"Plane Spotters" join terror watch!

I think the idea of ‘recruiting/platooning’ the spotters is a great idea, and I think most spotters would be happy to oblige. As Bex mentioned, the average spotter has a greater knowledge of the day-to-day operations of any given airport than ANY rent-a-cop security detail could ever dream of.

I personally don’t mind the added security measures anywhere… although I was somewhat ‘culture shocked’ some ears ago when visiting Ringway with a friend who is/was an avid spotter there. His photos always illustrated it, but until you stand on the top deck of the car-park and see the blokes with automatics hung over their shoulders…. but if you’ve done (or are doing) nothing wrong you’ve nothing to worry about. It sure beats the triple security screen at Manila where friends and family must say their good-byes outside the doors.

JJ

As someone who’s been subjected to an aggressive ‘stop and search’ by (non airport) police at an airport, I would think they ought to be able to tell the difference between genuine enthusiasts and trouble makers, perhaps not ? :rolleyes:

The phrase “away and catch some real criminals” sprung to mind as the Officer Hardbody of the local dog branch, tryed his best to impress a female colleague by threatening to take A330 Crazy, T5 and myself into the station for a grilling. All this for standing in a well used and popular spotting area at GLA (pre stunt driving Iraqi medical students of course) 😉

As I recall, the only reason we didn’t enjoy a trip in the back of a van was the fact we all had appropriate ID and their computer check on us made good. Surprise surprise, we weren’t members of Al Qaeda, the IRA, ETA or even the Boy Scouts !!

That said… The actual Glasgow Airport branch of Strathclyde Police have generally been pretty good with the enthusiasts, and have set up meetings with the spotters to discuss security issues and even arranged a visit for some of the guys to the nearby Police helicopter unit for a look see. As I understand it, they are happy to have extra eyes and ears around the airport, particularly in the light of recent events. I think they prefer it now, if you make a courtesy call or visit to the police office to explain where you’ll be and when, but otherwise they’re OK…

In my view its a good idea, lets face it, plane enthusiasts are far more likely to spot something dodgy than average security staff who have been on shift for 10 hours and been awake since ridiculous o’clock and aint exactly the sharpest pencil in the box at that point. SUnday for example, driving home from spending the day workin on me Canberra (as u do LoL) I drive past the back gate of Gatwick at the end of the runway, and what do I see? 3 enuthusiasts being being searched & ID’d by a police van with its blues flashing (was waitin for a 747 to land on top of it tho).

Although heightened security is a good idea, I felt sorry for these guys, minding their own business, taking a few photos and not beating old grannies senseless so they can get stoned out of their faces.

Final point, it could be used however, to cut costs on security having unpaid security spotters around.

Bex