Non-Aviation Police Stop Turns to Planes

[PhilDernerJr]

I met up with an old friend from high school last night. A brief chat in her car by Herman MacNeil Park (Point D on the LGA Spotting Map).

We sat in her car overlooking the skyline and 22 arrivals. Nothing romantic, not a "Lover's Lookout" or anything.

A cop car comes out of the park in front of us and stops in front of the car, blocking us from leaving if we so intended. Two officers get out and walk to either side of the car.

I squinted to prepare for the light that would be showing on my face. Instead, I see the light first shining on the my crotch, obviously checking for some kind of "inappropriate" behavior.

The first cop asks her what we're doing. Instead of just saying "hangin out" or "talking", she says "Watching planes". I was surprised that she said that,a and the cop didn't really care for it. "You know, in this day and age after September 11, that's really not a good answer to give me."

I couldn't believe I was in this situation without my camera. I didn't know what else my friend would say that might lead to a further grilling of me. I expected her to say "No, it's ok, Phil spends all day taking pictures of planes," but thankfully she didn't.

They asked a question or two and glanced at our IDs and left us be.

The light on my crotch was the highlight of my evening, and the most attention that area of my body has received in quite some time. haha

[Matt Molnar]

I guess you didn't get the memo, Phil.

In addition to still and motion photography which were declared illegal on 9/11/01, it is now illegal to cast a brief glance at, or to even think about airports. And along with briefcases and other large containers, as of July 22nd, male packages are also subject to random search by the NYPD.

[Tower Air]

the searches went to court yesterday didn't they?

[PhilDernerJr]

the searches went to court yesterday didn't they?

What are you talking about?

[IslipWN]

the searches went to court yesterday didn't they?

yea.....WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT??

[Alex T]

Phil- Must admit I wouold have thought the same thing :lol:

She seemed cool about it, but hey its the police, they want the truth, they gonna get the truth from me. If I am watching planes, I am watching planes. However, in this event maybe "getting ready to have sex" might have been more appropiate or expected answer haha.

glad everything turned out ok.

Alex

[Matt Molnar]

[quote=Phil D.]

the searches went to court yesterday didn't they?

What are you talking about?[/quote:fd28e]

I think he means the NYCLU's suit against the city over the random subway bag searches which I sort of brought up in my silly post.

[Tom_Turner]

The NYCLU really is a Criminals lobby isn't it?

I mean, a school security guard notices the likely bulge of a gun in the jacket of a "youth" entering public school in the Bronx. searches the kid - and turns out to be RIGHT... and they effectively argue to a Peoples Republic of New York judge that the guard violated the youth's rights.

God save the Bronx.

[FlyingColors]

The Elizabeth Police in NJ will tell you "they don't want people even looking at the airport"

Mike

[Tower Air]

What's with this you should hold a protest saying airplane spotters are not harmless!

[UrbanExplorer222]

What's with this you should hold a protest saying airplane spotters are not harmless!

Say what? Bro, spotters are harmless.......

[NYARTCCFAN]

I was at my favorite nook at EWR while making deliveries out of the airport to certain locations in the tri-state area when an El-Al lady lacted like a complete jerk to me saying she was airport security asking me what I was doing which I said I am on lunch waiting for a package to deliver and while doing so I advised her that Spottin was a hobby of mine and had my scanner in the car also listening to Traffic. She first tells me that listening to air traffic in the USA is illegal secondly she threatened rto call the Port Auth if I didnt show her my Drivers License and copied my license plate down. Litte did I know at the time there was an EL-AL departure waiting on the runway in the process she tells me she is all the authority that needs to tell me to vacate the area. Where I was was in the north cargo area of EWR off Brewster RD where you turn in at Delta Dash cargo and go to the end where you can see both arr and dep off the 22's and landings on 11/29. There are now signs that indicate there shall be no unauttorized vehicles there anymore. I even told her that If there was anything suspicious that I would report it immediately which she laughed. She left as soon as the EL-AL 747 turned northward after departing 22R. What is upo with El-Al Personnel and why are they sooooo rude and quick to judge everybody. She was in a van that had a NYNJ PORT AUTH blue plate and a laminated el-al id which she said was a police ID. I just gave her my license and she gave it back and said was i still going to be parked here nd i said yes and she left. Can el-al personnel do this ?????

[lijk604]

I dont know how much "authority" the El-Al personnel have, but I do know that they take their security VERY seriously. There is usually a vehicle that "escorts" every departure & arrival. When the aircraft is taxi-ing, one of their security vehicles follows along either via taxiway ot airport road, as close to the aircraft as possible. They are ARMED.
You have to remember that El-Al although with no incidents, feels they are the most targeted airline in the world, hence the extra security. Could she have detained you, I doubt it, but if she were to have gotten the real authorities involved, it probably would not have been a very fun day for you.

[markg]

El-Al security have absoulutely NO authority. All they can do is ask PAPD to remove you.

You should write to El-Al corporate offices in NYC and ask for an apology.

I did this with El-Al in London after an incident in Frankfurt with someone who I was travelling with. I got a very nice apology along with a book about the history of the airline.

[PhilDernerJr]

Some of the guys were at my place the other day before the Xmas party and we saw a video from JFK in 2000 with an El Al 744 departing with an El Al security Armored Personel Carrier racing along with it on the taxiway.