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