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Thread: 11/12/05 - JFK/Costco

  1. #1
    Senior Member moose135's Avatar
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    11/12/05 - JFK/Costco

    It was a nice afternoon and JFK was landing 22, so I headed to North Woodmere Park for some spotting. I met forum member lijk604, but just as I got there they switched to Rwy 31. I talked him into heading over to Costco.

    We were parked on the east side of the building, shooting for over an hour. I had the camera up shooting when I heard a car pull up behind me. When I looked, there were three of Nassau's Finest who had us surrounded. They asked what we were doing and to see our ID. They said someone and called and they needed to check us out.

    When I told the officer speaking to me I was an aviation enthusiast, he said "So am I" and thought it was neat that I was an ex-Air Force pilot. One remarked that we must be getting some good photos, especially with my lens (the 100-400mm) One said, refering to the cop talking to me "Now he's going to want to get a camera like that". They copied our licence info, and returned to their cars. They did pull up next to each other to talk, and we took that as our cue to call it a day, as it was getting late.

    Throughout the encounter, the officers were professional, polite, and somewhat friendly. They explained why they were questioning us, didn't make undue threats or say we couldn't that photos, or treat us as criminals.

    All in all this was an A+ encounter.

  2. #2
    Senior Member lijk604's Avatar
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    Well, I dont think I could add anything else to what Moose has already said. At first, I got a little nervous being they sent three cars for 2 guys, and had our vehicles surrounded, but like Moose already said, these guys were really cool about it. No hassle, they treated us with respect, as we did to them.

    Other than brealking up the day, I had a great time out there Moose, thanks for the conversation and answering a few photo questions. I'm sure we'll run into each other again.

    John

  3. #3
    Senior Member Tom_Turner's Avatar
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    What time was that Moose?

    I was there until about 3pm, shooting occasionally. I was by the water and outside of the car the whole time although the camera was not.

    A couple of minutes after I put the camera away and got in the car, I noticed one Nassau's finest drive by and then double back - looking looking..but not really noticing me. Then as I was about to pull out I see another..wait for him to pass..as he searches as well.. then a third car - by this time I am on my way out. As I was pulling onto Rockaway Blvd, a fourth is pulling in.

    Glad to hear they were professional..but it is disconcerting to see this kind of response. Not the first time by any means. This has to have been commonplace throughout the summer weekends. Odd. Or maybe they're just very well staffed?
    "Keep 'em Flying"

  4. #4
    Senior Member lijk604's Avatar
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    Tom,

    It was around 3:30pm. The Airliner show at the Courtyard was not what I expected. I should have kept shooting pictures. The NYC Aviation.com gang did not have a table (or if they did it was not obvious), so I went to North Woodmere Park for a while where I met Moose. Like he said, 5 minutes after showing up, they changed runways, so we headed over to Costco.

  5. #5
    Senior Member Tom_Turner's Avatar
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    Hey John, it was great meeting you today at Planeview!

    I re-read Moose's post. Looks like we at different areas of the Costco parking lot.
    "Keep 'em Flying"

  6. #6
    Administrator PhilDernerJr's Avatar
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    It'snice to see cops going through the motions and doing the right thing. It seems as though they are getting used to us and see that we are here to stay and that they are respecting us, yet still doing the safe thing and check it all out.

    Good encounter. :)
    Email me anytime at [email protected].

  7. #7
    Senior Member NIKV69's Avatar
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    I have shot in Costco many times and never been hassled. Senga's buddy (some crazy old lady) called the cops on me at the park we shoot 31L yesterday but when they switched to 31R I went to Cosco and shot for 3 hours. Mostly, it's people that are ignorant to our hobby and love to dial the police every chance they get. I am glad the encounter went well. The two NCPD officers that checked my ID were great about it. I was talking to a guy who was fishing at Costco and he asked me if what I did was a hobby. You could tell he thought I was nuts. It's what you have to deal with.

    For you guys that don't know Senga's buddy, she is this crazy old lady with nothing better to do than walk around the park and bug people, she walked near me and I shot her the look of death and she left, NCPD came 15 minutes later. So be advised.
    'My idea of a good picture is one that's in focus and of a famous person doing something unfamous.' Andy Warhol

  8. #8
    Administrator PhilDernerJr's Avatar
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    That's why I think smiling helps, Nick. Quell their fears by showing your warm heart! :D
    Email me anytime at [email protected].

  9. #9
    Senior Member NIKV69's Avatar
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    True,

    I am just not into these busy bodies. If you want to call the police on me, go right ahead. I don't need you bothering me. One of the reasons I enjoy spotting is being outside and enjoying the view and the great outdoors. Unless you are a fellow spotter or a hot female, keep walking! :mrgreen:
    'My idea of a good picture is one that's in focus and of a famous person doing something unfamous.' Andy Warhol

  10. #10
    Administrator PhilDernerJr's Avatar
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    Valid point. Though none of us are obligated, let's also remember that our actions represent all of us as a whole, and our behavior as individuals is what people will use to cast judgements on our entire group.
    Email me anytime at [email protected].

  11. #11
    Senior Member Steven Holzinger's Avatar
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    I was at Bayswater this morning and saw that a State Parks cop was there, so I told him what our intentions were and such and he said that we're not supposed to be taking pictures there without a permit, but also gave us (me and two of my friends) the impression that he let us take pictures there after he had left. We did just that.

  12. #12
    Senior Member Tom_Turner's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by NIKV69
    she is this crazy old lady with nothing better to do than walk around the park and bug people,
    If I go to that park 20 years from now, I expect to see her bronzed as a gargoyle.
    "Keep 'em Flying"

  13. #13
    Administrator PhilDernerJr's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steven Holzinger
    I was at Bayswater this morning and saw that a State Parks cop was there, so I told him what our intentions were and such and he said that we're not supposed to be taking pictures there without a permit, but also gave us (me and two of my friends) the impression that he let us take pictures there after he had left. We did just that.
    Sad that Park Police are the only group that has no caught on yet.
    Email me anytime at [email protected].

  14. #14
    Senior Member Tom_Turner's Avatar
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    [quote=Phil D.]
    Quote Originally Posted by "Steven Holzinger":154de
    I was at Bayswater this morning and saw that a State Parks cop was there, so I told him what our intentions were and such and he said that we're not supposed to be taking pictures there without a permit, but also gave us (me and two of my friends) the impression that he let us take pictures there after he had left. We did just that.
    Sad that Park Police are the only group that has no caught on yet.[/quote:154de]

    As angry as it makes me to read this notion of a permit to take pictures in New York State Parks, it wouldn't surprise me to find out its true (on paper at least). Have to make some calls on Monday.
    "Keep 'em Flying"

  15. #15
    Senior Member Tower Air's Avatar
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    WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE!!!!! PEOPLE LIKE TAKING PICTURES IT'S AN EXPRESSION OF FREE SPEECH NOT SENDING THE PICTURES TO A TERRORIST GROUP

    Pardon my post

    You gusy should stage a protest about taking plane pictures It worked on the mta you should do it to
    "Regardless of where you go or what you do with the rest of your life,
    you can always know that when fate chose
    you for the ultimate test, you were not found wanting".

    Captain William Kinkead in a letter to the crew of TWA Flight 843

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