One solution - Posting air marshals on those flights to spot anyone trying to snap a shot during the flyover, then invite them for coffee as they disembark.
CV-18 Fujian/003 CATOBAR carrier thread
- Thread starter Jeff Head
- Start date
In fact I had the same idea and it seems, if they really want to close this "leak", it's the only viable option
I mean military enthusiasts can get inventive, what's stopping them from making a home made drone to take photos? They can even just crash it into the ocean after recording and stream the content to prevent tracking.
Just shut the shades of all windows when flying over. Cabin crew can identify anyone who has their shades up for tea party.
Yes, people are inventive, the anouncement of MSS isn't going to shut all possibilities nor intended to, the point is to make it clear that MSS can treat any kind of act (now and future, known and unknown) that they deem to be leaking as a crime. It is the kind of saying "把丑话说在前头" (don't cry I did not warn you).
China isn't that authoritarian. Forcing the shades closed just clues people in as to what is up and risk a Streisand effect as everybody has now become curious. The planes are flying over at best a militarily sensitive area, not a top-secret site a la Area 51, otherwise the air space would've been closed to commercial traffic to begin with. Plus no one said they can't look, the point is no photograph/video-taking.
How less authoritarian of posting an air marshal? I thought you were partially joking, so was my response.
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So that if and when the MSS does do enforcement it is done so assuredly and discreetly, as opposed to broadcasting to the whole plane that they're presently flying over an under-construction aircraft carrier of the Chinese Navy and that they should pay no mind to it.
plawolf
Lieutenant General
When I fly into certain airports in China the airline requires all blinds to be drawn when the plane lands/takes off. They are very serious about it, even dimming the cabin lights to make it super obvious if anyone so much as opened it a crack they will get ordered to shut it immediately. To be honest, I’m surprised such measures are not already in place around Shanghai shipyard.
Tbf how hard can they really protect a immovable 300m carrier that is open to the sky. The US would no doubt have 24/7 satellite monitoring on it. you're only denying OSINT which really doesn't matter that much in the grand scheme of things.