A few nights ago on the way out the doors late in the evening a pair of USNG troops stopped me on the way out the door to point out a suspicious baggie they had found on the floor in the terminal and we got to talking a little bit about various security issues plaugeing the industry to this date and during the course of the conversation the topic of aviation photography came about.
The lady as there was a male and a female brought up as one councern as we talked that she had a few days ago spotted a "suspicious" fellow down by the glass between the shuttle mainline councourse in the USAir terminal snapping up pics of some of the planes and she felt this was a concern and outside of rules. Right away without controlling myself I began to laugh a bit and she gave me a look like what is wrong with you? Once I releived myself of that chuckle I began to explain to her about it and that it was infact not what I would deem a threat to aviation. I began to explain to her that this is infact a major hobby across the world and in many other places a welcome and endorsed activity by even the airport authority. I did understand where she was coming from though in that she might be a little edgy. I myself when I spot people snapping pics inside the airport tend to approach the individual and try to "feel them out" at work when I happen upon it. Generally I approach in a non threatening manner (duh) and try to ask them their intention in a sort of off the line manner. I usually will aproach them and say something along the lines of "isn't the airbus a beaut?" or maybe toss a refrence to Airliners.net in there. Generally if they seem to get the drift it leads into a good spotting conversation.
Back on track, at first they had a hard time understanding it all but I refrenced NYCAviation and showed them the card I have from the group and began to explain in detail about it and that I agree with them to a certain point. They were very receptive to this and I also aknowladge the fact that they still needed to be vigilant and I endorse it 100% as if they did not ask at least I would be more concerned.
I have even built a reputation with the PAPD and a pretty decent acceptance from most officers about it. Several people in the PAPD are even familiar with anet and our site actually without my introduction. I really walked away from the discussion feeling good and I think they appreciated the fact that I took the time to talk to them about it. I certainly appreciated their receptiveness to everything.
I just wanted to share that experince.
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