Hello,

i'm going to make holidays in september, maybe flying in from germany to JFK or ATL. Are there some kinds of observation decks for passengers or visitors, or are there good photo points which I can get to without a car.

Thanx for your help.

Regards, Tobi
Hamburg/Germany

I have the same question basically.. I just recently moved back to NY after living in Dallas for a year (its been a while since I've posted here) and I've never been around the JFK area (I live on the Island). I just want to go there to watch the planes for now (no camera). I'd really like to see the Concorde if possible. Can anyone help me out with this? Thanks!


Tina

Go to the US Customs house which is close to the beginning of Runway 31L. Make sure you go to the end of the parking lot and you'll have an outstanding view of whatever is going on there.

Other than that, I know little for JFK. If you want LGA however....... 

I have flown in and out of JFK a couple of times, I remember at the T1 Terminal there is a little walkway to the side of the terminals where you can see the planes sitting at the T1 and T2 gates.

Then if you don't mind walking, you could go up to one of the parking garages, viewing is possible. I don't know about photographing. The last time I was over there was July 2000...back then some "rent a cops" came by and told me to leave, but honestly I did not bother....later on some guys from the NYC Port Authority came by as well, we chatted a little and then they left.

As for ATL.....you will be arriving at Terminal E (International Arrivals), you could do some viewing from inside.....not the greatest view but not that bad either!
No observation deck, although you could go to one of the parking decks!

For ATL, check with Ryan Gaddis, he is a local and I am sure he'll help you out!

For NYC, contact one of the NYC Boys, Joe Pries, Carlos Borda, Michael McLaughlin, they might be able to give you some tips as well!

Vasco G.

Tina..I'd be happy to give you some advice on where to see and what time the concorde arrives. Feel free to email me.

Mike

What about Newark and La Guardia, are there oberservation decks or good places to take pictures?

Thanx in advance

Tobi

No obs deck @ EWR... but at the end of Terminal C (Conti's terminal) there is a nice spot to hang back and watch the planes thru clear glass... I believe it's at the end of gate 86 or so. Not sure if you need a ticket now to get in... before 9/11 you didn't.

~Carlos

Hi Carlos,

do you think you would be able to meet with me, if I fly to NYC? or maybe some else who is local and could show me good places and spend a view hours with me there? I think I'll arrive in 2nd september week. This would be great to me, that would be my first shots out of germany...

The same to ATL, are there some locals who are interessted in a meeting and spend a view hours? Because I don't know if I'm flying to JFK or ATL, I'll make my decision by last July day.

Thanks for any help.

Regards from Hamburg/Germany
Tobi

Homebases: Hamburg Fuhlsbüttel - HAM, Hamburg Finkenwerder (EADS) - XFW

LGA has many outrageous places to spot form.

There are MANY spots across the bay form the airport in College Point, and at the beginning of Runway 4, on the other side of the Grand Centrla Parkway, there is a park called "Planeview Park".

If you want more detailed instructions, email me.

pdernerjr@nyc.rr.com

Fyi.....the last time I flew, May 20th out of SFO and May 30th out of BOS,
only ticketed passenger alllowed in the gate area.

I assume this applies for all US Airports!

Tobi,
YGM!



...

The last 2 times I have been to ATL the parking decks were a no go...Whenever i would stand there watching planes for more than 10 minutes a security guard would ride up on a bicycle and inform me that I wasnt permitted to stand there. (Which seems ludicrous). Anyway...the aviation loop road around the airport might be a nice try...you have to get off on the "Camp Creek Parkway" Exit and turn...right I believe.

Let me know what days you will be in ATL and if I am off I'll be glad to show you around. At ATL you really are better off with a car. Again, let me know when you are coming and if I am off I can meet you. You can mail me at home!
Steve

I finally decided to make my holiday trip to NYC, maybe next time I'll choose ATL.

My flight goes to EWR, maybe some guys can show me also arround there, LGA as well. And of course JFK  

My arrival date is September 11th and I'll stay till September 15th.

Thanks for any help to make my NYC stay unforgetable...

Regards
Tobi
Hamburg/Germany

Interesting choice of days.....

At EWR I would say use the parking lot for the Port Authroity Highway Patrol, Or the South Service Road past Airborne Express on the other side of the airport.

Or, ride the EWR Monorail around a bit and maybe it will drop you off at a good spot, too.

At JFK, Use the Halmar Customs building parking lot which is next to an Airborne Express lot. Though there is a fence, you get pretty close to the action, and you are right accross from the jetBlue terminal (could things get any better then that??? I think not.....)

Enjoy the northeast
JBLUA320

Yes I know.

September 11th is a stranger arrival date, but it was the only day to get a "low budget" ticket... Maybe I'll be able to take some shots by September 14th or 15th... Security should be at 200% these days...

I've heard that NYC could be very nice in september, so if I'm not able for security reasons to take aviation shots I can even enjoy the city.

Regards
Tobi
Hamburg/Germany

Well, I went spotting at JFK on Sunday, and things went perfectly fine, other than getting a little lost. PA stopped by (we were at the Halmar building along with numerous other people watching the action) and he just chatted with everyone, but didn't ask us to leave or anything. In fact, he gave my son a sticker and showed off his truck to all the kids there. We had a really nice time... it pays to have a 2 year old with you. =)

Tina

I'm going to be out in ATL in mid-September and would greatly like to meet up with any local photographers for a bit of 'shooting'

Andy

Sharpieg:
What is the Halmar building? Is that the customs building or is that something different? I was standing south of the customs building at the fence a while ago and was sent away...

Its not where passengers go, but its in the airport complex, near the cargo zones. Its also by a McDonalds.

Its a tall, green building that stands next to 2 Airborne Express planes facing eachother (DC8 and DC9)

Its difficult to find, but once you get there you will not be sorry at all.


I too, have had experiences like that with the Port Authority people...they are all very nice. And by the way, NYC in September can either be hot or cold, ive never seen it in the middle. Check weather.com before you leave for a full trip forecast!

Enjoy NYC/EWR!
Ben
jetBlueAirbusA320@yahoo.com
If you need anything....you know who to virtually call

I am now in New York City and I would like to know how can I contact some of the 'usual' photographers at JFK to go with him/her to the airport if it is possible, thank you.

Juan Serna

The parking garages are fine for shooting. I haven't encountered any security problems all summer long from this location. International Concourse E is also an excellent vantage point.
South African 744 is on the premises daily from 0745-1030, AF 332 arrives at 1345, LH 342 is at 1430, BA 772 is at 1630, AF 772 arrives 1845, JM (310/320/321) and AM (M88/757) are in and out all day long. Int'l Cargo regularly brings in numerous MP MD11CF's and their sole MD11F, LH 742F and MD11F, KE 742F, JL 742F, BR MD11F/744F, and CI 744F. The entire DL fleet is ever present, but the best concentration of heavies runs daily from 1500-2000. Only DL bird that is rare in ATL is the MD-90. In 3 months I have only seen one on the field, presumably an aircraft substitution from DFW or SLC.

Can someone clarify whether or not the Halmar Building is that SAME as US Customs @ JFK? We were told to leave the other morning while we were awaiting the Concorde at the US Customs parking lot. It Halmar near it or is it the same as US Customs?

We have spotted 4 times in the US Customs parking lot in July, but then last week these 2 cops very rudely told us to get out.
Hopefully this halmar place will be a new haven for us.

JUANR, I may be able to go on Thursday, 8/8.