Whoa- Custom Spotting Vests

[heeshung]

They look like school crossing guards...

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=6249769

[Matt Molnar]

Looks pretty dumb, but there aren't many things I wouldn't wear if it got me access to the ramp. :)

[stuart schechter]

I was gonna say, there on the ramp so I would expect them to be wearing high visibility vests.

[PHL Approach]

I was gonna say, there on the ramp so I would expect them to be wearing high visibility vests.

Most airports in the US only require a vest when working an arrival or dispatching the flight. A few select Airport Authority's state that a vest must be worn at all times. Of course Europe is all gung ho about that stuff so I'm sure every little airport has that rule.

[adam613]

They should use vests like these:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1 ... Large.html (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/16242-REG/Domke_734_003_PhoTOGS_Vest_Large.html)

[T-Bird76]

That would do nothing but attract needless attention to spotters here. Europe is alot more open about spotting then we are. Doesn't surprise me to see these guys have their own access.

[cancidas]

That would do nothing but attract needless attention to spotters here. Europe is alot more open about spotting then we are. Doesn't surprise me to see these guys have their own access.
when i went to DCA a few years back for an organized trip the airport actually paid for red t-shirts to be made up so that thier personnel could keep track of us. if you're going to be airside, and the airport managment is letting you be there then yes, a vest like that makes sense. here in this country, especially if you're standing outside the fence it's nothing but moronic.

[tipek]

Let me tell you about spotting in Poland (as picture from the top is from there). We have 16 major airports (airports with scheduled commercial service) and all of them have spotting groups.
Those groups have full Airport Authority blessing. It means that airport did background check on all spotters that wanted to belong to any particular group. Next, airports issued spotter IDs after background check.
All groups have custom made high visibility vests - that way they can freely roam around airport fence without being kick out etc. High visibility vests are required only while on the ramp or around airport fence.
When special visitors are coming to let say Bydgoszcz airport (picture from the link), spotters with ID can get ramp access for pictures.
In exchange for these priviledges spotters collect trash around the airport and call-in if they see suspicious activity. Sounds good?

Few guys from my hometown airport RZE
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/3131/03ql2.jpg
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/1450/09xa0.jpg
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/1061/02lk5.jpg

It will never happen here in US.

Rafal

[cancidas]

Sounds good?
that it does! and you're right, it'll never happen here in the US. one reason is the liability of those people being on the ramp. they're not trained to work with airplanes and the hustle and bustle of busy airports especially might be more than they can handle. it's a good idea, but it needs to be applied correctly and carefully.