With all the postings lately about bad experiences, I wanted to take a moment to share a pleasant and brief experience with the group that I recently had at Bradley International Airport in CT. However, this did not involve any face to face interactions, and I really wish that every airport could be like this.
I belong to a small facebook group of planespotters called CT Plane Spotters. Over the past year we have developed a somewhat good relationship with the KBDL Operations department. This comes in handy since the CT State Police has a tendency to scare off spotters from time to time. This relationship stems from respect on both sides, and if we are going to be on the roads that run through airport property we give then the courtesy of calling ahead and they notify the CTSP that we're there so they don't chase us off or ticket us since there are signs posted saying there is NO PARKING.
This past Sunday I left work to head up to BDL to try out a new spotting location that I had found while looking at google maps. This particular location is in an old terminal parking lot and borders the ramp at the Intl Arrivals Building. It is a clear unobstructed view of the taxiway and one of the runways. Upon arrival to the area at BDL I called the phone number for operations and the conversation went like this:
Ops: Airfield operations, how can I help you?
Me: Hello, my name is Stephen Furst, and I am with the CT Planespotters. I wanted to give you a heads up that I will be around the perimeter of the airfield taking pictures.
Ops: Is there a particular location you will be at?
Me: Yes, actually I was hoping to get permission to take photos from a parking lot on the east side of runway 6.
Ops: Have at it. Enjoy.
Me: Thank you very much.
-End of conversation-
I stayed in that spot with my truck parked about 4' away from the fence with myself standing almost on the roof of my truck for the next 2.5 - 3 hours and was never bothered once.
Its moments like that that make me love this hobby so much.
Bookmarks