Originally Posted by
Gintaras B.
This past summer I've spotted with a spotter from MIA and he told me: "MIA wasn't always spotter friendly airport, but people just kept coming and coming...and one day some of authahorities started thinking: "well, maybe those guys aren't bad"...and things started to change"... And he told me: "That's what you guys here @ JFK(my note: EWR) should do"
Things would change if local media would cover more about this hobby - planespotting...Problem is not some of PD, but too many paranoid people who call PD if they see spotters.
PD should understand, that spotters are like extra security - which bad guy would want to do some bad things if they see a bunch of guys with cameras? Another thing is - you never know what you can get in a image frame...Most spotters if see anything suspicious - would give image to PD...I would.
Bad idea - "I expected to be seen plane spotting and getting a visit from a security car." And I do guess, some get kicked out of T5 because of similar reasons.
I agree with Nick about staying low at some spots - where we should not pretend like we're photographing some wedding reception...
CathayA340, don't need to dramatize your experience. Before you quit, maybe think again and you've to change something - it needs flexibility - where and how you spot at different locations.
Gerard...what's worse for you: to be hand-cuffed, brought to a precinct and spend there a couple or more hours? or just asked to leave? Or asked to show your ID - I had to show my ID @ Costcos and Paneras maybe 4-5 times in one year period. Detained - it was not a few minutes(as you say...) but about 3hours - 1/2 hour on the street and more than 2 hrs - @ precinct....Well, being questioned by a couple of PD detectives - wasn't that bad as 1/2hr on Mott Ave with cops that some even didn't know what Federal Law is - way worse...I'm I dramatic?