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View Full Version : US Customs Parking Lot



AndrewM
2008-07-29, 04:40 PM
As I'm sure is the case with many of you I used to love going to the US Customs parking lot back in the 1990's to watch the action. Then they put up all that blue plastic and started chasing people out of there. I noticed last week when I flew in to JFK though that the plastic was gone. Has anyone tried that spot since or does anyonw know what is happening over there?

wunaladreamin
2008-07-29, 05:01 PM
Not worth the risk. Plenty of other joints to spot from.

AndrewM
2008-07-29, 05:06 PM
Not worth the risk. Plenty of other joints to spot from.

Yeah, I know there are other good spots but that was always my favorite because you got a great view of stuff touching down on 31R , a great view of stuff stopping on 13L, and a super close view of stuff taxiing to 22R for takeoff.

T-Bird76
2008-07-29, 06:55 PM
The covering that was on the fence is now down and the few times I've passed it while being out at JFK I've seen ppl in their cars just watching. So as long as you don't make yourself scene you shouldn't have a problem from what I've witnessed lately.

flyguy1
2008-07-30, 03:05 PM
I myself have gone there many times in the last few months, and never had an issue. Though I only spot, no pictures for me. My last time there, I had a pretty bad experience. I was sitting in my car, just taking tail #s. All of a sudden, a plain old mini van parked next to me. Now the parking lot was quite empty, I assumed the driver was there to get a better view of the runway. The driver, a pretty, young, attractive blonde comes over to me, and asks me if I belong there. I replied that I was just watching planes, and that was it.

It was than, that I noticed the EL AL sign in her car. She procedeed to ask me why I was there, and if I knew I was trespassing. She kept looking at my car/under my car, while talking into a microphone, in herbrew at the same time. She than said to me, that her "boss" told her I had to leave, and that she just called the cops. She than said I could stay, but the cops were coming. At this point she left, though she was probably hiding in the parking lot somewhere, watching me. At this point, I left. That was it, I wasn't followed, etc. Though the situation was a bit harrowing, I have gone back there one time, and had no problems. I did not know that EL AL could "secure" US government property, though I assume its all in the name of security for their flights.

PhilDernerJr
2008-07-30, 04:54 PM
I will refuse to allow El Al security, ever, to try to scare me away. If they want to call the police and have THEM ask or tell me to leave, that's fine. But El Al security has no jurisdiction over me or the airport.

NYARTCCFAN
2008-07-30, 05:03 PM
I remember that woman when I was at EWR last year.ame M.O. Nasty little one she is !!!!!!!!!!!!!

flyboy 28
2008-07-30, 05:09 PM
Aren't all El Al flights followed by a few cars while they taxi to the gate after they land for security?

PhilDernerJr
2008-07-30, 05:19 PM
Yes, they all get PA Police escorts. Sometimes with the Armored Personnel Carrier. There is also an El Al security vehicle that stays with any aircraft on the ground nonstop.

airplanelova93
2008-07-30, 08:29 PM
I always go there for the 31R approach. I have such great memories there, too.
Sometimes the customs officers let us stay, just have to be nice to them, unless you get unlucky which we sometimes do hahaha :)

nwafan20
2008-07-31, 02:02 PM
Yeah, nice view there.... We were there yesterday, no pictures though... I wouldn't want to take any pics there.

Eddie.
2008-07-31, 06:14 PM
You could always count on ElAl Security to #@$^ up your spotting.

:wink: