Mikephotos From United States of America, joined Oct 2000, 2923 posts, RR: 56 Reply 2, posted (10 years 5 days 15 hours ago) and read 3262 times:
You forgot to add the rest....
Unfortunately, due to the heightened security alert, aircraft spotting at Orlando International Airport has been suspended until further notice. Passengers must now wear blindfolds as they approach the airport and all terminal windows have been replaced with 5 inch thick steel gates.
We expect to suspend all passenger transport within a few days, aircraft will be required to depart without humans onboard to reduce the risk of terrorist activity.
UN_B732 From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 4286 posts, RR: 5 Reply 5, posted (10 years 5 days 14 hours ago) and read 3166 times:
Are we going to get rid of the windows? Make them black? Spotting will always exist. PS: Under what circumstances can you get a gate pass???
-Transaero Boeing 737-200
FutureFO From New Caledonia, joined Oct 2001, 3095 posts, RR: 24 Reply 6, posted (10 years 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 3130 times:
You can get a gate pass if you are picking up a UM or a person in a wheelchair. Even then you have to still deal with the security and all the other BS. Fortunately SFB is not as idiotic as MCO. Even tho there is less traffic and it will reduce with the international traffic after the charter and IT season.
Ba319-131 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2001, 8267 posts, RR: 56 Reply 10, posted (10 years 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 2919 times:
It's very sad that the world of terrorism has come to affect a totally harmless hobby.
What have we ever done to cause our hobby to become 'unliked' and a 'security' risk - nothing.
We as a group (a rather large group!) of people are more likely to aid the airport security agencys,than cause it a concern.
If someone wanted to 'down' a plane,they are not going to do it from a spotting vantage point,they will find some remote point on approach or departure and do it from there.
It is time the so called security 'experts' realised our value to assist them than continue to ban us from a peaceful and relaxing hobby.
Whilst I was spotting in Japan,both at NRT and HND,I was not bothered once,the police made frequent rounds but never once was I bothered,quite a nice experience.
Jhooper From United States of America, joined Dec 2001, 6195 posts, RR: 13 Reply 11, posted (10 years 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 2866 times:
You won't be arrested at your apartment. They can't do a damn thing to you (yet) on your private property, unless of course you actually possess those stinger missiles.
That brings up an interesting point; what happens if I start shooting off those Estes model rockets like I did all the time next to the airport when I was a kid?
Last year 1,944 New Yorkers saw something and said something.
DeltAirlines From United States of America, joined May 1999, 8771 posts, RR: 13 Reply 12, posted (10 years 4 days 14 hours ago) and read 2834 times:
GOAA (the authority that runs MCO) has a policy of when the nation is at Orange Alert (as it is now), spotting is suspended. When we go back to yellow, spotting will resume under the previous conditions (fill out a few forms, etc.)
Fpdonald From United States of America, joined Aug 2002, 430 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (10 years 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 2806 times:
Maybe we need to take the crew "Crash Pad" approach and rent a one bedroomed apartment and pack it full. There are many really nice, new, but expensive apartments within yards from the runway - particularly 17. We'll each donate - say $5.00 - then jostle for space on the balcony. East of the Arbors is really growing fast, for those that know the area - tons of restaurants too.
Closer are the airport hotels, most chains, as is the norm - great views from the pool(s).
While Frontage may be a tad hostile at the moment, try the next side street to the North - Judge Road, from the west. But still, you can always park at Denny's, etc., and spot until you are high off the grease fumes.
For those visiting, don't let MCO deter you . . . there are still MANY more up close and personal places. Again for 17 [landing to the South] visit Delta Cargo/Dash, ample visitor parking and good old boys. 18, try the old McCoy area but INS is around there too.
Again, and again, use common sense - don't bring the tent. Move every hour or so, and if requested acquiesce.
727LOVER From United States of America, joined Oct 2001, 5722 posts, RR: 20 Reply 14, posted (10 years 4 days 13 hours ago) and read 2789 times:
AN HOUR!!!!!!! Oh, I think that's reallllllllly wishful thinking! Delta Cargo, they'll threaten to call the police!
EVERYBODY near MCO, need a fix, drive southwest down I-4 over to TPA!!!!!
2 parking garages, no binauculars needed ample areas around the field to watch, oh yeah, I forgot about the park and secluded beach. Right now the longest runway is closed which means once in a blue moon photo opportunities. May wanna wait til alert goes down.
FutureFO From New Caledonia, joined Oct 2001, 3095 posts, RR: 24 Reply 15, posted (10 years 4 days 11 hours ago) and read 2747 times:
The TPA spots are awesome. The best spot or the one that I like is the Beach. The parking garages are great too. And last time was there with 727Lover we were not hassled at all. But as always it is good to move around a little as not to be hassled.
Jhooper From United States of America, joined Dec 2001, 6195 posts, RR: 13 Reply 16, posted (10 years 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 2726 times:
Sorry it's come to this, but that's just what people are told to do now. "Report suspicious activity" including people who loiter at the airport and/or take pictures. It's even trickling down to us GA folks.
Last year 1,944 New Yorkers saw something and said something.
MxCtrlr From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 2485 posts, RR: 40 Reply 17, posted (10 years 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 2699 times:
Best solution, just go east across 436 from Frontage Road (past the Denny's). Make a left at the 4-way stop and make a right at the next stop sign (Hazeltine National Drive). Come east on Hazeltine National Drive until you gt near the U.S. Post Office. The planes come directly overhead when landing from the north. Problem solved!
MxCtrlr
Freight Dogs Anonymous - O.O.T.S.K.
DAMN! This SUCKS! I just had to go to the next higher age bracket in my profile! :-(
JBirdAV8r From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 4459 posts, RR: 22 Reply 20, posted (10 years 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 2557 times:
It's even trickling down to us GA folks.
No joke. I can't recall how many times I've been asked for my certificate by Kojak-wannabe FBO personnel etc.
Just a small note to GA pilots to avoid heartache and a real pain if asked for identification: DO NOT give your license to anyone. Show it if asked, but do not GIVE it to anyone unless you receive written request from an FAA designee. "Surrendering" your license can subject it to revocation!
Jhooper From United States of America, joined Dec 2001, 6195 posts, RR: 13 Reply 21, posted (10 years 3 days 3 hours ago) and read 2546 times:
Thanks for that advice, JBirdAv8r. Surprisingly enough, I've never been asked for my pilot credentials, except when getting checked out to rent aircraft somewhere. But if I ever am asked, I'll be sure I kept possession of the actual certificate.
Last year 1,944 New Yorkers saw something and said something.
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ample areas around the field to watch, oh yeah, I forgot about the park and secluded beach. Right now the longest runway is closed which means once in a blue moon photo opportunities. May wanna wait til alert goes down.
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