Hello everyone! I went out to MCO today to spot from a new area that photographer, PhattBritt, told me about. It's located off the new Goldenrod Rd that runs parallel to the runways right in between 17R and 17L. As some of you know, the new runway, 17L/35R, is being used a lot because 17R/35L is closed. So I went out there and found the exact spot that these shots were taken from:

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Photo © PhattBritt

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Photo © PhattBritt


As soon as I got out there, I knew I was in heaven. These planes were so close and there wasn't a cop in sight! It was great. I took a few shots and a couple of employees of Comair Maintence Whatever Whatever even grove by and waved to me! I thought this was too good to be true. Sure enough, 5 minutes later a MCO security guard pulled up next to me. I thought he was gonna be a butt about it but surprisingly, he was real nice!!! We started talking. He told me I had to photograph somewhere else and so I asked where he suggested. He didn't have an answer for that one  . But we started talking about Aviation, TSA, security, cameras, MCO, MCO traffic, etc, etc. Before I knew it, we'd be talking 20 minutes and the whole time, each time a plane taxied by, he said, "Oh... Why don't you get a shot of that one real quick?" He was so cool. Finally I said, "well I guess I better get going." And he said, "well you can stay a little longer after I leave!" This was great. Even though I still ended up having to leave this little spot of heaven, it was great that this security guard was so cool and nice about it. Turned out, he took pictures too but only from a much better spot, the middle of the taxiway!!! I told him to check out Airliners.net and maybe he could get some accepted. I told him also to check out photos of MCO and that he'd see photos from the spot we were at taken by PhattBritt and maybe, if they get accepted, some of mine. He seemed reluctant to tell me to leave but I know he was just doing his job. The only suggestion he had for me was to do the 9th Floor Parking Garage thingy which we both agreed was a bunch of B.S. We both came to terms that Photography of Aviation was legally, near to impossible at MCO unless you were flying. I'm glad I got to meet him and I'm glad I didn't get some prick guard who took his job too seriously.  

If he reads this, Thanks Greg for your kindess and conversation! Hope if I get caught out there again takin photos, it's by you!  

-Justin

P.S. Here are some of the shots I uploaded. They're currently in que to be screened. If the shots fail to work, I'll update the links with the rejected or accepted links:

http://www.airliners.net/addphotos/big/ready/N911DAMCO.jpg
http://www.airliners.net/addphotos/big/ready/N526JBMCO.jpg
http://www.airliners.net/addphotos/big/ready/N832RPMCO.jpg
http://www.airliners.net/addphotos/big/ready/N966ATMCO.jpg
http://www.airliners.net/addphotos/big/ready/N6715CMCO.jpg

Please tell me what you think! Thanks!