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View Full Version : LAX Spotting Trip Aftermath!



PhilDernerJr
2005-10-10, 06:35 PM
Ah, Los Angeles. What a trip it was.

It started off for me spending Thursday night at Tommy's. We woke up early and made our way to Islip. Having checked-in online the previous day and having our boarding passes and not having any luggage to check-in, we went through the short security line and went right to the gate.

We were one of the first people on and we managed to get the bulkhead on the left side. Lots of legroom….Phil is happy. The aircraft was N464WN. While we sat at the gate front window actually allowed me to look into the jet-bridge, seeing three flight attendants that were waiting for the next flight. One was Hispanic, mustache, and looked VERY angry. Another was a taller white gentleman and the third was a pretty black gal. I waved at them and the angry guy seemed so annoyed with me for some reason. He wouldn't return the wave, while the lady smiled, waved and laughed as I joked blowing kisses in a bon voyage manner.

Leaving in rain, the flight was actually very smooth. We landed in BWI on time and went right to our next gate. Though there were a few pre-boards and A-group passengers in front of us, we still managed to get the bulkhead, on the right side this time. This one was N729SW. The flight was also very smooth the whole way.

I don't get excited about trips or any events in advance. I always feel that something will **** it up and I don't feel like getting disappointed. My first hint of excitement was as I took this photo.

http://nycaviation.com/pichost/InNOut_Overhead_1_100705.jpg

I'm really here. Los Angeles. I've been waiting for this trip for a long time.

We touched down, got to the gate and hot-footed it to Avis. We got our car and headed directly to In N Out. The car hardly stopped before I jumped out the passenger side and did a quasi-cartwheel and roll into the grass. I missed that grass. Normal height, but so thick and softer than any grass I've ever felt in my life.Almost fake feeling, it makes that little park one of my favorite places in the world.

http://nycaviation.com/pichost/InNOut_Grass_1.jpg

There we met up with Eric Dunetz, who got in the day before. We ate, myself getting a Double-Double. Amazing food while planes came in on 24R over our heads.

We scarfed and went to Imperial Hill. I've never been there since the last time I was there was in July, not a good month for that location with sun position. I was pleased with the spot's height and vantage point, comfort and lack of police interruptions.

It was a little cloudy on both mornings that we spent in LA, but it cleared up early in the afternoon.

We had a good crowd out there and Tommy and I took a break to go to the bathroom and check into our hotel. I was hit with another blast of elatement when we pulled up to this.

http://nycaviation.com/pichost/Sheraton_1_100905.jpg

My favorite hotel. View of the airport, great layout, nice gym that's close to the pool, friendly staff, and beds that are so comfortable that I decided to sleep in Sunday morning (I was drunk) while Tommy went spotting.

Spotting was spotting, so I'll spare you details. Here are some of the shots and traffic we got:

http://nycaviation.com/pichost/Alaska_737_N792AS_LAX24LDep1_100805.jpg

http://nycaviation.com/pichost/ChinaEastern_A346_B-6053_LAX25RDep1_10805.jpg

http://nycaviation.com/pichost/Qantas_744_VH-OEJ_LAXTaxi1_100805.jpg

http://nycaviation.com/pichost/Song_752_N610DL_LAX25RDep1_100805.jpg

http://nycaviation.com/pichost/Thai_744_HS-TGO_LAX25RDep1_100805.jpg

My favorite shots came on Saturday at dusk from the In N Out area. Two dozen guys running around trying to get different angles, many of us went for the amazing sunset opportunities with these kind of shots.

http://nycaviation.com/pichost/SW_737_LAX24RAppr1_100805.jpg

http://nycaviation.com/pichost/A340_sunset1_100805.jpg

Although, the most fun shots came while we were taking those sunset shots. An airport police officer pulls over a car near us. Before I know it, there are 5 more cop cars on scene.

These two guys get NYCAviation.com's 2005 "Sucks to be you" Award.

http://nycaviation.com/pichost/LA_Arrest_1_100805.jpg

Some non-aviation stories about the weekend for a moment if you will:

I went out Saturday night with Andrew (He's the one that got that amazing JetBlue incident shot with the flame underneath) to Santa Monica. He took me first to Fin McCool's on Main Street. My old friend Dom met up with us there and the beer started.

