Boquera From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2007, 40 posts, RR: 0 Posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 2782 times:
hi everyone, i was up on level 13 on T1 carpark at MAN thihs arvo having a little practice with my camera taking shots of aircraft landing when after about 20 mins of bad light and not many landings an airport PCSO comes over to me and asks me what i'm doing. I explain and say I have a newish camera and was just having a practice with it. He gets on his radio and repeats this to whoever was on the other end. Anyway I ask him whats the problem, have I done something wrong and he just tells me he's responding to a report of a young male (myself) taking photos and asks me if "i'm one of those plane spotters" .........I didnt think this was really a problem as Iv done this for about 8 years now and never had any questions. So he asks for my name and d.o.b and leaves leaving me a ll confused. This happened to anyone else?? (oh and btw i wasnt acting suspiciously)
JonathanJet From United States of America, joined Apr 2006, 64 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 2770 times:
Well here in the USA at San Francisco (SFO) they did the same thing..did a background check..and left me alone..
JRowson From United Kingdom, joined May 2004, 345 posts, RR: 14 Reply 2, posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 4 days 2 hours ago) and read 2726 times:
That's a little unusual for L13, but I wouldn't worry too much. I guess if you were taking landing shots then you were on the opposite side of the carpark to where you normally would take photos, so hence they were probably just checking you weren't up to anything you shouldn't have been doing. I know it's happened to a few photogs that have been up on the T3 top level. I've been soutside and had my details taken on a few occasions by the Police, but have always been left alone afterwards.
James Rowson. Canonite and lover of all things L. JAR Photography.
JakTrax From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2005, 4732 posts, RR: 8 Reply 3, posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 4 days 1 hour ago) and read 2684 times:
Never known it happen on the multi-storey but it has happened frequently around the perimeter. We tend not to be bothered these days but if we are it's usually more of a "How are you, chaps?" kinda thing than them collecting any details. Plus I bet they know us all now anyway!
You still get the odd arsehole copper however (usually young and a new recruit) who thinks it necessary to throw his weight around - I always find it funny when they saunter off, having just been told that, contrary to their belief, I have every right to be where I am. This happened a few months back (September), when a young lad came over to me in Joe's field and told me I couldn't be there. I told him that it was a regular haunt for many of us and that it was actually a public right-of-way but he decided to be stubborn and declared that, in his 8 months at MAN, he'd never seen photographers here. Sensing I wasn't going to budge he got on his radio, and whoever was on the other end told him that I was fine and concurred that the spot was indeed a regular haunt for us lot. And so off he went, tail between his legs! Needless to say, he got away as quickly as he could and without further word!
Braniff747SP From United States of America, joined Oct 2008, 2602 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 2639 times:
at LAX i was spotting, at a place 40 yards from the end of the runway... a cop came and told me the i couldn't be there... he was nice about it, but where i was there were no sign, nothing telling me that i couldn't be there. i was annoyed.
The 747 will always be the TRUE queen of the skies!
JohnKrist From Sweden, joined Jan 2005, 1339 posts, RR: 5 Reply 5, posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 19 hours ago) and read 2632 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW HEAD SUPPORT
It's rather common at MMX and CPH that the guards/Police approach you if you are standing in a parking lot and it's because other elements of our society raiding them for valuables. So they are just doing their job, protecting peoples property. And so far there has never been a problem for me as soon as they see the photo gear, and I usually show them some images too.
7D, 17-40 F4 L, 70-200 F2.8 L IS, EF 1.4x II, EF 2x III, Metz 58-AF1
Dazbo5 From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2005, 2566 posts, RR: 2 Reply 6, posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 2603 times:
I've been stopped twice at MAN by the police, and searched once. It's just the police carrying out their security checks, I wouldn't worry about it. They have a job to do to keep us all safe. The first time I was stopped was on the field by 23R approach. I was on my own that day and the police had a quick look in my bag just to ensure it was just camera equipment I had. The second time was just before christmas when a plain clothes officer asked me what the 'bar' in my bag was, it was my monopod! Just be friendly with them and let them do their checks and they'll leave you alone after that.
Darren
Equipment: 2x Canon EOS 50D; Sigma 10-20 EX DC HSM, 50-500 EX APO DG, Canon 24-105 f/4 L, Speedlite 430EX
Apollo13 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 7, posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 16 hours ago) and read 2596 times:
Yeah ive encountered my first check last Saturday at the San Bruno Avenue Overpass near SFO. I was with a group of people and a police officer checked our ID's and all the regular practice. He then left us alone.
