Digital-cavu From United States of America, joined Jun 2002, 142 posts, RR: 3 Posted (8 years 1 week 6 days 7 hours ago) and read 1923 times:
Every once in a while, I have a terrific spotting experience. This has been one of the best.
I knew I was headed to ATL on business, so I wrote a request to the security manager and ops manager at ATL and requested permission to spot in the public areas of the airport. I got a very quick response, indicating they would be more than willing to give me permission. Two days later, I had my letter.
Wow.
Three days after that, I'm on top of the South Parking Garage, and had been for about 3 hours, when a nice Atlanta Policeman stopped by and said I couldn't photograph at the airport. Gave me the standard "...since 9-11" routine. I showed him my letter, he (presumably) checked its authenticity and check my ID, and said "have fun." I didn't see the man or anybody else for that matter, for the rest of the day.
I guess the lesson to learn is: preparation is the key. Get permission. Alert them you are going to be there. I can't thank the ATL authorities enough for being completely responsive and willing to let me be a thorn in their foot for a few hours.
If you're interested and headed to ATL, the contact info for Ops and Security is on the ATL airport site.
Regards,
Del
United States Navy submarine sailor turned aviation photography geek.
AdamWright From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (8 years 1 week 6 days 4 hours ago) and read 1901 times:
If you don't get permission.. or forget, you can go just inside the northside baggage claim, and just inside the sliding doors is an Atlanta Police Station on your left. Go talk to them and they can hook you up.
When I was in ATL a few days ago, I just swung by there, told them that I would like to go up on the parking garage and make pictures for a while. They said that would be fine, and while I was up there, the cops went by in the cruiser and didn't stop to talk to me once.
Digital-cavu From United States of America, joined Jun 2002, 142 posts, RR: 3 Reply 4, posted (8 years 1 week 5 days 17 hours ago) and read 1875 times:
On the day I was there, I was on the takeoff side of the field (traffic passing from left to right). Reg spotting for those aircraft departing the field would have been difficult, as some aircraft get airborne quickly and are fairly high by the time they pass by. Now, the landing traffic routinely waited the cross the parallel runway and once they got clearance taxied right in front of me. So reg spotting is definitely possible for those aircraft.
Regards,
Del
United States Navy submarine sailor turned aviation photography geek.
TWAMD-80 From United States of America, joined Oct 2001, 1006 posts, RR: 4 Reply 5, posted (8 years 1 week 5 days 11 hours ago) and read 1863 times:
Is reg spotting the practice of catching airplane registrations (I am guessing the name is self-explanatory)? Anyway, what exactly do you put in a letter to the airport ops and who do you send it to (i.e. airport director)? Spotting at my home airport in recent years has become a game of dodging the police. A letter to ops might better my chances, I have nothing to lose!
Tim
Two A-4's, left ten o'clock level continue left turn!
Digital-cavu From United States of America, joined Jun 2002, 142 posts, RR: 3 Reply 6, posted (8 years 1 week 5 days 10 hours ago) and read 1856 times:
Tim, my initial email was to the director of airport security and the director of operations. I simply stated my hope to take pictures, and asked their permission for a specific date. That's it.
If your airport doesn't have a web site where these poeple's contact info is listed, just call airport operations and start asking who you should write your letter/email to. I believe they're much happier to respond to requests than to respond to the worried reports of concerned citizens.
Regards,
Del
United States Navy submarine sailor turned aviation photography geek.
Sponsor Message: 
From United States of America, joined Jun 2002, 142 posts, 
From , joined Dec 1969, posts, 
Printer friendly format 