We went to a second bar not too far from there and I started to see what Cali women are like. It's funny how these girls all think they are the hottest thing alive…even the fat ones. I've never seen so many girls flatter themselves like this. Dom glanced at a girl that was barely a 4 on the scale with WAY too much makeup and she says "Stare all you want, nothing will happen." We laughed at her and a few minutes later as we decided to leave, I went up to her group of friends. They were taking a group pic with a digital camera. I snuck in and offered my best Kool-Aid smile. They looked at the back of the camera and saw my face. "Who is that?" When they turned to me, I said to too-much-makeup girl, "I just wanted to say I'm a big fan. I absolutely LOVED you in the Rocky Horror Picture Show." Before she could close her mouth from the shock, we were laughing on the sidewalk and moving onward.

After a third bar, I had my first, and last, experience with Del Taco. I was very "affected" by the alcohol at this point, and though I'm usually a love-drunk, I started to get a little angry and some temper showed. We ordered our food and 15 minutes went by. The guy finally made our food, but no one was bagging it or bringing it to the counter. Another 4 minutes pass and I yell from the counter in front of about 40 patrons "Yo, when the **** is someone gonna get me my ****in food! It's been sitting there for eight years!" The guy who made it looks at me with a look of anger and I continue "What the **** are you looking at me for like you're gonna do something? I'll smack the ****in **** out of you." The whole place is quiet at this point and Dom pulls me away and I realize I brought it to a too-high level and I calmed down and went to my seat.

It was a great night. Great seeing my boy Dom, and Andrew is a really fun guy to have some brew with. Here's and the Dom Mega and I throwin west coast:

http://nycaviation.com/pichost/DomPhil2.jpg

So back to planes.

After spotting on Saturday, we went to Proud Bird. Tommy, Eric and I had eaten there the night before, and we were glad to have such great food for a second night. I ordered the lobster tail for a second time, but the waiter insisted that they nevered offered the potato soup that I KNOW I ate the night before. Weird.

We sat there, 16 guys in all, eating in a nice restaurant covered with plane photos on one side, and a massive window on the other offering us a BIG view of 25R arrivals. The is when Michael Carter called out "Now THERE is an airplane." I turn around and for the first time ever, my eyes laid on an inbound 707. Lowa Ltd. Wow. What a beautiful bird.

We had an amazing group of guys out there. Everyone is awesome. This is how cool they were: This was the first time that I ate with such a large group where no one stiffed the group on the bill. We didn't have to ask for a second collection of cash or fall short of the tip. In fact, we tipped damn well.

This is the crowd, as taken from Imperial Hill:

http://nycaviation.com/pichost/LA_Group_1_100805.jpg

My return trip was on N724SW for both legs, with a stop at MDW. Amazing to see so many ATA birds like that, but it was too dark for photos. Though the weather sucked along the way on the East Coast, the flights were again very comfy.

Tommy and I drove back from the airport looking back on our trip. Everything had fallen into place. The previous two days in LA were simply magical. How can you beat warm weather, great planes, nice photos, delicious food and lots of good friends in a great city like LA?

I'd like to thank everyone that joined us. Each person contributed to the smiles I had and the memories that I'll never forget.

http://nycaviation.com/pichost/LA_Group_2_100805.jpg

http://nycaviation.com/pichost/Sheraton_1_100805.jpg

If you were there, post your story and your pics!

fly.mcs
2005-10-10, 06:57 PM
Phil, I envy you and that AWESOME shot of the pink Song.
I used to think she was pretty, but now that I see it in great weather, Song should have really lightened that pink. It looks more of a fuschia.
Anyway, looks like you had a great time.
I've never been to the west coast but it looks great!

And for those people getting arrested..
It's a shame; they give us a bad name. :cry:

Matt Molnar
2005-10-10, 08:09 PM
I said to too-much-makeup girl, "I just wanted to say I'm a big fan. I absolutely LOVED you in the Rocky Horror Picture Show." Before she could close her mouth from the shock, we were laughing on the sidewalk and moving onward.

Damn I woulda gone if I had known Tucker Max was gonna be there.