TupolevTu154 From UK - England, joined Aug 2004, 2116 posts, RR: 31 Reply 8, posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 2566 times:
I have to have a rant about a police officer at LHR a couple of weeks ago. We'd been spoken to by the highway authority about an hour prior to the police's visit, and they were nice enough and just wished us well. The police weren't so understanding. One officer in particular rounded us up and asked us "Are you just planespotters then?" "Yeah" "Well, let me ask you this. What do you think passing motorists are going to thing at a bunch of chaps standing around in a field with wooly hats on and big lenses next to one of the worlds busiest airports?" (At this point I was extremely tempted to say 'Planespotters?' but chose to tell him what he wanted to hear instead) There was a silence from the officer for a while before him bursting out with "Durrrrrrr" in an extremely patronising fashion. "Terrorists, of course. So before our time starts being wasted by phone calls calling you lot suspicious, I suggest you move on. You're not allowed to be down there anyway". That was complete and utter BS. We'd been down there for the best part of 6 hours and had a visit from the highway authority, 15 other photographers/spotters and it's practically an official viewing spot anyway. He then went on about some place up at T5 we can spot from. "I don't have a problem with you lot indulging in your hobby but don't do it here".
This officer belittled us and patronised us to the point we were fuming, only stayed another 10 minutes and left.
Mkwiat From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2006, 23 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 14 hours ago) and read 2551 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW PHOTO SCREENER
Just out of interest TupolevTu154, where exactly were you at LHR when this police officer showed up? They’ve always been very civil when I’ve been stopped by them. Hopefully with the new aviation enthusiast scheme the police and BAA have set up at LHR things might get a little easier.
Daleaholic From UK - England, joined Oct 2005, 3184 posts, RR: 15 Reply 10, posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 13 hours ago) and read 2535 times:
The police at MAN are very planespotter friendly from my experience. Through my own fault, parking like an idiot, I got a talking to from the police last year.
I was spotting on the mounds opposite the airport pub at 23R. I heard sirens, but they weren't moving, so i thought... hmmm, best go back to the car and check everything is ok. There was a police officer waiting in the field by the gate. Once I got to him he asked if the car parked up was mine and then told me I couldn't park there and that they nearly had the car towed! They took my details, checked out my license and car, asked what I was up to (told him I was planespotting) and then left me to it.
I've been southside so many times, the police just have a look at you to check you're not up to anything sinister and drive past.
In my opinion, the PCSO is probably a new recruit and just isn't familiar with the relaxed attitude towards planespotters at Manchester Airport
Religion is an illusion of childhood... Outgrown under proper education.
JakTrax From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2005, 4732 posts, RR: 8 Reply 11, posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 12 hours ago) and read 2525 times:
Quoting Daleaholic (Reply 10): The police at MAN are very planespotter friendly from my experience
The majority are but I can think of two arseholes off-hand.....
I often park my car by the gate at the entrance to Joe's field as these days the mud-pile in front of the gate won't allow it to open. When was the last time a vehicle needed access via this point of entry? A long time ago, let me tell you!
PRGDLGUY From Czech Republic, joined Sep 2006, 101 posts, RR: 9 Reply 12, posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 11 hours ago) and read 2511 times:
Its happened to me at MAN but on the other side of airport. Policman just come asked me for ID, than called somewhere and than was OK. Same in Japan when I showed my camera (NRT, HND, ITM) they approached me asked for passport, made some notices and wished me a nice spotting. If they are just monitoring activity around airport and let us there to continue its fine........
Back in the summer when the said incident happened... there was nothing blocking the gate. Although I thought If I parked in front of it, that was likely to be more of a concern than on the road.
Religion is an illusion of childhood... Outgrown under proper education.
TupolevTu154 From UK - England, joined Aug 2004, 2116 posts, RR: 31 Reply 14, posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 2458 times:
Quoting Mkwiat (Reply 9): Just out of interest TupolevTu154, where exactly were you at LHR when this police officer showed up? They’ve always been very civil when I’ve been stopped by them. Hopefully with the new aviation enthusiast scheme the police and BAA have set up at LHR things might get a little easier.
It was down the bank from the T5 road, south of the approach to 09L.
Quoting Daleaholic (Reply 10): The police at MAN are very planespotter friendly from my experience. Through my own fault, parking like an idiot, I got a talking to from the police last year.
Ahh yes, I remember that! You were shit*ing yourself
Boquera From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2007, 40 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 2350 times:
Quoting Boquera (Thread starter):
an airport PCSO comes over to me and asks me what i'm doing
Did Mr or Mrs PCSO not demand you to stop taking pictures and go through the Section 44 b*llocks?!
