Figured I'd post a nicer story about being stopped by the police while spotting. Yesterday I spent some time down at the cargo area at JFK and was there for about an hour and along comes a NYPD patrol car on a routine patrol. We all know that someone with a camera near an active runway more then likely is going to be questioned if they see you. So I'm outside my car with my camera and they pass by, I'm thinking to myself "oh I'm sure there going to swing around" and sure enough they do.
So now I'm thinking hmmm what kind of stop will this be, good or bad? So they pull up ask me "what are you doing". So I know in the past if you exhibit a great deal of enthusiasm it goes along way to diffuse any possible tension that might bubble up. So I'm like "OMG you can't believe the action today, I'm getting some great pictures” They asked me what do you do with them? I told them personal use and I post the pics on a few websites. I even say to them "oh let me give you my id", he says to me "nah no need, I believe you, hope you get some good pics" he says goodbye and drives away. So rather then being a total jackass like SCPD he was professional friendly and used good judgment. I think the key was being as enthusiastic and friendly about what I love to do.
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