And for those people getting arrested.. It's a shame; they give us a bad name.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say they weren't arrested for photography. Unless by "us" you mean black people. :)

NIKV69
2005-10-10, 08:16 PM
Awesome! I want to be the first one to make fun of Tommy's hat! :mrgreen:

Great shots Phil! I am glad you guys ate at IN-N-OUT. One of my favorite spots to eat when I am out there. Also Del Taco, which is much better than Taco Hell here. Glad to see you behaved yourself in there!

As for California girls, well enough has been said.

I am already planning to leave late Jan open for a drive to LAX when I am out at IFP this winter. I am hoping some of you can make it out there, most of all SENGA! I will bringing fellow anetter FlagshipAZ with me and it would be good to see you. I know Tommy will enjoy it, especially a pit stop in Vegas.

Great job guys,

Iberia A340-600
2005-10-10, 08:27 PM
Looks like you guys had an awsome time!

I love California, and spotting at LAX. I have only spotted at In N Out, I looked for Imperial Hill for a while but my dad and I couldn't find it.

Heres a question that someone who has spotted at Imerpial Hill can answer, I have a Nikon Coolpix 8700 and I am wondering if the zoom is good enough to get some desent shots from the hill?

Thanks a lot and oh yeah, beautiful shots!

fly.mcs
2005-10-10, 08:50 PM
Yes...unfortunately, I was referring to Black people.
I'm Black myself, but honestly, those kind of people you see getting arrested and then some give us a bad name; creates a lot of generalization. I don't know the cause for their arrest, but they seem a little rough around the edges lol.

PhilDernerJr
2005-10-10, 08:55 PM
Awesome! I want to be the first one to make fun of Tommy's hat! :mrgreen:

Don't hate becuase you can't handle the boonie hat. I rock them too. :-p

jakbar
2005-10-10, 09:04 PM
I am hoping some of you can make it out there, most of all SENGA!

Are you in love with Senga? It's OK if you are...but just dont expect Senga to return his undivided love....he's got a thing for those Russian jets...

:lol:

T-Bird76
2005-10-10, 09:16 PM
This was an absolutely fantastic trip and one I'll remember for a long long time. I'll get some of my pics up this weekend, I have a real busy week at work so don't have to much time until Sat and Sun. Again it was awsome trip, great people, great airport, and great airliners!

Alex T
2005-10-10, 10:10 PM
Tommy and Phil-

What great pictures! I am so mad I was not able to go. It would have been a blast for me I am sure. Glad everything went really well for you and that it all worked out.

Alex

PhilDernerJr
2005-10-10, 10:53 PM
I forgot to mention...

When Tommy and I dropped off the rental car and got the shuttle bus, we sat in the back.

The driver called out all the airlines that people told her that they needed to go to, to see if she missed any. Tommy whispered to me "Yeah, Eastern." We laughed and I felt it was worth amplifying. So I yelled out "Branniff!" She asked what and I yelled out "Brannif International!" I had to explain that I was joking while a couple people on the bus actually got the joke.

AC870
2005-10-10, 10:56 PM
Man that shot of the Barge is wicked!

It was great meeting you all, I don't think I've ever had as much fun shooting as I did at LAX this weekend! I'll always remember the time when that 707 flew past the window at the Proudbird... good times

Here's a couple of pics:

Nippon cargo arriving on 24R:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/AC345/IMG_1911.jpg

World Airways MD11:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/AC345/IMG_1914.jpg

America West 75 (if anyone has the reg I would appreciate):
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/AC345/IMG_1917.jpg

The unexpected China Eastern 346:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/AC345/IMG_2219.jpg

Spotters going nuts as a UA 757 flies overhead:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/AC345/IMG_2234.jpg

G-VSUN touching down:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v288/AC345/IMG_2268.jpg

Cheers,
Youri

PhilDernerJr
2005-10-10, 11:54 PM
My God, I can't stop thinking about this trip. It was awesome. It was like sex....without it hurting when I pee afterwards.

mikephotos
2005-10-10, 11:56 PM
Awesome pics Phil! Man, these shots make me miss LAX so bad.....I love it there also.

Mike

Derf
2005-10-11, 12:49 AM
....without it hurting when I pee afterwards.

Great Pix, but I do think you should see a doctor! :roll: :oops:

IslipWN
2005-10-11, 12:54 AM
....without it hurting when I pee afterwards.