.......................................
no, that was the confusing thing, just took my name and date of birth and walked off. just out of interest, why take d.o.b? Come to think of it, he did see my green pass hanging out of my coat when he came over to me (may be why he didnt ask for more details?????). He wasnt an arse tho but it did make me decamp to the pub, missed the PIA A310 landing so not too pleased!!!
Bjcc From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 316 posts, RR: 4 Reply 20, posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 15 hours ago) and read 2302 times:
Daleaholic
Sorry, utter rubbish. The reason a DOB is asked for is twofold. One, its one of the parameters needed for a PNC check. There is nothing on that you don't know, unless you are wanted. Even then you'd probably realise it. The second reason is that the rules on stops mean that a form has to be submitted for the Home Office, DOB is again one of the parameters asked for. It means the HO can publish pointless stats on stop and search.
I have to make an assumption on MAN, that they have similar bye laws to LHR. If thats correct, then you can't use the car park for anything other than parking. Even if thats not the case, common sense should tell you that being in an area where there are lots of cars parked, and where vehicle crime is high (airport car parks are!) then you are going to get asked what you are doing. You may regard it as obvious, but it wont be the first time someone's walking round with a camera at an airport car park, nicking things, rather than clicking!
Boquera From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2007, 40 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 2284 times:
Bjcc, at MAN, Level 13 has been designated an official spotters terrace for years, they even sign it still in the lifts. They have just recently (ish) moved car rental up there (so its v.busy) but its made no difference to spotters being up there-its still allowed
Bjcc From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2005, 316 posts, RR: 4 Reply 22, posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 14 hours ago) and read 2281 times:
And as I said, common sense even if spotters are permitted, given the place where they are, means that you have every chance of being asked what you are doing. To use a different example, you are permitted to carry a box round at midnight, but, if you do you'll probably be stopped if seen by Police. The fact you are doing something that is quite legal, does not mean there is no possibility of it being the opposite.
This is something that many people don't or can't grasp. In the same way that people assume that the new scheme at LHR will lead to them not being stopped, it doesn't, nor does it mean that members of that scheme can go into areas where they are not permitted currently. Or that they wont be ejected from within the airport perri roads, like they are sometimes now.
JakTrax From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2005, 4732 posts, RR: 8 Reply 24, posted (4 years 4 months 1 week 2 days 12 hours ago) and read 2256 times:
Quoting Daleaholic (Reply 23): Have you ever even been spotting at Manchester Airport?
You sound as if you have no idea about the airport and the relaxed attitude from police and airport staff towards planespotters.
I personally think you're talking utter rubbish, making assumptions about somewhere you've never been!
I'm not one to bash folk but I have to agree.....
...Although on the other hand I do kinda see Bjcc's point...
Karl
25 Brasila684: They had that happen at Fresno Air Terminal (KFAT/FAT). The way I heard it was that there were a few spotters shooting the ANG F-16's taking off and t
26 Daleaholic: I can also see his point about being in certain areas of an airport but think it's wrong of him to make assumptions without having visited these plac
27 Skidmarks: Personally I would be quite worried about security if the Police and Security operatives did NOT ask me and others for some sort of ID now and then. A
28 Bjcc: Daleaholic Yes, I have been taking photos at MAN, Wed being the last time. Shame the weather was rubbish! I also used to police an airport, rather big
29 JakTrax: The police at MAN now know all the regulars and the situation is different than at any other airport in the UK. I am perhaps more qualified than most
30 Daleaholic: You don't have to repeat anything for me as I never said that anybody was immune to being stopped and asked questions. I simply said that Manchester
31 Bjcc: Daleaholic I think you'll find that was your second point after your incorrect assumptions regarding legislation and silly comments regarding what you
32 JakTrax: I will chime in here because some of your assumptions are wrong. For starters, the area known as Joe's field is at the moment owned by MAG. Secondly,
33 Daleaholic: Please can you quote the said point, as I can't seem to find it! If you're referring to me talking about how they can find out details about you usin
34 Bjcc: Daleaholic No idea what 3 years refers to. PNC contains details of a persons criminal record, nothing more. You will know if you have one, as you have
35 JakTrax: MAG decides who polices the areas inside of the perimeter fence, and in MAN's case they chose the GMPD, much like MAG chose Securicor at EMA. Some of
36 PictureThis: East Midlands tends to vary for me. All the times i've been approached (twice in 3 years), its been the Police, who always tell me to go to the end o
37 Conoramoia: At GWY(small airport on west coast of Ireland) I was standing in a high field(of which i knew the owner)the control tower spotted me and sent a fire e
38 AndyEastMids: For the most part, you are not required to provide name or DOB on a stop and search: You don’t have to give your name, address or date of birth to
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