EWR Spotting - Allowed Now?

I recently contacted the PANYNJ through the web feedback to let them know about the security at Newark and got this response.

"Mr. Chin,

Thank you for taking the time to contact us. While photography is generally permitted in public areas, our security personnel or police occasionally will err on the side of caution, or make a determination that security is being compromised—sometimes in ways not obvious to plane spotters—and photographers will be asked to cease shooting. You also may be asked to move if you are blocking lanes needed for vehicular or pedestrian access and egress. We share reminders of this policy with personnel, and will do so again in light of your comments.

Sincerely,
Rob Avaltroni"

I'm wondering if this means that spotting is now allowed at EWR? Can anyone clarify this? Thanks.

It's nice that you actually got a response, but I don't think it changes anything. Go to EWR and be prepared for encounters with law enforcement, some of which may not be too pleasant

Always keep a very low key when spotting at EWR and then only when needed. I would not loiter nor actively "hang out" in any sensitive areas INSIDE airport property. This means ANY roads adjacent to the perimeter fence. If shooting from Ikea or "other" locations, be prepared to be used as a test subject by Local LEO for their regular anti-terrorism training.

It has NEVER been illegal to plane spot at any US airport ever. Also not illegal ever to photograph an airplane or airplanes. This basically means you cannot be charged or convicted for such activities. This does NOT mean you can't be arrested for it and put through a thorough grilling (at worst) or kicked out (at least) from the area. Some here have suffered the first. I have suffered the latter on one occasion after just a single shot of a single airplane. The Officer was very irritated but never did so much as to ask me to leave the property and escort me to RTE 1-9 and NJ Turnpike intersection LOL. I was on the perimeter road just before the entrance to the long term parking lot P7.

That response is far less spotter friendly than the canned response that PANYNJ issued to me last fall for a similar web complaint:

Mr. Granucci:
On behalf of JFK International Airport, please accept my apology for your inconvenience. Generally speaking, there is no policy prohibiting photography in public areas of the airport, although restrictions exist within certain areas, such as security checkpoints. Airport employees are trained to watch for suspicious activity, and it appears in this case that staff may have overstepped their authority in an effort to help provide a more secure airport environment. Steps have already been taken to address this issue.

Thank you for taking time to bring this matter to our attention.

Robbyn Stewart

I'm still ok with that more recent EWR note. What I'd like to see most is police treatment of spotters. I understand that, whether spotting is allowed or not, that police will kick us out. I prefer that it be the POLICE that do it, and not unknowing security guards, and that they do it politely, acknowledging that spotting is otherwise legal.

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Originally Posted by Phil D.

I'm still ok with that more recent EWR note. What I'd like to see most is police treatment of spotters. I understand that, whether spotting is allowed or not, that police will kick us out. I prefer that it be the POLICE that do it, and not unknowing security guards, and that they do it politely, acknowledging that spotting is otherwise legal.

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What is lost in this discussion is that this is private property such as the Ikea lot. Security guard or police they can kick you out. Spotting being legal is irrelevant. Best to listen to Manny. I go alone, lay low and limit my visits. This way you can get the planes you need and avoid the BS.

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Originally Posted by gonzalu

Always keep a very low key when spotting at EWR and then only when needed. I would not loiter nor actively "hang out" in any sensitive areas INSIDE airport property. This means ANY roads adjacent to the perimeter fence. If shooting from Ikea or "other" locations, be prepared to be used as a test subject by Local LEO for their regular anti-terrorism training.

It has NEVER been illegal to plane spot at any US airport ever. Also not illegal ever to photograph an airplane or airplanes. This basically means you cannot be charged or convicted for such activities. This does NOT mean you can't be arrested for it and put through a thorough grilling (at worst) or kicked out (at least) from the area. Some here have suffered the first. I have suffered the latter on one occasion after just a single shot of a single airplane. The Officer was very irritated but never did so much as to ask me to leave the property and escort me to RTE 1-9 and NJ Turnpike intersection LOL. I was on the perimeter road just before the entrance to the long term parking lot P7.

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Thanks for the advice. If I ever go back there, do you think it would be good to bring a copy of the email to the parking lot (P6 or P4), and incase security/police shows up show them the copy?

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Originally Posted by CathayA340

Thanks for the advice. If I ever go back there, do you think it would be good to bring a copy of the email to the parking lot (P6 or P4), and incase security/police shows up show them the copy?

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Seeing as how that doesn't actually say "Yes you have my permission to be here", I'm sure that whatever security guard or police officer were to stop you would more than likely look at you with a dumb expression on their face and ask "what am i supposed to take from this?"

I would simply heed the advice of others and just lay low and only go for special catches and not make a long stay of it.

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Originally Posted by steve1840

Seeing as how that doesn't actually say "Yes you have my permission to be here", I'm sure that whatever security guard or police officer were to stop you would more than likely look at you with a dumb expression on their face and ask "what am i supposed to take from this?"

I would simply heed the advice of others and just lay low and only go for special catches and not make a long stay of it.

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Got it, thanks :) JFK only now :D

I'm very local to EWR. Here is what I have encountered. I got kicked out when standing next to the fence and shooting through it. That's justifiable I understand that. But the day before I had been there with a group doing the same thing and the cops waved as they drove past. I now just stay in the car in the Airis Drive parking lot and get some cool shots of the 22R arrivals. Works for me. NYPD has been really nasty to me. So far haven't made contact with PAPD