Great Pix, but I do think you should see a doctor! :roll: :oops:


lol yea


anyways, great pics!!

Darren Howie
2005-10-11, 01:56 AM
Man that looked like it was one awesome weekend of shooting,drinking and chasing.
You guys really needed our Aussie accents to get the ball rolling with some of the cali girls though.
Works a charm everywhere except Australia.
Great shots to those sunset shots are awesome.
Darren

AndrewM
2005-10-11, 02:32 AM
It really was a good time spotting with everyone. I am looking forward to coming home to NY and hitting the spots around JFK and LGA with Phil and meeting some of you guys. And Phil remember...Gaynal; it's whats awesome :wink:

-Andrew

NIKV69
2005-10-11, 09:11 AM
My God, I can't stop thinking about this trip. It was awesome. It was like sex....without it hurting when I pee afterwards.

Your right Fred! I think Phil should see a doctor!

tipek
2005-10-11, 04:19 PM
Hi Guys,

Here are some of my shots from the first day (with exception of the Aer Lingus shot from second day).
It was really nice meeting lots of new people (and old one's too). I had a blast during my short two day trip. Second day was much much better than the first one in terms of aircraft that I needed. Words can't describe how happy I am.
Pictures from the second day will be posted later.

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/lax0.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/lax1.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/lax2.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/lax3.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/lax4.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/lax5.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/lax6.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/lax7.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/fseatahitia340.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/jal8082.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/fiji1.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/asianadept.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/chinaeastern.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/ac65th.jpg

Rafal

Clovis
2005-10-11, 04:46 PM
My God, I can't stop thinking about this trip. It was awesome. It was like sex....without it hurting when I pee afterwards.


You been sleeping with Sam Chui again?


I need that shirt man ;)


Nice meeting you east coast bastards...but wesssiiiide owns you!

NIKV69
2005-10-11, 05:05 PM
My God, I can't stop thinking about this trip. It was awesome. It was like sex....without it hurting when I pee afterwards.


You been sleeping with Sam Chui again?


I need that shirt man ;)


Nice meeting you east coast bastards...but wesssiiiide owns you!

Owned? Not even close. As for Sam , why the hate? SO he is a pompous ass that thinks he is God's gift to av-photo. :roll:

So what do we do, keep burning his pics like Phil did! I had to save one!

Those shirts will be funny.

Clovis
2005-10-11, 07:21 PM
My God, I can't stop thinking about this trip. It was awesome. It was like sex....without it hurting when I pee afterwards.


You been sleeping with Sam Chui again?


I need that shirt man ;)


Nice meeting you east coast bastards...but wesssiiiide owns you!

Owned? Not even close. As for Sam , why the hate? SO he is a pompous ass that thinks he is God's gift to av-photo. :roll:

So what do we do, keep burning his pics like Phil did! I had to save one!

Those shirts will be funny.

Oh but he is God's gift to av photography! Just ask him! He'll tell you!

How do you burn jpgs? :shock: :lol:

NIKV69
2005-10-11, 07:54 PM
Not Jpegs. Phil had a few of Sam's prints and they went right into the fire at Mario's the night of the barbecue. Quite a special moment. I remember Tommy snapping some shots of the occasion. Wonder if we can see them.

Clovis
2005-10-11, 07:58 PM
Not Jpegs. Phil had a few of Sam's prints and they went right into the fire at Mario's the night of the barbecue. Quite a special moment. I remember Tommy snapping some shots of the occasion. Wonder if we can see them.


Thats great, Tommy, hook it up with the pics!

I aspire someday to have my prints burned by NYC Aviation Hoodlums at a backyard barbeque...**** editors choice at A.net, THATS MONEY RIGHT THERE!

