Spotting in New York City…?

Ah thats great mate! I was thinking about trying for the ticket desk up here at NCL but then thought to my self i need to get a bit more experience on checking in the main stream airlines such as BA and KLM. So today i started on the KLM roster. Im either going to try for ticket desk or maybe have a look at dispatch.

Alot of people I know turn their noses up at a job on a ticket desk as they think it is boring, but I have been on it for approx a year now and I really like it; it is really exciting because no one day is the same and I really like having to deal with complex passengers issues/problems that you probably wont be able to deal with at check-in.

I would of applied for dispatch myself, but I felt that you loose the ‘customer service’ approach when in this role, which is what i like most about working in the industry. Not that I am saying dispatch is a rubbish job, far from it, it too can be very exciting and challenging role to be in, but like you said I am going to get more experience in other areas first before I think of moving into ‘operation based’ positions.

Good luck, whichever way you go!

Ah thats great mate! I was thinking about trying for the ticket desk up here at NCL but then thought to my self i need to get a bit more experience on checking in the main stream airlines such as BA and KLM. So today i started on the KLM roster. Im either going to try for ticket desk or maybe have a look at dispatch.

Congrats on the new job mate!

Do you mind if i ask what the job is?

Thanks very much.

I will be working on a Ticket Desk at Heathrow…nothing to shout about really as I am already in Ticketing/Reservations at the moment, but it is more money than what I am on currently, and I feel that working at LHR will provide me with more opportunities in the future!:D

Congrats on the new job mate!

Do you mind if i ask what the job is?

Thanks tenthije, I only have a Fujifilm s5700 camera so might not be as good as that link you gave me states a 100mm lens would be required at most of the viewing points, but I will see when I am there.

You should take a look at www.nycaviation.com. They got very detailed information on JFK and LGA. They got no information on EWR though.

JFK
Don’t bother unless you got a car. I tried spotting there without car and for photography it is a hard deal.

LGA
Great airport for spotting. There are two main spots that are easily accesbile with public transport/foot.

The first one is a few 100 metres of the US Airways / NWA terminal. Exit the terminal and walk to the left. Walk besides the road leading into the parking area, away from the terminal. On your left you will find a small park. You can easily find it as there is a memorial for soldiers missing in action, thus follow the US flag, the MIA flag and the flags for the various branches of the armed forces. You might not see them immediately due to the trees, but they are there.

Once there you got two options. Either walk up the pedestrian bridge and spot from there. This is a nice spot as the planes will pass by pretty much at eye height. I made my photos there with a 70-200 mm lense. That really is too small, although with agressive cropping you can get photos that are (barely) JP.net level. Ideally a 300-400 mm lense will do.

The second option, one I only found out about when back home, is to continue walking next to the waterfront. After a 20 minute walk you should be close to the point where the planes have to bank to make the turn. Apparantly 70-200 mm will sufice here, but as I said I did not try it myself.

Another spot nearby is Planeview Park. The M60 bus passes here from La Guardia. The smaller lenses will suffice here quite nicely. I used the 70-200 and some of the longer planes (757 is pretty much the max here) only barely fit.

EWR
This place has some nice views, but at all times keep a low profile!

Personally the best spot would be on top of parking area 4 but only when runway 11/29 is used. You got a view over 11/29, part of the C terminal (continental heavies) and the cargo area. When I was there I was sent off in under 15 minutes. I was not that bothered as no planes had flown in, but the second I stepped into the elevator back down a United Express ERJ came in. The view is quite cool as the plane came in close by and at eye level. Had I had 5 minutes more I would have had a great photo!

There are no windows in terminal C, though you should be able to see the planes from the monorail. Photography from the train is not allowed, so try to get a carriage of your own if you can.

There are large windows in terminal B, so views over the apron are good. The action on the runway could also easily be shot for 757 size planes using my 70-200. A 300mm will probably also include 737s and a 400mm should cover you entirely.

Terminal A also has large windows like terminal B. On top of that there are two small open-air terraces on either side. Views there are quite nice. On one side you got a view over a cul-de-sac for Air Canada and friends and Air Tran.

The other terrace has a view over one of the piers of A terminal (US Airways) and a pier of terminal B (KLM, NWA). In the distance oneo f the active runways and taxiways can be seen. Distance is about the same as inside, so 200mm should suffice for 757s taking off, and well enough for ERJs taxiing past.

Do not eat at the Italian restaurant (forgot if it was terminal A of B). It got me running with the food coming out the wrong way. It really was that bad.