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Spotting at EWR (and security hassles)

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  • #1

    Spotting at EWR (and security hassles)

    I finally decided to go spotting at Newark today...the weather was perfect, they were using the 'right' runways and I got a couple of friends to come with me. We decided to go to the Ikea Parking lot first, because everything I've read says that the view of airplanes from there is pretty good.

    So we show up at the parking lot, the view is fairly decent, and we start taking pictures. There's a security car about 10 parking spots away from us, but the people in it seem least bothered that we're there. After 20 minutes or so, a random guy (with a thick middle-eastern accent) shows up in his car next to us. This is how the conversation went:

    Random guy: "You cannot take pictures here, they will arrest you."
    Me: "They who?"
    Random guy: "The police."
    Me: "Why, all I'm doing is taking pictures."
    Random Guy: "It's illegal to take pictures of planes landing and taking off. Stop doing this stuff."

    At that point I just turned away from him and we continued taking pictures and stuff...he drove away. 5 minutes later, the security car that had been near us drives up right in front of our car. This is how that conversation went:

    Security: "Y'all aren't taking pictures are you?"
    Me: "Yeah, we are."
    Security: "Oh, no, put that stuff away, you can't take pictures."
    Me: "Why, is it not allowed?"
    Security: "No, it isn't allowed."
    Me: "Sorry, I didn't know."

    We drove away from there then, and we really didn't feel like going anywhere else in Newark to try and take pictures after this stuff. The reaon I didn't ask any questions or say anything to the security guards at Ikea was because it is private property, and they have the right to kick us off, for whatever reason.

    Either way, I don't know what to say when somebody comes up and says that photography of airplanes is illegal. I know it isn't, but that doesn't seem to stop people from kicking us out anyway. I don't know if I should call the airport before I go and ask them for permission to take photographs from the airport parking lots, or if I should call the police department and ask them...it's just becoming too much of a hassle to spot there anymore.
    "The Director also sets the record straight on what would happen if oxygen masks were to drop from the ceiling: The passengers freak out with abandon, instead of continuing to chat amiably, as though lunch were being served, like they do on those in-flight safety videos."

    -- The LA Times, in a review of 'Flightplan'
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  • #2
    What's up with that "Random guy"? He goes around looking for activity at a parking lot and then report to the police himself! Doesn't he have a job? I pity the fool.

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    • #3
      Originally posted by avro_arrow_25206
      What's up with that "Random guy"? He goes around looking for activity at a parking lot and then report to the police himself! Doesn't he have a job? I pity the fool.
      I don't know who he was, what he was doing, where he came from, whether he reported us to security or not, but he sure as hell was creepy.
      "The Director also sets the record straight on what would happen if oxygen masks were to drop from the ceiling: The passengers freak out with abandon, instead of continuing to chat amiably, as though lunch were being served, like they do on those in-flight safety videos."

      -- The LA Times, in a review of 'Flightplan'

      Comment

      • #4
        Oh I feel with you man. It sucks to be told off that you have to stop doing what you are doing. Although they can see you're just a little boy who likes to take photos of airplanes. They should know better. Shouldnt they ? You should have beforehand talked with the Ikea or the one who are in charge of that lot, so you have permision to be at that spot. Hell you can just lie say you're taking photos of birds. Do whatever it takes, the faster you can get those random guys or security to buzz off, the better chance for you to stay there at the spot. Maybe wearing a yellow jacket that says Airplane watch or something related to those flying above ya would do. .. Sorry you guys got kicked off. You're not the only one who experienced that once.. I have myself being told by Sec.Units 7 times around my local airport... It sucks.. Yeah...
        Inactive from May 1 2009.

        Comment

        • #5
          Lol...I don't much look like a little boy, but yeah, I agree with you.
          "The Director also sets the record straight on what would happen if oxygen masks were to drop from the ceiling: The passengers freak out with abandon, instead of continuing to chat amiably, as though lunch were being served, like they do on those in-flight safety videos."

          -- The LA Times, in a review of 'Flightplan'

          Comment

          • #6
            Originally posted by indian airlines
            Lol...I don't much look like a little boy, but yeah, I agree with you.
            Lol.. I wasnt specific talking about YOU, Tanuj. I was only using a little boys mind that there's no harm on spotters just taking pictures.
            Inactive from May 1 2009.

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            • #7
              That's pretty wacky.

              No harm in writing to the airport people and asking about it. If they say it's ok at least you'd have a copy of the letter to show to who ever says otherwise.

              Alternately, you could buy something from the Ikea and put it in your car VERY slowly.

              Comment

              • #8
                Originally posted by Genessee
                Alternately, you could buy something from the Ikea and put it in your car VERY slowly.
                This would be a lot more effective if the car happens to be SmartCar

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                • #9
                  Dude EWR sucks for spotting, U have to shoot and run at EWR, get want you want, snap and head to the next spot. LGA and JFK are much better, you may get questioned but they leave you be.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Originally posted by avro_arrow_25206
                    This would be a lot more effective if the car happens to be SmartCar
                    And the purchase was something like a bookcase. Keep insisting to the security guy that you'll get it into the car until he leaves.

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