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**YYZPICS** · 2005-07-04, 02:20

Originally posted by pkonowrocki

According to Dazbo5's article about police checking spotters in Manchester. Same was with me. I was taking pictures in Toronto (CYYZ). I was standing quite close to the fance so I could see verything clear. I was surprised there were no spotters on that day. Maybe because of the weather. Anyway, I was taking photos when something like the airport patrol came. They asked me about camera and what I am doing here. I explained that I am a spotter and I am taking photos because it is my hobby. Thay asked me to show them some photos. Then they said that they were just checking and let me take more photos. They were really kind. But about 15 minutes later the Policeman came and asked me what I am doing here. I explained everything but he said that after 9.11 you can not take photos. I was really surprised. He said he will have to take my memory card. Finally he did not. He allowed me to keep photos. when I told him that it is my hobby and I only keep photos for my collection. But he told me to go home and that I can no longer take picture. He also said: "Pilots see people by the fence and get really nervous". Now I do not go to this place anymore. I am lucky cause I live not far from airport (about 4 km) and I take pictures of planes from my house (when they are landing on runway 33L). However I was really surprised and shocked. i thought airports are happy that there are spotters - maybe future airport workers.

yea about 3 weeks ago i ran into a opp officer named mike, and he was very nice after he checked us out, and told us that we could stay, and i asked him if i could take pictures and hes like yea, then i was surprised that he said yea so i continued on.Then he said bye and drove off. Ive noticed has time goes on, the serciruty gets more understanding of us and that were not threats. you cant blame them becasue think about, if your working security at any airport and you see people standing at the fence and only 200 feet away from the runways, you have to go and ask questions etc... Im amusing that you were near 6L and 6R?

btw about a month ago i contacted yyz and asked them for a tour of there tower and IFR building, then i got a call about 3-4days later saying that i could and to come the following week at 10am, i was very happy and was amazed at all the radar screens and talking to atc's, and since i want to become an atc is was great to have a view into there day.

AJ · 2005-07-04, 02:21

Pilots (well, me and most of my collegues) see people next to the fence and wave hoping for internet celebrity!

The only law enforcement that approached me in the States was a very nice fellow who just asked if I was getting the casinos in the background at LAS!

Like most aviation security consistancy is majorly lacking.

**Genessee** · 2005-07-04, 04:03

I've been approached three times by Peel Police. One was a tactical officer. They all took my drivers license, registration and checked my insurance. None asked me to leave, though one said not to stick around too long because more than likely they will get a call about me being there.

Two of those times were by the 06/24 runways (to the west, on the winding road) and once by the hill at the FedEx facility.

Two other times police came and took license plate numbers of cars in the area (once by the Connie, the other by the hill) but never said anything.

I've seen police have some rather lengthy and friendly conversations, the one that said I shouldn't stick around too long spoke with me for a good 10 or 15 minutes with small talk. He told me those roads were a 'grey area', while they are on GTAA property, they are not restricted areas so unless a complaint is called in, they don't do anything about it.

They were all quite nice. I haven't dealt with the airport people yet.

**Legend_Airlines** · 2005-07-04, 06:47

I leave all my identification at home. "Robocop" usually has a fun time with that.

**medic1** · 2005-07-04, 13:18

Odd.....I have been spotting in Toronto, in a field with 30 other spotters standing around me and the police never said a thing........

From what I hear though, people at YYZ who have been stopped usually never have a problem as long as they are forthcoming about their purpose and with ID etc. Maybe something had happened earlier that day to cause heightened suspicions.....

**scotty50** · 2005-07-04, 13:27

i was there saturday and sunday and didnt have one problem at all..

...i feel better taking pictures at yyz then in my home town at yxu..

**Legend_Airlines** · 2005-07-04, 16:48

You YXU'ers usually stay in the fairly safe places though....

I usually get checked out once or twice if I'm standing at the fence line or in the infield for hours upon end

**medic1** · 2005-07-04, 21:54

Originally posted by Legend_Airlines

You YXU'ers usually stay in the fairly safe places though....

lol....thats because if we go anywhere else YXU security mobs us and has the London police begin an investigation into us.......

I agree with Scotty.....at least at YYZ I don't feel like I'm being made out as a terrorist when I go

**Legend_Airlines** · 2005-07-05, 00:01

So far this year I've been a terrorist at YYZ on the following days

2005/1/15
2005/3/14
2005/3/16
2005/5/21
2005/6/2

**andrew_c** · 2005-07-05, 01:25

Originally posted by medic1

lol....thats because if we go anywhere else YXU security mobs us and has the London police begin an investigation into us.......

I agree with Scotty.....at least at YYZ I don't feel like I'm being made out as a terrorist when I go

You hear there is a new head of security

.

**AC870** · 2005-07-05, 06:04

Two weeks ago I was shooting at the 15L spot with a friend when a Peel Police car stopped by us. The officer said he didnt have a problem with what we were doing but he just had fill in a report or something. He just asked for ID and we chatted for about 10 minutes.

I don't have a problem with that, as long as they don't try to BS me saying that aircraft photography is illegal.

**medic1** · 2005-07-05, 13:32

Originally posted by andrew_c

You hear there is a new head of security

.

Interesting!! When did that happen? Does "Chief Lee" still hold a position there, or is he completely gone?

Originally posted by AC870

Two weeks ago I was shooting at the 15L spot with a friend when a Peel Police car stopped by us. The officer said he didnt have a problem with what we were doing but he just had fill in a report or something. He just asked for ID and we chatted for about 10 minutes.

I don't have a problem with that, as long as they don't try to BS me saying that aircraft photography is illegal.

I agree....I can appreciate that they have a job to do. I am more than willing to show ID and explain my purpose, as long as I don't get degraded for it. Its one thing to question your presence, confirm you are not a threat and carry on......its another to accuse you of being a threat after you comply with their requests.

I don't think anyone that spots is naive to the realities of what happened on 9/11 and that it could happen again without proper security measures, but if everything checks out, spotters shouldn't be a problem.

**JJR** · 2005-07-05, 14:06

Originally posted by Legend_Airlines

So far this year I've been a terrorist at YYZ on the following days

2005/1/15
2005/3/14
2005/3/16
2005/5/21
2005/6/2

LOL.. I really think that you need to re-think the wording. It just sounds funny!
-Jay

**avro_arrow_25206** · 2005-07-05, 14:20

Originally posted by JJR

LOL.. I really think that you need to re-think the wording. It just sounds funny!
-Jay

Lol, just think what would happen if Legend Airlines turns up on a Google search for "terrorist"

In case they don't know who the CEO of that airline is... his name is Ian!!

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