New Article about ORD Airport Watch

[ANITIX87]

http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/04/travel...html?hpt=hp_t3

Good article, and a push at the end to have it spread across the USA.

Antonis

[lijk604]

That's awesome. Question I have is, can a visitor go and shoot there solo, or must they be accompanied by one of the ORD Airport Watch folks?

[jerslice]

Question I have is, can a visitor go and shoot there solo, or must they be accompanied by one of the ORD Airport Watch folks?

I visit ORD once or twice a year while visit family and usually spend an afternoon spotting. I've never had a problem in a few locations - all public spots like sidewalks or private businesses that are spotter friendly/tolerant, but from what I remember the O'Hare guys can also park along fences that otherwise say "no parking / no stopping" and pretty much go wherever they want. My understanding, though I haven't been back in almost a year, is that the one or two spots that have been used consistently by spotters over the years are largely left alone...and everything else is pretty heavily enforced.

Your sentiment though is a long term concern of mine about the watch programs. I've never been fully on board with having to register with a police department to do something that was already perfectly legal to begin with. And I worry that some cities may unnecessarily hassle visitors who aren't in that cities program or locals who choose not to join -- or worse consider spotting/photography something that's only a legal activity if you've registered with the program. That the article used the term "para police" to describe spotters was troubling.

[alberchico]

So while spotting they must carry id and wear their vests at all times ??? They undergo background checks have to wear stupid looking vests to take pictures from a PUBLIC area ? That's insane and beyond stupid. I can't see the PA doing this.

What information can you possibly garner from taking pictures of aircraft ? A real terrorist would take pics of critical infrastructure like fuel farms and those things are already visible on Google Earth for anyone to view. The people who run the PAPD are fairly intelligent individuals who you would think would know this by now.....

[megatop412]

'Para police'? How long before some yahoo takes the law into their own hands

[RWB]

'Para police'? How long before some yahoo takes the law into their own hands

[megatop412]

Ah, thank you- one of Cartman's finest moments

But nothing tops this one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k64w3354kE

[Aviation.High.Guy]

This program has a lot of merit and will hopefully spread. I think the ID lanyards are a great idea. As for the orange vests...? The only way you would catch me wearing one of those is if they gave me ramp access, which you know aint gonna happen.

[RWB]

I guess it's good for the spotters up there, if they want to pay for a background check for a badge to do something that's perfectly legal, that's their decision. After all it is Chicago where they bulldozed a runway in the middle of the night, good ol Chi-town politics!

SAT has had a volunteer program for years http://aviation.sanantonio.gov/Aviat..._volunteer.asp

The idea is to recruit and train community volunteers to support current law enforcement and security personnel and place them in positions where they could be extra eyes and ears for the Airport Police. Some of the V.A.P. volunteer duties will consist of recognizing and reporting security violations, suspicious activity, assist with traffic control, patrol the parking areas, terminals and perimeter, issue parking violations, assist in special projects and unusual occurrences, and administrative support

Unfortunately, aircraft spotting IS still considered suspicious here.

I'd like to ask a ORD watch member, which is more of a potential threat to the airport?
A. Father and son watching planes


B. A vehicle driving by the terminal with Islamic writing on it


The correct answer is 'B'

[megatop412]

Especially when above the Arabic writing "B-52" is written

[Zee71]

Nice article, hopefully this sets other wheels in motion, althought the wheels might not be turning as fast as we'd like.

[Landing Lights]

Some very nice exposure for planespotting in that article. As for the airport watch program, at its root I think its a great idea though I have a few issues with how they have implemented it in Chicago. My gripes with that particular program aside, any time that law enforcement and planespotters can work as partners instead of adversaries, it is a benefit to both groups.

And I don't believe for a second that the guy in the 4th picture was using his scanner to "...help spotters monitor emergency responders' radio traffic."

[deltaA330]

I'm a member of ORD watch and while some may say the program has no merit, in actuality it does. Many times we have seen attempted car theft, etc. and reported it. We also report if we see something potentially dangerous on the airfield so that it can be dealt with. If you are not a member, you can forget about spotting at ORD. Besides USG (28R arrivals), all the other spots at ORD, such as Scanwell Logistics (14R arrivals/32L departures), the Police station (22R arrivals/4L departures), and beeline (10L arrivals) are pretty much off limits. So it is in your best interest to join if you plan on spotting there.

[megatop412]

And I don't believe for a second that the guy in the 4th picture was using his scanner to "...help spotters monitor emergency responders' radio traffic."

Yeah I think that's just some kind of a misunderstanding.

deltaA330, are you serious? If you don't belong to this and you try to spot there they come along and just shut you down? That's crazy. I don't know what's worse, no program @ JFK or mandatory membership in ORD's program. I'm sure you folks have been very helpful with the crime supression aspect of this, it's just that...I do the same thing without a vest. Haven't seen anything suspicious enough to report myself though- trying not to turn into Mr. Foyt here(Cannonball Run)

[deltaA330]

Ya unfortunately its join or dont spot. Before this program, ORD was a notoriously hard airport to spot. At least there is an option now. Ironically, one of the things we are supposed to report are non-watch members spotting. So just join- its 20 bucks for the background check and then you can spot all you want.