T-Bird76
2005-10-11, 11:27 PM
I'm still working on my pics, working 7 to 6 all week is putting a damper on my editing plans. But I wanted to get our dinner picture up to share with you.
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/IMG_8234.jpg
Dinner at the Proud Bird Saturday Oct 8th, 2005

eric8669
2005-10-12, 07:44 AM
Here are a few shots of mine from the trip. It was a really good time, can't wait to go back. Even found a new location to Spot from thanks to our friends from Canada.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/southpaw8669/vh-oei_Qantas_744_laxa.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/southpaw8669/B-HUB_CathayPacific_747_laxa.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/southpaw8669/PR-LGE_VarigLog_MD11_LAXa.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/southpaw8669/VirginAtlantic_a340_Lax_sunseta.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/southpaw8669/d-ajgh_Lufthansa_a340_lax_100705a.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/southpaw8669/ph-bfv_KLM_747_lax_100905a.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/southpaw8669/n383ua_United_737_lax_100705a.jpg
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/southpaw8669/G-FAB_VirginAtlantic_BirthdayGirl_7.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/southpaw8669/n791AS_Alaska_Disney_737_LAXa.jpg

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/southpaw8669/NightShot_TomBradleya.jpg

IslipWN
2005-10-12, 12:57 PM
that last shot is beautiful eric!!!

eric8669
2005-10-12, 01:08 PM
thanks,

the tripod came in handy.


Eric

mirrodie
2005-10-12, 03:35 PM
Great photos guys!

Tommy, where were you and Phil was abouthte trash the Taco guys?LOL


So of the total time you were there, how mch time was sleep and how much spotting planes?

Great TR!

tipek
2005-10-12, 04:09 PM
I had time last night to edit some of my pictures from the second day. Pictures from 3 different locations.

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/propeffect.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/dc3.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/kalita742.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/mascargo.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/tradewinds.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/variglog.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/aerounion.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/lufastarlax.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/disneyalaska.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/spiritalaska.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/acjetz.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/mexicanaalbino.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/cargokorean.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/ualnewssss.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/aerocali.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/tahitisun.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/varigbaloons.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/evahotel744.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/evamd11f.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/birthdaygirl.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/fijispecial.jpg

http://home.comcast.net/~maxkeshani/malaysiatd.jpg

Rafal

IslipWN
2005-10-12, 04:45 PM
awesome shots rafal!!!

yaas
2005-10-12, 05:52 PM
keep burning his pics :lol: :lol: :lol:

mikephotos
2005-10-12, 06:19 PM
awesome pics guys...post more when you can. i never get tired of seeing lax shots.

mike

Mr Smith
2005-10-12, 07:30 PM
pretty sure Sam will be headed to New York on 21st october.... :wink:

MarkLawrence
2005-10-12, 07:55 PM
Wonderful pictures everyone! Phil - I think Delta should pay you for that one of the pink Song - that is one of the best pictures I've seen! Any chance of getting a larger version of it for a desktop wallpaper - personal use only!

Mark

AndrewM
2005-10-12, 08:01 PM
here are some of my pictures from Saturday:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v672/pizzapolli/ana777.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v672/pizzapolli/cea346.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v672/pizzapolli/aamd80.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v672/pizzapolli/maylasia744.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v672/pizzapolli/thread6.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v672/pizzapolli/thread2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v672/pizzapolli/thread5.jpg

-Andrew

jakbar
2005-10-12, 08:04 PM
pretty sure Sam will be headed to New York on 21st october.... :wink:

Just in time for me to leave for SYD! :wink:

NIKV69
2005-10-13, 08:55 AM
pretty sure Sam will be headed to New York on 21st october.... :wink:

You think he will autograph the pic I saved forom the fire?

mirrodie
2005-10-15, 08:55 AM
Thanks for bringing us watter logged NYers bac kto Sunny LAX! Great photos, you guys are awesome.

Hey Josh, if you are seeing this, Have a ball in Australia and NZ. I just read through my old Australia notes on Thursday night and have more tips if interested.

-Shop near the Rocks in the Harbor, I think it was George St.
-Tjabukai in Cairns
-Daintree and mossman in Cairns.

Just booked Air Tahiti Nui for the summer, love ths pics.

FlyingColors
2005-10-16, 03:09 PM
OK
I'm gonna be in LA Thursday the 20th. Have a wedding to go to on Saturday the 22ed.

Will do some shooting perhaps some of Thursday and/or Friday.

Can some one give me a crash course on where these places are...Imperial Hill, Inn n Out, ......

How is the light and weather this time of the year?
Should I bring a tripod?

Thanks in advanced
Mike

FlyingColors
2005-10-25, 06:17 PM
Please!

One at a time.......

What a response!

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