vegas next month for blogworld and hope not to run into this as I plan to take pictures. its’ what we do.

By: John E

John E — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:56:49 +0000

And slowly the US becomes like the very states it tries to free from tyranny and oppresion. N Korea, China and a host of others, all have similar policies against taking pics.

What goes round comes round.

By: Johnny

Johnny — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 21:47:02 +0000

I had always heard that it was a no-no to take photos inside any casino but never the outside. sounds like someone has been watching to much Vegas.

By: greg

greg — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:15:51 +0000

I’m pretty sure that you could sue them, especially because the manager told you it was not correct use of their policy and that they claimed Homeland security, which they clearly are not part of. Same reason a retail store has to be careful if they accuse you of shoplifting.

check with your attorney…could be some easy cash…

By: Anthony DiSante

Anthony DiSante — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:11:50 +0000

That’s so ridiculous. It’s scary how many people — like these “guards” — turn off their brains while doing their jobs. You should have had the Photographer’s Rights card handy at the time!

By: PeteM

PeteM — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:04:01 +0000

I agree with your approach, but why the hate for Luxor, sounds like they helped you out? Or did you just mean that you don’t ever anticipate being back in Vegas, so you won’t be at >any< hotel there again?

–Pete